Thailand with family: a few practical questions

Hi there, As mentioned earlier, we're heading off for a month to explore some parts of Thailand in July/August, and I’ve got a few practical questions I’m hoping you can help with based on your experiences. Thanks in advance!

- Can you choose the denominations at exchange bureaus/ATMs? How do you avoid ending up with only 1000-baht notes when exchanging large sums? - If not, is there an easy way to get change? Any alternatives to buying stuff at 7-Eleven? - Can you buy train tickets from Thonburi to Kanchanaburi in advance? Is there usually space available, considering some people do the Death Railway day trip from Bangkok to Sai Yok Noi? - Is there room for luggage on the trains to Kanchanaburi? We’ll be traveling as a group of four with two large checked-baggage-sized suitcases (25 kg each). - Kanchanaburi: Most day tours allow around 3 hours at Erawan Falls. Is that enough, or is it worth spending the whole day there, especially at the start of the rainy season when it’s a bit greener? - In Sam Roi Yot, are there taxis/Grab/Bolt available for exploring the surrounding areas? I’d appreciate any numbers or addresses. - Does True (7-Eleven) have good coverage across Thailand, from Sam Roi Yot to Chiang Rai, or should we go with AIS? - In Bangkok, if you need to switch BTS lines, do you need a new ticket, or can you change lines as long as you don’t exit the station?

Happy to provide any additional details if needed.

Hi there,

Is there an easy way to get change? Any alternatives to buying at 7/11?

The 7/Eleven option is the best since you can find them almost everywhere, including at the airport. Another option: paying for expressways, for example when you go from the airport to Bangkok by taxi meter since it’s the passenger who pays as you go. It’s so common that toll booth staff prepare small piles of change in advance based on the bill you hand over. However, don’t count on paying the taxi meter with a large bill—they rarely have much change. Otherwise, I once walked into a random bank in the provinces to ask for change, and they agreed. Not all banks may accept, but it doesn’t hurt to try.

Can you buy train tickets from Thonburi to Kanchanaburi in advance?

No, because these are third-class local trains—third-class tickets can’t be reserved. That said, taking the train from Thonburi to Kanchanaburi isn’t a great idea. You’ll get there faster and arrive much less exhausted by taking bus 81 from Sai Tai bus terminal or a minivan (if you’re traveling light) from Sai Tai Guo minivan station or Mo Chit minivan station. Either non-rail option has very frequent departures—several per hour—and all are air-conditioned. Minivan station (followed by the name) in Thai: pronounce "Sà-tăa-nee lót too + name").

Is there always space available, considering some people do the Death Railway day trip from Bangkok to Sai Yok Noi?

Yes, there’s always space because most travelers—and even fewer Thais—take the train, and for good reason. I’d love it if you could share a link to a traveler’s page claiming they managed to do Thonburi-Namtok*-Thonburi by train in a single day... *Name of the station serving Sai Yok Noi

Is there space for luggage on the trains to Kanchanaburi? We’re traveling as a group of 4 with 2 large checked-baggage-sized suitcases (~25kg each).

On the local train from Thonburi, you’ll definitely find a spot to stow your luggage. The bus 81 also has storage compartments. However, forget about fitting them in a minivan unless you pay for an extra seat for your suitcases.

Kanchanaburi: Most day tours allow around 3 hours at Erawan Falls. Is that enough, or is the place worth spending a full day, especially at the start of the rainy season when it’s a bit greener?

Three hours is a bit rushed, mainly because most agencies also visit the Wang Po Viaduct/Tham Krasae/Death Railway Bridge* and Phrasat Muang Sing** in the same day. You can easily spend more time at Erawan (+2.5 hours round-trip by public bus) since there are several tiers of waterfalls, and you can take a dip. The higher you go, the quieter it gets—down below, it’s crowded. If things haven’t changed, the first public bus from Kanchanaburi leaves around 8 AM, and the last one leaves Erawan for the return trip around 4:30 PM. *Three names for the same place. **The westernmost Khmer ruins of the former empire.

