Tag: thailand

Thailand Visa On Arrival For Indians

AnandPatel
Embark on a thrilling adventure to the land of smiles, where Thailand eagerly awaits Indian travelers with open arms and Thailand Visa on Arrival for Indians. Nestled in the heart of Southeast Asia, Thailand has become a magnet for Indian explorers seeking a hassle-free and captivating holiday. And why wouldn’t it be? Thailand’s VOA system has transformed it into one of the most sought-after destinations for Indian globetrotters.

Picture this: I, an intrepid traveler, decided to revisit Thailand, captivated by its allure and the seamless VOA process that beckoned me back for another extraordinary journey. This time, however, I anticipated an experience like no other, filled with captivating surprises and unique encounters.


Thailand Visa On Arrival Process For Indians

To start the process all I needed to do was submit a neatly filled application form, accompanied by 2200 Baht in cash (as updated in 2023). The anticipation filled the air as I watched fellow adventurers engaging in the same process, each harboring their own desires and dreams. As I handed over my documents, a blend of excitement and curiosity danced within me. The clock ticked away, unveiling a realm of possibilities. Within 30-45 minutes, the magical moment would arrive—the moment my passport would be imprinted with the golden seal of opportunity.

Few essential items are required to be prepared beforehand:
1) A valid passport with a minimum of 6 months’ validity.
2)Two passport-size photographs on a pristine white background (recently captured, of course), and a filled application form, graciously provided at the counter.
3) Cover letter detailing my meticulously crafted itinerary.
4) Confirmed return ticket from Thailand.
5) Confirmed hotel bookings for each day.
6) A sum of 10,000 THB per person or 20,000 THB per family

The entire process was incredibly straightforward. Once I completed the form and paid the application fee, things moved swiftly. I was provided with a token number, which meant I only had to patiently wait for my turn. The anticipation built as I sat there for approximately 10 to 15 minutes, wondering when my token would be called. Finally, the moment arrived. I heard my token number being announced. I approached the counter, filled with a mix of nervousness and anticipation. The officer smiled and handed me my passport.The journey ahead might hold challenges and surprises, but with my stamped passport in hand, I knew that I had taken the first step towards the same.

I had visited Bangkok & Pattaya the first time & this time it was for Koh Samui & Full Moon Party.
Thailand Visa On Arrival for indians

Handy Resources:

Below are the few resources you should check before making an itinerary.

Amazon: I am a member of Amazon affiliate programme. Amazon is probably the biggest market place there is. Buy your trip essential from this link

Agoda: Best place to book hotels of your liking. Agoda provides the best solution & great offer while booking a hotel.

Skyscanner: Skyscanner compares various sites & sort the flights based on the rates. A great way to check flight cost. Although the only drawback is that rates are flexible. Hence, the cost might change while you are making the payment.

Jetradar: Jetradar is a comparing site which is just like Skyscanner. But, is much more accurate & much more handy in use.

Booking: Best place to book hostel rooms. There are plenty of options available & with so many properties booking becomes much easier.

Couchsurfing: Best place to find free accommodation. It is as easy as filtering people & messaging. If you will get lucky you will find free accommodation in local resident house.

Travel Insurance: There are numerous options available to get one. So, you can choose anything which suits your requirement. Make sure you read the terms & conditions before buying one.

First Impression of Bangkok

AnandPatel

Tourism is one of the most important factors which contribute to Thailand’s economy. Traveling to Thailand has entered on the bucket list of thousands of travellers. One of the reasons of attracting travelers from India is its affordability & VOA (Visa On Arrival). The process is simple & cheap thus lots of Indians chose Thailand for their holidays & honeymoons. I went to Bangkok & Pattaya for 4 days on a solo trip & here is my first impression of Bangkok.

 

Arriving at Bangkok airport: First thing first, applied for Bangkok visa on arrival. It is a very simple process. For me, it took approx 20 mins to complete the entire process. However, during the rush period, it takes more than 2 hours of time as well.

The moment I stepped outside the Airport. The city engaged me with its charm & vibe. The best way to explore a city is by living like a locale; use public transport, eat on streets etc etc.

Human Interactions:

People of Bangkok were really very nice. They were helpful in every best way possible. From helping me understand the currencies to board the buses, they helped me everywhere. Best cities have best people to support them & Bangkok is one such example.I was traveling by bus & asked a fellow passenger to inform me when to get down, the lady was super sweet & helped me to get down at my designated destination. She also helped me in deciphering the currency. One more incident that showed the generosity of Thai people was like this.

I was searching for my home stay in Pattaya, it was hot & humid & I walked for at least an hour to find my hostel. But, I was not able to locate the address.Tired of walking, I stopped at one shop.

The shop owners asked me “What happened?”.

I said “I am lost”.

They were generous enough to call that homeowner thrice to locate the house. So, from whatever experience I had; I felt that they were super sweet to me.

