Holiday in Thailand(travel vocabulary review)

Things to know before you go…

Currency = Thai Baht (THB)

20 thb = 15.000 vnd

50 thb = 30.000 vnd

100 thb = 70.00 vnd

500 thb = 330.000 vnd

1,000 thb= 670.000 vnd

*Try to memorize the bill colors + value to avoid making any money mistakes

*knowing these / writing them down will save you time and trouble when shopping

30 baht = 20,000vnd = $1150 baht = 100,000vnd = $5750 baht = 500,000vnd = $251,500 baht = 1million vnd = $503,000 baht = 2million vnd = $100

Quick Conversions:

The Shangri-La Chiang Mai is…

• Only 10 minutes from the airport

• Within walking distance to the Famous Night Bazaar (market)

Shopping Tip:

“The night bazaar has some excellent bargains but be careful. The night bazaar is great for t-shirts, fake designer clothes and watches but not handicrafts. Lacquer-ware and wood products purchased here will split and crack after a year or so.”

Airplanes & Airport ReviewThe journey there

You will be going to International Departures for your trip.

The first step is to Check-in.

Common Check-in Conversations1) Where are you flying to today? We’re flying to Chiang Mai, with a connection in Bangkok.

2) Can you please make sure our seats are together?

3) Would you prefer a window or an aisle seat? I’d prefer a window seat please, if one is available.

4) How many checked bags do you have? We each have 1 checked back and 1 carry-on

5) Do I need to pick-up my luggage and go through customs in Bangkok or will the luggage go through to Chiang Mai? *I don’t think you have to collect your luggage – you will go through some security in Chiang Mai once you pick up your bags

6) What’s my gate number?

* You will most likely receive 2 boarding passes. 1) HCMC-BKK 2) BKK- CM

On the flight…

The Flight Attendants can help you with any request or question such as….

1. What would you like to drink? I’d like some hot tea, please. Do you have orange juice?

Requests:- Could I please have…

a blanketa pillow a bottle of water

a sick bag

a snack / bag of nuts a wet tissue / towel / napkin

Issues

“my tray table is broken/dirty”

“My seat won’t recline / go back”

“I’m feeling sick, can I sit next to the bathroom.”

“Can we please change seats? Are therefree seats available?”* “I don’t feel comfortable sitting here”

Additional Plane Vocabulary:

the overhead binfasten your seat belt

Customs declaration form• save your boarding pass seat ticket… to know your flight number• Will ask info on your passport (#, expiration date, etc.)• Can write that you’ll stay at the “Shangri-La Chiang Mai” hotel• Usually write “0” on all declaration questions• Keep this form; You will give it to Customs in BKK

Standard Transfer Process in BKK airport to Chiang Mai:

= get off the plane

You can find this info + process explained here:

http://www.suvarnabhumiairport.com/en/224-international-to-domestic-with-a-boarding-pass

1) When you land in Bangkok, look for these signs for passengers flying to Chiang Mai, etc.

“Transfer to Chiang Mai”

2) Continue to follow these signs, and they will lead you to Passport Control& Immigration

(Concourse building C on 2nd level)

3) Here is Immigration, depending on the line – it can take 20min – 60min to get through, so try to get there quickly!

4) Next, you’ll pass through customs. This is when you’ll hand in your customs declaration form.

5) After Customs, you’ll go through 1 more securitycheckpoint (x-ray).

6) Lastly, you’ll get to find your gate and wait for your connecting flightto Chiang Mai. The Gate will either be on Concourse A or B

• If you have some time, you can shop in a duty-free shop OR find an ATM / Money Changer to get some Thai Baht.

• Remember, you can always “double check” the gate number on your boarding pass with the Departure board. (it’s easiest to look for your flight number)

Chiang Mai Airport

1) you should arrive here

2) pick up your bags

3) This is where you’ll pass through customs

4) you’ll exit here, and yourdriver should be waiting

*when you leave CM, you’ll go through‘int’l departure’

When you arrive, here’s the procedure:

Hotel Check-in/Check-out & Services

Upon Arriving, you will need to go to the Reception Desk to check intoyour room. Here’s a common Check-in Procedure:

Front Desk Receptionist

• What name is the reservation under?• May I see your passports• How long will you be staying?• Could I please see a credit card? There’s a 50% refundable deposit on the

room.• Complimentary breakfast is served in the hotel Cafe between 7 and 10 am.• I'll give you two room keys.• The gym & sauna are located on the top floor.• Just call the front desk if you need any extra towels or pillows.

Hotel Guest: • We have a reservation under _________.• What time is the pool/gym/business center

open until?• What time is breakfast served?• Can we get a wake-up call at 6am please?• When is check-out time?

Check-IN

Check – OutReception

• Are you ready to check out?• What room were you in?• How was your stay?• Was everything satisfactory?• Will you be putting this on your card?• And how will you be paying for this?• Would you like to speak to the hotel

manager on duty?• I'll just need your room keys, please.• Enjoy the rest of your holiday.• Have a safe trip home.

• We're checking out of room 401.• Sorry we're a bit late checking-out.• We really enjoyed our stay.• Thanks for everything, I hope to come back

again.