Thanks for the feedback.

1. Definitely, the bank option is worth trying in addition to 7/11. At worst, it’ll just be a polite refusal... 2. Thanks for the info about bus 81 to Kanchanaburi. The minivan option does seem impractical with large suitcases, which is why I mentioned the train or a taxi/Grab transfer. 3. Erawan. Yeah, it’s vacation after all—I don’t feel like racing against the clock. We’d much rather take our time and enjoy each experience instead of trying to do everything "on a conveyor belt." We know full well we won’t be able to do it all...

the bus 81 to Kanchanaburi.

If you take it, there's no need to wake up at dawn—leave the hotel by taxi after 10 AM to avoid the morning traffic jams (but before 2:30 PM to avoid the evening ones) and head to the Sai Tai bus terminal. From there, it’s about 2 hours to Meuang Kan(chanaburi).

the train

You can always take it from Kanchanaburi to reach what you call the "Death Railway," with its photogenic setting—the Wangpo (or Tham Krasae) viaduct, also known as the Death Railway Bridge. For this trip, the train is the best option because it crosses the viaduct slowly, with the cliff on your right and the little* Kwai River below on your left. It’s better to take the 6 AM train because the 10:30–11 AM one is packed and arrives at the viaduct when the landscape is washed out by the sun. Try to sit on the left side. * While in Kanchanaburi, it’s the larger river that the famous bridge spans. After crossing the viaduct, you have two options: - Get off the train right after the viaduct at the Tham Krasae stop. From there, you’ll need to walk to Route 323 (only 5 km*, but it’s a steep climb for about two-thirds of the way) or find a ride** from souvenir vendors or small eateries. Once on Route 323, wait for a bus heading left toward Sai Yok Noi (and beyond) or right toward Kanchanaburi. * Take the road that runs alongside the tracks (it’s the only one anyway...), turn right at the railroad crossing, and keep going to the end. ** Personally, I hitchhike, but I’m not with four people.

- Stay on the train and continue to the Namtok terminus. From there, you can easily reach Sai Yok Noi. After Sai Yok Noi, it’s best to avoid another 3 hours on the train in the opposite direction by catching a bus to Kan on Route 323. Sai Yok Noi Falls isn’t impressive enough to justify the trip on its own. For something better, Sai Yok Yai Falls is much nicer in a prettier setting, but it’s farther away and will require an overnight stay.

Erawan.

In July–August, it’ll be a bit muddy climbing from one waterfall to the next.

Hi there,

July is fast approaching, and I still have a few more questions to add to my first list... 😉

- I have a really basic question about check-in at the airport. We have a Thai Airways flight from Zurich to Bangkok with a short layover in Frankfurt. The first leg is operated by Lufthansa, also a Star Alliance member. Which counter should I check our bags in at—Thai or Lufthansa? I’ve already sent three emails and haven’t gotten any replies or valid addresses...

- Since credit/debit cards are heavily taxed, we were thinking of bringing a significant amount of cash to exchange on-site for the best rate. How do you "protect" your cash? Normally, I use the in-room hotel safes, but the amount seems large enough to ask if there’s another way...

- During the rainy season (July-August), should we protect ourselves from mosquitoes all day or just in the evening? We’ll be in the city and also by the sea.

- For those of us with allergies, Cetallerg/Zyrtec (containing Cetirizine dihydrochloride, 10 mg, H1 Antihistamines) seems to be available in 7-Eleven or Big C. Do you know the name or packaging in Thailand?

Of course, I’m happy to provide any additional details. Thanks in advance for your feedback.

Hello,

We have a Thai Airways flight from Zurich to Bangkok with a short layover in Frankfurt. The first flight is operated by Lufthansa, also a Star Alliance member. Which counter should we check our bags in at, Thai or Lufthansa?

At the counter of the airline operating the first flight, Lufthansa. They’ll check your bags all the way to Bangkok.

