GENERAL SOUTH EAST ASIA TRAVEL TIPS
  • Airline Tkts: most airlines now require you to show the Credit Card used to purchase the tkts when you check-in.
     
  • Guide Book: get a Lonley Planet Guide book, "South East Asia on a Shoestring" will cover most everthing. Prices will change but the basic info is static.
     
  • Plastic: bring debit cards and CCs... notify your providers when and where you'll be. (within reason)
     
  • Cell phones: your Canadian cell phones will only work for wifi unless they are unlocked and use a SIM card. (bring an old GSM SIM phone or you can buy one here for about $40) Having a working phone is invaluable and SIM cards are cheap as chips in SEAsia.
     
  • Airports: Bangkok has 2 international airports. BKK (Suvarnabhumi is the main international airport) and DMK (Don Meuang International airport). All AirAsia flights are out of DMK - allow at least 1.5 hr for taxi to/from downtown Bangkok. (free shuttle goes between both airports)
     
  • AirAsia: has many flights per day from Bangkok to Chiang Mai... usually always available.
     
  • Jet Lag: Melatonin (3mg tabs) work very well for us. When you get to your destination take one tab when you go to sleep, it will help transition. We bought it in a Canadian health food store.