More Info & FAQ

This page is designed to help answer some of the little detail type questions you may have about being a part of this flash mob. If your question isn't answered here feel free to email Roger!

What about passports and visas?
For American citizens traveling to Thailand you will need a valid passport. If you don't have a passport (only 10% of all US citizens have a valid passport) we suggest going to your local post office to obtain the needed paper work to apply for one. You need to allow up to six weeks for the application to be approved and sent to you. American citizens do not need to obtain a visa for lengths of stay less then 30 days in Thailand. If you do plan to attend the flash mob you can register your travel with US government via the Internet.

What about medical concerns?
There are no shot requirements for entrance into Thailand. But we do suggest you visit a travel doctor at least a month before you trip. They will make suggestions and it is your personal decision which shots and medication you choose to obtain before your travel. During my trip to Phi Phi in March of 2005, there were no cases of Malaria in the area. But, you should make your decision based on the "better safe then sorry" method.

What about money?
First off credit cards are widely accepted in Thailand and on Phi Phi. The exchange rate is around $38.45 Baht to the US dollar. Although the US dollar is accepted at most locations, we advise you exchange your money for Baht on arrival in Thailand. There are many exchange booths in the Bangkok Airport, as well in most of the airports you will encounter on your journey to Thailand. You can expect to spend around $15 US dollars a day on meals and will need money for taxis and ferries while traveling to and from Phi Phi. There are no taxis on the island, so you will walk everywhere! The total amount you can figure for expenses are as follows:

Travel= $1300
Lodging = $300
Food = $200

But everyone's spending habits are different. These figures are just estimates. Some may spend more or less than others. While planning you can make this trip by spending anywhere from $1600 to $1900 depending on your airfare and lodging choices.

WARNING! HIDDEN FEE: The Thai government levies a $1000 Baht "exit" tax when you leave the country. You must pay this tax in Baht and not in US dollars. Make sure you keep a 1000 Baht bill when you exchange your monies back to US dollars before leaving the country.

What about the water?
Knock on wood, no one in our traveling part experience "travelers sickness" while in Thailand. Bottled water is highly suggested and available everywhere. Each hotel we stayed at offered a complimentary bottle of water a day in our rooms. Also, at the time of our trip, HI Phi Phi was doing a great job of offering workers as much bottled water, as they needed.

What about language barriers?
Phi Phi is of course a Thai-speaking island. If you would like, you can readily find "how to speak Thai" books and tapes at most major bookstores. Thai is a tonal language and can be difficult to learn. However, Phi Phi is a tourist island and most of its inhabitants are very use to having Western visitors. Most speak some English.

What about my cell phone?
The Thai cell phone systems work at an 1800-megahertz wavelength. If your phone is signal or dual band phone it will not work in Thailand. You must have a tri or quad band phone to use it in Thailand. It is also a good idea to call your service provider before leaving on your trip to make sure you have international services on your plan. Also if you phone works off of a SIMM card, you can buy a pre-paid SIMM card when in Thailand. This is the cheapest way to make phone calls while there. This also requires you to have your service provider "un-lock" your phone.

What about Internet access?
There are Internet cafe's about every ten feet in Thailand. Yes, even on Phi Phi there are tons of places to access the Internet. Most times your usage determines how much you will pay. Expect to pay 5 to 20 Baht per minutes. Most access is dial-up and only good for short emails. But if you think you may explode if you can't use a computer for a week, don't worry; wherever there is a phone, there is the Internet.

What about things to do on the island?
We highly suggest while on Phi Phi that you take time out of volunteering to experience the wonders of the Andaman Sea. There are many SCUBA outfitters on the Island that need your business. As you are planning, you may want to make any excursion arrangements for Friday of that week. To respect the Muslims on the island there is no relief work done on Fridays. It makes this day a great day to experience the coral reef around Koh Phi Phi Lo, which is a National Marine Wildlife park.

Also while the mob is on the island, we will plan to arrange for anyone in the mob to gather at one of the many wonderful restraints on the island for dinner. Renee and I plan to greet each ferry to help people find or get to their hotel. At this time we will have maps and a list of the restaurants the group will be eating at each night. This will be a great time for us to relax and get to know each other better through out the week.