Travel Lifestyle Of Your Dreams » Thailand

Visa Run from Bangkok to Cambodia (Bangkok to Poi Pet/ Aranyaprathet)

Johnny — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 08:33:41 +0000

I’ve discussed what a visa run is before (so if you don’t know, click the link), and thanks to my indefinite travel plans I seem to be constantly bordering hopping! Last week I had to get an extra couple of weeks stamped into my passport so off I was to Cambodia again.

Cambodia Border Crossing at Poi Pet

This time I went with a company, I wanted it to be stress free, fast and with no complications. I went with Thai Visa Service. They charged be 1900 baht which included all transport, visa fees, paperwork, everything!

Benefits:

1) They take you to a different border crossing than Poi Pet – much less hassle and fewer people

2) They are faster

3) Hassle Free

They leave from On Nut BTS station at 7am, and arrive back in Bangkok at 5pm. It really is the easiest way to do your visa run.

TOTAL COST: Around 1900 Baht ($60 USD)

The AC bus that takes you from Bangkok to the border and back if you go with a company

Alternatively:

In the past, I’ve gone on my visa runs via public transport from Bangkok to Cambodia and back again, and here’s how it breaks down, complete with how much it costs:

STEP BY STEP:

STEP 1) Taxi from your condo/hostel to the bus/train station: 40 mins, 150 baht

STEP 2) Either:

A) Train from Hua Lampong Train Station to Aranyaprathet (Poi Pet).

Train number:275 Departs Hualamphong at 5:55 am and arrives Aranyaprathet at 11:35 and costs 48 Baht for lowest class. Note – it’s often delayed!

Hua Lamphong Train Station

Inside the 3rd class train

B) BUS: every 30/40 mins from the Mo Chit station, also stops at old Don Muang and Rangsit, it takes 4 hrs, cost 150 baht

STEP 3) From Aranyaprathet, take a tuk-tuk or motorbike to the border (around 80 baht)

STEP 4) Stamp out of Thailand, line up and get your Cambodian visa ($20 USD or 700 Thai baht, +$1 extra if you have no passport photo). Cross the border, stamp back out of Cambodia, stamp back into Thailand with your new 14 day visa.

STEP 5) Take the tuk-tuk back to the train station (80 baht)

STEP 6) Take the train (or bus) back to Bangkok. The train leaves at 1.55pm and arrives in at 7.55pm, expect delays! (48 baht)

TOTAL COST: Around 1200 Baht ($40)

Ok guys there’s the rundown. Doing it yourself is definitely cheaper, but if you’re worried about missing trains or budget isn’t an issue then going through a company is certainly a lot more relaxing! Happy travels!

Visa Run from Bangkok to Cambodia (Bangkok to Poi Pet/ Aranyaprathet) is a post from: onestep4ward.com

Things to See in Ranong, Thailand

Johnny — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 06:36:09 +0000

I was off to find a true island paradise in Koh Phayam and on the way there I stopped off in Ranong to recover from the night bus journey from Bangkok. The boat to Koh Phayam leaves from Ranong so it was a perfect place to spend a day or two.

Ranong is rarely visited by anyone other than people catching the boat to the nearby islands of Koh Chang or Koh Phayam, and a few people doing visa runs to Burma. I wasn’t expecting much to be honest but it proved my wrong, it’s a pretty cool Thai town, void of the tourist scams, in the midst of beautiful mountains and on the coast. Here are the best things to see in Ranong:

Hot Springs: Only 2km outside town, the hot springs are a natural 65 degrees Celsius! Too hot to jump in, but for 40 baht ($1.30 USD) you get access to 4 pools which are all cooled down to different levels, ranging between 20-45 degrees. This is the most healing hot spring in all of Thailand and apparently the third most healing in the world! It’s become a bit of a pilgrimage for some people so take a dip and judge for yourself, I loved it.

Ranong hot springs

Ranong Canyon: You may find bigger canyons across Thailand but the beauty about Ranong Canyon is that you’ll probably have the whole place to yourself. It takes about 25 minutes on a scooter to get there, then you can chill by the water, in the middle of the mountains, read a book or whatever. This is the epitome of peacefulness!

