Return to Chiang Mai

There is more visible historical evidence of past eras in Thailand than in any other South-East Asian country, so if you're interested in ruins, temples and deserted cities, this is the place to go. For pure holiday-making magic, Thailand's islands and beaches are working definitions of heaven (once you get out of the shadows of the Evil Multinational Hotels).

Thailand is an easy country to travel in, with efficient transport, cheap accommodation and a delicious national cuisine. The Thais are renowned for their friendliness and hospitality to strangers. Although they're often depicted as fun-loving, happy-go-lucky folk (which they often are), they are also very strong-minded and have struggled for centuries to preserve their spirit of independence.

Geography and Climate
Hot, humid and tropical with a varied topography and geography, Thailand offers a variety of styles to explore the beautiful beaches of the south, the panoramic mountainous north, the lush, green central plains or the rainforests of the west.

The people and culture
Spontaneously hospitable, easy-going, fun-loving and tolerant are all good words to describe the Thai's. Life should be enjoyed, they say, and they do it with gusto. His Majesty the King, highly revered by all Thai people, sets Thailand apart from other monarchies in the world.

Thailand has a rich royal heritage spanning several centuries. Many royal palaces in Bangkok and elsewhere in Thailand offer a fascinating glimpse of the majesty and splendor of the Thai monarchy. In Thailand, several royal palaces are open to tourists.

Cuisine
Thai cuisine has some of the best food in the world and is great when your on a budget!

Shrines
The beautiful shrines, even though most Thai's are followers of Buddhism, Thai people also pay respect to icons and symbolic figures of holy spirits, which you will come across all over Thailand.

Cities
The interesting cities of Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Phuket and Ko Samui, combined with their history, temples, palaces and beaches make some of the most interesting places to visit.

Is Thailand Safe?
Thailand is a remarkably safe place. The biggest problem you will probably have is with the food and the spice level. If you decide to travel around Thailand the US State Department advises that travelers do not venture unaccompanied along the waterways of the Golden Triangle area, center of the world's opium trade, because local bandits have been known to harass and rob tourists. It's also best to stay away from the Cambodian border.

Remember: you are in another country with a different set of social rules and regulations. What might be acceptable at home is not necessarily acceptable abroad. Ask questions and find out more about your city. Learn to adapt to different cultures and customs, part of your study abroad experience is to learn more about the world around you, be open and friendly.

What is the local currency?
The currency of Thailand is the baht. The baht is divided into 100 satangs.

Are a passport, visa, or vaccinations necessary?
US/Canadian citizens: A valid passport and return ticket are required for visits of up to 30 days.

Vaccinations are required only of travelers who have been in a yellow-fever infected area within six days of arrival in the kingdom. If you get your shots before you leave for Thailand, ask your doctor for an international certificate of vaccination. There is an inoculation center in Don Muang Airport. Discuss your travel plans with your doctor, who may recommend additional vaccinations for such diseases as hepatitis B, tetanus, diphtheria, typhoid, cholera, measles, polio, influenza, and tuberculosis. Ask about malaria pills.

How do you get there from here?
Most people enter Thailand via Bangkok's modern Don Muang Airport, about 24 kilometers (15 miles) from the city center. Most students will fly into Bangkok and then catch a flight up to Chiang Mai. Thai Airways operates about 7 flights a day so connecting is no problem and it only takes about a hour and ten minutes. Also internal flights are cheap if booked from inside Thailand.

How do I get around Chiang Mai?
Taxi: Taxi drivers keep the meter running continually, so each new passenger must bargain over the fare before the journey even begins.

Tuk Tuk: The city has thousands of three-wheeled, motorized tuk tuks that also serve as taxis. They're much cheaper than the four-wheeled kind, if a bit hair-raising. There are also samlors (bicycle-powered rickshaws) and songthaews (pick-up trucks with benches for seats).

Buses: The city buses are not the most elegant way of getting around, but they're cheap, reliable, and cover a lot of territory.

What is the weather like?
Thailand is hot and humid all year round. The humidity often hovers around 100 percent; the temperature ranges between approximately 26C (80F) and 32C (90F), with the highest temperatures occurring around April and the coolest time from September through January.

Will my electrical gadgets work?
Current is 220 volts AC, 50 Hz. There are many plugs and sockets in use. Travelers will need to bring a plug-adapter kit, and, if needed, a 110 volt transformer. a plug adapter and a transformer.

What is the best way to phone home?
To place an outgoing, direct-dialed international call, dial 011, plus the relevant country code and number.

It is smart to obtain an overseas phone card (they are usually free-of-charge) from your long distance carrier, such as MCI, AT&T or Sprint. MCI's Worldphone Program, for example, lets you phone the US/Canada from Thailand at greatly reduced rates from what you would pay from the regular charge. The long distance carrier will give you a special number to call when placing your call.

What major holidays are there in Thailand?
National holidays are New Year's Day (1 January), Makha Bucha (full moon day in February), Chakri Day (6 April), Songkran (13 April), Coronation Day (5 May), Wisakha Bucha (full moon day in May), Asanaha Bucha (full moon day in July), H.M. the Queen's Birthday (12 August), Chulalongkorn Day (23 October), H.M. the King's Birthday (5 December), Constitution Day (10 December), and New Year's Eve (31 December).