All major International airlines serve Bangkok. Most flights from Europe, Australia New Zealand and Asia are direct. Flights from North America will necessitate a stopover. Thai Airway International is in the process to establish a direct non-stop flight to and from New York. By November 2004 this route should be operational.

Don Muang airport is 25 km (15 mi) from the city center (Silom). There are 3 means of air-conditioned transportation to your hotel, the limousine service, the meter taxi, and the airport buses. Both, Terminal 1 and 2 have the same 3 transportation services.

A- LIMOUSINE SERVICE:

The all-inclusive flat fare is 700 baht as of June 2003. All are Benz chauffeured cars. Bookings can be made directly inside the airport terminals on arrival. Look for the counter with the LIMOUSINE SERVICE sign.

B- METER TAXI:

By far the most used form of transportation to downtown. The well-indicated METER TAXI counter is located outside the terminals. Follow the queue and mention to the attendant the name of your hotel and the street name. 2 vouchers will be given and a car assigned. Keep the bigger voucher since it indicates the particulars of the car and the driver. It can be used should there be litigation. The smaller voucher shows the destination and should be given to the driver. There is no payment at the airport counter.

The fare is based on the meter at destination. An additional 50 baht is charged for airport pick-up.

There are 2 expressways before you will reach downtown. One is 40 baht and the second 30 baht. The passenger pays these tolls. In all, the total cost should be (+/-) 300 baht to a Silom area hotel. (50 baht for airport pick-up +70 baht expressways + the amount indicated on the meter) Tips are not expected from the taxi drivers. Usually the passenger will round it up to the next decimal. Ex: a 237 baht trip will be 240 baht.

Since the drivers might not have change at your destination, it is wise to obtain small notes (100's and 20's) before leaving the airport. If that is not possible, pay the first expressway toll with a 500 or 1,000 bank note. The driver will return the change.

C-AIRPORT BUSES:

The airport buses are blue and white and run on 3 distinct routes to and from the airport. The Silom route is number A1. They depart every 20 minutes or so. The cost is 100 baht for any destination along their route. They will stop mostly at bus stops also used for local buses.

The Airport bus counter is also located outside the terminals next to the meter taxi stand.

On the Silom route, there is a bus stop directly in front of the Tower Inn Hotel, across from the Sofitel Hotel. This mode of transportation is not recommended if you are carrying large or heavy bags. Since they might not stop near your selected hotel, you may have to haul your bags some distance. It is cheap but not practical for all.

VISA REQUIREMENTS:

As far as we know, an automatic 30 days visa will be given on arrival to all travelers from countries where LYC has now a chapter. For 500 baht that visa can be extended for an additional 10 days at the Immigration Office in Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Pattaya.

For those wishing to stay longer we recommend to obtain, before departure, a tourist visa from the Thai Embassy or Consulate in your country of residence. That visa will permit you to stay in the Kingdom for an initial 60 days and extendable for another 30 days.

The visa requirement depends of your nationality. You may ask your travel agent or the Thailand representative closest to your home.

DOMESTIC TRAVELS:

You might want, in addition to iCON2004, make a holiday of your presence in this amazing country. Thailand's reputation is in no way over done. It is difficult to imagine another country with so much to offer.

A winning combination with its wonderfully friendly people, ancient sites, great beaches, world -famous cuisine and vibrant gay life.

All that, plus the extraordinary value for money.

Should you wish to visit other places in Thailand before or after iCON2004, we suggest that these reservations be made in Bangkok, unless the package from your home travel agency is all-inclusive.

Our experience is that local travel arrangements can be cheaper than those made abroad. Most local agencies have "package deals" including hotels, transportation and tours at very reasonable rates.

Contacts are underway with some local gay owned and managed travel agencies to offer the LYC delegates the best available deals. These agencies will be posted on this site soon.

The page " Before and/or after iCON2004" will list these agencies.