TRAVEL BANGKOK & KOH PHA NGAN, THAILAND Chakra Yoga Teacher’s Training, Pyramid Yoga Center TRAVELING TIPS
Bangkok is the home of the old and the new, from ancient Buddhist temples to modern skyskrapers. Though currently experiencing rather devastating floods, the Thai people will again show their resilience as they rebound from the effects and clean up the city. By January the city will be back to normal. We will keep you posted here.
Good Day Everyone, Included here are some of our Thailand Travel Tips.  You may wish to print this document off for reference later.  Let us know if you have other questions.        Hope this is helpful to make your journey to Thailand smooth & harmonious!                                                           13  pages Tourist VISA: Once you have your plane ticket and passport in place you may apply for a 60- day tourist visa to Thailand.  Because we are not a registered school with the Thailand government we are unable to give out a letter for a 90- day visa . It is better to register with the Thai Consulate as a tourist and not a student taking a course. In order to stay in the country longer, some students last season applied for two 60-day tourist visa’s. This allows you to stay for over 90 days in Thailand, up to 120 days.  After one 60-day visa expires you can do a border run at the near-by border of Burma or Malaysia and extend your next 60-day visa.  You will have to contact different Thai Consulates to see if they do this.  The Vancouver Thai Consulate in Canada does.  You can have all your papers couriered over to any Thai consulate for process.  They will courier it back to you, if you pre-pay the courier.   In the US students were able to get 90-day tourist visas. Other countries such as the UK & Australia are giving out 90-day visas as well.  If you get two 60-day tourist visas, once your first 60 days are up in Thailand , you will need to go to the immigration office on the next island of Koh Samui and renew your second 60-day visa. As well, even if you had a 90 day visa you would still need to go to the immigration office on Koh Samui once you have been in the country for 60 days to receive a stamp for 30 days.  Yoga Training -  8 weeks   Jan 30-March 26th For the 8- week yoga training it would be good to get a 60-Day tourist visa before coming to Thailand and then when this 60 –day visa expires you can do a short border run and get another 30- day visa into Thailand .  These visa border runs are easily set up by some Tourist Thai Agencies on the island which we can recommend. The second option is to go to Koh Samui  island which is across from Koh PhaNgan and get a 7 day extension on your visa as well.  The cost for this extra visa is approx. $60 – 70 US Important Note :  When you arrive in the Bangkok airport with your 60 or 90 -day tourist visa it is important to check the expiry date on your passport once you go thru immigration just to make sure the official stamping your passport actually gave you 60 or 90 days in Thailand and not the stamp of a 30 day visit.  This mistake has been known to happen at times.   Also, once you are in the country make a note of your expiry date .  Some students did not clearly look at their expiry date and had to end up paying an over-stay fee . When you over stay in the country of Thailand, this fee costs 500 baht per day .  (approx $15 per day each day of over –stay). It can get expensive and it is illegal to be in the country once your visa expires. Passport:  Important Note Please note that your passport must be valid for 6 months after your long-stay in Thailand.  For example if you are staying in the country from Jan 30st- March 30th, 2012 …..your passport must be valid for 6 months after Mar 30th, 2012 ie: Oct 1, 2012    It is a good idea to check the expiration date of your passport to see if you need to renew it. FLIGHTS: Flights to Thailand from Canada can go from $1200-1400 from Canada or $800-$1200 from the States.   European & Australian prices. Please check the web. It is a good idea to look into seat sales and get on wait lists with such Airlines as: Economical Airlines are: - Philippine Airlines - Korean Airlines - Japan Airlines   etc. - China Airlines  - Asiana Air - In Asia there is Air Asia Seat sales are usually running before the end of November or on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year’s Eve…..and also after January 8th or 9th there are seat sales to Thailand Ticket Agencies: Flight Center Cheap Tickets Travel Cuts  (University Students) Vist Thailand Before the Yoga Training: We recommend that you take the time to visit Thailand  &  Koh Pha Ngan before  the training begins.  Because the training is so comprehensive with homework & exams to study for on the weekends as well as some weekend practicums , there is not a lot of time to tour all over the island.  You can satisfy the tourist within , unwind from Western life and relax before coming in the program. Past  students also recommend that you allow yourself some down-time in Thailand after you leave the program  before returning home to help integrate your experience in the training.   There is a lot of personal change and transformation that takes place for people in this program.  Traveling to Bangkok: If you are traveling from Canada, US, Australia or Europe to Korea, Japan , Hong Kong and so on…. it is helpful to have some US dollars on your person for food or beverage in these airports.  When you arrive in Bangkok there are also ATM machines right at the airport from which you can get the Thai Currency (Baht) with your personal bank interact card.  It is necessary to get approx . 2000 Baht at the airport in order to pay for your taxi into town and your guest house.  You can always go to a currency exchange in Bangkok the next day for more Thai Baht.  If you have a pinned Visa Card or other Credit Card  you can also have access to your credit card accounts.   Travelers checks may be cashed at Currency Exchange Outlets  or  various Thai banks with your passport as ID
Taxi from the Airport: The cost of a taxi from the airport can range from 400-600 baht.  It is good to get a metered taxi.  You will get a better rate.  If you are new to the country the Thai drivers may quote you much higher like 900 – 1200.  This is over-rated.  From Bangkok the normal taxi rate to the airport is 300-400 Baht.  This is when your bartering begins. Have the name of your Guest House choice written on a piece of paper.  This is easier for communication.  Also, try to share a taxi with another traveler if you can. It will be cheaper for you.  As a note, do not leave any of your valuables (passport & wallet) unattended while getting your luggage in Bangkok airport.   Keep your money-belt or purse on you at all times.   Currency Thai Baht      $1 Canadian  = 30-31  Baht      $1  American = 28-29 Baht  .   This rate may fluctuate each day. To find the Thai currency rate to your dollar go to the web-site: www.xe.com More on Bangkok... click here. How can I get to the Lovely Island of Koh Pha Ngan & The Pyramid Yoga Center: You may travel to Koh Pha Ngan by  bus & ferry  /  train & ferry / or take a  plane to the island of Koh Samui + 40 minute - 1 hour Ferry ride to Koh Pha Ngan
Once you get to Koh Phangan, you can sit on the beach and meditate on the sunset.

