[itwasntme]

Originally Posted by ghodlur

I would like to know if an e-Visa is required for the trip or I should opt for Visa On Arrival or no Visa is required at all as I remember seeing in the newspapers that Visa is not required for India Travellers till 10th May 2024.

Also would like to know if there are any non red eye direct flights from Bangalore?

Thailand is traditionally very chilled about the demarcation between business and tourism; I’ve been multiple times on work but on the earlier paid VoA.

Having said that, I got irritated with the erratic wait times (especially at DMK), and asked for a multiple entry Business visa. Was duly granted in ~10 working days but needed a bunch of paperwork as attached.

Mind you, this is for the single entry one; cannot locate the multiple entry one but must be a minor superset of this one.

[LiveLife]

Originally Posted by ghodlur

I would like to know if an e-Visa is required for the trip or I should opt for Visa On Arrival or no Visa is required at all as I remember seeing in the newspapers that Visa is not required for India Travellers till 10th May 2024.

Hi! You don't need to apply for any visa. But do make sure to not mention business trip at the Thai immigration, rather claim it to be a short recreational trip and that should suffice.

Plus I am having 1 days each before and after the business meeting, how can I maximize my stay with some sight seeings?

sharing a few unique experiences of BKK:

1) For shopping and BKK experience: Chatuchak market, Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, Railway market

2) For food: Chao Phraya River Dinner Cruise, walk around Sukhumvit and enjoy the street food

3) Visit the Grand Palace

[DCEite]

If someone has travelled recently, could you please clarify:

1. Is carrying 10000 TBH still mandatory or one can carry equivlant cash in other currency also (USD/INR) ?

2. Does Visa free entry mean that after arrival one has to directly reach immegration and get the passport stamped ?

3. How are the bus service from Airport towards Pattaya ?

4. Any tips for local SIM card ? Better to purchase from the Airport or city center ? Any specific vendor/shop recommendations ?

TIA

[robincsamuel]

Originally Posted by DCEite

If someone has travelled recently, could you please clarify:

1. Is carrying 10000 TBH still mandatory or one can carry equivlant cash in other currency also (USD/INR) ?

I travelled last October, one week before they made visa free. So I’m not sure about the visa part. But I believe you can directly go through the immigration process and get the passport stamped.

You can carry USD. And it’s better to exchange currency from the city.

4. Any tips for local SIM card ? Better to purchase from the Airport or city center ?

I got the AIS eSIM from the airport. I think that’s easier than finding a store in the city. Quoting the travelogue I posted today,

Originally Posted by robincsamuel

Bought tourist SIM cards (AIS) with 8 days of validity for 520 THB. They helped us to install the eSIMs.

Originally Posted by ghodlur

Plus I am having 1 days each before and after the business meeting, how can I maximize my stay with some sight seeings?

Apart from the options @LiveLife listed, you may also consider Ancient city and Erawan Museum.

Originally Posted by KL01toKA03

How easy is it to rent a car without IDP? I could not find an option to apply for IDP online, and due to work and family commitments, I might not easily find half a day to visit the RTO and get it done.
I am going to Bangkok and Phuket. Would it be cheaper to book local sightseeing tours from the hotel or through websites/apps like Klook or Pelago?

You don't need to visit the RTO, it's fully online. I got the IDP delivered in two weeks time. And please do get the IDP because a traffic police officer stopped our car and asked the IDP specifically when I visited Phuket last October.

Also, I found the taxi rates very high in Phuket and that's one reason we decided to rent a car. I guess it'd be the same even if you book sightseeing tours.

[sairamboko]

Hi all ! I am planning my family’s first international trip and Thailand seems to be the economical one. However need the esteemed member’s suggestions on my month of travel - it will be in May as that’s when the kids and my wife have their vacations. It will be in the first or second week of May.

Edit - also is vegetarian food options available in Phuket / Krabi ?

[robincsamuel]

Originally Posted by sairamboko

it will be in May as that’s when the kids and my wife have their vacations. It will be in the first or second week of May.

May is the end of the season, and it's summer. It's going to be hot and humid, but manageable, I think. It'd be cheaper for the same reason.

is vegetarian food options available in Phuket / Krabi ?

You can find Indian restaurants in Phuket; I hope in Krabi too, but I'm not sure. We went to Phuket last October and found a couple of Indian restaurants in Patong, Karon, and Kata. They weren't pure vegetarian hotels but Indian hotels with vegetarian food options.

Have a nice trip!

