Travel Guide
Phuket
Magnificent scenery, stunning tropical pink sunsets and warm blue seas await you
at Asia's most popular beach destination.
Phuket offers a rainbow spectrum of spectacular sights. Immerse yourself in the crystal clear waters of its silky white,
palm-lined beaches or explore its lush rainforested surrounds. Indulge in mouth-watering Thai cuisine served by the beautiful
Thai locals who will treat you to superb hospitality. Phuket is culturally rich and has the perfect combination
of luxurious relaxation and exciting adventures.
Known as the "Pearl of the Andaman Sea"... Phuket is pure paradise! 
Weather
Phuket has a tropical monsoonal climate. It's warm all year round, but the two periods of April-May and September-October are the hottest. The weather in August is mostly fine, but with the usual pattern of brief but heavy showers, followed by plenty of sunshine. Temperatures range between 20C to 33C (70F and 90F).
Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend that all delegates attending the Revlon Future Thinkers Conference 2016 have
travel insurance for the duration of their trip. All attendees should have adequate travel insurance to cover medical, cancellation,
luggage or other unforeseen incidents where you may require financial support and/or assistance.
Events Beyond have negotiated a 15% discount for Revlon Professional attendees through Suresave Travel Insurance.
Prices start from $140.00 for a Single Comprehensive Plan.
Insurance quotes and premiums can be quickly obtained online. The below link provides simple and straight-forward
steps and information for you to obtain a quote, view and download a PDS (Product Disclosure Statement),
and easily complete and issue your travel insurance policy online.
For Travel Insurance CLICK HERE
Travellers with pre-existing medical conditions or questions relating to travel insurance
should speak to Events Beyond before completing their policy online.
**Important:** Events Beyond can only provide general information about travel insurance.
Events Beyond cannot provide you advice or recommendations about travel insurance.
Passport & Visa
Australian tourists travelling to Thailand through one of the international airports on an Australian passport
may currently enter Thailand for up to 30 days without obtaining a visa in advance. This is referred to as a “visa exemption”.
Australian tourists travelling overland into Thailand through a border crossing may enter Thailand for up to 15 days without obtaining
a visa in advance. A visa is required for longer stays or for travellers intending to work or to travel for purposes other than tourism in Thailand.
A Multiple Entry Tourist Visa is valid for 6 months and allows a duration of stay of 60 days per visit.
Thai authorities recommend all travellers to have at least six months’ validity remaining on their passports. You may be refused entry to Thailand,
or may not be permitted to board your Thailand-bound flight, if your passport has less than six months’ validity.
Vaccinations
You may need vaccinations before you travel to Thailand. Your doctor may recommend shots for hepatitis A,
typhoid, rabies or other diseases, as well as malaria prevention tablets. Check The Travel Doctor's
Thailand fact sheet and ask your family doctor for advice based on your own health and travel plans.
Phone and internet
Global roaming and coverage: Thailand has excellent mobile phone coverage
and there are very few parts of the country where you won't get a signal.
Australian mobile phones will work by connecting with local GSM networks, but if you use
your phone more than occasionally, you're likely to see some big bills.
Check with your mobile network provider for roaming prices.
Tip: Switch off data roaming on your phone before you leave Australia. Likewise, switch off your voicemail and
ask friends and family to text you rather than calling (you'll be charged if you answer incoming calls).
Local SIM
You can save money by using a Thai SIM card rather than your Australian account. Most Australian handsets only work on
a GSM network - SIMS from Thai telcos AIS, dtac and Truemove should all be compatible.
SIMs and credit can be bought at Thai airports, convenience stores and phone shops.
Travel SIM
Pre-paid travel SIMs are another option. They can be found at some Australian travel stores, phone stores and post offices,
or ordered online before you leave. Rates are unlikely to be as cheap as a local SIM purchased in Thailand.
Remember: Your phone will need to be unlocked to accept a SIM from another network.
Wi-Fi Connectivity
Complimentary Wi-Fi will be available at your hotel. Some cafes and bars may also have Wi-Fi
available, but speeds may be slow and you may have to pay.
Power plugs
Standard voltage: 220V
Frequency: 50Hz
Thailand uses a slightly lower voltage than Australia's 230V, and the same 50Hz frequency. The 10V difference
between countries is only small, so it's unlikely to cause a problem with any appliances. Most laptops, phones and chargers are
designed to work on multiple voltages and frequencies, so they should be compatible
Power sockets:
Thailand's power sockets and plugs are different to Australia's, so you will need an adapter.
Since the country uses two different types of socket (A & B above), a universal adapter is best.
Exchange Rate
Currency: Baht (THB / ฿) (1 Baht is made up of 100 Satang)
The current exchange rate @ 7th March 2016 is AUD1 = THB 25.7295
Important: Tell your bank about your travel plans two weeks before you leave. Card activity in
a foreign country could be mistaken for fraud and you could find your account frozen.
ATMs
Cash machines are easy to find in Phuket, but remember you'll be charged a transaction fee and a conversion fee for
using your Australian card. Some ATMs may not recognise foreign cards. If you're going off the
beaten track, ATMs may be hard to come by so take some extra cash.
Credit cards
Credit cards are accepted in most hotels, high-end restaurants and tourist shops
(again, you'll be charged a conversion fee) but cash is still king on the street.
Money changers
Money changers charge no fees or commissions in Thailand, so you'll almost always get a better rate if you change your Australian dollars once you're in the country (although you may want to take a few Baht just to cover your first
few hours in the country). Exchange rates will likely be higher at the airport than in banks or booths in towns.
Travel Money Cards
Travel money cards work in a similar way to travellers' cheques, only they're more versatile and are used just like debit cards.
They can be pre-loaded with foreign currency and cancelled if lost. finder.com.au reports that OzForex, American Express,
Travelex and Suncorp cards don't accept Thai Baht.
Tip: Carry at least two credit/debit cards and more than one cash currency (Australian and Thai).
Split your money and cards between separate bags. That way if you lose one, you have a back-up.
Taxes may come as a surprise on some bills. A 7% VAT is applied to all goods and services, and will sometimes
not be included in the advertised price. Many hotels and restaurants will also add a 'service charge' or 'hotel tax'.
You may be able to reclaim VAT when you leave the country.
For more inforation about Revlon Professional's Business Conference, please contact Events Beyond.
Phone: 1300 884447
Email: futurethinkers@eventsbeyond.com.au