Ranong Canyon

Bald Hill / Grass Hill / Khao Hua Lan: If you’re a nature buff then this is all for you. Bowling hills bounding across the country side. It’s about 13km from Ranong City, and if you’re here at the right time of year (December – March) you’ll see the hills covered in golden grass. Photo time.

Bald Hill, Ranong

Sunset at Hat Chan Damri: Gotta love a good sunset, and this is the best spot in Ranong, looking over the Andaman sea. About 10km from the city, you may have to keep asking directions because the signs are awful! Worth the effort though.

Best Sunset in Ranong

Koh Son: If you’re collecting passport stamps or doing a visa run, here’s an easy one for you. Koh Son is in Burma (Myanmar), home to some casinos too (as they’re illegal in Thailand) so you may even get lucky and pay for your trip.

Punyaban Waterfall and Ngao Waterfall: I love waterfalls but after seeing Erawan falls in Kanchanaburi (and Victoria Falls in Zambia/Zimbabwe!) other waterfalls fail to meet expectations. So if you haven’t been to many waterfalls, both these are pretty but if your expecting something mindblowing, you may be left a little disappointed.

Punyaban Waterfall Ranong

How to Get to Ranong:

AIR: Happy Air runs flights 5 times a week but they have a monopoly on the route so they charge $100 minimum per flight. Ouch.

TRAIN: There’s no train station in Ranong, the nearest station is in Chumpon, about another 90 minutes or so in a bus. I wouldn’t bother taking the train to be honest.

BUS: Far and away the best option. From the Southern Bus Terminal in Bangkok (Sai Tai Mai bus station outside the city), buses leaves around 8pm and take about 9 hours. Prices range between 400-700 baht ($14-$23).

I’d definitely recommend people stopping over in Ranong for a day or two on their way south to the islands, make it more than a sleeping venue, through holiday rentals perhaps, and get out and explore. People often talk about the ‘real’ Thailand but it’s more of a cliché, this is legit, no street hawkers, no foreigner-prices, just plain old simple Thai smiles and beautiful scenery. Happy travels!

Things to See in Ranong, Thailand is a post from: onestep4ward.com

Hard Rock Café Foam Party in Pattaya

Johnny — Sun, 26 Feb 2012 09:25:46 +0000

I’ve sung the praises of attractions nearby Pattaya before, with an awesome Bangkok day trip to Lan Island, but I’ve never spoken about Pattaya directly before, and there’s a distinct reason.

A lot of Pattaya revolves around sex tourism and gogo bars, which is not my scene at all, however there is a lot more to it than it’s seedy reputation. I went there this weekend, stayed at an awesome hotel and partied hard – all without a prostitute or sex tourist in sight!

If you do make it to Pattaya and want to have some serious fun, down a few cocktails and dance like a maniac I’ve got one venue that won’t fail to let you down – Hard Rock Café, every Saturday, runs a foam party and it is banging!

Me getting loose at the foam party!

What time does the foam party open and close?

It opens at 9pm and runs until around 1am.

How much does the foam party in Pattaya cost?

Not cheap folks, but it’s worth it! 480 baht (about $15), that gets you on free drink of anything.

Where is the foam party?

In the area directly in front of the Hard Rock café, on the main strip in front of Pattaya beach

How Do I get from Bangkok to Pattaya?

Easily! Take a bus from Ekamai bus station (go to Ekamai BTS stop and walk to the bus station, 2 mins).

Buses run every 30 minutes, they cost $4 and take exactly 2 hours. No need to book in advance.

Pattaya is a great place to go to escape Bangkok for your holidays as long as you’re clever and selective about how to spend your time. If you party on walking street, the seediness is overbearing but chill in your hotel, party at the foam party and you’ll be all good.

Hard Rock Café Foam Party in Pattaya is a post from: onestep4ward.com

How to Get a Kazakhstan visa in Bangkok

Johnny — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 11:04:42 +0000

Getting a Kazakhstani visa in Bangkok isn’t too difficult but you do need to do a few different things. Ok let’s have a look:

Where is the Kazakhstan embassy in Bangkok?

