BASIC INFORMATION ABOUT THE COUNTRY : THAILAND
Total area : 513.000 KM2
50th country in the world as far as its total area is concerned, smaller than France (544.000 KM2) and slightly larger than Spain (506.000 KM2)
Country size in Kms : From North to South = 1650 Kms – From West to East = 800 Kms
(France = 1000 Kms x 950 Kms)
Total population : 69.000.000 inhabitants (in 2019) – (France = 67.000.000 people)
Thai currency = Bahts. (1 €uro = 36 Bahts, as per the rate of exchange dated 01.01.2022)
Religion : 95 % Buddhism – 4 % Islam – 1 % Catholic.
WHAT IS THE CLIMATE IN CENTRAL THAILAND ?
(The geographical region where KBH activities and programs take place)
The climate in Central Thailand consists of 3 successive following seasons :
- From February until mid-May : 3 Months. Dry season = Warm and hot summer weather
Average Night temperatures : From 22°C to 25°C – Average Day temperatures : From 28°C to 35° C
- From mid-May until mid-October : 5 Months. Wet season = Sunny and Rainy weather
Average Night temperatures : From 20° to 24°C – Average Day temperatures : From 27°C to 30° C
- From October until February : 4 Months. Dry season = Mild and warm winter weather
Average Night temperatures : From 15°C to 22°C – Average Day temperatures : From 26° to 28°C
AVERAGE RATE OF HUMIDITY : From 50 % to 70 %.
WHAT IS THE TIME DIFFERENCE BETWEEN FRANCE/WEST EUROPE COUNTRIES AND THAILAND ?
5 Hours difference during the Summer time : Example : Midday/Noon in Paris = 17H00 PM in Bangkok.
6 Hours difference during the Winter time : Example : Midday/Noon in Paris = 18H00 PM in Bangkok.
WHICH ARE THE COUNTRIES BORDERING THAILAND ?
North and North-East of Thailand = Laos – East of Thailand = Cambodia – South of Thailand = Malaysia – West and North-West of Thailand = Burma (Myanmar).
WHAT IS THE SPOKEN AND WRITTEN LANGUAGE OF THAILAND ?
Thai is the official language of Thailand. English is the commercial language used in Thailand.
WHAT IS THE POLITICAL SYSTEM IN THAILAND ?
Parliamentary constitutional monarchy.
SPECIFIC INFORMATION ABOUT KBH CYCLING TOURISM JOURNEY TO THAILAND
WHAT IS THE FLIGHT TIME BETWEEN PARIS/WESTERN EUROPE AIRPORTS AND BANGKOK ? WHICH TYPE OF FLIGHT IS PREFERABLE TO SELECT ?
Answer :
If you choose a NON STOP DIRECT FLIGHT = the average flight time is 11 Hours
(Examples : Air France – Thai Airways)
Notes and comments by KBH :
This kind of direct flight, although it looks faster than an indirect flight with a transit via a Middle East airport, is not highly recommended, for the following reasons :
Comfort on board is not top level as planes used are generally Boeing Triple 7 (777) with small and not spacious seats, including short distance between seats for body and legs room.
The number of toilet cabins on board is quite limited : long waiting time to access and use these cabins can sometimes be long and tiring.
Due to 11 continuous hours of flying time, without any possibility to move around the plane in order to stretch your legs or your body, you may arrive in Bangkok very tired at destination.
If an INDIRECT FLIGHT is chosen = the average flight time is 13 hours (with an additional transit time of 2 Hours 30 minutes in Dubai).
Example : EMIRATES AIRLINES
Notes and comments by KBH :
This type of flight is highly recommended, for the following reasons :
Great flights availability and frequency, every day.
Very handy and comfortable timing in terms of flight duration, as well as Time of Departure and Time of Arrival.
Departure time from Paris Charles De Gaulle = Midday or beginning/middle of the afternoon. Flight time from Paris to Dubai = 6H30 minutes.
Arrival in Bangkok = Following day Midday or beginning of the afternoon.
