Listed below are frequently asked questions regarding tours, accommodations, preparations and travel. If you have a specific question, please send your email to lee@h2t3tours.com.

Tours

1. How do I sign up for a tour?
2. Do you take credit cards?
3. Why small groups?
4. Why are all of your tours scheduled during the winter months?
5. I have several friends that would like to travel during the summer months. Could that be arranged?
6. Why are some tours the same but with different prices?
7. What is a single supplement?

Accommodations

1. What type of hotel accommodations can I expect?
2. Do people usually plan to spend and extra night in Thailand before the beginning of the tours?
3. What types of food will be available?
4. What about fresh salads?
5. Can I drink the water? 

Preparations

1. What are the baggage limitations?
2. What kind of clothes should I pack?
3. When visiting temples, are there any dress codes which I should be aware of? Do I need formal attire?
4. Will I need to take insect repellent and sunscreen?
5. Will I need walking shoes?
6. Will I need an electrical transformer for my electrical appliances?
7. What is the local currency? Will they take travelers checks, credit cards and debit cards?
8. Do I need a VISA for Thailand?
9. Are there any immunizations required for my trip to Thailand?

Traveling

1. Will all the tour guides speak English?
2. How will I meet my guide when I get to Bangkok?
3. Do I tip and if so how much?
4. Will I have access to the Internet?
5. What kind of security is available while on the tour?
6. Where can I buy precious stones and gems?
7. How can I make sure what I buy is what I take home

TOURS

1. How do I sign up for a tour? In order to register for a tour, you must fill out and sign two forms. One copy of the “Registration” and one copy of the “Travel Participation Agreement” must be filled out and signed by each participant. To get these forms, go to the “Downloads” page on the toolbar and print a copy of each. Fill out one of each for each traveler. Send them to Hand Held Trips to Thailand, P.O. Box 2114, Springfield, VA 22152, along with a $500.00 deposit (check or money order) for each registration. If you can not download the forms or prefer not to, then request by email or snail mail, giving your complete mailing address, and I will mail a copy of each form to you. Your registration is not complete until both forms have been received with your deposit. Go back to the questions list.
2. Do you take credit cards? At the present time, I do not take credit cards. Payment should be made by personal check, cashier’s check or by money order. Please make checks or money orders out to H2T3 Tours, LLC. Go back to the questions list.
3. Why small groups? With small groups, each person is important, and no one gets lost in the crowd. Travelers are able to get to know one another and share their adventure on a more personal level while still taking advantage of the benefits and discounts offered with larger group tours. Go back to the questions list.
4. Why are all of your tours scheduled during the winter months? Thailand has three distinct seasons: the cool dry season from October to January; the hot dry season from February to May; the hot rainy season from June to September. Due to the more intense weather conditions from February to September, most tourists prefer traveling to Thailand in the cool dry season. Go back to the questions list.
5. I have several friends that would like to travel during the summer months. Could that be arranged? Tours of six or more people can be arranged for any time of the year, including the summer months. Depending on the time of year, the itinerary would be flexible enough to avoid the worse weather and create a wonderful travel experience.  Go back to the questions list.
6. Why are some tours the same but with different prices? Typically, the most expensive months to travel to Thailand are from November to early January because this is the tourist season. Other factors that influence the package pricing include hotel costs or modes of transportation. Go back to the questions list.
7. What is a single supplement? All tours are based on two persons per room. The single supplement is a flat fee charge in addition to the price of tour for a person not sharing a room. Go back to the questions list.

ACCOMODATIONS

1. What type of hotel accommodations can I expect? All hotels are chosen to offer the best in the area at reasonable prices. Hotels are listed in the detailed itineraries and many have web sights.  Most are western style hotels and have three- to five-star ratings. Go back to the questions list.
2. Do people usually plan to spend and extra night in Thailand before the beginning of the tours? When traveling from the US, people have been about equally divided.  Those that fly on American carriers arrive very late at night and to start a tour within a few hours would be too exhaustive. They usually pay for one extra night at the hotel. Those that arrive on Asian carriers usually arrive between 10AM and 4PM on Sunday before the tour begins.  I would not advise arriving on a late night flight and then trying to start off on a tour at 7AM.  Go back to the questions list.
3. What types of food will be available? Depending on the location, varieties of Thai, European, and Western foods are available.  Larger cities will have more choices and the smaller locations will be somewhat limited. Go back to the questions list.
4. What about fresh salads? There will be many fresh salads available, but some of the ingredients will be unfamiliar, so it is a personal choice to make. A good rule of thumb to keep in mind is that if you can’t peel it yourself, it should probably be cooked. Go back to the questions list.
5. Can I drink the water? Bottled water is safest, and most hotels will have complimentary bottles of water for you each day. Bottled water is also available at 7-Eleven stores all over the country. Go back to the questions list.

