tour.tk banner connect on Twitter connect on Facebook connect on Hyves cycling in Europe part I cycling in Asia part I cycling in North America cycling in Central America cycling in South America cycling in Europe part II cycling in Africa RSS feeds home page

Thailand country information

Thailand map
Kingdom of Thailand
Area: 513,115 sq km
Population: 63,038,247
Population density: 122 per sq km
Capital: Bangkok
Passport & Visa
Visa Required?
British No
Australian No
Canadian No
USA No
Other EU 1

Passports
To enter Thailand, a passport valid for six months on date of application is required by all nationals referred to in the chart above.

Passport note
Travellers coming from or have recently travelled through yellow fever-infected areas may be required to show an International Health Certificate proving they have been vaccinated, before being allowed to enter Thailand.

Visas
Visas for Thailand are not required by all nationals referred to in the chart above for touristic stays of up to 30 days (if entering via an international airport) or 15 days (if entering by land from a neighbouring country), provided they hold valid passports, sufficient funds (10,000 baht per person or 20,000 baht per family) and confirmed airline tickets to leave Thailand within the time allowed by their visa, except:

1) Nationals of Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Bulgaria and Malta who may apply for visas on arrival for stays of up to 15 days.

Visa note
(a) The total duration of stay in Thailand for persons who enter Thailand without a visa cannot exceed 90 days during any six month period, counting from the date of first entry.
(b) If you intend on staying for longer than 30 days you must obtain a Tourist visa for stays of up to 60 days or a Non-immigrant visa for stays of up to 90 days.
(c) Nationals not referred to in the chart are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements.

Types and cost
Transit: £17. Tourist: £28 (per entry). Non-immigrant: £45 (single-entry/3 month); £100 (multiple-entry/1 year); £300 (multiple entry/3 year). There is also a £15 administration fee.

Validity
Tourist: three months, six months for more than one entry.
Non-immigrant single-entry: three months.
Non-immigrant multiple-entry: one year; three years.

Application to
Nearest consulate (or consular section at embassy or high commission).

Temporary residence
Visitors to Thailand who wish to conduct business, work or study in the country can apply for a non-immigrant visa. This allows holders a stay period up to 90 days. In addition, to be able to work, visitors must hold a work permit issued by the Ministry of Labour.

Working days
Applications must be made in person and take two working days to process.

Sufficient funds
Proof of adequate finances for the duration of your stay in Thailand is required at the point of entry into the country (i.e. traveller’s cheque and/or cash equivalent to 10,000 Baht (£200) per person and 20,000 Baht (£400) per family).

Extension of stay
Tourist visas can be extended at any immigration office in Thailand to extend validity for another period. Be wary of visa-run or visa extension services offering to renew your visa - these are illegal and each year a number of tourists are jailed, having turned up to border crossings with a fake Thailand visa or entry stamp in their passport.
Thailand visa extensions must be made before the current visa runs out, otherwise you will be charged a fine of 500 baht per day, up to a maximum of 20,000 baht. A lengthy overstay can incur a maximum penalty of time in jail before being deported and banned from returning to the country.

Getting there

By Air
The national airline is Thai Airways
Approximate flight times to Bangkok:
Istanbul: 9 hours and 20 minutes
London: 11 hours and 50 minutes
New York: 17 hours and 20 minutes
Dubai: 6 hours
Singapore: 1 hours and 50 minutes
Sydney: 9 hours and 20 minutes
Buenos Aires: 21 hours

Main (international) airports

  • Bangkok - Bangkok International Airport (Suvarnabhumi) (BKK)
  • Chiang Mai - Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX)
  • Phuket - Phuket International Airport (HKT)
  • Ko Samui - Samui Airport (USM)

For a list of all airports in Thailand, check Wikipedia here.