You may easily purchase a”joint bus & ferry ticket” / or  joint train & ferry ticket at most of the guest houses in Bangkok or any of the local travel agencies. These buses do not go on the Ferry and there are waits at the drop –off station but they are affordable & reliable .  Also the Thai VIP buses from the South Station in Bangkok are very comfortable and the bus goes straight on to Koh Pha Ngan Island for the cost of 900 -1000 baht.  In order to take one of these VIP buses, one must take a taxi to the South Bus Station in Bangkok during the daytime and then return in the evening to depart from there. The convenience of having this bus come straight to the island via car ferry is good.  With the regular tourist buses which are approx.  600 baht ($15 US) you will ride from Bangkok to Surat Thani Province , sometimes change buses and then walk onto the Ferry to Koh Pha Ngan.  There is some waiting involved here but they are a cheaper form of transportation for your budget traveling and are a little more convenient since these buses run from Khao San Rd.  Do not leave any valuables , such as passport, travelers cheques, or money in your suitcases which are stored under the Buses.  Lock your suitcases or backpacks  that are on the buses. Always keep a money belt or purse on you .

The LomPraya Agency in Bangkok is also a good Agency to book a bus and ferry with.  Comfortable and safe!  All of these agencies are close to Khao San Road in Bangkok.

Cost:  ***   Tourist Bus & Ferry Ticket: $15-20 US approx  600 Baht 
                    South Station VIP Buses      $30-40 US   750 -1100 Baht
                    Train & Ferry Ticket    $ 25  US approx. 

Train:
You can sleep over-night in an over-head compartment on the train but we suggest to you to   bring ear-plugs and eye-cover.    You will sleep much better!  J   Food is available on the train but it is not so tasty. It is a good idea to bring a snack with you or have dinner beforehand.  You get on the train at 6:00 PM and lights are out usually by 10:00 PM until you reach Surat Thani about 5:00 AM next morning …. from here you take a bus ride to the ferry for Koh Pha Ngan.

Plane:
Plane from Bangkok to Koh Samui:    3500 - 5000 Baht or $100 -150 US approx  plus $5 US for Ferry Ticket to Koh Pha Ngan.  It is a good idea to book your plane ahead of time or when you arrive at the Bangkok airport, if you wish to spend a few days in Bangkok.  There are planes flying from Bangkok to Koh Samui every hour.