Since credit/debit cards are heavily taxed, we were thinking of bringing a significant amount of cash to exchange on-site for the best rate. How do you "protect" your cash? Normally, I use the room safes in hotels, but the amount seems large enough to ask if there’s another way...

Everyone has their own opinion on this. Since I only stay in rooms costing around 12-20 €—a comfort level that suits me just fine—I very rarely come across rooms with a safe. Even when there is one, I never leave any valuables in the room when I’m (we’re) out. I carry the cash in a chest pouch worn around my neck and under my shirt—a tried-and-true method for travelers for decades—and I’ve never had any issues, neither in Thailand nor anywhere else. Of course, you should avoid flashing your stash in front of everyone by keeping a small amount of spending money for a day or two in a wallet. After a few days, you’ll figure out how much "spending money" you actually need. That said, I think it’s unwise to rely on just one payment method. Even if withdrawing from an ATM costs 5 to 9 € locally depending on the bank, it’s still an option worth considering alongside the cash you bring.

Few travelers return from their first trip to Thailand without concluding they brought too much money.

During the rainy season (July-August), should we protect ourselves from mosquitoes all day or only in the evening? We’ll be in the city and by the sea.

Well... you’ll see for yourself—there’s no absolute rule, unfortunately. Avoiding accommodations and restaurants near stagnant water and rooms where cleaning isn’t thorough (especially under and behind furniture) can *slightly* reduce mosquito presence.

For those of us with allergies, Cetallerg/Zyrtec, containing Cetirizine dihydrochloride (10 mg), an H1 antihistamine, seems available at 7-Eleven or Big C. Do you know the name or packaging in Thailand?

I don’t understand your doctor-pharmacy language, but I know that at 7-Eleven, you can find this very effective product for only 1 to 2.5 € depending on the size:

Songsam,

Thanks for your feedback.

Since I’m pretty cautious, I’ll obviously have several payment methods. That said, traveling with four people for 30 days, I can’t imagine carrying several thousand CHF—or the equivalent in THB—around my neck...

As for mosquito repellent, it’s already bought. We went with the well-known Anti-Brumm brand from back home, which we’ve already tested and approved on various trips to tropical zones. They’ve even released a new Ultra-Tropical version with 50% DEET, which we’ll try out in Kaeng Krachan or Sam Roi Yot. The Forte version, with a lower DEET concentration, should be enough for other places...

If you’re not allergic and don’t need antihistamines, you probably don’t know the names of the meds—lucky you! We’ll obviously bring a basic supply. It’s a very common over-the-counter medication, but the packaging and name are likely different from what we have at home... Maybe someone allergic on the forum has had to get some?

The mosquito repellent photographed by Songsam has the advantage of being much cheaper in Thailand than what you can bring from Europe. And from experience, it’s absolutely no less effective than our so-called fabulous products.

All you need is a prescription or to know the name of the medication you want. In Thailand, I’ve never had trouble finding a pharmacist who didn’t understand English perfectly.

For money, we always kept everything either in my wife’s purse or in one of the pockets of my shorts. Obviously, we spent more time at pools than beaches, or one of us always kept an eye on our stuff. Always bring your credit card in case of an emergency.

For places like Sam Roi Yot or similar spots, check with your hotel—they might be able to find you a driver. That said, for those kinds of places, I’d recommend renting a vehicle instead.

Thanks Jojoone for the feedback.

You're right, the mosquito repellent suggested is indeed much cheaper, but it also has a much lower active ingredient concentration (12% DEET) compared to 30% or even 50%. I didn’t mention any "fabulous products" but rather a product tested during other trips to high-risk areas to our complete satisfaction, knowing that we all react differently to these little critters. Shouldn’t one person’s experience count as much as another’s?

For Sam Roi Yot, the hotel offers a car rental service, and there are a few local taxis for nearby visits.

No, it’s just that we noticed the Thai product worked better for us than the most famous French one. Plus, it smells really nice—so much so that for me, its scent is tied to vacation memories...