Help with Thailand plan
Jun 21, 2017 | 10:12 pm
#16
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IIRC you can get a 60 day visa issued via a consulate in US. That would save the first visa run @:-) Don't remember if there is cost involved with this.
Jun 22, 2017 | 12:28 am
#17
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Sort of. The official policy is that they don't want people staying here long term on a series of back-to-back 30 day entry permits. There was some talk a while back of a maximum number of such entries you could have in a calendar year; but I don't know if anything was ever officially implemented. Regardless, it depends to some extent on the individual immigration officer.
Jun 22, 2017 | 12:41 am
#18
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Thailand is actually a pretty big place. You might consider visiting Isaan - several medium sized towns/cities over there. But if you're on your own without much working Thai language it might be a little tougher than the big cities. Also places in the center like Sukhothai and even Phitsanulok can be nice. All of my travels around to those parts of the country have been with a guide and driver so that's probably not what you're looking for.
There are several large national parks with a variety of scenery mainly in the northern central part of the country.
There are several large national parks with a variety of scenery mainly in the northern central part of the country.
Jun 22, 2017 | 1:06 am
#19
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There's a specialized website that might be useful to the OP: ajarn.com. It's basically for foreign expat teachers in Thailand teaching English or in English. They talk about visa runs extensively and also generally have good information about budget to moderate travel in Thailand for foreigners who stay more than a few days.
Jun 23, 2017 | 3:48 am
#20
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Isaan can really be delightful, but I think you need at least a trip or two under your belt to start to appreciate it. Otherwise it may seem a bit boring. Phi Mai and Phanom Rung are good for Angkor-era ruins, there's that candle festival for the Buddhist Lent in Ubon, and Udon Thani has the lotus lake in winter. But some of the best experiences are "found" ones with food, Isaan music at live venues, or things like that. Nakhon Phanom was even peaceful enough that I could ride a bike around, take the 5 p.m. cruise to nowhere on the Mekong for B50, and get a wide-eyed look or two from a kid who'd never seen a farang before.