Flight time from Dubai to Bangkok = 6H45 minutes.
2 very comfortable successive flights, on board the very best largest Jumbo plane in the world = the superb AIRBUS A 380 plane, still in use by Emirates.
Very large and spacious seats. Great number of toilet cabins with nearly no waiting time in order to access and use these cabins. Transit time in Dubai is only 2 hours and 30 minutes maximum : this allows walking in the airport in order to facilitate blood circulation which is very healthy for your heart and your legs between the 2 flights. You then arrive not so much tired in Bangkok, despite the jet lag and the flight duration between Europe and South-East Asia.
WHAT IS THE VISA PROCEDURE IN ORDER TO ENTER THAILAND AND STAY – AS A TOURIST – IN THAT COUNTRY ?
NO VISA is required upon arrival in Thailand for foreigners wishing to fly over and stay in Thailand – AS TOURISTS – NOT MORE THAN 45 DAYS. A Visa exemption is granted to national citizens proceeding from the following 30 countries : Andorra – Austria – Belgium – Canada – Denmark – Estonia – Finland – France – Germany – Greece – Holland – Hungary – Ireland – Italy – Latvia – Lituania – Luxemburg – Monaco – Norway – Poland – Portugal – Spain – Tchek Republic – United Kingdom – Slovakia – Slovenia – Sweden – Switzerland – USA.
A valid passport is required , with a 10 year validity and a period of maximum 6 months remaining validity after the date of your flight back out of Thailand. Tourists fulfilling these conditions receive a “stamped authorization to stay 45 days in Thailand” in their passport by the Thai immigration authorities . An eventual request might be asked at the airport by the immigration officer : show and provide a visual proof of a return ticket out of Thailand within the granted period of 45 days stay, as well as show the proof of having sufficient funds on you amounting 10.000 Bahts (more or less 300 €uros)
The KBH cycling tourism program, with a maximum duration of 15 days in Thailand, perfectly fulfills the required conditions.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- MONEY & CREDIT CARDS
The national currency used in Thailand is the Thai Bahts, with is a perfectly convertible international currency. Most common traditional credit cards such as Visa, American Express, Mastercard, Diners, etc are fully accepted all around the country by banks, restaurants, hotels, as well as numerous shops. Thailand enjoys the national presence of so many ATM (Automatic Teller Machine) money distributors all around the country at service stations, shopping centers etc, which allows you to obtain cash money 24 hours a day, and 7 days a week with no problem. - ELECTRICITY
220 Volts (50 Herz). Most Thai electrical plugs are perfectly compatible with classical Western Europe plugs. It is nevertheless highly advised to purchase in advance and bring with you an international travel plug adapter which you may find in most DIY shops in Europe, or in Duty free shops at the airport of departure or during the transit time while in Dubai, as well as anywhere in Thailand after your arrival in this country. - INTERNET
All KBH partner hotels in Thailand provide a perfect Internet connection in all their bedrooms, as well as at their lobby, terrace, restaurants and swimming-pools areas. - TELEPHONE
The Thai telephone network is very modern and quite efficient all around the country, both for national and international phone calls. It is also very easy and quick to purchase a cheap competitive local “Sim Card” in all 7 Seven Eleven shops which are always open 24 hours a day and 7 days a week.
The Wifi connections for What’s App, Line and Skype free of charge calls are also perfect. - SECURITY
Thailand is a warm welcome friendly safe country and security is not a real problem. The only precaution to observe, – like in any other country in the rest of the world – is not to exhibit nor show off in public any big quantity of personal money on you, nor personal wealth in the streets. All KBH hotels provide a safe in their bedrooms, which allows the residents who stay in such hotels to keep all their valuables and personal belongings fully safe such as passports, wallets, etc.
