How to reach HQ after 12 January 2006

World Team HQ offices in the US will be closed as of Friday, January 13. 
Beginning January 17, we are available via email, at the Windsor Suites Hotel (Tel: ++66 (0) 2262-1234  Fax: 66 (0) 2262-1212)

The World Team '06 - Royal Sky Celebration registration fee includes:

Hotel accommodation for the night of 26 January through the night of 11 February 2006, a total of 17 nights.  Check-in time is 12:00 noon on 26 January — check-out time is 14:00 on 12 February.  In Thai hotels, as in hotels all around the world, a 'hotel night' is the night after the day, not the night before the day.  For instance, if you arrive at 01:00 on 26 January, it is still considered the night of 25 January.  Any participant who has not already arranged for extra nights prior to the event will need to make other arrangements.  Extra nights after the event are still possible to book through World Team HQ.

The Registration fee also includes local (scheduled) transportation in Thailand, breakfast at all hotels, 2-4 Team dinners, goodie bags, memorabilia, a fully-staffed HQ and DZ, and all the parts and pieces necessary to support the most memorable Large Formation and Largest Mass Freefall Jump World Record events in skydiving history.  The rest is up to you!

What to bring to Thailand

Passport:  Participants from most countries require a passport valid for at least 6 months after they plan to leave the country. 
Visa:  Participants from some countries are required to obtain a Visa prior to entering Thailand.  Please contact your local Thai Embassy, or visit their web-site, for requirements.  For participants from many countries, a Visa will be stamped free of charge in your passport upon your arrival in Thailand at Passport Control (Immigration).  This Visa is valid for 30 days.  Visitors are allowed to extend their stay beyond 30 days, but only if a long-stay Visa is obtained at a Thai Embassy prior to arrival in Thailand.  Fees, penalties, delays, and even denial of entry may apply if a required Visa is not arranged prior to arrival in Thailand.

Strong Recommendation: Before you travel, make copies of your most important travel documents:  Passport, Visa (if required in advance), airline tickets, and any other documents of value (i.e., FAI License and Certificate of Proficiency).  Pack them separately inside your luggage. 
Note: When you are in Thailand, it is required by law that you have some legal means of identification with you, wherever you go.

FAI Sporting License, which includes an FAI logo insignia (stamp or printed), and a
Certificate of Proficiency, such as a C- or D- License number, if this is a separate document.  Please see the Skydiver Info Page for more details. 
Parachute gear, and AAD, including in-date reserve, jumpsuit(s), spare batteries, spare gear parts, etc.
Proof of Health Insurance:  Please note that you will be personally responsible for any medical costs incurred
Prescription Medicines:  It is advisable to pack one full supply in your checked luggage, and carry one full supply with you.  Bring a written prescription which includes the generic name of the drug and the required dosage.  Many prescription drugs are available over the counter in Thailand.  It is highly recommended that you also bring a broad-spectrum antibiotic, a non-sedating antihistamine, a decongestant, an anti-diarrheal, and your favorite pain reliever.  If you are taking Beta-blockers or anti-hypertensive medication, please inform Dr. Massey PRIOR to skydiving on site.
If you are a vegetarian or have a special diet:  Although meatless dishes are usually available, it is advisable to bring along whatever you cannot live without, like a jar of peanut butter or some other quick and easy protein food. 
Clothing:   Skydiving Team Members should note that they will be receiving at least three T-shirts, a warm-up suit, shoes, a Sky Systems Oxygn helmet, and gloves.  Accompanying persons will receive at least one T-shirt.  Please see Other Useful Information Page for . . . other useful information about clothing  what to wear/bring

What NOT to bring to Thailand

Narcotics, illegal drugs of all types, obscene literature, and firearms are strictly forbidden.  Bringing any of these items into Thailand will result in, at the very least, immediate deportation.   Stricter enforcement has recently resulted in arrests and, in some cases, the death penalty.

What to do when you arrive in Thailand

After passing through Immigration, where your passport (and Visa, if required) will be checked, you will proceed via escalators to the luggage claim carrousels.  Screens around the luggage belts show which airline is at which carrousel.  Luggage carts are available free of charge.
After Passing through Customs, with your luggage, it is advisable to exchange some currency (at least 1000 Baht is recommended)

Plan A:  Participants arriving on the dates and times noted below in the Airport Transfers section will be met at the airport outside the Customs Hall.  There are two international terminals at Don Muang International Airport (Terminal 1 and Terminal 2). 

