Overview:
Bangkok is Asia's most popular tourist destination, attracting over 15m visitors every year. Sitting on the banks of the Chao Phraya river, the city has been the cultural, political and economic centre of Thailand since the late 18th century and boasts famous historical sites including the Grand Palace, Wat Pho, Wat Arun.
Pattaya is located on the east coast Thailand, 165km from Bangkok. Famous for its beautiful beaches and rowdy nightlife, the resort shot to prominence in the 1960s as a retreat for the rich and randy.
Recently the city has pushed hard to clean up its image, however Pattaya still boasts one of the world's largest red light districts- not that you'd be interested in that!
Your time in Thailand will be divided between the hustle and bustle of Bangkok and the pumping party atmosphere of Pattaya so you can experience the best of everything the Asian tiger has to offer.
In a Nutshell:
- Bangkok is the capital of Thailand
- The locals speak Thai, but many will have a good grasp of English, particularly in the tourist regions
- Thailand is 95% Buddhist, 4% Muslim, 0.8% Hindu/Christian, 0.1% Scientologist and 0.02% Russian Orthodox
- Population of Bangkok: 7 million. Population of Pattaya: 55,000
Getting There:
We strongly recommend you fly. Driving or walking to Bangkok is extremely time consuming and a logistical nightmare. You can fly to Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport from most major UK airports... and Norwich and the Isle of Man. The flight takes between 10 and 11 hours. Book your flights as early as possible, as the later you leave it the more expensive they'll be.
Visas:
Holders of valid United Kingdom passports do not need visas to enter Thailand. As a tourist you will be issued a 30 day visa exemption stamp on arrival, allowing you to stay in Thailand for up to 30 days for the purpose of tourism only.
Getting Around:
There's no need to worry about getting to and from the airport as we arrange it all for you. A tour guide will greet you when you land and will accompany you throughout your trip. Some activities will involve you having to make short journeys using public transport.
Local transport is very cheap and there are plenty of different methods of getting around including taxis, tuk tuks, river boats, buses and truck taxis. If you're forking out more than £1 for a journey, you're paying over the odds. We advise you negotiate a price before setting off.
Accommodation:
We offer a range of accommodation options to suit all budgets. Whether you want to sleep in the lap of luxury or just want a place to rest your spinning head between drinking session, we know the place for you. All of the hotels on our books are centrally located an have air-conditioning, en-suite bathrooms, a swimming pool, a decent bar and restaurant, and serve good breakfasts. All accommodation is based on twin share rooms.
Daytime Activities:
As well as the usual stag do favourites such as quad biking, paintball and golf, you can also experience some truly unique activities. If you've never bungee jumped, ridden an elephant or dived in a submarine then now is your chance. For a bit of danger and excitement you can witness a deathdefying snake show or enjoy VIP seats at a Thai boxing night. Knock out.
Nightlife:
Thailand's nightlife is legendary. If you can't have a great night in Bangkok or Pattaya you might as well join a monastery. There are a countless bars and nightclubs for you and your mates to blow your hard-earned cash in and your guide will be on hand throughout your trip to direct your towards the best venues. The locals are extremely tourist friendly- they want you to you have as good a time and spend as much money as possible!
Eating:
Thai cuisine is respected worldwide. Meals almost always include rice (the Thai word for hungry literally translates as ‘hungry for rice') along with a vast array of vegetables, seafood, or chicken, duck, beef, and pork.
For the brave amongst you, why try Thailand's most infamous snack - deep fried insects! As Thailand is a Buddhist country, vegetarians will have plenty of choice and if Thai food isn't really to your taste, there are plenty of international restaurants. A lavish meal in a top restaurant will set you back no more than £12.
Drinking:
Alcohol in Thailand is so cheap it makes your local Weatherspoons look like a rip off. The most popular local beers are Singha, Chang and Leo, with a large bottle (600ml) setting you back around 80p. The most popular local spirit is cane rum, known locally as 'Thai whiskey', which is very cheap and in plentiful supply. Even the most hardened drinkers will be able to get slaughtered for next to nothing.
Weather:
Thailand experiences warm weather 12 months a year. The northern half of the country has a tropical monsoon climate with distinct wet season lasting from May to October. The south has an equatorial climate, is always warm and experiences short, heavy showers throughout the year. Average temperatures range form a sweltering 36°C in May down to a positively chilly 31°C in December.
Currency:
£1= ?63 Thai Baht
There are plenty of currency exchanges in the tourist areas which have long opening hours (usually 09:00 - 22:00) and are open at the weekends. Larger hotels will also exchange cash and travellers cheques, but the rate at the local exchanges is normally a bit better. We recommend that you take £UK currency and travellers cheques.
Local Customs:
If you don't want to upset the locals, don't touch anyone on the head (even a child), openly display affection, get angry, raise your voice or point the soles of your feet at anyone. You've been warned!
'Tell me about the Ladyboys':
The concept of a third sex is actually deeply ingrained in ancient Thai culture. A ladyboy (or kateoy) can be anyone from a man who wears women's clothing occasionally right through to men who have had complete sex change operations. Estimates put the number of ladyboys in Thailand at close to 200,000.
You may have seen the film 'Bangkok Chickboys' and thought that you'd never end up as the star of a transsexual orgy, but trust us after a few beers it is extremely easy to mistake a ladyboy for a Thai woman. If you do find a pretty 'woman' coming onto you in a bar and your mind starts to play tricks, just stick your hand straight up her skirt mid-conversation and check out what she's packing.
What Chillisauce Do For You:
We organise your entire trip, except for flights. You tell us what you want to do and we'll do our best to make it happen. From the moment you land until your flight home we take care of everything. You will have an event manager with you in Bangkok and Pattaya to ensure everything goes without a hitch, so you can concentrate on having an unforgettable trip.