The nearest BTS stop is Pleonchit, so jump out there and it’s a 5 minute walk.

It’s just before the US Embassy, on the same side of the road, about 50 metres closer to Pleonchit BTS than the US Embassy. So if you can’t find it, head towards the US Embassy and you’ll walk right past the Kazakhstani embassy. Easy.

Office 804A, Floor 8, Building A,

GPF Witthayu Towers,

93/1 Wireless Road,

Lumpini (between USA Embassy and All Seasons Place)

Pathumwan

Bangkok 10330

Thailand

+66125430 43/45

How much does a Kazakhstan visa cost?

It costs $40 for a single entry, 30 day visa. Payable only in US Dollars, plus 500 baht fee to the bank.

NOTE: You don’t pay the money to the embassy, you have to go a bank in the city and deposit the money, with your passport as ID. The bank you need to go to is:

Bangkok Bank,

Silom Soi 3

How long does the Kazakhstan visa take to get:

It should take 5 working days (hand it in on Monday, get it on Friday) BUT you may be able to get it faster if you ask nicely.

When does the Kazakhstan embassy open?

Only Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays between 10-12 in the morning.

Step by Step guide to getting your Kazakhstani Visa:

1) Go to the Bangkok bank on Silom Soi 3

2) Go to the second floor (visa section), tell them you’re applying for a Kazakhstani visa, pay your $40 + 500 baht, take the receipt

3) Write a letter on a piece of paper stating what dates you want to enter Kazakhstan, sign it and date it.

4) Go to the Kazakhstani Embassy: bring your passport, one passport photo, your application form (get it at the embassy), your letter and your receipt for your payment – apply

5) Pick your visa up 5 days later.

6) Buy your mankini, grow and mustache and head to Kazakhstan.

How to Get a Kazakhstan visa in Bangkok is a post from: onestep4ward.com

5 Best Places to Shop in Bangkok

Johnny — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 05:15:40 +0000

Sorry about this article gentlemen, it could cause a few very comfortable days getting dragged around Bangkok by your enthusiastic better halves (queue sexist furore).

Bangkok is a huge international city, but it’s still much cheaper than our home countries so people often try to take advantage of that and get some serious shopping done. Rather than getting dragged from one indian tailor to another by a taxi driver on commission, take my advice and hit up these 5 shopping hotspots:

Chatuchak (weekend)Market:

JJ market is the biggest market in Thailand, with over 5000 stalls and more than 200,000 visitors on Saturdays and Sundays. You can pick up pretty much anything from JJ market from dubious football shirts to local handicrafts. I’d aim to get here before midday, when the real tourist rush kicks in. This place gets hot, crowded and manic - you won’t wanna be there then!

Also, if you get a little too excited and buy too much they have various on-site ways of getting your stuff all the way back home, whether it’s a freight forwarding company or simple Thai post – they have you covered!

How to get to Chatuchak Market:

A) Take the BTS (skytrain) to Mo Chit station and walk 5 minutes.

B) take the MRT (subway) to Kamphaengphet station or Suan Chatuchak (Chatuchak Park).

C) A taxi from the city centre would be about $5. From Khao San, it will cost around $8.

MBK:

The oldest and most famous mall in Thailand and a bit of an icon in Bangkok. MBK attracts more than 100,000 people every day to it’s 8 floors of consumer heaven! If you’re after iphones (new or second hand), cheap clothes or just to catch a movie then MBK is a great choice. Also, it’s still Thailand so if you have a soft spot for counterfeit goods, MBK is a good bet.

How to get to MBK:

Take the BTS to National Stadium, it’s right there.

Panthip Plaza:

A computer geek’s Disney world, Panthip takes care of all your technological needs. Counterfeit software is the reason for it’s fame and notoriety, with software like the $200 Rosetta stones going for $5, or Final Cut Pro for $3. DVD box sets and games are in abundance too.

Also, if you’re after a new charger, battery, lens etc for any of your flashpacker gear, this is your one stop shop for that.

How to get to Panthip Plaza:

Take the BTS to Siam, from there it’s a 10 minute walk.

Khao San Road:

I’ve written about the pitfalls of Khao San road before there’s one thing I’d never dispute, and that’s the sheer convenience of it.