Plane to Koh Samui & Taxis:

When you arrive on the island of Koh Samui there are many taxi trucks to take you to the pier in order for you to take a ferry over to Koh Pha Ngan. Ferry tickets are readily available to Koh Pha Ngan.  It is best to take a taxi to the  Nathon Pier in Koh Samui for the Ferry from Nathon Pier will take you into the main town of  Koh Pha Ngan. The cost of a taxi from Koh Samui airport to Nathon Pier, Koh Samui should be no more than 200-300 Baht.  $6-8 US 

Buddha Pier Koh Samui:
The taxi driver will suggest that you go to the Buddha Pier in Koh Samui because it is closest from the airport.  This is also another choice. If you take the ferry from this Buddha Pier in Koh Samui to Koh Pha Ngan you will arrive in the far Eastend of Koh Pha Ngan called Haad Rin  and will have to take another taxi truck to the main town of of Koh Pha Ngan called Thong Sala. When you get off the Ferry in the Eastend , Haad Rin,  tell the taxi driver you wish to go to Haad Salad area but remember to say The Pyramid Yoga Center close to Haad Salad. He will indicate that you have to go to Thong Sala first and then transfer to a taxi going NorthWest towards Haad Salad.  It is not difficult to do this.
 From Thong Sala  you will transfer to another taxi truck and be taken over to the North West side of the island where the yoga center is located.  The name of our location is :   The Pyramid Yoga Center 

When you take a taxi to the Pyramid Yoga Center (NorthWest side of the island close to Haad Salad Beach) or Mountain Hut next door depending on where you have your accommodations… make sure the taxi driver takes you in the dirt road to the center.  It is too long of a walk with all your luggage.  You may offer him a tip of 20-50 Baht for this service. If you are  alone  in the taxi truck from the main town of Thong Sala, Koh Pha Ngan. …. The cost of a private taxi to the center should be no more than 250-300 Baht. Do not pay more because this will eventually raise the prices of the taxis for everyone.  If they request more, you will need to bargain here.  If there are more than four people in the taxi the common cost from Thong Sala to the Yoga Center is usually 150 Baht per person.

Staying in Koh Samui:

If you fly into Koh Samui which is only a 40 minute Ferry ride from Koh Pha Ngan there are many guest houses to stay in.  If you want to stay close to the Ferry we recommend The Secret Garden Resort  : 
Google secret garden Thailand / www.secretgarden.com
Jon & Rebecca will pick you up at the airport and take you to their guest house which is on the beach.  They can also arrange for a tour around the sites of Koh Samui such as  :  Temples :  The Big Buddha  or Wat Phra Laem (Lotus Temple),  GrandMother & GrandFather Rocks,  Elephant Treks etc. 

Motor Bike:     150-200 baht per day   
We do not recommend riding a motorcycle moped until you have been on the island for a while and perhaps have had some lessons from some local travelers.   Some students had minor accidents at the beginning of the training last year and it was not fun for their Hatha Yoga classes for the next 3-4 weeks after their wounds. We recommend wearing a helmut on the bikes as well or just use the taxi transportation to go into the local town : 100 Baht.

Laundry:
Laundry local Thais  $1 -1.50 per Kilogram  40-60 baht per kilo

Location of Yoga School:

The Pyramid Yoga Center is located on the North West Side of the island above Haad Salad Beach ; close to Mountain Hut Bungalows or Lucky Resort .  It is good to know this information for the taxi driver.  It is the left turn before the turn to Haad Salad Beach.  If they do not know where it is you can give the taxi driver the number of our Thai Partner:  Narong          Mobile :   087-471-3914.  The taxi driver can get directions from Narong. 
A lot of the drivers can speak a little English which is great!

Mailing Address:

If you wish to mail things to the center here is the mailing addres below:

Your Name
c/o Mr. Narong Thongthip
118 Moo 7   Chaloklum      
Koh Pha Ngan,  Surat Thani
Thailand    84280

Telephone:     087-471-3914 Narong /  085-784-2139 (Marina)      /  David 08-990-8862- 0

Travelers Cheques:
You may cash your traveler cheques (Canadian, European, US & Australian etc.) at the local Banks or Currency Exchanges in Thailand.  You will need your passport for ID and  you have to sign the cheques in front of the teller.

Where should I stay in Bangkok?    Suggestions:

In Bangkok there are many, many Guest Houses and Hotels.  Usually the taxi drivers will take you straight to Khao San Road where all the travelers like to go and shop.  It is a funky area .    
Some affordable guest houses in behind a Thai Temple a short distance from Khao San Road are:

Rambuttri Village Inn     (check web-site –google)

Charter Guest House

Green Guest House   Merry V Guest House

Charter / Green & Merry are budget guest houses. 

