Tour Length:

14 Days
March 10-23, 2023

Tour Type:

Cultural Field Experience

Location:

Thailand
Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Wiang Pa Pao, southern beaches

Here are a few helpful things to know as you prepare for your trip

 

Cell service: Check with your carrier before traveling to Thailand to see what international services are covered.

 

 

Cultural considerations

• Thai people are generally quiet and very private. Have a great time—you will!—but just know that loud laughing and loud talking are out of place. 
• Saving face is extremely important in Thailand. A person’s reputation is very important. If you criticize, complain, confront or even show irritation toward someone, you cause that person to lose face. If you compliment them, you cause them to save face. Never raise your voice to anyone. Someone who’s Thai will not disagree with you even if you are wrong about something because they will not point out your error. They don’t want you to lose face. Please extend them the same courtesy.
• Use your full hand to point to someone rather than pointing with a finger.
• As representatives of Buddhism, monks hold a special place in Thai society. As a woman, you can’t touch a monk or even hand them anything. If you happen to speak to or be near a monk, allow space between you.
• In general, try to give and receive things with both hands e.g. credit card, a plate of food, etc.
• Don’t put your hands on your hips, touch someone on the shoulder, or cross your arms over your chest.
• The bottom of the foot is considered to be unclean. Be careful not to touch anything or even point to something with the bottom of your foot or your toe. And don’t show the bottom of your foot (like you would do if you crossed your legs and had your foot up). And take care not to step over anyone. 
• The top of the head is considered to be sacred. So don’t pat/touch anyone on the head, including children.
• It’s very common for people to ask your age or weight. If you’re uncomfortable answering, just make light of it. One middle-aged woman was asked her age and she said with a smile, “Twenty-seven.”

Thai people hold Thai royalty in high esteem. So much so that it’s against the law to show disrespect by speaking ill of them in any way. It’s best not to ask specific personal questions about royalty. Just watch and learn. Respect for royalty carries over even to how money is handled. Many of the coins, for example, are imprinted with a picture of the former king. If one of the coins falls to the ground, show respect by picking it up promptly. 

  

 

Health: Tap water isn’t for drinking so please use filtered or bottled water for drinking and brushing your teeth. Don’t use ice since it may have been made with unfiltered water. Fresh fruits, salad items and fresh vegetables often have been washed in unfiltered water so avoid eating these unless your guide indicates otherwise. In general avoid eating street foods.

 

Helpful phrases: Because Thailand is part of ASEAN (The Association of Southeast Asian Nations) students are required to take English classes in school. However many Thai don’t speak the language. So arm yourselves with these two phrases. They’ll go a long way towards building a rapport with those you meet. 

Sawadee ka* – The traditional form of greeting pairs this phrase with a slight bow, all while placing your hands palm to palm. 

Kap khun ka – This is a polite way of saying “thank you” and that everything—whether the meal at a restaurant or the service at a store—was much appreciated!

*If you’re a female, add –ka to the ending. Males add –krup or khrap to the end. The same is true for some other words.

 

 

Immunizations & Medications: Please check with your physician ahead of time about vaccines and medications. Your best resource is to visit an international travel clinic. These are regular clinics trained to work with people who travel internationally.

 

IMPORTANT: Please do this three months ahead of your departure. Some vaccinations may require time in between doses. (When you’re asked which areas in Thailand you’ll visit, let them know that you’ll primarily be in cities Chiang Mai, Bangkok, and Wiang Pa Pao.

The group will also be visiting the beach in Krabi.

 

Luggage allowance: Make sure your suitcase weighs no more than 20 kilos (44 pounds). While Delta may allow for more than that, air carriers within Thailand will not. 

 

 

Masks: Masks aren’t required anywhere in Thailand. You’ll need to use a mask though when in transit from Seoul-Bangkok or Bangkok-Seoul and while in the Seoul (ICN) airport. 

 

Packing and how to dress: In Thailand dress is casual but somewhat conservative. While not all Thai women dress modestly, it’s expected that foreigners do. Sundresses and sleeveless tops are fine but absolutely no spaghetti straps, short shorts, short skirts are allowed. On a couple of occasions you may visit sites considered sacred and girls will need to cover their arms. They’ll also need closed toe shoes. Shorts should be mid-thigh or longer. Guys, sorry no basketball shorts are allowed.

