HLester3

I am planning a trip to Thailand in Sept. and was looking at the Visa requirements. On the official website it said if you have been to any of the following YF countires (mostly Africa) that you had to have a YF certificate to enter. I never got the YF shots for our trip to Africa and would really hate to get them to go to a country that doesn't even have YF. Have any of you traveled to Thailand with Kenya stamps in your passport? Did they ask you for YF card? Or if you are from the US do they not even look. Thanks.

santharamhari

No worries.....yes, i have been to Thailand. Been to Kenya and Tanzania before

Btw, you went to Kenya.....and you didnt get a YF shot?

Either way, the problem would only arise if your visit to thailand or any other country, was within a week or so of visiting a YF zone......if your visit to Kenya or wherever was prior to this, absolutely no worries....

Hari

HLester3

Thank you for the fast reply. I guess I got worried since the website said if you have been their since 1991 you had to have the shot.

Sounds like I do not need to worry about this.
Thank you again.

sandi

I know I've been to South East Asia, Thailand and Cambodia after one of my trips to East Africa, though not sure how many "years" between... maybe only one*. And though I did have a YF inoc now almost 10/yrs ago, I never even thought to bring the YF card and was never asked. On arrival in Thailand, they stamp your passport with the visa and it's free for Americans for period of up to 30/days.

*in my old passport, so don't have dates handy.

I'm with hari above... you had been to Kenya (if I recall Aug or Sep '06) and then visited Thailand or South Africa within a few weeks or months, it might be an issue.

Heather, are you posting your family visit to Thailand on the Asia board? I know cyn is planning an Asian trip, with the same planner who did ours. Talking about your TA or planner, they should be able to provide an answer to your question. Would love to see what you've got planned.

HLester3

Hi Sandi. Thanks again for the information.

I know this is a little Off Topic, so hopefully no one will get upset. I feel so much more at home over here on the Africa Board...

I am really trying to plan this trip myself. Because secretly I would love to give up being a lawyer and become a travel planner full time.

I have the airline flights done and I just made reservations for the Air Bangkok Airpass. I have been getting in touch with guides from Fodors and Tripadvisor so that seems to be covered for transfers and seeing the sights. I have also booked all of my hotel reservations. So right now except for a few guides, we are pretty much set.

I have not posted my trip report plan yet.I am afraid. I am going all over the place (like my usual) and I am a little afraid my iteneray will get torn to shreds. The kids actually do fine with this because there is always something new to see and they are used to it because no matter where we go I plan like this.

Here it is, even though a little off topic:

SFO-Tokyo (Tokyo DisneySea & Tokyo)

Tokyo - Bangkok - Basically one day in Bangkok to Floating Market & up to Tiger Temple, since there is the possibility of holding tiger cubs and walkding/getting pictures of larger tigers. We have to get a late flight so we can fit in Tiger Temple.

Chiang Mai - Going to another one of my dream hotels - Mandrin Oriental 2 nights.

Thai Elephant Conservation - 2 day mahout training so we can all ride the elephants and wash them(Much cheaper alternative to Abu Camp since my main interest in going their were the elephants). A little concerned about going in the river water, but don't want to miss the oportunity to play with the elephants in the water.

Drive down to Sukhothai 150 miles stay until next evening with flight to Bangkok.

Bangkok - See palace etc. during day.

Fly to Siem Reap, Cambodia stay for 2 nights - Ankor Wat

Siem Reap to Hong Kong - [Hong Kong / Hong Kong Disney] This is where I am having the trouble we are only there from 1p.m until 7 p.m. the next day. Short visit. During the mid autumn lantern festival and I am debating about adding on a night here.

Hong Kong to Chengdu, China - Short trip here just to go to Wolong to see the panda and get some pictures with them.

Chengdu - Beijing- Only here 2 1/2 days for Forbidden City and Great Wall.