[blackbandit]

Originally Posted by DCEite

If someone has travelled recently, could you please clarify:

1. Is carrying 10000 TBH still mandatory or one can carry equivlant cash in other currency also (USD/INR) ?

2. Does Visa free entry mean that after arrival one has to directly reach immigration and get the passport stamped ?

4. Any tips for local SIM card ? Better to purchase from the Airport or city center ? Any specific vendor/shop recommendations ?

Cash is not required for immigrations. But I recommend you carry sufficient cash as you will be using it a lot in the local places. Either carry Baht or USD (covert this to baht in any local currency exchange in Thailand).

No visa required. Just proceed to immigrations and get your passport stamped. At most return tickets are asked but if you’re lucky even that is not taken into account.

You can get an eSIM immediately from an app by the name airalo. The sim is of Dtac which is one of the biggest network providers in Thailand. The 10 days pack hardly costs 700-800rs. If you are taking multiple eSIMs you can make use of referral codes to further reduce the amount. You can DM me if you need a referral code to begin with.

[mayankk]

For a thousand bucks, the matrix guys at Thailand departure gates at T3 will give you a dtac sim card, it will be activated by the time you land. Else you can buy at suvarnabhumi for similar amount, valid for 8 days.

[LiveLife]

Originally Posted by sairamboko

Hi all ! I am planning my family’s first international trip; month of travel will be in May .

Edit - also is vegetarian food options available in Phuket / Krabi ?

Few pointers for your consideration:

1) Phuket has many local and international veg food choices (incl Indian)

2) The weather would be hot, humid with rains.

3) It being off peak would be cheap but experience says that many locals switch to other interim professions during off peak, thus some some impact on choice of food, transport, etc

4) You may also look to spend a few days in Bkk, which would also be an (unique) experience. Have previously shared a few pointers on Bkk attractions on this forum.

5) Off peak = bargain !!

All the best

[mav2000]

Originally Posted by robincsamuel

You don't need to visit the RTO, it's fully online. I got the IDP delivered in two weeks time. And please do get the IDP because a traffic police officer stopped our car and asked the IDP specifically when I visited Phuket last October.

Hi, How did you apply online? I went to the RTO site and it says you have to visit in person with travel documents.

[Rajeevraj]

Originally Posted by sairamboko

Edit - also is vegetarian food options available in Phuket / Krabi ?

Krabi does have several options. The one below is right at the Krabi Marketplace on Ao Nang Beach. There are at least 2-3 others around. I did not eat at any of these places, so not sure about the quality. Also, they are all places that will be serving non veg also.

While of course, you will get veg food to eat, as a vegetarian, enjoyable Thai food will be very limited. Even as a non veg eater, I could not enjoy most of the food as I am generally picky on the non veg I eat and could not adjust to what was being offered.

My takeaway was that food in Thailand is an experience only if you are a real foodie and are open to trying a wide variety of stuff.

Link

[robincsamuel]

Originally Posted by mav2000

Hi, How did you apply online? I went to the RTO site and it says you have to visit in person with travel documents.

I was able to apply on Parivahan - Sarathi. I tried to get a screenshot for you but the site is under maintenance.

Quoting a post from the IDP-related thread. You can see the option to apply for an IDP in the screenshot there. The last link in the first row.

Originally Posted by rajshenoy

Webpage looks like this for me and I could download my IDP from here. Hope this helps.

Attachment 2467439

[KL01toKA03]

Is it mandatory to keep the passport with you when you travel within Thailand, or is it okay to keep it in the hotel? Also, do they ask for any ID proof for entering any popular tourist attractions like temples and Safari World? I would also like to know how to keep cash while going to beaches.

[robincsamuel]

Originally Posted by KL01toKA03

Is it mandatory to keep the passport with you when you travel within Thailand, or is it okay to keep it in the hotel? Also, do they ask for any ID proof for entering any popular tourist attractions like temples and Safari World?

It isn't mandatory. However, you need a passport for forex conversions. Another case where you need a passport is if you have kids with you and have to prove their age. None of the tourist attractions required a passport, but I needed to show mine to rent a golf cart. I always had one bag with me, and our passports were in it.

[LiveLife]

Originally Posted by KL01toKA03

Is it mandatory to keep the passport with you when you travel within Thailand, or is it okay to keep it in the hotel? how to keep cash while going to beaches.

It is not mandatory to carry passports; if you are carrying your phone carry a pic of passport in it. The only time you will need a passport is for a forex transaction through a legal channel. Even then you need to carry only one adult's passport.

At the beaches, you may rent out lockers. If not, then plastic waterproof pouches should do the job. These are available all over Thailand