Guest

Your Hotel Room

Amenities: “Could we please have more/another :

• shampoo / conditioner• Hand soap / body soap/ shower gel• Lotion• Towels

Additional Requests:

- Could you please send housekeeping to make up/clean up the room (while we’re away)?

- I’d like to order room service please (to room 113)

- I have a question about….(this location, how far is it, a tour, etc.)

- Could you send someone to assist me with…. (the safe, the air-conditioning)

- My wi-fi is slow / not working. Can you tell me the wi-fi password?

- Could I borrow an Iron, hair dryer, etc.?

- Our neighbors are loud / Room smells like smoke….. Could we please change rooms?

What to pack…

Business “Attire” (attire = outfits / clothing)

• basically, the clothes you wear to work

• Formal = usually darker colors, skirt-below-the-knee, ironed blouses, jackets, low-heeled leather shoes (closed-toe)

Business “Casual”

Can be more colorful; flat dress-shoes are okay, sweaters/cardigans, pants/loose skirt

Casual

* for your tour

Outdoor dinner / formal clothes

• can bring light sweater (if it gets cool)• Footwear : heels, but beware of grass. Wedges are better

Making Small Talk

General “Meeting” Questions• Hi, my name is ___________. What’s yours? (here’s my business card) My name is _____, and this is my mother _________.

• Where are you from? Is _________ where you grew up? I’m from Ho Chi Minh City, Saigon. Have you ever been there?

• So, what do you do at ____? How long have you worked for _____?

I’ve worked there for about 4 years, and recently got promoted, so I’ve got a lot of new challenges, but I’m excited.

• What’s the pharma industry like where you’re from? What are the biggest challenges in your hospitals? In my territories, the biggest challenge for me is….

• Do you live near your family? Do you have children? (only ask if you’re sure they may have kids) • I’m not sure what drink to get. Yours looks good – what are you drinking?

• Did you look around the hotel yet?

Travel Questions* easy to start with when you first meet

• What time did you arrive in Chiang Mai?

• Is this your first time to Thailand? Do you travel a lot?

• How was your flight? How long is the flight from ______ to Bangkok? We had a great flight – there was very little turbulance and it’s only about 3 and a half hours from HCMC.

• Have you had time to explore the hotel yet? How’s your room?

• Which tour did you choose?

• So, what’s the schedule for tomorrow?

• I’ve always wanted to visit (your country); Do you have any tips / advice?

• Oh, I’ve heard your country is beautiful. What’s the best thing about living there?

General Topics• So, how was your tour / activity?

• The weather is so… (nice, hot, cooler/hotter than I expected)

• What do you like to do on the weekends? Do you like to play any sports? I enjoy playing badminton when I have time – It’s really popular in Vietnam

• My food is really good, how is yours? I’ve never had this dish before…

• What are you planning to do after dinner / later?

• I’m not so familiar with Thai food. Can you recommend anything?

• Are you a fan of….. (football, ____ tv show, )?

• Did you plan on buying anything specific during this trip?

• Want to join us to…..(the night market, the mall, this tour)?

• Would you like to get a drink (by the pool, in the lobby, etc)?

Exiting Conversations• Well, I think I’m going to go back to my room and rest. I’ve had such a long day.

• Well, it’s been so great talking to/meeting you. Hope you have a great day / evening.

• Oh, will you excuse me? I need to speak with someone over there/ my mom.

• I think I’m going to walk around a bit; I’ll talk to you later.

• Well, It was nice talking to you – I’m going to keep moving around (if you’re standing / drinking).

• I’ll catch up with you later. (= I’ll speak with you another time)

Saying Good-bye• It was so great to meet you.

• Let’s keep in touch!

• Safe travels!

• Hope you have a good flight back.

• If you’re ever in Vietnam, please give me a call. I can show you around.

• I really enjoyed talking with you. Hopefully, we can meet again one day.

• I’ll add you on Facebook *

FOOD

Hotels / tours may offer

“western / international / continental”food options as well as Thai food.

Here are some popular Thai dishes.

Tom Yam Goong

Lemongrass, chili, ginger, coconut milk – spicy and a bit creamy. Usually made with seafood orchicken

Tom Kha Gai

Very similar to Tom Yam, just sweeter / mild

Pad Thai

Noodles, Tofu, Onions, bean sprouts : sweet and spicy

Kuay Tiew (Noodle Soup)

pork, chicken, beef, duck, and seafood + broth and noodles

Som Tam

Spicy Papaya Salad

Gai Med Ma Moung (Chicken Cashew Nuts)

Geng Kheaw Wan Gai (Green Curry Chicken)

Kao Phad (Fried Rice)

Massaman Curry

coconut milk, potatoes, roasted peanuts, bay leaves, sugar, cinnamon, and tamarind sauce. The meat of choice is often beef or chicken

Sticky rice with Mango + Coconut sauce

Ice cream Sandwich (popular street food)

Thai Pancake / Crepes

You can order anything on your crepe. Honey, chocolate, banana, peanut butter…

The End & Safe Travels!