By Water

  • Tak Bai (Ban Ta Ba) to Pengkalan Kubor in east Malaysia
  • Thammalang (south of Satun) to Kuala Perlis in west Malaysia
  • Thammalang to Langkawi in west Malaysia
  • Koh Lipe to Langkawi in west Malaysia
  • Phuket to Port Klang (Selangor) in west Malaysia
  • Ranong to Kawthoung in Myanmar (Burma) for visa extension purposes only

By Rail

  • Padang Besar-Padang Besar: Border crossing on the west coast of the peninsula, connecting Hat Yai and Butterworth.
  • Rantau Panjang-Sungai Golok: Railway crossing on the east coast of the Malay peninsula.

By Road
Thailand has border crossings with its neighbours Cambodia, Myanmar (Burma), Laos and Malaysia.

Cycling & Maps

Thailand
Reise Know-How
scale 1:1 200 000

Rip & Waterproof

Thailand Map
Nelles Maps
scale 1:1 500 000
Cost of living
Thailand: all prices in Thailand Baht (THB)
drinks and snacks food: local markets; restaurants; and stores

water (thai)
water (brand name)
veggie juice (pack)
juice
soft drink (bottle)
soft drink (can)

950ml
1.5 litre
250ml
1 litre
250ml
330ml
6-9
12-15
13
55
10
13
bread loaf-white
bagels
450g
each
30-60
15
roti telur / pisang
vege fried rice / noodles
thai red / green curry
coconut soup
steamed rice
pizza -takeaway
salad bar- foodland

per piece
per serve
per serve
per serve
per serve
large
per 100g

10-15
25-35
50-80
40-70
10-20
250
7-12
beer-Chang: 7-eleven
beer-Chang: bar
wine
640ml
640ml
750ml
35
60-120
350+
tea
coffee
coffee - iced
Nescafe Instant
coffee- ground
cup
cup
bag
125g jar
500g
10-15
20-30
15-20
80
100
rice
instant noodles
pasta
eggs
tinned tomatoes
kg
85g
500g
per dozen
250g
10
5
25
40
30
milk
yoghurt
cheese
Magnum icecream
800ml
200g
kg
each
35-42
12
400+
40

potatoes
onions
tomatoes
asian spinach

kg
kg
kg
bag
50
30
30
15-25
cornflakes
chips / crisps
banana chips
roasted cashew nuts
peanuts
375g pack
56-65g pack
100g
500g
200g
90
20
20
130
25
apples
oranges
bananas
mango
fresh fruit-street vendor
kg
kg
kg
each
per portion
70
50
30
15+
10-12
pineapple (can)
oil (corn)
peanut paste
jam
500g
500ml
500g
360g
40
20
60
35
chocolate

biscuits (simple)
biscuits (cream)
100g

90g packet
90g packet
20

6
18
 
accommodation personal
budget city hostel
budget city hotel
per dorm bed
double with bath 200-400
deodorant
soap
shampoo
toothbrush
toothpaste
disposable razor
toilet paper
(small roll-on)
90g
200ml
each
100ml
2 pack
6 rolls
50
5-10
35
40
30
20
20
camping

only really official in National Parks and if entry's paid then camping is free, but wild camping outside of the parks is possible

internet 20-25 per hour
* tba = price to be announced
* January 2009: at time of writing 1.00 USD = 35.72 THB
all prices have been taken from internet resources such as wikitravel, hostel world, leading supermarket chains, travel blogs, forums and of course our own travel experiences and purchases of everyday products in food markets, bazaars and local shopping facilities. They are only an indication and designed to give you a general impression of the cost of living in Thailand. Items are geared towards the budget conscious traveller with an occasional craving for a bit of luxury.
Accommodation

TIP: If you are not sure if there will be any accommodation in the town you are going to visit next, try and find out if they have a hospital (maybe it shows on your map?). If so, there is bound to be a hotel. Worked 99% of the times for us.