Infrastructure

The city has a beautiful infrastructure & fantastic public transport system. It is easy to get around the place. Taxis are equipped with meters to avoid any inconvenience. Police are active in Bangkok & it is very easy to locate their car while on routes. But, I don’t think you will every require it. I certainly hope; that you don’t ever require it :D.

Mark My Adventure

 

Culture:

Bangkok is a proper backpackers place. You can wear shorts & travel to most to the places & local people will hardly roll their eyes. Every place you visit, there will be some traveler accompanying you.

Once I went to China Town for a trip, I was hungry so ordered a plate of noodles & specifically told the lady to “prepare a veg noodle”. The lady didn’t know the English; hence it was difficult to communicate with her. However, seeing the lady in a problem; a local girl came to her help & told her what needs to be done.

I guess helping others is engraved in their nature.It doesn’t feel like you are traveling to a different place if you meet such helpful peoples. It is refreshing to see the energy of the city. The moment you land on the airport the pain of traveling long hours just vanishes. It is such experience which can not be captured in any amount of words.It is refreshing to see the energy of the city.

Activities:

Places in Bangkok doesn’t disappoint you a bit. It is very easy to see the pics & get excited but by the time you reach the place is opposite of what you expected (Filters effect). But, Bangkok was the opposite, the places were exorbitant beautiful. I only covered places which grabbed my attention. It is better to cover few places completely than covering all the places. One activity which needs to checked is the adult shows. Adult shows are one of the most sought of activities in Bangkok & also the most duped ones. It is better to check the place before entering these places. There are lots of stories of people getting duped here.First impression of bangkok

Overall, I would suggest everyone, to visit this place, the place is amazing; especially the Khao San Road. It is on the list of every travelers & tourist. The place gets insanely happening after the midnight. The crowd dancing to beats without any reason is epic to watch. I spent two nights there & loved every bit of it.

One thing that I loved was canal rides in speed boats. It was one of the very rare experiences for me from this trip. Just stand at the front & experience cities skyline like a movie star.

So, if you like the way I write please comment on my work & subscribe to my blog. I would appreciate your efforts.

Is Bangkok Safe To Travel Solo

AnandPatel4 Comments

Bangkok attracts thousands of crowds every year & each year the number of tourists visiting this country is growing. But, a question arises in everyone’s mind.

Is Bangkok Safe For Solo Travelers?

Safety is a foremost issue which needs to be catered while traveling. It becomes much more important if traveling solo. Solo traveling has its own drawbacks & one of them is being self-dependant all the time. Late night strolls, partying at pubs & traveling to unknown locations certainly becomes unrealistic.

Like everyone, I too had a doubt of traveling solo. My first solo trip to China was a happy affair & I had the same feeling while traveling to Bangkok.

So, what can be done to ensure solo traveling is safe?

Foremost thing one can do is to read about the places beforehand. Always read about the place before going, it not only boosts confidence but also familiarizes you with the place. I read about Bangkok through various blogs & never crossed any negative reviews about the same. Most of the travelers shared their happy stories. After reading positive reviews I had a no doubt in my mind about the place.

One important part is to wear a smile while talking to people. It has a positive impact on the peoples. A smiling face is welcomed in a much warmer way. So, never forget to smile. Also, always appreciate the efforts of others by saying “Thank You” for their services.

My trip to Bangkok & Pattaya was a very safe & overwhelming experience. Bangkok is a very friendly city & people are generally very helpful to every extent possible. It was very overwhelming to see the warmness with which they greet the travelers. During my stay, I was helped by roadside shop owners, bus conductors & locals.

Bangkok doesn’t have anything alarming about it. But, keeping yourself safe & sound is necessary even in the safest of the places. There were few observations from my side which I encountered during my travel.

Careful on TukTuk Drive: TukTuk Drive is a very lucrative mode of transportation. A vehicle which can accommodate 4 to 5 people with ease just attracts you towards it. But, before boarding; make sure you ask for the rates. Clear everything before boarding, if you don’t want any last minute surprises. There are lots of Tuk Tuk Drivers who charged more than they should have. In my opinion, avoid riding TukTuk without knowing the price; no matter how short the distance is. I have heard stories of fellow travelers who were conned to pay extra by Tuk Tuk drivers because they did not check the prices before availing the ride.


The most famous activity of Bangkok is adult shows. But, it is also one of the suspicious ones. I got to know about this, through one hostel guy. The guys went to a show which was supposed to cost THB 250. But, they had to pay thousands of THB before leaving the premises that too without any major expenses. After hearing their story, I preferred to refrain from these sort of activities. Avoiding such activities could save fortunes of money for you. If you are too eager to one of such shows check with some local guys about the authenticity of the place & then go ahead. Better to be safe than sorry.

Traveling at the night was a safe affair for me. But, being careful is an important criterion to be on a safer side. I mainly used public transport & always cross checked with fellow commuters if I am going to the right destination. It is better to clarify things like destination, fares etc to avoid any last minute surprises. I was pretty high one night & took a cab from metro station to Khao San road.The cab driver dropped me safely to my destination & without charging anything extra. I was lucky during my trip, but it could have been different. Avoiding awkward situation becomes a necessity in a foreign land. So, always be aware of surroundings.

