Hello TELFinKrabi

i have been reading lots of reviews to try and get advice on my trip, as i am coming with my mother. i woudl usually be more relaxed and just see how things go when out there, but am nervous of making sure she is happy. If you are able to help i would be v grateful - it seems you are in the know-how, but i am happy for advice from anyone. Ive booked in for our first 3 nights at Railay Bay Resort. All sorts of mixed reviews though. Do you know if construction work is finished? We are coming in Feb. Or would you suggest Ao Nang over Railay Beach? (quieter better for my mum, but she is not THAT old). Is anywhere more reasonably priced? As nowhere seems that cheap! After Railay we are thinking to head to Koh Lanta looking for some decent beach hut bargains...is there none of this on West side Railay? Thanks.

Hello TELFinKrabi

If your mother is into laying on the beach all day then Railay would be great but if she enjoys walking around a small town with the option of a beach or a massage or a cafe then Ao Nang would be a much better idea. In the evening she would probably enjoy it more with the choice of restaurants and shops.

vb

Hotels in Krabi????

Im stuck on deciding which hotel to choose in Krabi, can anybody recommend anything for me, I will be looking at a nice 3 1/2* to 4*. Close to the beach and resturants etc...

All feedback would be much appreciated.

thanks

claire

Hotels in Krabi????

Current favouties of mine, in Ao Nang, are Pakasai (because of the lovely staff and the new outdoor buffet set in the garden that they%26#39;re doing 3 times a week), Duang Jai (a new resort but well laid out and peaceful) and the Ayodhya Suites (when it opens!).

Krabi

Arriving on Dec 22nd for 8 days,Would like to know how the weather will be as never been before,Also what are the chances of getting a really good suit made while we are there,dont have anough time to get one made in Bangkok ,as ive been told Better tailors

Krabi

Weather should be hot and sunny. Currently we%26#39;re getting a few fabulous thunderstorms in the afternoons to clear the air but they last 15-20 minutes only.

As for the tailors, there are plenty to choose from and mostly run by only one or two families so the quality is pretty uniform.

lips

Departure tax

How much is the departure tax? When do you pay for this? Alongwith your ticket or at the airport?

Departure tax

Hi my guess is that you are talking about departure tax when you are leaving bangkok.

Departure tax is paid at the airport when you depart.

It used to be 500 Bat but I heard that it has increased to 700. Not too sure about the increase.

Departure tax

The current situtation is:-

International departure tax is 500 Baht. Paid in Thai Baht.

It is paid at the airport BEFORE you go through immigratation, there are kiosk with big notices in the Departure Hall.

Domestic currently is included in the ticket.

BUT TIT next year (March) it is reported that it will go up to 700 Baht international and I believe 50 Domestic Both to be collected at the airport.

It is also reported that the Taxi Tax will also increase to 100 Baht at the same time.

Hope this clears it for you

so am i safe to say that it will still be 500 till the end of the year?

spear

You should be ok till the end of the year but TIT.

The projected date of increase was March 07 but I%26#39;ve not seen anything since the initial news release

International departure tax is 700thb from 1st February 2007. Thai Airways have included it in their ticket price if flight booked after 1st November 2006. Others may follow suite. If not included you pay in cash prior to deparure as you do the 500thb now.

Up to 31st. Jan 2007 Thailand Airport Tax for International destinations is payable to the Airport Authorities in Thailand upon departure. (500 Baht).

International departures from 01st. Feb. 2007 onwards, the Airport Tax will be included in the Total Amount Due payable when a booking is made via any of our booking channels. (700 Baht).

Bookings made as of 4th. September 2006 for 01st. Feb. 2007 onward travel, the Airport Tax has been included in the Total Amount Due.

There are no changes for the payment and collection for domestic departure as the Airport Tax has always been included in the Total Amount Due.

Thanks mosegrisen

It seems that my memory is only so so as I couldn%26#39;t find the origonal report.

