Thailand 101 Slides

Thank you everyone for joining Thailand 101 this evening. You can download Thailand 101 slides here

Getting ready for Thailand

Between getting a tan and toning for the beach, there are few things we still need to do:

1) Book flights (if you haven't done so already) and fill out the following survey:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=IVN_2fUSgitL3JbmFzvuBUJw_3d_3d
If you're still waiting for G-Lab, please let Joana joana@sloan.mit.edu know of your tentative plans. For those leaving on Jan 9th, our travel agent is offering an estimated $400/person package tour to Singapore for 3 days and 2 nights (Jan 7-9). Please let Joana know if you're interested.

2) Payments (due Friday Oct 26th)
Please make a check to "MIT Sloan - Thai Trek", drop it in Amarin Thanajitsuwan's mail folder and send a notification email to amarint@mit.edu
Early group (Dec 27-Jan 5): 1,700/person
Late group: (Dec 28-Jan 7): 1,800/person
If you're staying longer, please add an additional $100/person/night in Bangkok

3) Roommates
Make your roommate selection in the shared Google document below. Please try to match your arrival and departure dates so you won't be home alone.
http://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=pd46D0VDJ5AVP7_9-ymPQAQ&hl=en

Also keep a lookout for "Thailand 101: an introductory session to Thailand" and future emails from us.

MIT Sloan Thai Trek on Facebook

I created the MIT Sloan Thai Trek group on Facebook. Feel free to use it as a main communication tool among trekkers. Click here to go to the group.

Thai Trek proudly presents Thai Airways

Please book your flight as soon as possible if you have not done so. We recommend flying with Thai Airways. You can fly directly to Bangkok from New York or LA. (approximately 17 hours)

Book your flights by Friday

Please book your flights to Thailand by Friday Sep 28th and fill out the following flight info survey
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=IVN_2fUSgitL3JbmFzvuBUJw_3d_3d

It would be best if you booked your own tickets to Thailand as soon as possible since it is peak season and flights are selling out fast. Some places where you can get started are

On the web:
http://www.kayak.com/
http://www.expedia.com/
http://www.travelocity.com/

Travel agents:
Kamla 888-888-7157
Star Tour (Tony) 877-644-1063
Arberdeen Tour (Sam) 877-484-2811
Angel Tours (Vicki) 888-922-2888, 773-907-0070
STA Travel

You can arrive early or stay later to spend a few more days in Bangkok, the official Trek dates are Dec 27th - Jan 5th. Please arrive in Bangkok on Dec 28th at the latest. Activities on Jan 6-9th are optional.

If using Kamla, please go ahead and purchase tickets that work out the best for you. Since Kamla has not been able to block flights for us on our preferred dates; Dec 29 – Jan 9 are the closest dates she could find for us. Please only use the block tickets as a last resort since you will be missing out on Chiang Mai.

Finalized Schedule

Announcing new trek dates: Dec 27th - Jan 9th. Join one of two groups (early and late group). The itinerary is as below:

All trekkers:
Dec 29-30 Chiang Mai: elephant camp, bamboo rafting and Doi Suthep (temple on the mountains)
Dec 31-Jan 2 Krabi: snorkeling and kayaking
Jan 3-4 Company visits in Bangkok

Early group (Dec 27 - Jan 5):
Dec 27 meet in Bangkok
Dec 28 visit Grand Palace and Joe Louis theatre
Jan 5 free time and depart Bangkok

Late group (Dec 28 - Jan 9):
Dec 28 meet in Bangkok
Jan 5 visit Grand Palace and Joe Louis theatre
Jan 6-8 optional activities depending on the group's interest: spa, Thai massage, kickboxing, cooking class, shopping, Chinatown, river cruise, day trip to Ayuthaya, floating market, temple visit or even a short trip to Singapore
Jan 9 free time and depart Bangkok

Flights:
Please fill out the following survey with your flight information:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=IVN_2fUSgitL3JbmFzvuBUJw_3d_3d
List of travel agents and websites:
Kamlah 888-888-7157
Star Tour (Tony) 877-644-1063
Arberdeen Tour (Sam) 877-484-2811
Angel Tours (Vicki) 888-922-2888, 773-907-0070
www.expedia.com
www.kayak.com

Trek costs:
The early group's cost will be $1700. We are still working to finalize cost for the late group. We estimate that accommodation will cost $80 per person per night. The cost of living is pretty low, so there should not be a large additional for food and transportation.

Thank you very much for your patience with us as we work out the details.

Bangkok

A montage of Bangkok .. this is what you will see in the trek