Thailand has the most well established tourism network of all South East Asian countries. Within the last 20 years it has successfully changed its profile from backpacker destination to a destination of a wide range of luxury hotels. Local time is GMT +7.
Depending on your origin of travel there are several international gateways to Thailand:
Most major Australian cities offer direct flight services to Bangkok, the capital of Thailand. Thai Airways operates daily out of Perth, Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. Jetstar also operates out of the eastern capitals. The island of Phuket can be reached from Melbourne (1x service per week), Brisbane and Perth (2x services per week) with VAustralia, codesharing with Pacific Blue. Thai Airways also offers 3x flights per week directly from Perth to Phuket. Sydney-Phuket services are offered by Jetstar, codesharing with Qantas, 3x per week.
From North America
Thai Airways has daily scheduled flights from Los Angeles to Bangkok, the capital of Thailand. Delta Airlines offers daily flights from Seattle to Bangkok with a stopover in Tokyo, Japan. United Airlines operates daily flight services from Chicago to Bangkok, also with a plane change in Tokyo.
Bangkok and Phuket are the main entry points into Thailand. Both can be reached on a daily basis from most major Asian cities such as Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Tokyo, Taipei and Seoul.
The capital of Thailand, Bangkok, is serviced by several major airlines from various airports in Europe. Singapore Airlines, Thai Airways, Malaysia Airlines, Emirates, Swiss Air and British Airways offer regular flights, mostly departing Europe at night time with an arrival the following calendar day. Direct services to Bangkok are only offered by Thai Airways from London, Frankfurt, Munich or Zurich. Connecting flights to Phuket are offered daily.
As part of your travel plan we will happily assist you in finding the most suitable flight connections to your dive destination. In many cases we can issue the tickets on your behalf.
Air taxes are subject to strong fluctuations and can change daily or until your flight ticket has been purchased. Taxes generally include local airport/security fees, departure taxes, ground handling fees and fuel surcharges.
Should the most convenient route involve instant purchase airfares we can still issue them with your authorisation. All airfares issued by us will attract a small service fee and might slightly be more expensive then the cheapest offers online.
In general, airfares available for purchase online depend on day of departure and time of travel. Those instant purchase airfares require full payment at time of booking. If you choose to arrange your own flights online, we won?t be able to provide any services for seat reservations, schedule or itinerary changes.
Most airlines have restricted the amount of luggage to be checked in free of charge.
For most carriers operating between the US and Asia, the 2 piece system still applies. You are allowed to check in 2 pieces at 23kg (50lbs) per piece.
Coming from Australia and Europe, the checked baggage allowance is generally 20kg (44lbs) and airlines can charge excess baggage fees for dive gear.
Airlines are strictly enforcing their checked baggage limit and can charge excess baggage fees for additional checked pieces and dive gear.
Regulations can vary from airline to airline and with each tariff booked. Please let us know your specific requirements so we can advise you of the options at time of booking.
Most overseas travellers arrive via the main entry points into Thailand: Bangkok or Phuket. Chiang Mai and Hat Yai airports have also immigration facilities and a small number of international flight arrivals. Bangkok?s main international airport is located about 30km east of the city centre.
Visa & passport requirements
A valid passport for at least six months beyond the intended period of stay and a ticket for return or onward travel is required for your trip to Thailand. Entry visas are granted on arrival for a stay of up to 30 days for nationals of the USA, Canada, United Kingdom and most Western European countries.
NOTE: As visa requirements can change at any time, we recommend you confirm visa requirements prior to your departure.
Links to more information
The following information is supplied by the foreign affairs section of the relevant country or the tourism authority of the destination. Please check the links for up to date information on visa and safety requirements, embassy and consular contacts, general information: