Land of Smiles - 10 things you need to know before travelling to Thailand

Erickson has just announced that the World Game 2024 will be taking place in Thailand. This beautiful and well-known destination is a traveler’s paradise, offering stunning beaches and islands, boundless activities and a rich food and cultural experience. With Thailand’s strong focus on developing its ecotourism and global conferencing, it follows that it is a great setting for an event that brings coaches and conscientious-minded individuals together to connect and co-create.

If you’re considering joining the World Game Conference and Training in May 2024 in Thailand, here are some important things that you should know about the destination.

• The Official Language is Thai

Thailand has only one official language; Thai. With that said, English is the unofficial second language of the country, with most people in major cities and tourist areas being fluent or at least able to hold a conversation. As you prepare for your trip, why not learn a few basics?

Hello: สวัสดี (S̄wạs̄dī)

Thank you:ขอบคุณ (K̄hxbkhuṇ)

Please: โปรด (Pord)

• You May or May Not Need a Visa

Many nationalities are able to visit Thailand without a visa. Some nationalities do not require one at all and others will be granted a visa upon entry. Check which option applies to you here and pay special attention to the allowed duration of stay. Whether you need a visa or not, remember that you will need to show proof of where you will be staying as well as a return ticket upon arrival.

Visa Guide - https://www.thaievisa.go.th/ 

• The Weather will be Warm- Pack Accordingly☀️

Thailand is well known for its warm and humid weather. The World Game Coaching Conference is set for early May, outside of mid-summer. However, the weather will still be warm! Sunblock and light clothes are our top recommendations. A hat and water bottle are also good ideas. Last but not least, don’t forget your swimming costume!

• Thailand Prioritizes Kindness and Consideration

The Thai concept of Kreng Jai- Awe of the Heart- is respect, consideration, and modesty. Thai people go out of their way to consider others. This means that they truly want to ensure you have a great time in their country when you visit. We recommend extending the same consideration to them when you visit as a tourist! Consider the locals, the environment, and your fellow travelers when making decisions and enjoying your trip. 

Erickson Coaching International was inspired by the idea of Kreng Jai and has announced Awe of the Heart as the official theme for the World Game 2024. The theme strongly relates to the impact that coaching can have on the world and how being kind and conscientious can lead to a more peaceful and solution-focused existence.

• Thailand is Committed to Sustainable Tourism

Before the pandemic, Thailand received an average of 40 million visitors a year. In 2021 that number was under a million, and in 2022 it rose to 11 million. Thailand struggled tremendously during the Covid 19 pandemic but used the time to push forward on many sustainable tourism initiatives like the ‘no foam no plastic’ project and environmental conservation projects. They also introduced a no smoking rule on beaches and in the majority of public areas. The Thai Government has launched an ecotourism site to encourage the sustainability of tourism. Explore the site and learn more about Thailand’s initiatives here. 

As coaches and individuals who want to contribute to the improvement of the world, we urge you to travel sustainably and conscientiously when you journey to the World Game. From our side, we are committed to partnering with our chosen conference and resort venue and the local community to ensure that we shine a light on sustainable tourism. We are inspired by the many initiatives that Thailand has undertaken!

• Colors of the Week

Something you may not know about Thailand is that it has official colors for the days of the week! The most noticeable is that most Thai people wear yellow on a Monday. According to ancient customs in Thailand, there is an astrological rule (which has influence from Hindu mythology) that assigns a color to each day of the week based on the color of the God who protects the day or Navagraha.

You can find the colors below:

• Monday: Yellow - Symbolizing warmth and compassion
• Tuesday: Pink - Representing love and care
• Wednesday: Green - Signifying growth and renewal
• Thursday: Orange - Representing enthusiasm and creativity
• Friday: Blue - Symbolizing trust and communication
• Saturday: Purple - Associated with wisdom and spirituality
• Sunday: Red - Symbolizing energy and determination
  

• Buddhism is the Main Religion in Thailand 

Over 92% of Thailand is Buddhist. You may have guessed this having seen pictures of the famous ‘Big Buddha’ in Phuket and picturesque Thai Buddhist temples. Theravada Buddhism (the official branch of Buddhism in Thailand)  is the oldest form of Buddhism.. One of the core beliefs of the religion is that through giving and adding merit, you will live a longer and happier life. Thai Buddhists also practice compassion and kindness in every element of life. For example, although the religion does not disallow the consumption of meat, many Buddhists opt to be vegetarian.