KBH TRIP AND CYCLING TOURISM HOLIDAYS IN THAILAND
DEFINITION OF KBH CYCLING TOURISM CONCEPT :
See the “ABOUT US” section which forms integral part of the present KBH Website. Here is, once again, the corresponding weblink :
http://www.kanchanaburibikeholidays.com/aboutus/
TRIP CONDITIONS :
KBH Group, composed of 3 regional Cycling Tour Operators based in Bangkok, Kanchanaburi and Hua-Hin in Thailand offers its regional services and programs “ALL INCLUDED INTEGRAL CONCEPT” in Central Thailand only, on the following basis :
“Start of KBH Services from the moment of your arrival at Bangkok Suvarnabumi International Airport
Until
“Finish of KBH Services at the moment of your arrival back to Bangkok Suvarnabumi International in order to leave Thailand”.
IMPORTANT NOTE REF JOURNEY ORGANIZATION :
KBH does NOT look after, nor organizes international travel tickets, nor international travel reservations, nor travel insurance in order to travel to Thailand, and/or to leave from Thailand. This task is left under the personal initiative and responsibility of the participants wishing to take part to KBH activities, who must look after themselves this part of their cycling tourism holiday travel to Thailand.
Planning and organizing a plane booking, purchasing a plane ticket and subscribing a personal travel insurance can be very easily done in collaboration together with a traditional travel agency of your choice, or you may also do so, simply yourself nowadays, via Internet
WHO MAY PARTICIPATE TO KBH ACTIVITIES AND PROGRAMS ?
KBH GIVES PRIORITY OF RESERVATION AND PARTICIPATION TO ITS ACTIVITIES TO GROUPS OF
PEOPLE WHO ALREADY KNOW THEMSELVES IN ADVANCE, WITHIN A GROUP, BEFORE
COMING TO THAILAND !
This is a very important remark and point in order to allow great group cohesion, and excellent
overall atmosphere :
It also helps a lot in order to generate perfect organization in terms of logistics throughout the
whole programs and activities.
KBH gives therefore first priority welcome to people from regional groups originating from the
following type of organizations :
- Cycling tourism clubs,
- Sports clubs,
- Associations,
- Groups of friends,
- Family groups.
WHAT IS THE MINIMUM & MAXIMUM AGE REQUIRED FROM PARTICIPANTS ?
MINIMUM AGE = 13 YEARS OLD. Not below.
MAXIMUM AGE = NO AGE LIMITS.
WHAT IS THE MINIMUM & MAXIMUM NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS ?
MINIMUM NUMBER = 8 PERSONS. No less than 8.
( 8 people travelling, with suitcases, on board of 1 same minibus in Thailand).
AVERAGE NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS = 16 PERSONS ( = 2 minibus X 8 people = 16 )
MAXIMUM NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS = 24 PERSONS. No more than 24. ( = 3 minibus x 8 people = 24 )
WHAT TYPE OF PERSONAL CYCLING EQUIPMENT IS REQUIRED/RECOMMENDED TO BRING WITH YOU IN ORDER TO PARTICIPATE TO KBH CYCLING ACTIVITIES IN THAILAND ?
The following traditional cycling items and cycling equipments ARE NOT PROVIDED on site by KBH organization. The major reasons to that matter is that bikers traditionally always prefer to bring over themselves and to bike with their own personal cycling gear and equipments : this definitely avoids size problems and provides maximum personal comfort while biking.
Bike safety helmet,
Bike gloves,
Bike sunglasses, (with minimum level 3 sun protection)
Padded Bike shorts with saddle and between thighs reinforcement
Short sleeves breathable biking jerseys, with easy and good perspiration properties,
Biking shoes or, if not available, a pair of good quality tennis shoes.
Please avoid bringing and using running shoes, as well as biking shoes with automatic clip
and take off systems for the reason that all KBH bicycles put at the disposal of participants
throughout the programs are equipped with standard flat classical pedals.
A light weight backpack, usually used for biking activities
A light weight rain poncho
Also highly recommended to bring with you and to use in a tropical hot country like Thailand :
A large size (2 liter capacity) bike hydration backpack with soft water bladder and
hydration tube.
WHAT KIND OF BICYCLES ARE PROVIDED FREE OF CHARGE BY KBH DURING THE WHOLE PROGRAM ?