 

For tips on how to pack light and efficiently, check out this detailed blog: “Pack Light, Travel Happy: A guide to traveling light” (https://niteotours.com/pack-light-travel-happy/)

 

Each person can bring one standard bag, 27x21x14. If at all possible, we suggest packing in 1 roller carry-on bag that can be carried on the plane along with a small backpack for in-flight items and electronics, etc. Rooms in Thailand are small and you’ll be moving from place to place several times.

 

Suggested packing list

☐ Passport and color copy of passport (consider also putting a copy on your phone)

☐ Extra passport pictures (you can get these at participating Walgreens)

☐  Shirts/blouses

☐  Socks

☐  Light sweater

☐  Comfortable pair of pants for travel (we don’t recommend bringing jeans)

☐  Casual pants and/or shorts (nothing higher than mid-thigh for women)

☐  Undergarments

☐ Shoes, sandals, and one pair of walking or hiking/walking shoes.

☐  Swimsuit

☐  Hat

☐  Sunglasses

☐  Small umbrella

☐  Travel size hand sanitizer, sunscreen, shampoo, soap

☐  Camera and/or phone and power cord

☐  Earphones

☐  Travel comfort items (ear plugs, eye mask, small neck support pillow)

☐  Cosmetics

☐  Mosquito repellant (we recommend picardin which you can get at REI, repellant wipes or small 3 oz aerosol)

☐  Sunscreen

☐  Any medication

☐  Bible, books, kindle

☐  TSA lock for your suitcase and key (you can get this at Target or any travel store)

☐  Electronics

☐ Adapter

☐  Convertor

☐  Some people bring familiar snacks from home: granola bars, nuts, etc.

☐  Small backpack or daypack for going out during the day

☐ Small travel towel, often made from microfiber these can be found on Amazon or at REI

 

Please note if any container with liquids is larger than 3 oz, you’ll need to check your bag. Liquids in 3 oz containers that are in a carry on should be stored in a ziplock bag.

 

Accommodations may or may not have a blow dryer or washcloths.

 

There will be a chance to wash clothes for a minimal fee once or twice during the trip.

 

Passport & visa: Make sure your passport is valid for at least six months following your scheduled return to the United States. The passport must have at least one blank page for an immigration  stamp. Visit your county center to apply for a passport. You can visit this website for specific questions: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports.html

 

No visa is needed to enter Thailand for those holding a tourist passport.

 

Paying for things in Thailand: Cash is definitely the best way to pay for any souvenirs or extra snacks you might want to buy. Bartering is expected in the markets.

 

In Thailand ATM’s are located through some of the larger cities. Just check with your bank on any bank fees. Another option is bringing USD to exchange for Thai bhat. Specifically bring $50 and $100 bills. Smaller bills will get a lower exchange rate and sometimes banks will not accept bills lower than $20. Bring bills that are crisp, new and have no bent corners or tears.

Since everyone will want cash at the beginning of the trip, you can exchange dollars with the Niteo guide that first day in Bangkok. As mentioned above, please bring clean, crisp bills, no bent corners, and in denominations of $50 or above.

 

We highly recommend downloading the XE app so you don’t have to make mental conversions.

 

 

Safety: Follow the safety instruction of your local guide. Stay in approved areas. Students must stay in groups of three or more.  Take a colored copy of your passport with you wherever you go; however, keep your actual passport in the hotel safe. Having a copy on your phone is a good idea too.

 As tempting as it might be, if you’re visiting a place with pets or livestock, please admire without touching. Animals will likely not have any vaccinations. 

 

Time Zone: Time zone in Thailand (ICT) is currently 13 hours ahead of Minnesota’s CST.

 

Tipping: The cost of your tour doesn’t include gratuities for your tour guide. She does a lot of behind the scenes work to make sure everything runs smoothly and everyone stays safe. And everything the guide makes goes to help community work in the region, so we strongly encourage tipping. As a general guideline for this trip consider $6 per student per day for the guide. This can be given directly to the main guide, Noot, in dollars or Thai baht on the last day of the trip.

 

 

Voltage: Electricity is 220 volts. Most accommodations will have power and plug connections similar to the United States, but bring an adaptor since that won’t always be the case. You can check this site to find which adaptors you might need.

 

Weather: In Bangkok, expect highs around 94ºF and lows around 78ºF. In Chiang Mai, highs around 95ºF and lows around 68ºF. In Wiang Pa Pao, 91ºF and 63ºF.

 

Important Contact Information:

Carol Garborg at Niteo Tours, carol@niteotours.com

Joel Johnson, Minnehaha Academy, johnsonjoel@minnehahaacademy.net

Jing Li, lijing@minnehahaacademy.net