GENERAL TRAVEL INFO
Laos
Passports, Visas and Immigration
If joining a Stray trip then you will need to hold a passport with at least 6 months validity. An entry visa will also be required. Depending on which country your passport is from will depend on the cost. This can cost between US $8 – 42 with most countries costing around US$30. Arrival visas can be issued at embassies and consulates in your country of origin where they are present prior to your arrival. However visas on arrival can be issued at most major entry points as well as the international airports (Vientiane, Luang Prabang, and Pakse). Carry passport size photos for visas on arrival. More information can be found at http://www.tourismlaos.org/web/index.php
Time Difference
Laos’s time is seven hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT+7). Laos has the same time zone as Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia. Being so close to the equator there is no daylight saving changes when going for summer to winter and vice-versa.
Climate
Laos is similar to the rest of South East Asia and experiences a hot and humid tropical climate with two distinct seasons, wet and dry. The dry season is usually October through March and the wet (rainy) season is from May through to September. The hottest temperatures are in the south of the country and get up to 38c and can get as cold as 10c in the northern regions during winter
Currency
Laos’ currency is called the Kip (LAK) but pronounced Kiip. The bank notes come in 500, 1000, 2000, 5000, 10000, 20000 and 50000 denominations. Most ATMs and bank machines will dispense up to 700000 Kip with some machines in the larger towns dispensing up to 2 million Kip. In larger towns people will accept Thai Baht and US Dollar; however it is more culturally acceptable to use the native Laos Kip. Changing money (into the Kip) can only be done once in Laos and after having left Laos you can not change it (Stray will have a donations box set up).
Shopping
Most Lao people start the day very early (around 5 in the morning) and correspondingly open their shops between 6 and 7 in the morning then take a break (sometimes for two hours) around 11am. Then close between 4 and 5 in the afternoon. Laos is not very developed so do not expect to find any kind of supermarket outside the large cities. Haggling or bargaining is common but is not as fierce as Thailand and often the best price is displayed, but there are bargains to be had!
Local Travel and Activities
In most places in Laos you will find that entering a cave or visiting a waterfall you will be asked for a minimal local cover charge (>50000 LAK usually) and you may also need to pay for tuk tuks in some places (most are included in activities though).
Travel Insurance
You must have valid and current travel insurance to travel with Stray Asia.
Health
Before travelling to Laos you should visit a travel doctor for quality medical advice (we want you to be healthy and enjoy your trip with us). There are many diseases present in tropical climates that are transmitted by mosquitoes. It is possible to get dengue fever and malaria (remote countryside) from mosquitoes so we recommend you carry some strong (>30%) insect repellent.
Thailand
Passports, Visas and immigration
When arriving in Thailand you will need to hold a valid passport. There are 41 countries which have holiday visa exemptions (including Australia, United Kingdom, United States of America and most European Union countries). If entering Thailand via an airport then visas will be issued for 30 days, however if entering Thailand via a land border then you will only be issued with a 15 day holiday visa. If you are considering staying in Thailand for longer than this time then you should apply for a 60 day tourist visa at the Thai embassy in your country of origin. Any more information can be found at the ministry of foreign affairs website http://www.mfa.go.th/web/2637.php
Time Difference
All of Thailand is in the same time zone that is based on Bangkok time which is seven hours ahead of Greenwich mean time (GMT+7). There is no daylight savings so you don’t have to worry about changing your clocks around
Climate
Thailand extends over a large area but can be described as a tropical monsoon climate. This means that the there are two main seasons (dry and wet). The dry season is cooler and less humid with temperatures getting as low as 15 degrees centigrade in the north and as high as 35c. In the wet season it is very humid (80-100%) and hot with temperatures in the high 30s.
Currency
The currency in use in Thailand is the Thai Baht (B). The denominations are 1B, 2B, 5B and 10B coins; 20B, 50B, 100B, 500B, 1000B notes. Thailand is very westernized for an Asian country and correspondingly there are ATMs in nearly all developed towns and cities. Changing money can easily be done at the main airports and most banks, changing from Thai Baht to other currencies is also easy.
Shopping
Thailand has had western tourists for many years now and competition for the tourist money is fierce. Expect to be lambasted and pestered when on the street and in markets (this pestering may not occur in some shops). In the larger cities there are supermarkets and most western conveniences.
Travel Insurance
You must have valid and current travel insurance to travel with Stray Asia.
Health
Before travelling to Thailand you should visit a travel doctor for quality medical advice (we want you to be healthy and enjoy your trip with us). There are many diseases present in tropical climates that are transmitted by mosquitoes. It is possible to get dengue fever and malaria (remote areas) from mosquitoes so we recommend you carry some strong (>30%) insect repellent.
