COMMON QUESTIONS

Q.-Do I need a passport?
A.-Yes, and it needs to be valid for at least 6 months past the time you enter the country.

Q.-Where can I get a passport?
A.-Check with your closest post office branch, they probably handle passport applications and if not, can tell you the closest place to go to.

Q.-How long does it take to get a passport?
A.-Normally 2-3 months depending on the time of the year, but with the new law requiring passports even to go to Canada and Mexico, it might take a bit longer. For an extra payment the US government offers a 2 week expedited service and if you have your documents in order there are private passport services that can get you a passport in 2-3 days.

Q.-What kind of clothes should I bring along?
A.-Just light weight casual clothes (long pants) and a bathing suit. Do not over pack, the hotel has a daily laundry service.

Tank tops and cut offs are not considered appropriate wear except for the beach.

Q.-What is the best way to bring over my spending money?
A.-You should bring over 90% of your spending money in the form of $100 travelers checks. Not so much for the safety factor, but rather because the banks give you a better exchange rate for travelers check than for cash.

Q.-Can I go scuba diving in Pattaya?
A.-Yes but you will need a PADI certificate. If you do not have one you will have to take a diving course, which lasts a couple of hours first.

Q.-Can I rent a motor bike or jeep over there?
A.-The answer is yes, but I can not emphasize this enough DO NOT, let me repeat that, DO NOT RENT A VEHICLE.
Here are just a few reasons why. None of these vehicles have any insurance. If one is stolen or heavily damaged you will be charged the price of a new one and will pay or go to jail.

If there is a serious accident then both parties go to jail after they get released from the hospital and you can spend up to months in jail until the police figure out who was at fault.

Keep in mind that there is a built in prejudice against foreigners in cases like this. They will frequently charge you for any dents and scratches on the vehicle even if they were already there when you took it out. Also, they drive on the left street like in England.

DO NOT RENT A VEHICLE in Thailand.

Q.-If I don't rent a vehicle, how should I get around Pattaya?
A.-In Pattaya on every major street they have Baht buses. They come by every minute or so. These are converted pick up trucks with covered benches in the back. You just flag one down, get on and ring a buzzer when you want to get off. The cost is only 10 Baht (US $ 0.30). If you want to use a vehicle as a cab, you flag down an empty Baht bus and negotiate a price.

Q.-I'm not a big fan of food that I'm not familiar with,am I going to have a problem?
A.-Not to worry you will easily find every western food-hambugers,pizza,steak,very good sea food,etc.But they have some great Thai food,be a little adventurous and try some.If you really want to go exotic try some of their quick fried scorpions,water bugs,locusts.

Q.-Should I bring my lap top along?
A.-No there are many inexpensive internet cafes over there.

Q.-I work out daily,are there any gyms over there?
A.-Yes there are quite a few gyms there.

Q.-Any good shopping over there?
A.-Yes even with a world wide massive devaluation of the US Dollar, good bargains are still to be had over there such as custom tailored clothes, handicraft items, etc. The last time I was over there I bought a huge tarantula packed in cotton, under glass and framed ready to be hung on the wall for US $4.50.

Q.-I'm a beer drinker,are there any good beers to be had in Pattaya?
A.-Yes,they have a huge selection of exellent beer form around the world and some very good local beers like-Kloster and Singha. Please keep in mind that the alcohol content in the beer in Thailand is TWICE that of the alcohol content of the beer in the US, so MODERATION is the key word here.

If you have any more questions,we would be glad to answer them. Please feel free to give us a call at 817-423-4554 and ask for Gunter, our Thailand expert.

G+F Tours
6080 South Hulen St. #360-111
Fort Worth, TX 76132