It is a whirlwind trip through Aisa. I am giving up many of the places I would like to see in China, but those are for another trip. This one is just a sampler of where to go back to. The good thing is that this trip is about 1/3 of the price of our Africa Trip. I am planning this trip for the begining of Sept. For their new annual birthday trip, the kids will be turning 6 years old the day before our trip.

I know that we can go to Disney in the US, but these trips are for the kids and my husband. It is a nice deversion for them and it is fun for the day. The ones in other countries really are much different, and some things very funny. At Disneyland Paris, they were selling cans of Coors in the Western Frotier Store at Downtown Disney as souveniers.

sandi

You sure are running around.

Heather, you do know that September is still the rainy season in Thailand and Cambodia. And when the sky opens, there's lots of flooding even in BKK.

Also, be prepared for the heat and humidity. Though I'm quite familiar with "ugly" weather living through NYC summers, SEA really kicked my butt. Be sure you have air conditioned vehicles and plenty of bottled water, to keep up with the rivlettes of water pouring off your bodies. Siem Reap, we even worse than BKK. Have plenty of changes of clothing as you'll be wet through to your underclothing and nothing seems to dry (even in an air conditioned room).

Hope you're getting to BKK the evening before going to the Floating Market, as it's an early start, between 6-6:30am to arrive as the market opens. We drove and then boarded a fast boat on the klongs to the market. When finished here, we drove back to BKK, arriving sometime between 1-2pm... itll be a long day.

Where are you staying in BKK? In Siem Reap?

Remember, when departing BKK to REP (and then Tokyo/Hong Kong), there is a departure tax, which is now up to 750Bhat. I believe by the time you travel, this should be included in price of your airline ticket. Verify that it is. And, do arrange for a pick-up from the new airport on arrival.

For touring in BKK, especially, the Palace, appropriate attire is necessary. No shorts, halter tops (exposed skin is a no-no), no flip flops. They'll give you some coverup if you don't meet the requirements. Light-weight, loose-fitting cotton pants and shirts, closed shoes (slip-ins best as they have to be removed on entering all temples). Other sights are not as restrictive.

As to the Elephant Camps, if you're going into that water you had all better be inoculated against everything. It's not clean, believe me. If only the elephant rides, you're up-close-and-personal, and, it's fun feeding them their bananas.

Can't comment on Tokyo or Hong Kong.

Post on the Asia board. Sure, there may be some negative comments, but they might also have some good suggestions.

Do keep up current as plans go along, or where we can find you on the Asia board. And, don't forget the photos when you return.

cynstalker

Hlester:

I'm in Thailand right now - arrived Feb 15; and last February I was in SA, Kenya and Tanzania. They did NOT ask for any yellow fever certificates, so you should have no worries there.

Do post on the Asia board - they're a good group with lots of helpful suggestions! Our itinerary includes all the "regular tourist spots" too, and I got some great advice about avoiding duplications, and timing of tours.

Re:Tiger temple - yes, we just went. The tigers look healthy; although the habitat is questionable to me. I did not get a photo with the tigers, as it just breaks my heart to see them in that kind of a situation - BUT - as I said, they do look well cared for; and I know I am ultra-sensitive.

Asia is an amazing place! Hopeyou have a great trip. I'm keeping a journal as we go (or trying to!)- here's the link if you would like to "come along".

http://mysite.verizon.net/cynstalker11/index.html

<font color="green">Cyn</font>

HLester3

Sandi - Thank you again for all of your information. I better add all of those departure taxes to the equation. So far I have decided not to go to the floating market. I thought the kids would like it, but it sounds like it is kind of touristy. I guess after walking around Chinatown in San Francisco yesterday for Chinese New Year, I imagined that on the water.

The 1st time we are only in Bangkok overnight so we are at the Marriot the second time I splurged a little and we are at the Mandarin Oriental. One of the good things about going during Rainy season, only $75 more than the Sheraton. They have already sent me 3 e-mails requesting the kids names and ages so they can welcome them.