Please click here to see specific instructions for your airline arrival terminal
Go do the designated Spot and look for a Royal Sky Celebration and/or World Team '06 sign
You will be directed to a bus or van which will take you to the Windsor Suites Hotel

Plan B:  For those arriving earlier than 25 January,  those arriving unexpectedly, or if for some reason you are not met:  after clearing Customs, go outside and find the taxi queue kiosk.  When it is your turn, tell the person in the kiosk that you wish to go to the Windsor Suites Hotel, Sukhumvit Road, Soi 20.  The total fare should be 270-320 Baht for 1-2 persons with 2-4 pieces of luggage (this includes an airport surcharge and highway tolls, which you will be expected to pay en route or upon arrival at the hotel).  Expect to pay more for more people and/or luggage. Confirm the price with the taxi driver.  Tip the driver an additional 20-50 Baht.  Do not take un-metered taxis.

Plan C: If all else fails,call the Windsor Suites Hotel and ask for help.  If you're really desperate, call Bobbie on her cell phone 09-451-1778 

Airport Transfers
For those participants who have submitted their flight arrival and departure dates, flights, and times, airport transfers will be provided as follows: 

• Flights arriving from 06:00 on 25 January through late night 26 January (including those pesky flights arriving at 02:00 0n 27 January)
• Flights departing from 06:00 on 11 February through 24:00 on 12 February.  
• Please note that the space available on the transport will be limited to the number of people expected to arrive.  Please see above for taxi information.

What to Expect after Arrival

Wonderful food, gracious people, and Amazing Smiles! 

Jet lag is also common for those travelling long distances, and each person has their own personal reaction and cure.  It is strongly advised, from the moment you arrive, to live according to Thai time.  If you arrive in the morning or mid-day, resist the temptation to take a nap.  The difference in temperature may also increase jet lag.  Try to drink lots of bottled water (preferably room-temperature), and avoid drinking alcohol for the first hours after arrival.

What NOT to Expect

Everything exactly the way it is at 'home.'  Where's the fun in that, anyway?  Thailand is a wonderful country, and most necessities to which participants are accustomed can be found.  But Thailand is a country unique in many ways:  cellphones and internet access are easy; food is inexpensive and plentiful; the beer is great but might not be your favorite brand; communication in-country can be difficult; toilets may be different.  The Thai people are among the most accommodating and generous in the world.  They are excellent hosts.  Let us, World Team '06, be known as excellent guests.

On-site Registration is required

In order to receive your ID badge, essential paperwork and information, your sponsored goods, and to finalize any administrative details, every participant must complete on-site registration. The on-site Registration Area will be located in the Windsor Suites Beer Garden, weather permitting, and will be open for business from 09:00-19:00 on 26 and 27 January. 

Connecting to the World

It is easy to access the internet in Thailand, provided you are flexible.  Internet Cafes are abundant in Bangkok, and are readily available in Udon Thani.  Computer time can also be rented at all the World Team hotels.  If you are bringing a laptop, please see the Hotel Information page for the options available at each hotel. 

For most cellphone users, SIM cards can be purchased in Bangkok or Udon Thani, and airtime can be purchased at many locations, even at 7-11.  For participants from the USA, sorry, no such luck.  Most cellphones from the USA are 'locked' and unable to accept the SIM cards available in Thailand.  But, if you really need to hear your honey's voice, cell phones can also be purchased easily in Bangkok or Udon Thani for Baht 2500 and up. Should you decide to invest in a Thai cellphone, be sure to emphasize that you need 'international' calling.  International calls are also possible by conventional means from any of the World Team hotels.

Shipping to Thailand is not recommended!

Although hotel addresses have been provided on the Hotel Page, shipping to Thailand is not recommended, as shipments can be delayed for long periods of time in Customs, and incur costly duty fees.

Trips and Tourist Opportunities

There is truly no limit to the wonderful things to see and do in Thailand, and participants who have some free time during their visit are welcomed and encouraged to explore this amazing country.  For those who are looking for reliable tour operators, we recommend the following:

Day Tours in Bangkok and Pre-Event—Post-Event Tours in and outside of Thailand:

Turismo Asia - World Team's official tour operator!
Web-site:  www.turismoasia.com
Telephone:  ++66 (0) 22451551 ext 1935
Contact/Email:   Niels Steeman

Tours in Udon Thani

Turismo Asia, in cooperation with Ultinet Trade & Travel, has arranged a variety tours from Udon Thani, especially for World Team participants.   These include half-day and/or full-day tours to the Ban Chiang Archeological Site, Nongkhai, Phu Pra Baht Historical Park, and Vientiane.  Specific tours have been pre-arranged for certain days, and custom-designed tours are always an option.  A hand-out detailing these tours, costs, and schedules will be provided to all participants on-site in Thailand.

Environmental and Back-Country Tours in Laos, Myanmar, Cambodia, etc.

North-by-Northeast Tours
Web-site:   www.north-by-north-east.com
Mobile:  66-(0)9-712-2670
Contact/Email:  Nick Ascot