MrTom's profile [moderator]

Visa

If you apply in the thai embassy in your own country you should be able to get a 3 month tourist visa with multiple entries (up to 3).

When you arrive you will be stamped in for 60 days, you can then go to immigration in any major city to extend for another 30 days at a cost of 1,900Baht.

After this you have to leave the country but can re-enter using the second entry on your multiple entry visa or if you just got a single entry visa you will be able to re-enter with a 30 day entry stamp. The entry stamp is not a visa so you do not have to apply for it - you just get stamped in at the border/airport immigration.

Most people coming on a holiday to Thailand enter on this entry stamp as it allows you to stay for 30 days without having to go through the hassle of applying for a visa. You have to leave the country before the 30 days are up but can come back on another entry stamp as long as you are not in Thailand for more than 3 months our of a 6 month period using the entry stamp.

Train to Ayutthaya

Slow would be the best way to describe it. It takes a good few hours to get there and is not that comfortable.

I'd recommend getting a bus/coach - will be quicker and more comfortable.

HongKong vs. Singapore

It depends what you're after. I found Hong Kong polluted and expensive if you are near central. There are lots of bars though and lots of young people there that like to go out and have fun. It's sociable too as many people living there only stay for a few years. Singapore is cheaper, cleaner and has nicer food but it is more boring. The indian food in little india is delicious. Most of the tourist attractions are american style, i.e. aquarium, dolphin show. Main activity for me in singapore would be shopping and hong kong drinking.

Tailor / Bangkok

We used Song Smai in Sunghee near krung thon bridge (Tel: 024339881). They are professional and have good quality material. As they cater for Thai's and not tourists the quality matters to ensure return custom. They also have outlets in Chiang Mai, Rama III, Muang Thong Thani and Ramintra. Cost depends on the material used. Shirts around 700Baht, Blazer around 3000-6000Baht, Suit around 5000-10000Baht.

Where can i stay in Sangklaburi/Thailand and how i get there?

HI, I went there a couple of months ago. It's about 8 hours on a bus Northwest from Bangkok on the Myanmar border.

You can get there directly on a bus from Mo Chit bus station (last bus leaves around midday). Alternatively get a bus from the Southern BUs Terminal near Phra Pin Klao to Kanchanaburii and then get a bus to Sangklha from there.

Get there when it's still light because the last couple of hours up to Sangkhla has beautiful moutainous and lake scenery - it is like a little swityerland. There are a few guesthouses there but most people stay at P Guesthouse (400Bht a night) with good views of the lake. If you prefer you can stay at a home stay for about (100/200 Bht a night).

Sangkla has thailands longest wooden bridge leading over to the Mon village. The temple in the mon village is very beautiful and you can climb up the tower to get a great view of the rolling hills and lake of sangkla.

There is an elephant trek which is very popular and can be organised through P Guesthouse. Also there is an orphanage there run by an Italian nun. If you want to stay long term you can volunteer here. By the three pagoda Burma border that is currently closed there is a nice and very cheap wood craft market.

Most guesthouses or homestays will offer a day trip to visit the sights including a trip to the waterfall for a swim. Check out the pictures on this site.

Enjoy...

PADI Open Water - Ko Tao / Thailand????

There are millions of dive schools on Koh Tao, almost every guesthouse has a dive operation attached to it. The price is around 7,500 to 9,500 Bht. Almost all dive schools will offer free accomodation whilst taking the course or diving with them.

Koh Tao is small so it's easy to whizz around on a motorcycle however if you go out in the evening and want to get back a pickup truck will charge 200Bht per person.

There is no need to book before you go the big dive schools send people on the boat to the island and to the pier so you can do it all when you get there and bargain a better deal. The smaller dive schools will feel more personable as you will be with a smaller group - i.e. 4 on your dive boat rather than 20 odd.

I'd recommend going round the island when you get there and deciding which bay you want to stay in and then book in with a dive school there.

I stayed at Tommy LV resort as it was a convenient 10 minute walk to get to Mae Haad and Sairee - the main town and night life spots.