In most parts Thailand you will have to show your passport when checking in to hotels, resorts and guesthouses. You will also need it when buying airline tickets, changing airline dates, and sometimes for changing money.

Nationals of the following countries are tourist visa exempt, and are not required to obtain a visa when entering Thailand. When entering through an international airport, the permitted length of stay is 30 days for each visit. However, if you enter through a border checkpoint (except Malaysia), the length of stay is 15 days. Please check with the Thai Embassy in your country for visa requirements.

However, it is recommended that you do carry some cash with you (a small amount is sufficient). Local currency is useful for making small purchases, and in more remote areas. It is a good idea to change an amount of money on arrival at the airport. This can be very useful for any immediate expenses. If you are entering at a border crossing, change only a small amount of money at the money changers, and wait until you can get to a bank to change more money. Banks and airport exchange services generally offer the best exchange rates. Private money changers will have the worst exchange rates. ATMs are widely available in the cities, but not all are open 24 hours a day. However, you should try to carry some dollars in small denominations because small businesses will not have change for large bills. When you leave, be sure to change any local currency back into dollars at the airport or when you cross the border.

Note that US dollars are NOT used in Thailand.

 

Safety
By Active/Adventure/Cycling and traveling with Travel Loops you can be assured that your safety and well-being is our prime concern. Over the years we have built up a network of local staff and local offices which enables us to maintain constant contact, and to monitor events on the ground in each of our destinations, and thus ensure that every aspect of your tour goes as smoothly as possible.

Do not worry about all the terrible things that “might” happen to you while traveling and cycling in Indochina. Remember that in these countries you are traveling is quite safe, and group travel is even more so.

Travel insurance is compulsory for all participants in our tours, and you need to have travel insurance coverage before your departure. This insurance is needed in the event of a medical emergency, and it will cover hospital and medical expenses, and evacuation if it is needed. It covers expenses related to accidents and unforeseen illnesses which may arise.

Luggage
For ease of use and carrying, the best type of bag to bring is a backpack, or a hold-all with some sort of shoulder strap. This type of bag is much easier to handle than a rigid suitcase. Wheeled suitcases might be useful for airport concourses, but not for on the road.

In addition to your main bag, we also recommend that you bring: 
1. A smaller day pack for items like camera, water, sun cream, hat, etc. 
2. A money belt or waist pouch (bum bag) for your travel documents and money

Remember that your luggage, bags and personal belongings are your responsibility at all times.

Luggage Requirement Checklist
As a guideline we have compiled a list of things that you might need on your tour. Naturally you will have your own ideas, so please remember that with the exception of The Essentials, these lists are only intended as a guide, and you should choose the items you wish to bring.

- Passport (also keep a copy separate from the passport)

- Money (Keep a note of the emergency contact number for your Visa or ATM card, and the  

  serial numbers of any traveller's cheques)

- Copies of Travel Insurance Documents

- Airline Tickets or Printouts

- Travel Documents / Service Vouchers

Our Suggestion for Cycling/Active/Adventure Trips:

- Comfortable clothing for cycling/Active/Adventure Trips allowing your legs to move freely

- Stiff soled Cycling shoes

- Insulated water bottle

- Waterproof jacket (rain is always possible in South East Asia)

- A bicycle (If you have your preference bicycle)

- Front and rear bike lights

- Flashlight and batteries

- Personal washing / shaving kit

- Camera and film / memory cards

- Swiss Army Knife / Leatherman

- Lightweight wind / waterproof jacket

Our Recommendation for cyclist:

Better to hire the bicycle from us as it is convenience with a light travel.
 

Medical / Personal for your trip:  

- Sun cream or sunblock

- Moisturizer / After Sun lotion

- Personal medical supplies (aspirin, paracetamol, plasters, bandage, safety pins, antiseptic      cream, diarrhea tablets, tampons, etc.)

- Antihistamine / insect bite cream

- Dehydration solution - Personal medication

Note: If you are taking any medication, or you have a condition that needs specific medicines (e.g. asthma) you must bring all necessary medication with you. You must also inform the tour leader or guide of your condition at the start of your tour.

Recommend for general travellers:
As a general guideline, clothing should be lightweight, sturdy and easily washed. Most people tend to bring too many clothes, so try to travel as light as possible.

 

Recommend for cyclist: 
Please remember that special cycling clothes and shoes are not easy available, especially the size. You may want to bring SPD shoes or sandals with overshoes. You do not want to have to go looking for specialized cycling clothes and shoes during your journey, so bring what you will need with you.

Still photography is not a problem at historical sites, but please remember that climbing or leaning on statues and walls is not acceptable. Also, always ask before taking photos of other people.

However, if you want to take video at historical sites, special permits are necessary. Also be aware that video cameras must be declared at customs on arrival in many countries.

Film vs. Digital 
Film may not always be available locally and can be of variable quality, so you should bring plenty with you. If you use a digital camera, be sure you have an adequate supply of memory cards, and bring spare batteries, especially if they are of an unusual size. (Although batteries and most memory cards can be bought in the cities) Two sets of rechargeable are best so one set is always full. Don't forget to bring the charger as well as a travel plug adapter.

Many internet shops or photo shops can burn photos from memory cards onto a CD, but do not delete any images from the card until you have checked the CD on a different computer.

Emergency Contact 
If someone needs to contact you while you are on tour; the best method is for them to contact your sales agent, who can then pass on the message. If your sales agent is unavailable, and someone needs to make urgent contact with you, they should telephone our hotline in the tour operation department in Travel Loops office. Emergency Contact details are shown in each service voucher. We recommend that you leave a copy of your trip itinerary, service voucher and details of how to contact us / you with someone at home.

Phoning Hotels
We do not recommend that your friends and relatives try to contact you by phoning to the hotels. It is not possible for us to provide the details of hotels where you will stay before the tour starts (except for the Meeting Point hotel) because hotels are subject to change.

Mobile Phones
You can use your own cell phone if you come from Europe, Asia or Australia (GSM 900/1800). If it is not yet unlocked, it can be easily done here. For those from the USA or Japan, you may need to buy a cell phone when you get here. You may want to do this anyway. If you have an expensive mobile phone, you may want to leave it at home, and buy a cheap one here in case it gets lost, stolen, or broken.

There are regular prepaid refill cards and international prepaid cards. You can get a SIM card now from any phone shop cost between USD5-US$10 with some balance already existing in the SIM card. You will need to show your passport, and/or give them a copy of it.