For a backpacker, this is perfection. New rucksacks, flip flops, flags, bracelets, tattoos – whatever you can think of, Khao San has you covered. You could arrive in Bangkok with an empty backpack, and within one hour and $200 you’d be stocked for your entire trip! So love it or hate it, Khao San serves a purpose and it’s here to stay.

How to get to Khao San Road:

No trains go there, local buses are tough to negotiate with no Thai. Taxi is your strongest option my friends. From downtown Bangkok, expect to pay $3-$5.

Sukhumvit Night Market:

Bangkok’s main street, which runs right through the city centre, is busy at the best of times – but try walking down it at night time. The streets are lined with vendors, selling everything from Viagra to cuddly toys, probably even at the same stall. You can easily burn a few hours wandering down this eclectic mix.

If you’re not staying on Khao San road, then this market is most likely right on your doorstep. With so many street stalls selling cheap Thai food and local beer, you can really make a night of it.

How to get to Sukhumvit:

It’s right bang in the city centre, the market kicks off around Nana BTS so take the skytrain to there.

5 Best Places to Shop in Bangkok is a post from: onestep4ward.com

Bangkok Day Trips – Wakeboarding in Bangkok

Johnny — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 07:31:31 +0000

Bangkok gets hammered time and time again by travelers as they pass through. I’m constantly having to defend it, after writing about awesome day trips from Bangkok to Ayutthaya, Koh Laan, Kanchanaburi I thought I’d add my personal favourote – wakeboarding in Bangkok.

Lake Taco, about 45 minutes from the city centre, offers some awesome wakeboarding opportunites for novices or experts. There are no boats here, they use the cable system which runs a circuit around the lake so you can climb on and off quickly, it’s a great way to learn because when you crash (often) you can get right back up and try again.

NOTE: I want to lie, but this is not me!

Let me give you some info:

How much does it cost to go wakeboarding in Bangkok?

300 baht ($10) for 2 hours or 500 baht ($17) for the whole day. The park normally opens at midday and stays open until around 6pm.

Do I need to rent equipment?

No! They offer free wakeboards, knee boards, life jackets and helmets. If you want high end equipment you can bring your own or rent them from the shop for around $5 per day.

How do I get to the wakeboarding park?

Ok, get a pen ready, this may sound complicated!

From Bangkok you can get the BTS (subway) to Udom Suk station. From here you have two options:

a) Take bus number 132 to Bang Thee and ask the conductor to tell you when to stop (show them the thai writing below). 9 baht ($0.30).

b) Take a taxi to soi Wat Luang Porto (about 100 baht/$3). From here there’s big signs to the lake. Show the taxi driver the following picture:

Put this in your smart phone or take a picture of it on your camera

NOTE: You can always call them on 023167810 and ask the taxi/bus driver to speak to the people at the wakeboarding place.

I’ve never wakeboarded before, is that ok?

Absolutely, I had never done it before either – it’s a great place to start. The Thai’s are so friendly and helpful you’ll probably end up eith a free, impromptu tutor session – that often happens to me.

You can kneeboard before you wakeboard

What about food and drinks? Lunch?

There’s a local food stall there, serving delicious Thai food for around 40 baht ($1.30) and beers for 50 baht ($1.80). Just leave the beers until after the wakeboarding!

Thailand is such a great place to backpacker, work or travel. With so many cheap flights to Bangkok, it’s a perfect time to visit. But I ask you one thing, don’t knock Bangkok until a local has shown you around. There’s a lot more to it than Khao San road and Nana Plaza. Happy travels!

Bangkok Day Trips – Wakeboarding in Bangkok is a post from: onestep4ward.com

Koh Phayam – Thailand’s Best Kept Secret Island

Johnny — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 05:48:11 +0000

I’ll take your Koh Samuis, Koh Changs and Koh Phangans and raise you my perfect Koh Phayam, an island on Thailand’s Andaman coast that the tourist boom seemed to bypass, and it’s all the better for it.

I just spent 4 days at what is now my favourite Thai island. Koh Phayam has only recently started supplying it’s beachside bungalows with 24 hour electricity (you’ll need those fans, it’s hot here!) and wifi is an ingenious new invention on the island, springing up here and there, giving you your facebook fix when paradise isn’t quite enough.

At any given time there’s probably only around 100 foreigners on the island, and given that there are about 5 amazing white-sand beaches to choose from, one of which is over 2km long, you’ll have a beach seemingly to yourself. Without the tourist hordes the prices have been kept Thai style so enjoy the cheap fruitshakes and local food for a fraction of the Koh Phi Phi prices.

How to Get to Koh Phayam:

First up, you have to get Ranong – the coastal Thai town is effectively the only way to access the island, with ferries running throughout the day.

The slow boat leaves at 9am and 2pm from Ranong and costs 150 Baht ($5), it takes 2 hours

The fast boat (speed boat) leaves at 4 junctions through out the day, starting at 9.30am with the last boat around 3pm. It costs 350 baht ($12) and takes 40 minutes.

So now you need to know how to get to Ranong….

How to get to Ranong:

AIR: There is now an airport at Ranong but Happy Air have a monopoly on the route so one way air fares start at $100. Ouch.

TRAIN: No train station at Ranong, but if you’re heart is set on Thailand by train, then the nearest station is Chumpon, about 2 hours away by bus.

BUS: Far and away the best option, buses leave Bangkok around 8pm and arrive in Ranong at 6am, giving you plenty of time to catch the first boat at 9am to Koh Phayam. If I were you though, I’d stick around Ranong for a day or two, it’s a nice place to relax too.

Luxury bus from Bangkok to Ranong

Best Beaches in Koh Phayam:

There are beaches dotted around the island but the best 3 are as follows:

Ao Yai: The flagship beach on the island, 2km of white sand with no ugly resorts of note. There are a couple of beach restaurants and bars (although this is certainly no party island) dotted along the stretch meaning you can spend your entire day here should you choose too. Sunset’s not too bad here either

Ao Yai beach

Ao Khao-Kwai: Hat Yai’s little brother doesn’t match up with size but it’s a great combo for privacy yet still with long stretches of white sand. Only a couple of places to eat/drink and you’d be pushed to see 10 other people in an afternoon here. Amazing. This is the perfect spot for sunset, blue skies turning orange, then pink, then red and no-one there to interrupt the moment. Possibly my best sunset experience ever.

Ao Khao Kwai beach

Ao Kwang Peap: A hidden gem of a beach within a hidden gem of an island. This is found in the extreme north of Koh Phayam, after the ‘road’ has ended you can brush up on your scooter driving skills across the dirt trek. Then a couple of hundred metres walk through the jungle to the bottom of the hill where a resourceful dude has set up a quaint Thai bar/restaurant. The beach is about 90m long, white sand (standard by this stage), crystal clear water and has great snorkeling. Don’t miss this out in your trip here.

Accomodation on Koh Phayam:

There is one high-end resort ($130 per night) called Blue Sky just at the pier where you’ll land. It’s heavenly, wifi, on the beach etc. I was splashing out and stayed here with my girlfriend for a few nights.

Backpacker accommodation is much easier to find though with bungalows all across the island, ranging from 150 baht ($5) for a basic hut with limited electricity and a fan if you’re lucky to around 1500 baht ($50) for air-con, 24 hr electricity, western bathroom etc. Ao Yai is your best bet for budget bungalows, for an extra $2 or $3 you can get it literally on the cusp of the beach.

sunset at Koh Phayam

Getting Around Koh Phayam:

Straight of the ferry you can rent a scooter (around 200 baht per day, $7) and from then on you’re free to find accommodation, sample the different hotspots etc. If you’re not confident on a bike, motorbike taxis are alla round just look for their green or pink vests and call them over, they’ll be happy to take you wherever you need to go.

Ok guys, that’s all you should need to be convinced to whack this on your Thai itinerary. Just do me a favour and don’t tell too many people about it, deal?! Happy travels!

