Whether your ideal holiday is spent lazing on a white sand beach, exploring ancient cities, temples and sights, trekking through untamed forests aboard an elephant, partying in a vibrant nightlife scene or bargaining for treasures in one of the most exciting shopping destinations in the world, there is no better place to visit than Thailand.
We are Island Escapes. We opened in 2003 with just 3 of us, a wealth of travel experience and a knowledge and passion for the destinations that truly inspire us – Thailand, Fiji, Vanuatu & Samoa. We have never strived to be the biggest travel company in Australia, but we are absolutely committed to being the best. By staying boutique, we have been able to focus on quality rather than quantity and to providing our valued clients with a level of service and product knowledge that is fast disappearing in this era of ‘quick’ information. 11 years later and with over 15 staff, we firmly believe that you can learn more from a ten minute conversation with someone who has actually been to a resort, than in 2 hours of trawling the internet trying to extract the truth from the white noise. It’s an old fashioned concept but according to the 1000’s of people we send on holidays each year, it is a successful one. We work closely with some of Australia’s best and most well informed travel agents, ensuring our clients receive the best possible personalised service. This resort guide showcases some of our favourite Thailand hotels and resorts and we hope that it, together with our vast travel experience, enriches your next holiday. We look forward to organising your dream Island Escape. Marilyn, Margie & Angie
islandescapes.com.au
Climate
Passports & Visas
Thailand enjoys a tropical climate although there are regional and seasonal variations. For the most part, the best weather is found during November – March, Thailand’s winter, when humidity is minimised. The warmest months are April and May and the monsoon season is generally June to October. During this period heavy rain showers can be frequent and humidity is high. Traditionally the most ideal time to travel to Phuket is November to March and the most ideal time to travel to Koh Samui is March to June. Temperatures range on average between 20 – 35 degrees Celsius depending on the season, and the northern regions are generally cooler.
Passports must be valid at least 6 months beyond your anticipated return date, and you must possess an onward ticket. A visa is not required for a tourist entry into Thailand for stays of under 30 days, if you are travelling on an Australian or New Zealand passport. Please check for all other nationalities.
Currency The Thai Baht is the basic unit of currency used in Thailand. ATM machines are available in most major town centres. Major credit cards are welcome in all resorts and many restaurants. Currency exchange is available in most resorts, at airports, banks and in Exchange Centres in towns. Tipping Tipping is not expected in Thailand. It is a matter of personal choice. Electricity The electrical current in Thailand is 220 volts AC 50z. Various plug sockets are in use and an adaptor is required if you are taking electrical appliances from Australia.
Etiquette The Royal Family is highly respected by the Thai people and therefore it is a punishable offence to criticise them. I t is illegal to throw any litter on the streets and if caught you will be fined 2,000 Thai Baht. When leaving your hotel always obtain the hotel details in Thai in case you get lost and need assistance back to your hotel. Shopping The Thai’s respect a good bargainer, so always haggle to get the best price except in department stores. Don’t go shopping in the company of tour guides as they will take a commission which inevitably drives the prices up. Most importantly, don’t start bargaining unless you intend to buy. Language Thai is the official language. English is widely understood in major cities and in tourist regions. As with any country though any efforts to speak the language, even the odd word, are greatly appreciated and go a long way with the locals.
Intro | Thailand 2015 & 2016 | Page 01