Relief from the heat comes during Songkran, an annual festival that runs from April 13 to April 15th. It was originally the Thai New Year celebration, though nowadays Thailand celebrates New Year’s on January 1st.

Traditionally, Songkran was a time to engage in “spring cleaning,” both physically and spiritually, as well as to honor one’s elders. Many people still observe some of these customs, cleaning their houses as well as bathing their Buddha statues in fragrant water and traveling home to spend time with parents, grandparents and other older relatives.

However, the main attraction, especially if you’re a tourist, is the endless water fights in the streets.  Natives and tourists alike arm themselves with water balloons, buckets and water guns of all shapes and sizes, and hit the town. Anybody outside is fair game, though according to Nomadic Matt most people will refrain from soaking you if you’re holding a  camera or smoking a cigarette.

If you’d like to attend the world’s biggest water fight, the biggest Songkran celebrations are in the northern city of Chiang Mai, though Bangkok is also a good place to go.  You’ll need a valid passport, naturally, and you’ll also need a Thai visa.

If you’re only staying in Thailand for a short time, you can just get a visa on arrival.  If you fly in, you’ll be given a 30-day visa, and if you enter by land you’ll get 15 days. However, if you’re planning to stay longer, you can get a tourist visa in advance that’s good for 60 days.  See Thailand Visa Requirements for Tourists for details.

If you’re applying for a visa ahead of time, RushMyTravelVisa can help. We’ll research your itinerary to make sure you have the documents you need for each stage of your trip, and we’ll help you with the paperwork and answer any questions you may have. Then, we’ll take your visa application directly to the Thai Embassy for the fastest possible processing.

Apply for your Thai visa today!

In as little as 5 years, though, that may change. As part of its strategic plan to encourage tourism in member countries, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) is trying to introduce one travel visa to rule them all: a Schengen-like visa that would allow tourists to travel effortlessly between countries such as Thailand, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, the Philippines and Brunei.

Stuart McDonald of TravelFish.org told the Inquirer Global Nation that visa regulations in these countries are a source of confusion for many would-be travelers: “One of the most common questions that we see on travelfish.org is people asking visa questions: What kind of visa can I get? How long is it valid for? What does it cost? The rules change all the time and it introduces a level of uncertainty and confusion that the industry can do without.”

A common visa for all of Southeast Asia would undoubtedly be a good thing for tourism, but don’t expect it to happen immediately. In its strategic plan, even Asean itself noted that there are many obstacles to overcome first: “The establishment of such a visa will not likely occur in the next five years due to barriers of technology, political issues, concerns of sovereignty and security and the different visa systems in the member states.”

Until that day arrives, here’s a rundown of the visa regulations from several of the most popular Southeast Asian countries:

Thailand Visa Requirements for Tourists

Indonesian Visa Requirements for Tourists

Cambodian Visa Requirements for Tourists

Laos Visa Requirements for Tourists

Vietnam Visa Requirements for Tourists

In the meantime, RushMyTravelVisa is here to help you get the visas you need to travel. For assistance and answers to your travel visa questions, contact us today!

There’s a lot to do in Thailand: enjoying delicious spicy curries, lounging on one of the country’s many pristine beaches, scuba diving, exploring ancient temples and much more.

Travel requirements to visit Thailand are fairly straightforward. You aren’t required to get any vaccinations to get into the country, but check with your doctor to see what he or she recommends. Of course, it should go without saying that you need a passport. Check the expiration date, as yours needs to be valid for at least 6 months after you enter the country.

What about visas? American citizens can get a visa stamp valid for 30 days when flying in to Thailand. If you enter by land, you’ll get a Thai visa stamp good for 15 days.

If you plan to remain in Thailand for more than that, you can also apply for a Thai visa valid for up to 60 days before you leave the US. Here’s what you will need to apply:

• Your US passport
• A completed Thailand visa application
• 2 passport photos
• A copy of your itinerary or round-trip ticket
• A copy of a bank statement showing a balance of $500 per person or $1000 per family.

Depending on what your itinerary is like, you may need other visas as well, For example, if you will be stopping in other countries on your way to or from Thailand, you may need a transit visa for that country.

RushMyTravelVisa can help you determine which travel documents you need, help you with the necessary paperwork, and expedite your application. We’ll research your itinerary, walk you step by step through the application process, and then deliver your Thailand visa application to the Department of State for the fastest possible processing.

Apply for your Thailand visa with us today!

Per the Pei Wei website, here’s what it takes to win:

“A talent for writing, a boundless appetite and willingness to experiment with the unknown, an eye for the unforgettable image and the ability to capture it, comfort both on-camera and behind the lens, a spontaneous spirit but a grounded work ethic, and a passion for Asian cuisine.”

Basically, it’s a talent contest. You “audition” by writing as few as one or as many as 5 sample blog posts, and posting a YouTube video if desired.

Of course, there’s only one winner. What if you wanted to replicate the tour on your own? Although you won’t have Pei Wei’s retinue of chefs on hand, a quick Google search for “Asian culinary tours” makes it clear that you won’t lack for tour options.

To keep travel visa requirements from leaving a bad taste in your mouth, here’s a quick summary of the visa policies for each country:

• China: You’ll need to apply for a visa before you travel. See Chinese Visa Requirements for Tourists for details.
• Vietnam: Again, you’ll need to apply for a visa in advance. See Vietnamese Visa Requirements for Tourists for instructions.
• South Korea: US citizens do not need a visa for stays of less than 90 days.
• Thailand: Americans entering Thailand by air are eligible for a visa on arrival good for 30 days. If you enter by land, you’ll be issued a visa good for 15 days. You can also apply for a visa in advance, if desired.

No matter where your taste buds take you, RushMyTravelVisa can help. We’ll research your itinerary and let you know exactly which visas you’ll need to travel. Then, we’ll help you with the paperwork and expedite your applications.

Let us help you get the travel visas you need today!

“If Chiang Mai were a person, it would be Bob Dylan. With a history dating back further than anyone can remember, its influence remains enormous. And despite its great age, there’s still a bohemian chic that makes it as relevant and hip as ever.”

Chiang Mai is obviously a timeless city, but what makes this year such a good year to visit? The article notes that the city is growing in popularity as a tourist destination, with many new tours and other activities springing up. However, this year at least, it’s still more relaxed and accessible than busy Bangkok.

If you’re just going to Thailand to visit Chiang Mai for a short trip and staying less than 30 days, you don’t need to worry about a visa. Just make sure that your passport is valid for at least 6 more months. If it expires sooner than that, you’ll need a passport renewal before you leave. If you’re staying longer than 30 days, you can apply for a Thai visa valid for up to 60 days before you leave. You’ll need the following documents:

• Your US passport
• A completed Thai visa application
• 2 passport photos
• A copy of your round-trip ticket
• A copy of a bank statement showing a balance of $500 per person or $1000 per family.

RushMyTravelVisa can help you get a Thai visa if you need one for your trip. We can also help you get visas for other countries on your itinerary. Remember, visas may be required if you stop in another country on your way to Thailand or on your way home, even if your stay is very brief.

At RushMyTravelVisa, we’ll be happy to research your itinerary’s visa requirements and help you get the documents you need to be on your way.

Apply for your Thai visa with us today!

The Discovery Channel’s latest destination (h/t Gadling) is Indochina, with a 15-day “Indochina Cultural Journey” package that offers time in Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam. For $2899 per person, not including airfare, the tour promises to allow you to “Explore the cultural best of Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam. Encounter history, both ancient and modern, and witness the unbelievable splendor of Angkor Wat. From the natural beauty of Halong Bay and Chiang Mai’s temples to Kantoke dinners and Khmer lunches, our expert guides will share the natural, historical and cultural beauty that has persisted in this region. More than a tour—this is an adventure of discovery.”

One thing that you’ll have to discover on your own, though, is how to get the travel visas you’ll need for the trip. If you are an American citizen, you shouldn’t need a visa for Thailand since you’ll only be staying 15 days. Visas are required to visit Cambodia and Vietnam, however.

You can get a visa for Cambodia in the airport when you fly in with your group. However, you will need the following documents to do so:

• 2 passport-sized photos.
• Your US passport. Make sure that yours is valid for at least 6 months past the date you plan to enter Cambodia and that you have enough room in the back for your visa.
• A copy of your travel itinerary.

For Vietnam, you’ll need to apply in advance, before you leave the United States. See Vietnam Visa Requirements for Tourists for more details.

Whether you’re traveling independently or with a group, RushMyTravelVisa can help you get the documents you’ll need. We’ll help you with all the logistics and paperwork, and expedite your applications for the fastest processing available.

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This article on Phuketwan.com provides a cautionary tale to illustrate the point: An American tourist who called herself “Nick” was arrested earlier this month for overstaying her Thai visa. Apparently, the overstay was discovered when she went on a “visa run” to the Thai border, with the intention of getting a new visa issued when she re-entered the country.

Per Phuket Wan, the visa run did not go as planned:

Precise circumstances of the case are being clarified, but it appears the woman either misunderstood the conditions of her permission to stay in Thailand or failed to realise there was a 500 baht a day penalty for overstaying. As a result, she was arrested by Immigration officials when she attempted a one-day ”visa run” from Phuket to Ranong and was unable to pay the overstay fine.

“Nick” is currently in jail in Bangkok. Not how you want your holiday to end!

If you enter Thailand by air, you can automatically stay up to 3o days, with no need to apply for a visa in advance. If you enter by land, you get 15 days. Also, if you opt to come to Thailand without applying ahead of time for a visa, you are limited to spending 90 days in any given 6 month period in the country. For longer stays, you can get a Thai visa at an embassy before your trip that will be good for 60 days and can be extended if necessary.

