Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's) (2)
about Kasma Loha-unchit's Thailand Trips
FAQ's: General questions | Travel Concerns | Accommodations | Meals | Medical Concerns | Miscellaneous || 1-page FAQs (for printing)
Travel Concerns
What does the trip price include for air travel?
You will be ticketed economy class from San Francisco traveling with the group on the dates given in the itinerary on the airline chosen by Kasma.
Which airline do you use?
We choose the carrier each year based on schedule and price.
What if I don't live in the San Francisco Bay Area?
There are three options. The first would be to get to San Francisco on your own. The second option is to have us ticket you from one of the other airports where our chosen carrier schedules flights – we would adjust the price accordingly. The third option would be to make your own arrangements and to meet us in Thailand.
What if I wish to travel on different dates, either leaving earlier or staying longer?
We may be able to accommodate you (particularly on the changed return dates) for a slight added fee but in other instances you will need to make your own travel arrangements.
What if I want to make my own travel arrangements?
You will deduct a certain amount (in the past it has been $850 to $1150) from the price of the trip. You are responsible for meeting up with Kasma and the trip members in Bangkok.
Can I make any travel arrangements through Kasma's travel agent?
Yes.
What if I want to use my frequent-flier miles to get to Thailand?
You would need to make your own travel arrangements.
Will I need a visa?
If you are an American citizen, you do not need a visa to enter into Thailand. Upon arrival in Bangkok, immigration officials will automatically grant you a stay of 30 days in the kingdom. Unless you are planning to extend your visit beyond the length of the trip, you will not need to apply for a visa. If you are not an American citizen and want to check if you qualify for an automatic 30-day visa or if you are staying longer and need to apply for a visa, you can do so online at The Thai Embassy in Washington, DC or at the Thai Consulate in Los Angeles, CA.
I want to travel to Cambodia: can you help me make travel arrangements?
No. Kasma is not a travel agent. She offers no travel advice outside the scope of the trip nor does she have time to provide information or help with other travel plans in Thailand.
What is our main mode of travel in Thailand?
Mostly we travel around the country in two mini vans, each seating six or eight people. There are a couple of days on each trip where we will be driving in the vans for 6 to 8 hours – through beautiful, rural countryside. Roads in Thailand are occasionally curvey and this mode of transportation may be difficult for people who suffer from motion sickness.
We usually return to Bangkok from Chiang Mai by train and from the south by air. While in the south we travel to offshore islands by boats, which range from large converted fishing boats to smaller "longtail" boats (boarded by wading into sea water and climbing over the side). These boat rides may also be difficult for people with motion sickness. Expect to get wet (including baggage) on any of the boat rides should there be waves caused by wind and turbulence. (Oversized garbage bags, or inexpensive fiberglass bags available from any of Thailand's marketplaces, are recommended to keep your luggage dry.)
Is there anything I can do to offset the negative ecological effect of airplane traveling?
- We, personally make a donation every year to American Forests. They seem to plant more trees for your dollar than any other organization: every dollar you give plants a tree.
- The U.K.-based Carbon Neutral Company offers several options. Check out their "Carbon Calculator": your round-trip between San Francisco and Bangkok produces 6,288 pounds of CO2. They offer a number of options for offsetting the effects of this carbon.
- Friends of Conservation, also in the U.K., have a different calculator: you'll be surprised how many actual miles an airplane travels, given its spherical routes in the sky. They suggest also off-setting donations to their projects.
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