There are fancier Hotels in the area as well.  Rambuttri Village Inn has a good selection of rooms as well. Google  :  Hotels Bangkok Thailand
Hotels close to the Chao Phraya River or Khao San Road are good points of destination. 

Viengtai Hotel www.viengtai.co.th

Cha Cha Villa  on Tavee Rd near Khao San  Very nice

The Plaza Hotel   plaza@mandarin-bkk.com

Thai Cozy GuestHouse  www.thaicozyhouse.com

(Note: Ear plugs are good to have in Bangkok )

Guest House Away from Khao San Road area:

Also approx. 30 minute walk or 5 minute Chao Ferry ride  from Khao San road are some other good guest houses.       

Located on  Thewet & Sri Ayuttaya.  It is approx 30 minute walk to Khao San Road or you can get a Tuk Tuk (3 wheel motor-bike cab) for 80 baht.

This area is also close to the Chao Phraya River where you can catch a local river ferry to the various temples such as the Grand Palace and Wat Pho. 

The Guest Houses we recommend here in this area are:

Tavee Guest House
83 Sri Ayuttaya   (off Thewet)
(behind National Library)   
Intersection of Ratchavithi Rd. & Samsen Rd.
 The Tavee    is a very reliable and clean place.  It is just down the alley from the Shanti Lodge.  It is open 24 hours.  If you arrive late….you walk down the alley and see a wide , wooden door on your left.  You may ring the bell and the hostess will let you in.  It is very safe in this area as well.

The Shanti Lodge
37 Sri Ayuttaya Road     off Thewet
(behind national library)   Telephone:  628-7626

It is good to have the address or name of your guest house on a piece of paper for the driver and tell the taxi driver that these guest house are behind the National Library or Khao San Road.

If these guest houses are full, we would recommend going to the Rambuttri Village Inn behind Khao San Road .

Suk Pasath Hotel
Chawfar Road & Soi Rongmai      ($8-$10 US)

Guest House Costs:
Costs of  rental at the Shanti or Tavee Guest Houses as well as guest houses close to Khao San Rd. are from  :   $6 - $15 US  
They have cheaper dorms as well.  They also have a safe deposit box for passports etc.
 
You are also welcomed to do your own research for guest houses in Bangkok and if you have any you recommend please let us know so that we may share them with the other students.   Thank-you.

Valuables:
Make sure you keep your valuables such as your passport & monies/ cameras…. on you when you leave your guest houses in Bangkok for shopping or outings or you can also keep things in a safety deposit box at the guest house.     

Your guest house can usually recommend a taxi back to the airport as well.

Tourist Attractions  *    Temples  *  Thai Dance  *  Floating Market :

It is fun to take the Chao Phraya river ferry to look at some of the local Thai Temples and Thai culture.

The Grand Palace & Wat Pho are amazing temples  to see. You may only want to see one per day for they are BIG!  These temples are usually free to visit on Mondays.  The cost for the spectacular Grand Palace is usually 200 Baht but free on Mondays. Wat Pho is 20 Baht but also very beautiful…there is also a Thai Massage school @ Wat Pho where you can have a massage after visiting the temples.   There are lots of other free Buddhist Thai Temples to visit in Bangkok.

You can also arrange a tour of the temples at your guest house or travel agency.

Thai Cultural Dance:
The Tavee Guest house & other ticket agencies sell tickets & transportation to an authentic Thai Dance and Dinner Theatre.  It is wonderful!  500 Baht
There is a cultural dance production which you can inquire about at the nearest Tourist Agency.  A great performance concert!

Traditional Thai Dance Shows & Dinner www.sawanbangkok.com

Siam Niramit:  Amazing Thai Dance & Theatre Show www.siamniramit.com 

Suhumvit:

Area of Bangkok with yoga & fitness centers; True Fitness, Yoga Elements, Pilates Studio

Also this area hosts various spas & massage centers, dining and live entertainment

Other tours such as the “Floating Market & Rose Garden “ are fun to do as well.  Nice to take in some of the culture & arts of the city before coming to the island.   500-700 Baht approx.

Chao Phraya River :
It is fun to take a boat up the Chao Phraya River to see the temples and Thai Life along the way.  You can also go downtown of the Chao Phraya River. The fee is around 10 Baht / 30 cents.

Internet Café:

There is an internet café close to the Tavee & Shanti Lodge.
There are a number of internet cafes on Khao San Road as well.

Phone Card:

There  is also a 7-Eleven next to the Tavee where you can buy international phone cards.  These are also on Khao San Road.

Joint Ticket to Koh Pha Ngan
As mentioned before you can get your joint bus or train / ferry ticket to Koh Pha Ngan at most of these guest houses or at a local travel agency in the area.

Vegetarian Restaurant in Bangkok

There is an excellent Thai Vegetarian Restaurant called May Kai Dee’s close to Khao San Road.   As you walk away from the Police Station towards the Burger King turn left onto this street and right into the next alley.  People along there know where May Kai Dee’s restaurant is. It is worth the search. Great Vegetarian Thai Food!  This road is close to Ratchadamnoen Rd.   May Kai Dee gives a one-day Thai Cooking Class where you can learn 10 dishes in one day!  I have heard it is a great cooking class. Yummy!  1000 Baht $30-35 US

Thai Cooking Classes here:  10 dishes in one day  1200 Baht
www.maykaidee.com   087-717-5275
111 Tanao Rd  (Alley Area)

Ethos Vegetarian Restaurant     
Located in the same alley as May Kai Dee with excellent food and great music atmosphere / high speed internet as well.  Say hello to Phil from Australia!  Great Host

Mr. Kim’s
Located on the Rambuttri Village Causeway…..very good food and very affordable  ……  outdoor café on the sidewalk ….close to Four Sons. 

Gem Shop Tuk-Tuk: Warning

Beware of the Tuk-Tuk drivers that offer to take you on a tour to the temples or around town for 10 Baht. They will stop at many Gem Shops along the way and hope that you will buy the gems from there friends.  They have some really good stories cooked up and have people working for them at various locations where you receive the same stories about the Gem Shops. 
We do not recommend these Tuk-Tuk Drivers. 

Khao San Rd Stores:
With shopping on Khao San Rd. you will find many people bargaining with the Thais.  They like to barter or they expect you to barter so therefore they have their prices raised on many items only on Khao San Road

Thai Stores:

If you walk to the left or right of Khao San Rd. you will notice that this is where a lot of the Thai locals shop and the prices are more regular here.   On Khao San you will have more choices of Asian goods from India & Nepal as well but here you may need to bargain.

Bangkok

 In Bangkok you will find the landscape a mix between the modern world and third world.  The Thais are friendly people.  They love it when you smile at them and they love to have there picture taken too. J They also love it when you try to speak some phrases in Thai….but  like anywhere else …. some merchants are also tired at times for they have long hours of work. 
Patience is good.

You may ask some Thais about the Famous Pat Pong Weekend Market in Bangkok as well.  It has many good things at great prices.  It is a Thai market.

Thai Phrases

Hello & Good-bye   Sa wa dee ka    (all women say sa wa dee ka)

Hello & Good-bye   Sa wa dee Kop  ( all men say saw a dee kop)

Good –bye          La Gune Ka  (F)    La Gune Kop (M)

Thank-you          Korp Kun Ka  (Fem)     Korp Kun Kop  (Mas.)

How are you?   Sa Bai Dee Mai?    ( sah bah dee my ?)

Garuna              Please        You are welcome:   Mai Pen Rai (My Pen Ry)

Tow-Rai       How Much?

Choake Dee    Good Luck to you!

You many access the Lonely Planet Guide for more Thai Phrases . 
www.lonelyplanet.com   or we do recommend you to get a small Thai Phrase book to practice some local conversation.  You can find these at some of the local second-hand book stores in Bangkok or elsewhere.

Thailand is a very friendly and safe country to travel in.    The culture of Buddhism resonates all around!  

We wish you lots of magic and adventure on your travels!

Remember to smile and be optimistic.  If you like to practice mantra or affirmations ….this is a good practice to do while traveling. It will bring you good luck and a pleasant mind!   It is also good to visualize your trip going smoothly  >>> meeting lots of synchronicity and friendly people along the way ! Purple Light around you!   Manifestations !

Some suggested mantras are:

OM Mani Padme Hum     Protection  Mantra to the Goddess Kwan Yin

OM Doom Durgaiyei Namaha   Protection Mantra as well

OM Shreem Lakshmi Swaha Swaha     Good Luck Mantra

OM SHANTI SHANTI OM     Peace & Good Luck Mantra    

Shri Ram Jay Ram        May JoY Prevail!                   

We wish you well in all your preparations

‘May providence shine upon your spiritual journey…
May you receive mystical guidance & good fortune along your way…
And may you walk in Harmony with all Beings.’

OM Shanti Shanti Shanti AUM
 
Joy  & Light
Marina / David & Pyramid Yoga Light Workers