To get one, here’s what you’ll need:

• Your US passport
• A completed visa application
• 2 passport photos
• A copy of your round-trip ticket
• A copy of a bank statement showing a balance of $500 per person or $1000 per family.

RushmyTravelVisa.com can help you get your Thai visa, as well as any other visas you need for your trip. We’ll research your travel needs and help you get the appropriate expedited travel visas in hand before you leave.

Apply for your Thai visa today!

One thing that makes the beach parties at Ko Phi Phi so interesting is the large numbers of people playing with fire. Thai locals perform stunts like poi (dancing/gymnastics with fire) and jump rope with flaming jump ropes, often inviting tourists to join in.

Over at Nomadic Matt’s blog, Sean Ogle recommends a sobriety check before indulging your inner pyromaniac. Thai beach parties are almost always fueled by innocent-looking children’s beach buckets filled with a not-so-innocent concoction of Red Bull, soda and booze, and Ko Phi Phi is no exception. Ogle explains the dangers of this flammable combination:

The combination of buckets and the fire antics that take place at beach bars such as Ibiza and Apache put inebriated travelers in a position to have the best nights they’ll never remember, yet leave them with scars that will never let them forget the nights they spent on Ko Phi Phi.

Yikes! So remember, kids: fire jumping first, buckets of booze second.

Also, remember to make sure you know what travel documents you’ll need before you go. Americans entering Thailand don’t need a visa for stays of less than 30 days. However, if you’re taking a few months off to travel in Thailand and surrounding countries, you might want to stay longer than that.

In that case you can apply for a 60-day Thailand visa before you leave. To submit your application, you’ll need the following documents:

• Your US passport
• A completed Thai visa application
• 2 passport photos
• A copy of your round-trip ticket
• A copy of a bank statement showing a balance of $500 per person or $1000 per family.

RushMyTravelVisa can help expedite your Thai visa, as well as any other visas you might need for your journey. We’ll review your itinerary and let you know what visas you need, help you with the applications, and expedite your visa paperwork for the fastest possible processing.
Apply for your Thai visa today!

When King Inthawichayanon died, he requested that his ashes be deposited on top of Doi Inthanon. The area is now a national park, and both the mountain and the forests that surround it are protected, just as the king would have wanted. According to Norman Rubin of Bootsnall.com:

Doi Inthanon National Park is a true jewel of natural beauty, consisting of rugged mountainous terrain blanketed by lush tropical forests and dotted with mighty rivers and majestic waterfalls. The trek up Doi Inthanon, the highest mountain peak in all of Thailand provides breathtaking views as well as many interesting and unique sidepaths where you’ll see and enjoy aspects of nature (and some of man) which would be difficult to find anywhere else in the world.

The park is also full of interesting wildlife and spectacular waterfalls. Hiring a minibus or other private transportation is the recommended way to see the park.

Thai Visa Requirements

Check the expiration date on your passport- you’ll need at least 6 months left in order to enter Thailand. However, if you’re American, you shouldn’t need a Thai visa unless you are entering by land and plan to spend longer than 15 days, or entering by air and plan to spend more than 30 days.

If you’re planning a longer trip, you can apply for a Thai visa valid for up to 60 days prior to leaving the US. Here’s what you will need to apply:

• Your US passport
• A completed visa application
• 2 passport photos
• A copy of your itinerary or round-trip ticket
• A copy of a bank statement showing a balance of $500 per person or $1000 per family.

Depending on what your itinerary is like, you may also need transit visas if you will be stopping in other countries on your way to or from Thailand. RushMyTravelVisa can review your itinerary, help you determine which visas are necessary and expedite them so you get them as quickly as possible.

Apply for your Thai visa today!

The streets of Thailand are calm again, and the travel warning has been lifted. However, Thailand’s tourist industry has suffered a major disruption. Of course, the silver lining to all of this is that now that it’s once again safe and pleasant to travel to Thailand, you can find some amazing travel deals there. As Gadling observes:

Hesitant tourists are the unfortunate result of any political instability, no matter how short-lived. The resulting drop in foreign visitors to Thailand has instigated a price war among hotels and resorts across the country–if you thought Thailand used to be cheap, it just got a whole lot cheaper. A number of awesome deals are up for the taking, like Thai Airways’ Discover Thailand pass (fly to any 3 cities within Thailand for $278).

The government is also doing its part to help tempt visitors. Gadling notes that for the time being, the Thai Tourist Authority is waiving Thai visa requirements and fees for tourists who would like to stay longer than the normal 30 days.  Ordinarily, if you wanted to stay longer than 30 days you would need to apply for a Thai tourist visa valid for up to 60 days. But not right now-so feel free to take an extended vacation in Thailand! You can check and see if the requirements are back in force by visiting the Thai Tourist Authority’s website.

Even if you don’t need a Thai visa, you may need a visa if your journey requires you to travel through or stop in another country. RushMyTravelVisa can help you by researching your itinerary and then expediting the application process for any visas you might need.

Apply for your travel visa today!