VISAS & FORMALITIES
Tourists from 49 countries are not required to obtain a visa when entering Thailand for tourism purposes. They will be permitted to stay in the country for a period of not exceeding 30 days on each visit. A passport valid for 6 months at the date of the entrance to Thailand and a return ticket are required.
ASIA PACIFIC
Australia
Japan
Philippines
Brunei
Korea
Singapore
Hong Kong
Malaysia
Vietnam
Indonesia
New Zealand
AMERICA
Brazil
Canada
Peru
United States of America
EUROPE
Austria
Finland
Iceland
Monaco
Spain
Czech
Belgium
France
Ireland
Netherlands
Sweden
Hungary
Slovakia
Denmark
Germany
Italy
Norway
Switzerland
Liechtenstein
Slovenia
Estonia
Greece
Luxembourg
Portugal
United Kingdom
Poland
MIDDLE EAST / AFRICA
Bahrain
Qatar
Israel
South Africa
Kuwait
Turkey
Oman
United Arab Emirates
There are no sanitary major risks in Thailand. Before leaving, just update classic vaccines as DT-polio (Diphtheria, Tetanus and Poliomyelitis) and recommended vaccines (Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Typhoid). The risk of contracting malaria in Thailand is low. Only travelers staying at the borders with Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar can discuss with their doctor about a preventive treatment. There is no risk around Chiang Mai where the race is held. Once in Thailand we recommend runners to buy a local prepaid SIM card. It is very easy to find it either at the airport in Chiang Mai or in a 7-eleven shop (True Move). For more information on Visas, please visit the website of the Ministry of the Foreign Affairs of Thailand http://www.mfa.go.th/main/en/services/123.
TRANSPORT
From Bangkok it can be very cheap to fly to Chiang Mai. Many FLIGHT COMPANIES offer daily flights at competitive prices. The two cheapest companies are Thai Lion Air and Air Asia. When booking in advance some tickets are less than $40. For some runners it could be a better deal to fly to Bangkok then Chiang Mai (be careful about the right airport, there are 2 in Bangkok). Most of the flights leaves from Don Muang Airport. From Europe we recommend to book tickets to Thailand on the web site skyscanner.com. On average the cost for a return ticket is between $600 and $800. It is also possible to fly directly to Chiang Mai with China Eastern, part of Sky Team. The company offers several flights from Europe to Chiang Mai with a stop over in China (Kunming or Shanghai). The flight might be long sometime but the prices are very competitive. From Asia there are many international direct flights.
DIRECT FLIGHTS
Shanghai (China Eastern)
Hong Kong (Dragon Air)
Macao (Air Asia)
Singapore (Silk Air)
Kuala Lumpur (Air Asia)
Seoul (Korean Air)
Taipei (China Airlines and TransAsia)
Kunming (Thai Airways)
Yangon (Air Mandalay)
Mandalay (Air Mandalay)