In Siem Reap we are staying at the Le Meridian. We stayed at a LeMeridian in Cairo and I was happy with it, and they have a very nice pool in the pictures.

I have decided to give myself a 1/2 day longer and spend in Siem Reap and spend a little more time in Hong Kong because they are having the Mid-Autumn Lantern (Moon) Festival and I read they have some great lantern displays up at night. This is coming off of Beijing in the end, so we are going to have to fit in the Great Wall and Forbidden City into one day.

I know that I am missing out a little bit on the local information, like you pointed out about departure taxes by not having someone help me plan the trip. After our safari last year, I actually had someone price out an almost identical trip like and they quoated me about almost double what I am paying.

Cyn - I have read your blog. I cannot wait to see what you have to say about the four seasons tented camp. I would really love to do that, but I do not think they take children. I am hesitant about Tiger Temple as well and have been trying to research it on the internet. Hopefully the Tiger Island will be built by the time we get there. I know, it was very depressing for me to see all of the caged lions at KWS, I do not like to see caged animals either.

I am kind of interested in making merit while I in Thailand. I was able to get our tours with Tong which I am very happy about. I read about your not so great tour guide up in Chiang Rai. Thanks for the 1st hand reports, I look forward to reading more!

Thanks, Heather

sandi

Hi Heather -

As to those departure fees, plan for them, but do ascertain whether they haven't already been included in the price of your flight tickets. You don't want to pay twice. Note, that this was something I picked up from the Asia board, as when we visited in '02, the fees had to be paid separately.

While the Floating Market is fun, especially floating through the klong alleys where vendors sell their food, clothing items, flowers etc. from their long boats, and great for souvenir shopping - it's an early start and makes for a long day. You can find many of the items sold just about anywhere in BKK proper.

When we visited, we stayed at the Penn and it was outstanding with their &quot;all rooms at minimum junior suites&quot; and the views from the west side of the river were amazing. There's a ferry stop at the foot of the Oriental, that will take you across to the Penn, if you want a &quot;look-see&quot;

Though you want to get in as much as possible during your brief stays in BKK, remember the heat and plan for some down-time midday at the hotel pool for all of you.

Good idea to add another day at REP, there too very hot and humid, so much that the pool water at our hotel (we stayed at the Sofitel, which was absolutely lovely) was like bathwater... so warm. Even their separate &quot;cool pool&quot; wasn't.

And, yes, in the wet season, price are in your favor. Just have some of those $1 rain slickers for unexpected showers when outside. And, good walking shoes; lots of uneven ground underfoot, especially at the temples at REP. The temples here are WOW!

Glad to help.

rockabelle

I've never needed YF for Thailand, and I've been to YF countries just weeks before going there.
Mandarin Oriental is lovely - much nicer than the Sheraton in my opinion.

If you've only got one day for the Forbidden City and the Great Wall, I'd recommend getting up really early and going to the GW first - there are three gates within a couple of hours drive of Beijing, and it's worth going to the furthest of the three. The other two tend to be absolutely full of tourists, and much of the wall there has been 'restored'. When I last went, we were at the third gate at 7.30am, and watched the sun rise, and when we were on the wall we had clouds below us in the valleys, which we watched rise. Absolutely magical. We had the wall to ourselves until about 11, and it was so much nicer. By the time we were leaving, there were loads of tourists and people selling t-shirts etc.

HLester3

Thank you, Rockabelle - I am planning on doing just that and getting to the Great Wall early. I read that it opens at 7:30. Although I am not sure that my travel mates will want to be ready at 6:00 a.m.
Heather

rockabelle

I think we left the hotel at 5.30, and it was my birthday. I remember being really grumpy about it, and then slept most of the drive, but it was absolutely worth getting up that early - having the wall to ourselves for hours was bliss!
Incidentally - the Forbidden City's great (though it does get quite repetitive), and the gardens are glorious.