Koh Phayam – Thailand’s Best Kept Secret Island is a post from: onestep4ward.com

Teaching at English Camps in Asia – FAQs

Johnny — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 05:03:58 +0000

I have spoken about English camps in Asia briefly before but I wanted to go into a big more detail considering the fact that I’ve just finished a 3 week camp in South Korea in January. I just had one of the greatest months of my life, teaching awesome kids, meeting amazing people and all in a cool, foreign country so I would like to share some of the information with you guys… here we go:

Me at Camp in 2012

What is an English camp?

English camps are short, intensive courses where kids get sent to fully immerse themselves in English for a period of time, usually around 1 month. The idea is that they are only allowed to speak English for the duration of the camp.

Who works at English camps?

It’s a bit of a mixture really but the majority of people who work at English camps are the ‘teach-travel’ type. Normally aged between 22-35, people are traveling in Asia and want to bolster their travel fund. There are also an older group of teachers who may be retirees.

When are these English camps?

They normally run in the summer or winter although their dates are never set in stone. Factor in something around December 26^th-January 30^th and July 15^th to August 15^th, give or take a week or so.

Where can I work at an English Camp?

They are becoming more and more popular throughout Asia, at this stage Japan and South Korea are the most prevalent. They also exist now and again in Taiwan, China and Thailand.

Can I work at an English camp?

Probably, although it is quite competitive so you have to be prepared to lodge a quality application. This is an awesome, short-term job and the secrets out so you can’t just wing it. You need to be from a native English-speaking country (Ireland, UK, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa and the US) so regardless of your English ability, if English isn’t your first language the embassies simply won’t give you your work visa.

Also, you need at least a bachelors 3 or 4 year degree and if you have no teaching experience you’re going to probably need a TEFL too. Even if you have a year or two of teaching experience, a TEFL will make your application a lot stronger.

Where do we sleep at English camps?

It’s almost always the case that the camp will supply you with free accommodation, more often than not in university style dorms, often sharing with a fellow ELT (English language teacher). If they don’t supply accommodation they’ll most likely give you a stipend for renting your own place.

What about the food at camp?

Think high school/university cafeteria food in the country that the camp is held, that’s what you’ll get. Far from disgusting but certainly not gourmet, but hey – it’s free!

http://teach.travel

How much do I get paid at an English camp?

Most agencies and camps will pay for your flights to and from camp (or onwards to a destination of your choice) so depending on where you’re flying from, you will be paid accordingly. You’re looking at something along the lines of a return from from London/Toronto etc + $500-$900 tax-free pay.

How do I get a job at an English camp?

Like I mentioned earlier, it can be quite competitive. If you know of anyone who has taught at camps previously, that’s a great avenue to pursue. Failing that my new company, Teach dot Travel will be recruiting for both summer and winter camps in the upcoming months. Just comment below if you want any more information about that. Happy travels!!

Teaching at English Camps in Asia – FAQs is a post from: onestep4ward.com

The 5 Best Full Moon Parties Around The World

Johnny — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 07:55:16 +0000

There’s something about a full moon in the sky that makes us backpackers go a little bit mental, and I’m all for it. Thailand is the poster child for these all night get togethers but there are more unknow party spots dotted around the globe waiting for you to discover them. So lets embrace it and have a look at five funky full moon parties around the world:

1) Koh Phangan, Thailand:

Hat Rin beach on Koh Phangan is synonymous with full moon parties the world over. Over 10,000 backpackers congregate here to get loose drinking buckets and covering themselves with neon paint. If you take your partying serious you’ll be here. My word of advice? Don’t scrimp on your accommodation when you’re here, you’re gonna feel the worst you’ve ever felt the next day so you’ll be wanting plenty of air con and swimming pools to help you recover, believe me!

2) Zanzibar, Tanzania:

Wanna piss off your kids in 20 years by saying you partied somewhere before it got ruined by excess tourism? This is one of our few remaining chances! It kicks off in Kendwa, in the North West of the island, a taxi-ride from Stone Town. The parties are held on the Saturday just before or after the full-moon, these are full on beach affairs. I was lucky enough to check this out a year or so ago although to be honest the last thing I remember was downing some rum with some Kenyan Masai tribesman, expect something similar. NOTE: you have to pay to enter, around $10.