KBH has the great and original advantage to put at the disposal of its participants 4 DIFFERENT TYPES OF BICYCLES during 4 DIFFERENT SUCCESSIVE BIKING ACTIVITIES :
In Bangkok : Dutch Urban Bikes,
In Kanchanaburi (Part 1) : Mountain Bikes,
In Kanchanaburi (Part 2) : Waterbikes on the River Kwai,
In Hua-Hin : Road Bikes.
WHAT KIND OF COMFORTABLE HOTELS AND THAI FOOD QUALITY RESTAURANTS FORM PART OF KBH PROGRAMS ?
CLASSIFICATION AND LEVEL OF COMFORT OF SELECTED KBH QUALITY HOTELS :
In Bangkok : 5 Stars ROYAL ORCHID SHERATON and 5 Stars MILLENIUM HILTON, both located along the Chao Praya River,
In Kanchanaburi City (Part 1) : 4 Stars FELIX RIVER KWAI GARDEN RESORT along the River Kwai,
In Kanchanaburi Region (Part 2) : 4 and 3 Stars FLOATING HOTELS on the River Kwai,
In Hua-Hin : 5 Stars HILTON BEACH HOTEL and 5 Stars WORA BURA BEACH HOTEL,
In Bang-Saphane : 4 Stars CORAL BEACH HOTEL.
The type of Bedrooms provided in all above mentioned hotels, during the whole KBH programs are
SHARED BY 2 PEOPLE DOUBLE BEDROOMS, equipped with either 2 single large size beds, or 1 very large size King Size bed.
Note : It is possible to book and occupy double bedrooms planned for 2 people,on a “single use” basis, means by 1 person only : an price supplement, with a logical added value per bedroom applies in that case.
KBH QUALITY RESTAURANTS AND QUALITY FOOD : ALL INCLUDED
ALL breakfasts (Continental or American, depending on the hotels), as well as All lunches and ALL diners are INCLUDED throughout the whole KBH Programs and activities which last 15 successive days.
ASIAN FOOD & SPICES :
A very important note ref spicy, or non spicy, Thai food prepared and served in all restaurants participating to KBH activities : Thai food is, by far, the very best type of food in Asia as well as in the world. It may nevertheless be a bit too spicy for a certain number of foreign people who are not used to regularly eat every day this kind of tropical food in their respective country.
In order to prevent and avoid taste and digestion problems, KBH staff, with very large experience of Asian food, and Thai food in particular, take the precaution of asking participating restaurants to KBH activities NOT to prepare and serve spicy food during KBH meals. In that case, spices are proposed and served separately from the food and it belongs to each person to add and put the relevant quantity and kind of spice (s) which you prefer yourself so that the selected food by yourself perfectly matches your personal taste. No disillusion that way : We “wish you a very good appetite” !
DRINKS :
The universal free of charge drink served in unlimited quantities during all meals and all activities all along the whole KBH programs and activities is bottled MINERAL WATER. Other types of drinks such as sparkling water and sparkling drinks (Coca-cola, or similar) as well as alcoholic drinks (wine and beer) and fruits juices are optional drinks. They must be ordered and paid separately, at the end of each meal, by yourself according to your personal consumptions, on site at the restaurants and/or at the hotels serving meals during KBH activities.
3 Exceptions : 3 meals are (on purpose) NOT included during KBH activities :
They take place in the following cities during the following days :
In Bangkok : The LUNCH meal during Day 2 in Thailand (=D2 in Bangkok) which is recommended to select and enjoy on your own at the superb gigantic ICONSIAM Shopping center,
In Hua-HIN : 2 Dinners during Day 11 and Day 12 (= Day 2 and Day 3 in Hua-Hin) at this beautiful quite relaxing beach city : these 2 dinners are both recommended to select and enjoy on your own at either HUA HIN Street food daily festival in town, or at any so many HUA HIN beach restaurants along the sea which all serve excellent and always fresh sea food.
In conclusion :
We remain at your entire disposal in order to assist you and answer any question which might not be included in the present FAQ Frequently Asked Questions document.