Q. What are my options for obtaining a visa? |
A. Visitors from most countries are granted an automatic 30 day tourist visa on arrival. If you are looking to stay for more that 30 days, you will need to apply for the correct visa. Here at Retire in Chiang Mai, we can help you through the often confusing visa application process.
Q. How do I arrange overseas visas if I want to travel around Asia while I am here?
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A. All visas will be arranged by Retire in Chiang Mai Team, leaving you free to plan your holidays.
Q. What type of introduction will be offered to Chiang Mai? |
A. Before your arrival, the Retire in Chiang Mai team will provide information concerning your health, safety and cultural awareness.
Q. Can I schedule my own itinerary for my time here with dates that suit me? |
A. Itineraries are designed to accommodate multiple participants as well as encouraging group participation – which is a great chance to meet new friends. For this reason, the dates are fixed. But, if you do need to change certain dates or your travel arrangements, we will help you to organize this.
Q. Will I have access to communication facilities such as, a computer, a telephone and a post office? |
A. Almost all hotels offer internet access as well as telephones and postal facilities. There is also an abundance of internet cafés throughout the city. If you leave Chiang Mai and head to another town in Thailand or even another country all together, we will inform you of what you need to know before you depart. If you wish to use your own mobile phone while you are out here, it is possible to buy a SIM card in Thailand for a reasonable price and use it for local and international calls. (You will however need to speak to your mobile phone company in your home company before you depart)
Q. How can my family and friends back home contact me when I am traveling? |
A. The Retire in Chiang Mai team will provide you with the contact numbers of our tour leaders, tour guides and the hotels where you will be staying. You will be able to be reached 24 hours a day. Contact details will be sent to you when you receive your finalized travel itineraries
Q. What are the medical and emergency facilities like in Chiang Mai and also in the places where we will be visiting?
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A. All tour guides are familiar with the local medical and emergency facilities in their area and speak the local language. Facilities are obviously better in the larger towns and cities
Q. What vaccinations do I need? |
A. We cannot give you advice about what you should or should not be vaccinated against. Please visit The Center for Disease Control’s website for more information: www.cdc.gov/travel. You can choose the destinations where you will be travelling to.
Q. What about dress and attire? |
A. This will depend on where you visit. You will always be informed in advance about dress codes and when you pack, it is adviseable to pack at least on formal outfit. Generally, the dress code will be casual.
A. You will notice almost immediately that the Thais and many Southeast Asians are very calm and patient. Never be pushy and never loose your temper! There is a strong social hierarchy - respect elders when they hold positions or are simply older than you. Wear proper clothing, which is important, because you may sometimes be judged on your dress and appearance alone. Take your shoes off and keep them outside family homes and temples. Wherever you visit Southeast Asia, you will be visiting temples; therefore, it makes sense to wear shoes which are easily removable.
Q. I am not sure if I can eat the local foods. Will there always be choices for ‘Western style’ foods in the countries we visit?
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A. A variety of foods can be found in Southeast Asia: Western, Chinese, Indian, Thai and Mexican, French and Italian to name but a few. Retire in Chiang Mai Team will provide orientation tours of each local community we visit and help you to identify the various local eating establishments
Q. I don't speak any Thai - will this be a problem when communicating with the Chiang Mai Friends Group staff? |
A. Every member of staff speaks English very well so you should have no problems communicating with any of them.
Q. How safe is traveling and living in Southeast Asia? |
A. Newcomers to Southeast Asia often find themselves feeling safer than they do in their home country. Southeast Asian cultures are generally very relaxed and the people are friendly and anxious to please. Despite this, as with anywhere in the world, certain precautions, must be taken. You should avoid traveling alone at night and always try to travel with a partner. Keep your valuables in a well protected wallet or purse that is not easily accessible. Be careful when crossing the street and always be alert when driving. The most important thing is however to try and relax as this is the only way you will truly experience anything.
Q. Are flights and transfers included within the cost? |
A. International flights to and from your country are not included within the cost of the package. The package price is for all of the activities, internal flights, transfers and accommodation. The minute you arrive in Chiang Mai until the moment you leave, everything will be taken care of for you. In other words once you arrive to Chiang Mai everything will be taken care of until the end of the program.
Q. I would like to help the local people if possible. Are there programs where I can get involved in activities where I can help?
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A. We work very closely with the local community to arrange our tours. Our tour guides are locals and known everything there is to know about where they will be taking you. It is important to listen to their advice and take on board their suggestions. If however, you are looking for something a bit more than just a few day trips, we can offer you long-term programs where you can actually become volunteers. We offer home stays at Ban Papai which allow visitors to exchange culture views and English skills with the local villagers as well as the opportunity to learn about self-sufficiency and village life. For more information visit: www.banpapaihomestay.com
Contact us : info@retireinchiangmai.com |