I am sure all airlines will do it but as I always say TIT.

Thanks everyone.. since we travel back on 1st jan 07, i am assuming we would pay 500 baht each and though we re travelling thai airways it might not be included in the air fare yet...

One day in BKK with kids - where to stay?

Hi all,

After a week in BKK, we%26#39;ll be going to a beach, then returning for one day, since our flight out is at 6am. I%26#39;d like to stay somewhere more interesting than an airport hotel, since traffic shouldn%26#39;t be a huge issue the morning of our departure. It doesn%26#39;t have to be in the city, but should be someplace where we can walk around or do something with the kids. A decent restaurant would be nice too.

Thanks,

temple

One day in BKK with kids - where to stay?

Sukhumvit area is always my choice. There are ample restaurants, shopping, a park, access to Skytrain. Depending on how much time you have on the last day and what might entertain the kids, Silom is also an option. My suggestion is choose a mid price, or even less expensive hotel, since you will not be in the room much except to sleep and will not even eat breakfast at the restaurant.

I always stay at the Regency park on Sukhumvit 22, about 40-45 USD booked through a website. There is a park with a playground for my son, shopping for my wife, a cigar star and plenty of places for a beer for myself, all within 5 minutes walk. There are dozens of other suitable hotels though.

Day Tours

We are reaching Bangkok in the late evening of Dec 10. We have only 3 days in BKK. Do you think we should book our tours in advance or reach there and decide?

Which is a better model, line up places one wants to visit and use public transport to get around or hire a car and a guide for the full day?

Thanks

Sanjay

Day Tours

If you want to book a tour, I would simply visit the hotel tour desk. I do not think you will save any money to book in advance.

I am very willing to make my own way using public transport or taxis. If you will use a taxi, ask a hotel staff member to write down your destination in Thai, since many taxi drivers will not understand english.

cat

Adaptors

Hi,

We are stayin at the Horizon Karon, do big hotels like this normally have western adaptors so we can charge our digital camera batteries? If not is there somewhere in phuket we can buy an adaptor?

Ta :)

Adaptors

Yes to both questions, but a universal travel adaptor always comes in handy.

Adaptors

DeeCait, I took Cathy%26#39;s advice and have bought an adaptor for AU$11 and will take a power board with me so that we have plenty of outlets for charging camera%26#39;s etc. If you are not sure which adaptor to take Cathy has a photo of it on her travel pages. Its a round plug with two round prongs.

Thanks for that Wells, if you are anything like us it comes in handy to have a small powerboard as we take, cameras, mobiles, dvd player, etc.

The type of adaptor is on link below.

Cathy

members.virtualtourist.com/m/b3082/160bcd/

Hi,

we are travelling from the UK so its handy to know that we need to get the rounded 2 prong adaptors, and not the flat ones that are used in the states. Can anyone confirm what the voltage is - we use 240 in UK but I know most adaptors are 110, which means that if we get a basic 110voltage adaptor, it may not be able to carge our mobiles / cameras etc without a voltage convertor?

Hi,

we are travelling from the UK so its handy to know that we need to get the rounded 2 prong adaptors, and not the flat ones that are used in the states. Can anyone confirm what the voltage is - we use 240 in UK but I know most adaptors are 110, which means that if we get a basic 110voltage adaptor, it may not be able to carge our mobiles / cameras etc without a voltage convertor?

Voltage in Thailand is 220v.

which is excellent for my straighteners! ;) It takes hours in the US to heat them up!

I am a bit confused about the voltage thing..... Can any Aussies tell me if our stuff (hairdryers, straightners, mobile ph charger, camera charger etc) with a normal adaptor work with the voltage?! Do I need to check voltage on my stuff?!?!

How does that all work? YES I am blonde and braindead from my last exam today!!!!!

Emjay, Everything will work fine with the normal adaptors.

Cathy

So what is all the voltage talk? Is Oz and Thailand on the same voltage or it just doesnt matter?! :-)