Acommodation we used while in Thailand (March, April 2008): (prices based on two people sharing)
Star system explained: from 0 to ***** where 0 is a total disaster and ***** is luxurious (and out of our price range)
         
City / town: Name accommodation: Our experience: Price: Stars:
         
Ban Sari Chumpon Laemtien Resort a little clumsy, but ok THB 600
Bang Saphan Tontonglang decent room near the beach THB 300 **
Chumpon Farang Bar little sweat box, WiFi THB 200 **
Hua Hin Pattana Guesthouse ok room, unfriendly owner THB 250 *
Hua Sai Hua Sai Resort (?) a box with a bed THB 300 *
Kra Buri Pannika Resort clean and simple THB 350 **½
Laem Son NP Laem Son NP campground great facilities, beauty beach THB -- ***½
Lang Suan Thawat Hotel good find THB 250 **½
Mae Haad Mae Haad View Resort still original Thai bungalows THB 250 **½
Nakhon Si Thammarat Nakorn Hotel big bed, old furniture THB 140
Narathiwat Narathiwat Hotel super friendly, clean and bright THB 140 ***
Pattani Palace Hotel nothing special, but adequate THB 180 **
Phato Runs and Roses Eco Lodge what a fantastic spot THB -- ***½
Phetchaburi Jomklow Hotel basic room and bath, basic price THB 170 **½
Prachuap Khiri Khan Inthira Hotel shabby and unfriendly THB 250 ½
Ranong Kiwi Orchid & PL Guesthouse basic, greedy owners THB 250 *
Samut Songkhram Hotel Alongkar very friendly, surprisingly clean THB 150 **½
Songkhla Yoma 1 Guesthouse nice enough room, clean THB 280 **½
Tap Sakae Chanruen Hotel a bit grotty THB 200
Thongsala Guesthouse at the pier nice enough, but pricey THB 400 **
Food & drink
Bike shops
in alphabetical order

ProBike has a list with dealers throughout the country

Besides the shops mentioned below, Bangkok also has Luang Road, a street filled with small bike shops (with varying quality). Most shops can be found near the intersection with Worachek. GPS: N13 44.8508 E100 30.50746
Within walking distance of Kao San Road.

   
Bangkok Bike Station
2456 Soi 58, Phathanakan Rd., Suanluang,
Bangkok 10250
Tel: 02 722 9999
E-mail: bikes_station@yahoo.com
brands: Ortlieb, Tubus
   
  Bike Zone
In the Outdoor Unlimited zone
on the 2nd Floor of Amarin Plaza
Tel: 08 9201 8308
website: www.bikezone.co.th
Brands: Giant, Santa Cruz, Shimano, Ergon, Tubus
   
  Cannondale Centre
45/39 Soi Atthakrawee 1
Sukhumvit 26 Road (Soi Aree)
Klong Toey, Klong Ton, Bangkok 10110
Tel : 081 5678886
e-mail: thaicann@cannasia.com
website: www.thaicannasia.com
GPS: N 13 43.282 E 100 34.199
Brands: Cannondale, Magura, Giro, Mavic, Bell, Tubus, Ortlieb
   
  Cycle Sport
167 Luang Rd, Worachak
Bangkok, Thailand 10100
Tel: 662-6217223-5
GPS: N13 44.8508 E100 30.50746
   
  InterBike
16/212 Samakee Road, Nonthaburi 11000, THAILAND
Tel: 02-952-4242
Mob: 081-842-0944
e-mail: jumphotk@hotmail.com
website: www.interbike.in.th
Brands: Giant, Trek, Shimano, Mavic
   
 

ProBike ***
237/2 Rajdumri Rd.
Lumpinee Pathumwan
Bangkok Thailand 10330
Tel: 02.2533384, 02.2541077
Fax: 02.2541078
N 13 44.102 E 100 32.433
website: www.probike.co.th
Brands: Trek, Gary Fisher, Ortlieb, Tubus, Shimano

 
Our experience: ProBike is expensive! They have a tiny workshop, which probably says enough about the repairs they do. I think they prefer the sales. Screwed up my spokes, had to fix them myself afterwards. They didn't know what they were doing. Not recommended.
   