There are many Thai Monks in Thailand. Out of respect, you should never touch a Monk or place yourself in a position above them. In Thailand, people will give up their seats on public transport for monks- if you are visiting we recommend you do the same. Similarly, when visiting a Thai temple or religious place, it is best to refrain from loud actions or too much joking around. Rather remain respectful and curious. It is also recommended to cover one's shoulders and knees when visiting religious places.

There are many Buddhist holidays. On May 23rd, 2024, Thailand will celebrate Visakha Puja (Budhha Day). It commemorates the birth, awakening and passing away of the historical Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama.

Another thing to note if you are traveling to Thailand is that alcohol is rejected by the Buddhist religion, although resorts and tourist destinations do still serve it.

• Cash vs Card

The currency in Thailand is the Thai Baht. Currently, it is the 10th most frequently used payment method in the world! Conversion rates vary so we recommend checking your currency conversion here.

Although many resorts, activities and shops in Thailand do accept debit and credit cards*, some of the smaller ones do not. For that reason, we recommend bringing exchanged cash with you!

*On the note of cards. This is a reminder to notify your bank that you will be traveling to Thailand to ensure they are aware.

• How to Get to Thailand

Located in Asia, Thailand receives international flights from around the world each day. The country has six international airports, and the closest one to the World Game 2024 venue is the Phuket International Airport. Some other methods of transportation that can be used to reach Thailand are the ferry from Kuala Lumpur or the train.

If you are arriving by air, depending on where you are traveling from, you will either have a direct flight or a connecting flight. One of the most popular routes is to fly into the country's capital, Bangkok and take a domestic connecting flight from there. Alternatively, you can book a direct flight into Phuket International Airport.

Average Flight Durations

Canada ➔ 21 hours

America ➔ 21 hours

South America ➔ 24 hours

United Kingdom ➔ 13 hours

Europe ➔ 10 hours

Russia ➔9 hours

Africa ➔  15 hours

Australia ➔ 9 hours

China ➔ 6 hours

Tickets prices for international travel will rise so we recommend booking yours well in advance!

• Tap Water is a no no

Although Thailand, and Phuket in specific, is well known for its beautiful blue and transparent waters, the country has a water crisis when it comes to drinking and agricultural water due to irregular rainfall. This means that water is an extremely scarce resource. Thailand has partnered with the United Nations Development Programme to focus on improving water management and sustainable agriculture.

Currently, the tap water in Thailand is not safe to drink. Resorts and establishments are well-equipped with safe drinking water for you to consume and use. During your stay, it is important to stay well-hydrated, however,  we ask that you remain conscious of Thailand's water struggles. 

• Wash the elephants, don’t ride them 

The official animal of Thailand, Thai elephants are world famous. To Thai people, elephants are considered a national symbol of strength and intelligence. These majestic animals were historically used in agriculture, and before that in battle. Since 1986 the Asian elephant has been considered an endangered animal.  

Today, the Thai Elephants are mostly in national parks or in rescue centers. We strongly recommend that, if you’re planning to visit the elephants, you do some research first. Elephant riding is dangerous for elephants and therefore should not be practiced. Elephant shows and tricks are also events to steer clear of and we would suggest being wary of any establishment that offers such activities.

Instead, if you are wanting to get up close and personal with these beautiful animals, we recommend visiting an Elephant sanctuary where you can wash the elephants and interact with them in an ethical and responsible way.

• Expanding Your Trip

Thailand is a beautiful country worth exploring! If you are joining the World Game, there are many options for how you can best experience the beautiful location and its neighboring countries.The first option is to extend your stay by coming early or staying a few more days (or weeks!) in Thailand. While the World Game Conference will take place near Phuket, the capital of Thailand, Bangkok is well known for its street life and cultural landmarks. Another option is to visit other nearby Asian countries such as Vietnam, Cambodia, Singapore, Malaysia, and China.

Are you ready to pack your bags yet? Learn more about the World Game Thailand 2024 and how to book your spot  here. 

We’ve also added some more fun facts about Thailand below!

Fun Facts

• Coaching is one of the fastest-growing industries in Thailand
• Thailand operates on Indochina Time (GMT+7)
• The head is sacred in Thailand so you must never touch anyone on the head there (even a child!)
• Phuket is the largest of Thailand’s 1,430 islands
• Thailand is home to approximately a tenth of the world’s animals and a tenth of all birds
• Thailand is the largest exporter of rice in the world