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When
is the best time to visit
Thailand
?
Generally
speaking, the best time to visit Thailand is from November to February.
During this cool season, the temperature ranges from 18ºC to 32ºC in
Bangkok
and a little cooler on the Islands.
The summer period, or hot and dry season, is from March to June. At this
time temperatures in
Bangkok
average around 34º C. but can often
be higher. It is generally cooler on the
Islands
. April is the hottest month. From
June to early October is the monsoon season when most of
Thailand
's annual rainfall is accumulated.
The humidity averages just under 90%, with temperatures averaging around
29º C in
Bangkok
. The monsoons finish when the wind
direction changes, bringing dry weather from the northeast. At best this
season can be described as unpredictable, not the constant downpour of
rain like you would expect.
Check the Weather for Chanthaburi Region Thailand
How
do I Get to & from Koh Mak
See our Travel
Page. If you
are traveling from
Europe
an overnight stay in
Bangkok
is recommended unless you arrive early morning and travel directly to
the
Island
. On your return boats leave the
Island
from Early morning to the mainland, you can then take a taxi to
Trat Airport
or to the Bus station for the journey to
Bangkok. Private taxis can also be arranged to
Bangkok
from your resort or from the Information
center.
Is
a fan room ok, or should I budget for Air Conditioning?
If
you're traveling in the steamy heat of March to May and you have not
acclimatized, air-con can be invaluable and is worth the extra few
hundred baht. On the islands, air-con bungalows tend to be a bit bigger
and are sometimes better looked after. But still, there’s nothing
quite like snoozing on your bed with the windows open and a light sea
breeze washing over you.
Is
Thailand
safe?
Like anywhere in the world,
Thailand
has thieves.
Robberies happen but mainly in the larger towns. In general you
will be safer in
Thailand
cities than big
cities in
Europe
. In Koh Mak crime is
almost unknown. The golden rule is don't take anything out with you that
you can't afford to lose, and keep copies of all important documentation
such as your passport, credit cards and travelers cheques.
Thailand
has many poor
compared to the west so don't flash your money about as you will be seen
as a walking bank. Most guesthouses and hotels offer safety deposit
boxes. Use them.
Are
credit cards accepted?
Not at most places on Koh Mak although a few resorts will give you
cash on your credit card for a fee. There are no banks or ATM's on Koh
Mak. Best to top up your cash before you leave the mainland. In most
towns & cities in Thailand ATMs and Banks are in abundance. Cheap to
medium-priced guesthouses and most cheap restaurants will not accept
credit cards. Pretty much everywhere else does.
What
should I pack?
Essentials are Passport with minimum 6 month validity left, Travel
insurance, Blood donor/type card, Details of your next of kin,
Prescriptions for any medication you require. Also it is a good idea to
take a copy of your passport. Bring
just a few changes of light weight clothes; you can get your laundry
done very cheaply in
Thailand
. In the rainy season
bring a lightweight raincoat. In December to February a sweater as it
can be cool in the evenings. Insect repellant and sun lotion are a good
idea. Travel Light! If you forget something you should be able to find
it cheaply in
Bangkok
. If you bring
your mobile you can buy a local Thai sim card at very low cost.
What
amount should I budget for? What are prices in
Thailand
?
That depends on what activities you plan during your stay. On Koh Mak
eating out is much cheaper than anywhere in
Europe
; you can expect to pay anything from as little as £1.50
equivalent for a main course with rice, and a beer for around £1.00. Motorbike
rental around £6.00 per day. A days diving with all equipment and lunch
about £25 or a boat trip snorkeling for the day with lunch for under £10.00
Should
I bargain for everything?
No. If an item has a price tag then you're not expected to bargain,
nor are you expected to bargain in a restaurant. In markets, bazaars and
small sales outlets where prices are not displayed you can bargain. You
should also agree a taxi fare before embarking on a journey. In
Bangkok
there are meter
taxis but always make sure the meter is on before your journey. When
arriving at
Bangkok
airport if you don’t have onward travel arranged you can either take
the shuttle bus to the Bus station where there are regular buses to the
town center or to Trat for the journey to Koh Mak. If you take a taxi go
to the Taxi rank outside the Terminal where they will give you a fixed
price to your hotel. Avoid the touts inside who will offer Taxis at
extortionate prices to unsuspecting tourists.
What
are
Thailand
's
visa requirements?
Tourist
Visas for
UK
Citizens and most
western Europeans are currently issued on entry for a maximum stay of 30
days. If you plan to stay longer contact your local Thai consulate for
current regulations as the rules change regularly. Information for UK
Citizens can be found at the
Thai
Consulate Website.
Will
I have language problems?
Most Thai’s working in the Tourist Industry speak reasonable
English. The younger generation mostly learn English as a second
language so you are never too far away from an English speaker.
What
if I am unwell
in
Thailand
?
Health
services are very good in
Thailand
. Hospital
care is inexpensive and legal drugs are available without a
prescription. On Koh Mak there is a medical Center where basic ailments
can be treated and medication can be administered. Having said that you
should always take out travel insurance.
Do
I need anti-malaria medication in
Thailand
?
If your doctor says you need malaria pills to travel to
Thailand
, get a second
opinion. Malaria is generally restricted to remote border areas. Cases
do appear now and then but, if you exercise care and commonsense, you
can minimize the chances of catching it without purchasing expensive
medicines and risking their bad side-effects.
What's
the food like in
Thailand
?
Thai
food is one of the highlights of your visit to
Thailand
. In
Bangkok
and other cities
Restaurants are everywhere, and prices for an average meal in Thai
restaurants are around 80-150B (£1.20 to £2.50). Of course you can pay
a lot more in high class hotels and touristy places. International food
is also available, and
Bangkok
has many
branches of McDonalds, Pizza Hut etc. These are more expensive than Thai
food, but still relatively cheap by western standards. On Koh Mak you
will find a few Restaurants on the Roads and all the resorts have
restaurants, some offering beach barbeques.
What
kind of entertainment and nightlife is there in Koh Mak?
Not much! Koh Mak is a
Family
Island
without the types of
entertainment often
associated with
Thailand
. If
you want Nightclubs, Beer Bars and the like you would be better off in
Pattaya or Phuket. Having said that there are some resorts that have
live musicians
on the odd night and also beach barbeques etc.
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