 

Saengthong Bicycles
32/13-15 Pracharat Rd. (near Bank of Asia)
Muang, Nonthaburi 11000
Tel: 02-525-1789, 02-526-4664
Mob: 084-096-9099
GPS: N 13 50.626 E 100 29.953

   
  Siam Bike
245/6 Pattanakarn Rd., Suanluang, Bangkok
Tel: 02-722-9999, 02-733-9704, 02-722-9004
Brands: Trek, Specialized, Merida
   
  Sport Bicycles
968 U-Chu-Liang Building, Rama 4 Rd.,
Silom, Bangkok  10500
Tel: 02 637 5487, 081 8308828
Fax: 02 721 4169
E-mail: narongrit@sportbicycle.co.th
website: www.sportbicycle.co.th
brands: Ortlieb, Specialized, Colnago
   
  Velo Thailand
29 Samsen4 SamSen rd.
BangPhanThom, Pharnakorn
Bangkok 10200
Tel: 02 628 8628
Mob: 089 201 7782
website: www.velothailand.com
   
 

Viwat Bike
Phahon Yothin Rd
Tel: 552-8583, 972-3934
GPS: N 13 53.241 E 100 36.211

   
  World Bike
Chokepanya Ltd., Part.
119/10-13 Moo 9 Ramintra Rd.
Kannayao , Bangkok 10230, Thailand
Tel: (662) 946 4117 upto 9, (662) 510 1041, (662) 510 9892 Shop Gallery
Fax: (662) 943 2385
GPS: N 13 50.317 E 100 39.885
E-mail: worldbike@hotmail.com
website: www.worldbike.info
Brands: Giant, Topeak, Sram, RockShox, Mavic, Tubus, Ortlieb
   
  XP-bikes
2 Nawasin Ville. Soi.Pho-kaew 3, Cross10,
Pho-kaew Rd.
Bangkok 10240
Tel: 081 711 9771
E-mail: blmate@hotmail.com
Internet: www.letstouring.com
brands: Ortlieb, Tubus
   
Chiang Mai Arm Bikes
Huay Kaew 203/17, Kona, Jamis
GPS: N18 48.255 E98 57.738
   
  Chaitawat
75/4Rajchapakinai Rd. CM
Tel. 053 279890
GPS: N18 47.069 E98 59.425
   
  Chiang Mai Bike shop
107 Mahidol Rd.
T. Haiya
A. Muang
Chiang Mai 50100
Tel: 05 320 0190
E-mail: cmbshop@hotmail.com
brands: Ortlieb
   
  Cherry Bike
Tel: 053 380229
Mo. 081 9525173
main road to Chiang Rai, on the left side
700m after Intersection Super Highway – Kaeo Nawarat road
GPS: N18 48.515 E99 01.487
   
  Jacky Bike
49/5 Chang Puak road, 50200 CM
Tel. 053 225278
Mo. 089 7557910
On the main road to Mae Rim, 200m on the left side from the Chang Puak Gate GPS: N18 47.803 E98 59.185
Brands: Trek, Gary Fisher, Klein, Ortlieb, Tubus
   
  Klang Bike
Tel. 053 520285
Mo. 081 9926959
N18 31.978 E98 56.415
   
  Song Bicycle
Sri Phum Road
GPS: N18 47.713 E98 59.566
   
  Top Gear
173 Chiang Moi Road
Tel. 053233450
GPS: N18 47.380 E98 59.790
   
  Velocity
Mani Noparat Road
GPS: N18 47.734 E98 59.290
  (thanks to Jürg for the Chiang Mai section)
   
Chiang Rai Fat Free
136 Thnalai road 57000 Chiang Rai
Tel. 053 744447
near Teepee Bar
GPS: N19 54.420 E99 49.980
brands: Ortlieb, Tubus
   
  Northern Bike
114/1 Mu 5 T. Rimkok 57100 Chiang Rai
Tel. 053 702564
Mo. 081 4736923
On the mainroad to Mae Chan, left side
GPS: N19 56.160 E99 50.692
brands: Ortlieb
  (thanks to Jürg for the Chiang Rai section)
   
Chonburi World Bike Chonburi
194/7-8 Moo 5, Sadtakit Rd
Beansaun, Muang, Chonburi 20000, Thailand
   
