PREPARTIONS TO FLY THAILAND :)

We were planning on a International trip from Long time, it was postponed due to lot of constraints..Finally we decided a trip for our 3rd year wedding anniversary. We discussed about  couple of places and zeroed on Thailand. Once we decided the place, the next question was, to go with a package trip or go on our own, initially Ramesh said we will go with Tailor made trips from Travel Agents..I  checked few packages, but was not satisfied, as it was only for 3/4days and they had included very few places...I started checking forums & blogs on thailand trips, and spoke to couple of friends who had visited, and found its feasible to go on our own, as long as we have proper planning. And yes i was able to convince Ramesh on this.(We have completed several trips successfully, with my Custom Itinerary :).

I started with planning the Itinerary,for 5 days,and realized there is simply too many things to visit. I asked ramesh if we can we extend it to 8days, when he gave green signal, i did lot of research and shortlisted few places and came up with a final Itinerary.(http://www.sightseeingbangkok.com  to get an idea of places to visit and suggested time for each place). Once Itinerary was ready,i arranged on below things.


1. Book Air Tickets
2. Visa stamping
3. Transportation from Bangkok Airport to Pattaya Hotel and Vise versa
4. Hotel booking in Pattaya and Bangkok
5. Sight seeing Booking from Local travel Agents
6. Shopping and Money Exchange


Book Air Tickets:-

Once we were ready with Itinerary and decided it was 8 days, booked tickets through  Yatra.(http://www.yatra.com).(It cost'd 27K for To/Fro for both of us [We booked tickets for weekday, as its bit costly on week-end flights)

Visa stamping:-

There is On-Arrival Visa policy, initially we decided we will go there and get visa, but my first day plan involved traveling from Bangkok airport to Pattaya city. So i dint want to spend more time waiting for Visa, and loose first day in visa and traveling.

I started checking out for agents, who can get us Thailand visa, and came across this url http://www.vfs-thailand.co.in/contactus.html.) This process needs visiting the office twice in week-days,we dint have time for this.

Finally got our visa stamped through Travel desk from my office.(It costed 6K for both of us). Below are the requirements for Visa.The applicant must have passport valid for six months beyond intended stay in Thailand;
   * One completed visa application form (Form 14, photocopy allowed);
      * Two recent passport-size photographs
      * Confirmed return/ onward air ticket;
      * Covering letter from the passenger
      * Hotel confirmation or invite letter
      * Forex endorsement for USD 500
      * Processing time is three working days.

Transport from Bangkok Airport to Pattaya Hotel and Vise versa:-

I checked for couple of means of transport from Bangkok Airport to Hotel in Pattaya, and found Bell Travels. Bell Travels is not only economic, but  door drop.(Drops you directly to your hotel.)(http://www.belltravelservice.com/)


Hotel booking in Pattaya and Bangkok:-

I shortlisted few hotels in Pattaya and Bangkok,and finalized discussing with Ramesh. [we decided by checking for  reviews/pics from Trip advisor and virtual tourist sites)].  Sent a mail to Hotels in Pattaya and Bangkok and got a confirmation, saying it is reserved and we can pay while check-in). Lot of sites like Agoda, Asia hub offer rooms at little discounted rates, but i chose to book directly from hotel.. I feel safe to pay directly..


Sight seeing Booking from Local travel Agents:

Most of the "sight seeing places" , we decided to go on our Own.. But  for one day trips from Bangkok,  decided to arrange through  "Thailand Local Travel Agent". So we had booked
two "one day trips and  2 shows tickets through "Sun Leisure World."(http://www.sightseeingbangkok.com/). (He had sent mail confirmation, saying we can pay on arrival).


Shopping and Money Exchange:-
Once Air tickets, Visa, Hotel Bookings were ready. We spent 2 week-ends in shopping. And for Money exchange, We wanted to carry Money in Dollars, as its very easy to convert there(also its less number of notes compared to our rupees).We located Thomas cook near by to our place, and exchanged Rupees to Dollars (Thomas cook charges 150rs for this Exchange, dont forget to carry pan card and ensure you get Forex endorsement attested on passport)


Check List:-

3 days prior to travel,i made a check-list of Documents i need to pack..
    1.   Photo Copy of  Passport
     2.  Photo Copy of  Marriage certificate
    3.   Photo Copy of  Pan Card
    4.   Bank Statements (need only for visa on arrival)
    5.   Air Tickets (2 copies)
    6.   Hotel Confirmations (2 copies)
    7.   Confirmation of other tour packages and Bell Bus
    8.   Guide Book (I had prepared a guide book )....

 
DAY 1 THAILAND (Pattaya) 

DAY 1 : Dest 1: SANCTUARY OF TRUTH (Pattaya) 

DAY 1: Dest 2 : MINI SIAM (Pattaya)

DAY 2 : Dest 1: CORAL ISLAND (Pattaya)

DAY  2: ALCAZAR SHOW (Pattaya)

DAY 3 : BANGKOK WATS TOUR

DAY 4:  SAFARI WORLD

DAY 5 - Dest 1: SIAM OCEAN WORLD

DAY 5 - Dest 2 : SIAM NIRAMIT SHOW

DAY 6 - ERAWAN MUSEUM

DAY 7 : AYUTTHAYA  

DAY 8 - ANCIENTY CITY OR MUANG BORAN 




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