The thoughts of the trip after the army for many are the ones that help to get through this challenging and difficult period called "military service". Whether it is military service or long, the release from it brings with it quite a few ideas, thoughts and above all - a desire to realize some of the fantasies, related to a trip around the world, which can in part be a complete disconnection. Thailand is at the top of the list, when it comes to the favorite destinations of young people after the army and is perfect for a backpacking trip full of activities, Attractions and interesting surprises. The trip is relatively inexpensive, the expenses are not high and you can enjoy a wonderful vacation of a few months and then return to your routine. If you have been discharged from the army and you dream of going to Thailand, or are still in the service, here is a short guide that will help you properly plan your trip and provide you with all the information you need just before you book a plane ticket to Thailand.
Visa to Thailand
The matter of the visa depends on the length of time you wish to spend on your trip in Thailand. If you want travel in Thailand For a month or less, you can make do with a visa (residence permit), which will be given to you automatically immediately after landing, upon your entry into the country. This visa is provided free of charge and does not need to be issued in advance. At the same time, the condition for acceptance is to show that you have an exit ticket from Thailand with a date that is within 30 days of your landing. Please note - if you arrive in Thailand by land, you will automatically receive a visa for a period of 15 days only.
If you are interested in traveling in Thailand for more than 30 days, you will need to obtain a visa in advance. You can get a visa for two months (60 days), a visa that is very easy to get and it is given in a very short period of time. These 60 days are counted from the day you enter Thailand, so there is no problem to spend it months in advance, before arrival. The visa is issued through Embassy of Thailand in Israel. The cost of this visa is NIS 150 and it allows you a one-time entry to Thailand (that is, if you plan to come to Thailand for two months, leave it for a nearby destination and return to it again, you will not be able to do this). To the application for this visa, you will need to attach a passport valid for at least 6 months, a photocopy of the ID card and passport, two identical (and up-to-date) passport photos and confirmation for a return flight. In addition, proof of an approved place to stay for your first days in Thailand, after landing. If you are a student, attach a confirmation of return to studies and if you are employed - a letter from your employer (in English) confirming your vacation + payslip. Please note - this visa is valid for 90 days and the number of days starts counting from the moment you enter Thailand.
Another visa is the one that allows you multiple entry. This visa, which is valid for 6 months, costs NIS 750 and thanks to it you can enter and leave Thailand as many times as you want, without limit. You can stay in Thailand for 60 days with the visa. In order to receive it, you must attach to the application, in addition to the documents mentioned above, a confirmation from the bank that you have a balance of at least NIS 25,000. In any case, it is recommended that you contact the embassy by phone and check in advance which documents must be attached to the application.
The extension of the visa you received automatically is possible for an additional period of 30 days (that is, a total of 60 days). The extension can be done at the immigration centers, which are scattered throughout Thailand (mostly in the big cities). The extension is paid and two passport photos and a copy of the return flight ticket in your possession must be attached to the request. If you received a visa for 60 days, you can extend it for another 30 days, the same is true for a visa, which is automatically given to those arriving by land. If you want to stay in Thailand for a period exceeding 90 days, you will have to leave Thailand and issue, from the same destination you arrived at, a new visa. You can do this, for example, in Laos (whose northern part is relatively close to Chiang Mai) or from Cambodia, whose border is relatively close to the capital Bangkok.
More about a visa to Thailand and a detailed explanation of the entire process from start to finish - Read here
When should you come to Thailand?
Thailand is wonderful all year round, but Weather The most successful in it (which is relevant for travelers) is between November and April. The climate varies between the east and the west coast of Thailand, with September bringing very heavy rains to the west coast region, while the east coast receives most of the rains precisely in November. Summer is from April to June and the rainy season is from July to October in most areas of Thailand. Being a tropical country, the temperatures in Thailand are relatively high throughout the year, with winters holding an average temperature of 26-28 degrees, and summer months with 32-40 degrees. In the north and west of Thailand the rainy season is between June and October, and in the east between November and March. The best time to travel in Thailand is usually December, January and February, when (as you can guess) crowds flock to it. In these months, the peak season, it is not easy to find available hotels, so you should make sure to book a place to stay at least two or three months in advance.
If you want to take advantage of your stay in Thailand to surf waves, April to October is the most successful period for those who plan to surf on the west coast, and October to December on the east coast (relevant mainly to beginner surfers looking for relatively small waves). At the same time, in many of the islands of Thailand, the area suitable for surfing is very shallow during this period, and therefore may also be dangerous. If you are interested in snorkeling and perhaps swimming, there are good conditions for this throughout the year, except in the rainy season, on days of thunderstorms. November to April is the best time for this, especially around the Andaman Islands.
And if you are into trekking, the cooler months, from October to February are excellent for this kind of activity, although you can go hiking in any season. However, in the summer it can be very hot and very humid, which will require you to stock up on large amounts of water, sunscreen and mosquito repellent. It is also recommended to go for a walk early in the morning or in the afternoon or later. Watching dolphins and whales is a very popular activity, loved by many travelers. The Gulf of Thailand, in its eastern part, is the best place to do it, especially between the months of September and December. If you want to try fishing, the rainy season is the best time for it, with an emphasis on areas where there are lakes, dams and rivers.
More about when you should fly to Thailand, in detail according to destinations and months of the year - Read here
Costs
A trip to the East (including Thailand) is considered much cheaper than a trip to other destinations in the world. This is also the reason why many young people and families prefer to travel there and do so over a relatively long period of time. In general, when it comes to costs, different parameters must be taken into account, which affect the total cost of the trip: where to stay, how to get around, what season do you arrive, Which attractions do you choose?, where do you eat and more. There is in Thailand A huge variety of accommodation solutions, from cheap guesthouses and more to luxury hotels. You can eat at street stalls or in stylish restaurants, you can travel on cheap or expensive buses.
There are many options and each of them affects, in the end, the costs. At the same time, there are estimated costs for a backpacking trip for young people, a trip for an average traveler, and a trip for the pampered in the group. Flight tickets to Thailand cost between 2,200 and 4,000 NIS, the monthly cost for a backpacker is on average 4,000 NIS, while the average cost of the average traveler is about 5,500 NIS. In contrast, the cost of the trip for pampered travelers can reach 10,000 NIS, 15,000 NIS and even more. Of course, this is a cost that is only a guess and a very rough average, in light of the various parameters by which it is affected. Therefore, when planning the trip, if only to know what the required budget is, it is very important to define all the relevant needs and take into account the required parameters.
More about the prices and costs of the trip to Thailand in detail - Read here
Is it worth and possible to combine with other goals?
Combining Thailand with other neighboring countries in Asia is simple and ideal for many travelers who want to make the most of the region and take advantage of the opportunity for a more comprehensive and in-depth trip. Thailand is one of the most popular countries in Southeast Asia and is loved by many young Israeli travelers and from all over the world, in fact. Its dreamy beaches and spectacular islands are part of a perfect vacation and other destinations, such as Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Coffeey, Patia, Kosmoy, Phuket and Krabi are often on the regular tourist route. However, if you plan to travel for a long time in Thailand, you should also include some places that are close to it.
Laos is one of them and has a common border with Thailand. Unlike the bustling Bangkok, the city of Vientiane in Laos, which is located Only 20 km from the border, moves at a much slower pace, which makes it very special. It has French influences and is also loved by many Thais. Siem Reap in Cambodia is another popular destination, located 152 km from the border with Thailand. It has ancient temples, impressive religious monuments and even some of the best hotels in the world. And let's not forget Myanmar (formerly Burma), which many combine the The visit together with their visit to Thailand.