Hua Hin Hua Hin Bike Shop
11/37-38 Petchkasem Rd.
Tel: 032-530292
Fax: 032-530292
Brands: Trek, Merida, Gary Fisher
   
Nonthaburi Sahapat Bicycles
105 Soi. Bangkruai-Sainoi 6
Bangkruai-Sainoi Rd., Nonthaburi, 11130
Tel: 02 8794259, 02 4470169
E-mail: info@spbikes.com
Internet: www.spbikes.com
brands: Tubus, Ortlieb
   
Phuket Thalang Bike
59/1 Moo.1, Thepkasattri Rd., Thalang, Phuket 83110
Tel: 076-274352, 081-8919795
Fax: 076-274352
E-mail: talangbike_phuket@hotmail.com
brands: Ortlieb
   
Rayong Bicycles Land
379/2 Sukhumvit Road Noenpra
21000 Muang Rayong
Tel: 6638 808373
   
Udon Thani LA Bike Shop
Mak Khaeng
Muang Udon Thani,
Udon Thani 41000
   
   
  Or check out the Bike Shop Index on BicycleThailand.
Climate
climate chart Bangkok Thailand climate chart Chiang Mai
climate chart Udon Thani Thailand climate chart Songkhla Thailand
Road distances
Thailand road distance chart
     
Detailed distance chart from our trip through Thailand March/April 2008 (km/alti)    

Tak Bai (Malay border, west coast) - Songkhla - Songkhla - Don Sak (ferry to Ko Samui) - Chumpon - Prachuap Khiri Khan - Prachuap Khiri Khan - Bangkok

km
total km
       
Tak Bai (Thai-Malaysian border) Narathiwat
41
Narathiwat Mai Kaen
30
71
Mai Kaen Yaring turn-off
47
118
Yaring turn-off Pattani
16
134
Pattani Chana turn-off
71
205
Chana turn-off Hat Yai turn-off
11
216
Hat Yai turn-off Songkhla
28
244
   
Songkhla Sating Phra
37
Sating Phra Ranot turn-off
37
74
Ranot turn-off Hua Sai
31
105
Hua Sai Bo Lo
25
130
Bo Lo Sala Mi Chai
35
165
Sala Mi Chai Nakhon Si Thammarat
7
172
Nakkhon Si Thammarat Tha Sala
28
200
Tha Sala Sichon
39
239
Sichon Don Sak ferry pier
50
289
   
Chumpon ferry pier Chumpon
16
Chumpon Pathomphon intersection
8
24
Pathomphon intersection Kra Buri
55
79
Kra Buri Ratchakut
25
104
Ratchakut Laem Son turn-off
19
123
Laem Son turn-off Ban Baeng beach
10
133
Ban Baeng beach Ratchakut
29
162
Ratchakut Phato
27
189
Phato Lang Suan
48
237
Lang Suan Sawi tun-off
32
269
Sawi t.o. Chumpon
42
311
   
Chumpon Pathiu
35
Pathiu Bang Saphan Noi
57
92
Bang Saphan Noi Bang Saphan
14
106
Bang Saphan Ban Krut
19
125
Ban Krut Tap Sakae
25
150
Tap Sakae Huai Yang
16
166
Huai Yang Prachuap Khiri Khan
32
198
   
Prachuap Khiri Khan Kui Buri
32
Kui Buri Pran Buri
38
70
Pran Buri Hua Hin
27
97
Hua Hin Cha Am
27
124
Cha Am Hat Chao Samran
27
151
Hat Chao Samran Petchaburi
19
170
Petchaburi Rama II road (via Ban Laem)
34
204
Rama II road entry Samut Songkhram
14
218
Samut Songkhram Rama II exit (Ekkachai Rd. 3242)
45
263
Rama II exit Bangkok (Ratchadamnoen Klang)
32
295
More on Thailand and our earlier experiences there: previous trips
About Us | Site Map | Feed | Contact Us | ©2011 www.tour.tk all rights reserved
webdesign & maintenance sonali.tk