Always keep your valuable with you or at some safe location pickpocketing or losing something valuables is not a very healthy sign. However, this goes for each & every place.

I enjoyed the place like anything & would suggest everyone visit this place at least once in their lifetime. Being a backpacker in this city is bliss, the vibe is amazing, the places are amazing. Just keep few points in mind, other than that the place is rocking. In my previous post, I have written about things to do in Bangkok. So, if you are still having any doubts just shot that thought pack your bags & just experience the place.

PS: Some western travelers stays in Bangkok for 6 months on a stretch.

Traveling helps to gain a new perspective & to learn things which are not taught in any books. So, travel in your 20’s when you are physically fit & low on responsibilities.

“Traveling is a drug; I am addicted to ;)”

If you like my way of writing, please subscribe to my blog or Comment on my posts.I would appreciate it a lot.

Bangkok On A Budget

AnandPatel21 Comments
[spacer height=”20px”]Bangkok is the capital of Thailand. The place is on the list of every traveler. Throughout crowded with tourists & travelers, the buzz of this place is amazing. When traveling to this wonderful place; it is very easy to lose an account of money. I went for 4 days & spent around 15K INR inclusive of everything. The place is dirt cheap according to western traveler & I too feel the same. Here is my guide to cover Bangkok On A Budget.
I have covered 3 countries till now (out of India) under INR 1 Lac cumulatively. When I circulate this fact, their eyes pops out.

So the big question

How I managed to keep my expenses low?

This post is the guide for Bangkok on a budget. However, the main principles to save money while traveling remains the same for each & every place.

Let’s Start

Expenses are generally bifurcated into broad headings like flight tickets, Accommodations, Activities, Food & site seeing. Out of all these expenses, the major chunk of money goes into Flight tickets. If this factor is catered, then it is easy to manage other heads.
Flights: Here is the tip, a TO & FRO Flights cost less compared to two individual flights. The prices of tickets from India to Thailand has dropped dramatically. During offer, it is easy to find flight tickets at a price of INR 3.5 K one way. Yeah!!!! Just INR 7 K from India to Thailand. But usually, the offer is from one or two airports only. In my case, I chose Chennai for my departure. I got an offer of 5K INR from Chennai. Whereas, the same flight costs me approx. 11K INR from Mumbai. Thus, I traveled to Chennai via train & boarded a flight from Chennai. This way, I was able to cut down on my flight charges. The best place to find cheap tickets is SKYSCANNER.[spacer height=”20px”]

[spacer height=”20px”]Accommodation: Staying is another factor which can pull a major chunk of money. However, as Thailand is much cheaper than western countries &hence it is easy to find good accommodation at a cheap rate. Hostels price starts from as low as INR 150 & goes up to INR 1500 for a night. I booked a hostel through BOOKING.COM & stayed in one of the best hostels at the premium location of Khan Sao Road; at a cost of INR 250 per night. I prefer hostels for two reasons; one it costs very low & second it provides an opportunity to meet new people. I made several friends while staying at hostels.[spacer height=”20px”]

[spacer height=”20px”]Food: Being vegetarian it is difficult to survive outside India. One of the best ways to eat cheap & veg food is to have food on streets. I was able to eat noodles, rice, bread & butter, juices all on the street that to at the cheapest of prices. A price of noodle plate costs INR 40; whereas the same plate cost approx. INR 120 in some restaurants. There is not a major difference in the taste but there is surely a difference in prices. There is one departmental store in Bangkok which is 7 11. It is the best departmental store I came across ever. The place is open 24 * 7 & it offers everything on an MRP. Thus, no matter where you are, you can always find a good offer in this shop. This shop is located at every corner of Bangkok. So, the best way to have anything is from this shop only.[spacer height=”20px”]

[spacer height=”20px”]Public Transport: Bangkok has a very efficient public transport system, buses, metro & waterway all have a decent connectivity. The buses run from each corner & connect major points in Bangkok. I traveled mostly through Buses & ferries. I liked ferries more as it was a nice change for me as it also gave a feeling of some movie. The prices of bus tickets are as low as INR 2.[spacer height=”20px”]

[spacer height=”20px”]Also, I have not done activities which do not excite me, I am a person who believes in experiences, so rather than doing everything; I just did the things which were interesting enough for me. This is a nice way to keep cost on a check.
All these techniques helped me to reduce price subsequently. If on a single trip one can save upto 40% of the trip cost (which is a huge cost); it is always a blessing. There will be many people who will be against such thinking, but it is ok. I am here to share my stories ;).
[spacer height=”20px”]
If you like my stories. Do Subscribe to my blog. Your comments will inspire me to write more.
[spacer height=”20px”]
In case, of any queries; you can mail me at [email protected].