Me with my new found Masai friends in Zanzibar

3) Goa, India:

Perhaps the original full moon party scene where our parents were more worried about tie-dyed t-shirts than mortgages. The hippy scene was loving Goa as far back as the 1960s and nowadays theres a full on backpacking scene each full moon here. More of a traveler vibe than Thailand’s full moon, which can be full of drunk one-week holiday makers now. So whether you’re a down and dirty budget backpacker or found holidays to Goa with holidayhypermarket, Goa’s Anjuna Beach is waiting with open arms (and plenty of booze)

4) Magnetic Island, Australia:

In the North East of Australia young Aussies who were brought up with Bali and Thailand a short flight away have done their damndest to recreate the vibe for one evening (and morning!) a month, and they’ve succeeded. On Magnetic island, a 20-minute ferry ride located just off the tip of Townsville, Queensland, the full moon attracts more than 2000 revellers, just don’t expect any sleep until dawn!

5) Montañita, Ecuador:

On the coast of the Pacific Ocean Ecuador has spawned an unlikely full moon party vibe. Posters of Bob Marley, Jon Lennon and Che Guevare are rife and people smoke the local herb freely. Cheap booze and good surf attract people all year long too but it’s on full moon when things get extra crazy! It has a young vibe so get be prepared to get crazy!

If you’re a hardcore party goer then whack these on your to-do list, you won’t be sorry. Happy travels!

The 5 Best Full Moon Parties Around The World is a post from: onestep4ward.com

How to extend your Thai visa in Bangkok

Johnny — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 05:22:11 +0000

I’m flying to Korea on Christmas day for 3 weeks in South Korea, one week in North Korea and then a trip to North Eastern China for the ice festival in Haerbin. I’m currently in Bangkok and my visa expired yesterday, but I don’t fly from Bangkok until next week so I needed to extend my visa. For anyone else who needs to extend their Thai visa in Bangkok, or needs to check into immigration every 90 days – this is where you need to do it:

Print this out or save it on your smart phone for the taxi driver

Thai Immigration Phone: (+66) 0-2141-9889

Google map HERE

NOTE: The old immigration office is Soi Suan Phlu, Sathorn Tai Road, Bangrak, Bangkok. DO NOT GO HERE!! This is now effectively closed.

How to get to Thai immigration:

The easiest way is to take the Bangkok Sky Train to Mo Chit station ($1-$2), and from there use the address above to give to a taxi driver to take you to immigration (about 100 baht taxi fare, $3-$4).

Can I extend my Thai visa?

Probably, yes. If you have a standard 14 day or 30 day visa (one you got on arrival by land or air into Thailand), then you can extend your visa for a maximum of 7 days only. It costs 1900 baht ($60).

If you have a 60 day visa that you got from an embassy or consulate in your home country, or another country, you can extend your visa for another 30 days. Again , this costs 1900 baht ($60)

If you need a longer extension, you’re gonna need to do a visa-run to a nearby country. More info here

What do you need to extend your visa?

1900 baht (atms at immigration)

Passport

Copy of Passport, Departure Card, and Entry Stamp (can get this in the huge building at immigration for 3 cents per page!)

1 Passport-sized photo (can get this at immigration too)

Application Form (provided at immigration)

Your address and phone number

How long does it take to extend your visa?

It takes around 60 minutes to get there, 60 minutes form-filling, queuing, waiting and another 60 minutes to get back to your hotel/hostel etc, so give yourself the morning to sort it out.

The procedure for extending your visa:

1) Queue outside the immigration office within the huge building (pic above)

2) When you get in, go to the counter and tell them why you’re there – they’ll give you the appropriate form

3) Fill in the form (both sides), attach your passport photo to the form and hand it back to the ladies who gave it to you

4) Go through to the next room, queue up for a ticket number

5) The ticket number will tell you which counter to sit beside, go there and wait for your number to be called

6) Go to the counter, have a quick chat, go back and sit down outside the counter again and wait to be recalled

7) Collect your passport, with the overpriced extension and be on your merry way

Immigration opens at 8.30am, so try to be there around 8.15am. It also closes between 12.00-1.00 so bear that in mind too. Good luck!!

How to extend your Thai visa in Bangkok is a post from: onestep4ward.com