PREPARATIONS

1. What are the baggage limitations?Two pieces of checked luggage are allowed on international flights. But on domestic flights inside Thailand, only 44 pounds of luggage are allowed per person. Excess luggage fees may apply if you exceed the limitations. Go back to the questions list.
2. What kind of clothes should I pack? Pack lightly. Make sure to bring light, cool clothing that is versatile. Cotton fabric is highly recommended. Clothing should be appropriate for the various destinations, particularly the temples and palaces. All of the hotels will have same-day laundry service at a reasonable rate. Don’t forget to leave some extra room for souvenirs. Go back to the questions list.
3. When visiting temples, are there any dress codes which I should be aware of? Do I need formal attire? There are no set rules, but appropriate clothing is required. Most of the temples up country and a majority in Bangkok have very relaxed dress codes. However, at the Grand Palace and the Wat Phra Kao and also at any former or present palace you will have to meet a more modest dress code.  This is one that is easy to comply with.  You must wear skirt or trousers that cover the knees.  No formal attire required.  You will only need a  coat or tie if you choose to do so on your own.  Go back to the questions list.
4. Will I need to take insect repellent and sunscreen? It is a good idea to take both insect repellent and sunscreen, but it might not be necessary. Go back to the questions list.
5. Will I need walking shoes? Yes. The tours involve a lot of walking, so make sure to bring a sturdy pair of well-worn walking shoes. Everyone will also be asked to remove shoes before entering any temples and sometimes when entering someone’s home in some of the villages, so bring shoes that are easy to take off and put on. Please remember, do not ever wear shoes inside a temple. Go back to the questions list.
6. Will I need an electrical transformer for my electrical appliances? Yes. Thailand uses 220 volts. Please note that 100-volt appliances will be ruined if used without a transformer. An adapter will also be necessary for wall outlets, since the shape of the plug prongs is different. It is a good idea to leave most electrical devices at home. If your camera will work on 220/100, all you will need is an adapter. Go back to the questions list.
7. What is the local currency? Will they take travelers checks, credit cards and debit cards? The local currency is the Baht. It is divided into 100 Satang. Notes are for 1000 Baht, 500 Baht, 100 Baht, 50 Baht, 20 Baht, and 10 Baht. Each denomination is a different color and has different images but when buying items, care must be taken to make sure you distinguish the 500 Baht note from the 100 Baht note, the colors may be confusing to the untrained eye. Coins are in 25 Satang, 50 Satang, 1 Baht, 2 Baht, 5 Baht, and 10 Baht denominations. Cash travelers’ checks at Thai banks, hotels, shopping centers, or money changers, and make sure to keep your passport with you when cashing them. Better exchange rates are offered at banks and authorized money changers than at hotels or shopping centers. If carrying U.S. dollar bills, try to have $100 denominations. It may be difficult to exchange $50 and almost impossible to change $20 bills. ATMs are available throughout Thailand, and credit cards are accepted in many places. Debit traveler’s checks are not accepted. It is a good idea to get a couple hundred dollars changed to Baht while at the airport because the exchange rate is as good as anywhere else. Go back to the questions list.
8. Do I need a VISA for Thailand? If using a U.S. passport and staying less than 30 days, no visa is required. Go back to the questions list.
9. Are there any immunizations required for my trip to Thailand? Thailand does not require any immunizations for entry, but check with your medical provider and heed their advice. Go back to the questions list.

Traveling

1. Will all the tour guides speak English? All travel guides will speak English, and Lee Porter will participate in most activities. Go back to the questions list.
2. How will I meet my guide when I get to Bangkok? Once you have cleared customs and reclaimed your luggage, proceed to the exit where there will be someone holding a sign with your name on it. This person will speak English and transport you to the hotel to meet the group. Go back to the questions list.
3. Do I tip and if so how much? Tipping has become more common in Thailand. Most of the hotels and restaurants add the charge to your bill. It is normal to tip the bellman 20 to 30 Baht for good service. Tips for tour guides and drivers are also customary, but this will be included in the tour price. Go back to the questions list.
4. Will I have access to the Internet? Most hotels will offer Internet services for a fee. In larger cities, Internet cafés are usually available. Depending on the tour, there may not be easy access to the Internet every day. Go back to the questions list.
5. What kind of security is available while on the tour? Thailand has many different types of law enforcement personnel that are visible in tourist areas. You will always feel safe in Thailand. Put valuables in the hotel safe or room safe that is available in most hotels. Do not leave them unattended, and use the same precautions you would use at home. Go back to the questions list.
6. Where can I buy precious stones and gems? Buy from reputable dealers with written guarantees. Go back to the questions list.
7. How can I make sure what I buy is what I take home? Once you have negotiated a fare price, always check the sack or package you are handed before you leave the vendor. Go back to questions list.