Thailand is open to tourists, so get the updated guide for Israelis

Thailand opens to tourists almost freely and just before it fills up, the Rosenthal family, who have been vacationing in the country since the beginning of the Corona, have prepared the ultimate guide for Israelis on the islands, including the most attractive itineraries, family attractions and the best hotels

Eric Rosenthal, Thailand

26/11/2021

Friday, 26 November 2021, 09:51 Updated: 10:16

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Kopenhagen Thailand (Courtesy of the Rosenthal Family - OLO - Only Live Once)

After two years of touring Thailand, where the borders were closed and then opened under the “Sandbox Phuket” restrictions (the “sandbox” program to open the island to tourism), now it's really happening.

Thailand is open to tourists almost freely and it is going to be much simpler to get to travel here.

So what's new?

How is the weather in the near future?

In which destinations is it best to travel and for how long?

We are Efrat and Arik Rosenthal, and the children: Ofek, Liad and Or.

We went on a family trip around the world and when the corona arrived we stayed in Thailand.

We have prepared a comprehensive guide for anyone who wants to fly to the Asian island nation, with corona updates, entry procedures and of course everything that has been renewed in the country in terms of attractions.

More on Walla!

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To the full article

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The Rosenthal family in the Old City, Bangkok (Photo: Photos by surfers, Eric Rosenthal)

Corona procedures

On November 1, Thailand opened to vaccinated and unvaccinated tourists.

Most flights will land in Phuket or Bangkok and from there it will be possible to continue traveling in Thailand.

Fully vaccinated and recovering with one vaccine, they will be able to stay at the Sha Plus Hotel for only one night until the PCR test results are obtained on arrival (unvaccinated will stay 10 days in isolation hotels).

The COE has been canceled, but everyone will have to register on the Thailand Pass website, submit the required documents and show a QR code at the entrance.

The prices of EL AL (direct flights) in November-December will be around $ 600-700 per ticket.

More on Walla!

EL AL on sale: $ 1,500 for a business return flight to Thailand

To the full article

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Stunning hiking trails for two weeks to a month

In our experience, we recommend two hiking routes in Thailand:

1. Central and Northern Thailand

2. Southern Thailand, including the islands region.

How to choose between them? If you are a nature lover and looking for green in the eyes go for the north, and if you are less into the hiking section, but prefer quiet and turquoise beaches - go for the islands in the south.

If you are coming for a longer period of more than a month you can combine the two routes: North and South with a domestic flight in the middle. If you are coming for a shorter period of time, choose only one route. Passages waste valuable time and detract from the trip experience. You should try to do less and enjoy each destination properly.

In terms of weather, the months of November-December are suitable for hiking in both areas. Rainy days are possible in the islands. Usually the rain does not last a whole day.

In the western islands (Phuket, Ko Phi Phi) the weather is expected to be less rainy than in the eastern islands (Ko Phangan, Kosmoy and Koh Tao).

However, you can never fully anticipate the tropical weather on the islands, which is a matter of luck.

Even at the height of the rainy season there can be a continuous sunny week.

From December onwards the weather is comfortable throughout the southern region.

In Bangkok and the north the weather is excellent and even ideal for hiking because it is not too hot.

So here are the routes with all our recommendations.

Please note, during this time you should call any attraction before arriving and make sure it is open.

Prefer quiet and turquoise beaches?

Go to the islands in the south.

The Rosenthal family in Copenhagen (Photo: Photos by surfers, Arik Rosenthal)

Central and Northern Thailand route: Bangkok, Kanchanaburi, Chiang Mai, Pai

When we arrived in Thailand we landed in Bangkok and traveled there for five fun days. Bangkok has been closed for a long time following the corona and is now coming to life again and the attractions, restaurants and markets are gradually opening up. This is also the case in the rest of Thailand, except for Phuket and Copenhagen where everything is open. It will still take time for Thailand to get back to its crazy and vibrant pace and vibe, but in our eyes there is a special charm to a less busy trip when there are fewer tourist-laden queues. Masks are not walked around throughout the resorts, but in enclosed spaces, writers and some of the attractions and markets, masks should be worn.

Here is a recommendation for two high-class hotels that we especially loved in Bangkok, and get ready for luxurious meals that you will not forget for a long time:

In the city center: Courtyard by Marrtiott

in the Sukhumvit area: Bangkok Marriott Marquis Queen's Park

* Amusement and water parks: Siam amazing park and Dream World.

The first is also suitable for older children because it has roller coasters.

The second is mostly for younger children.

* Alon Miller's food tour of Chinatown - a special and unconventional experience on one of the most colorful, vibrant and intriguing streets in Bangkok, in the heart of the Chinese food scene.

A two-hour drive will take you to Kanchanaburi.

It is recommended to stay there for three days at a resort on the banks of the Kwai River and enjoy the stunning nature, the famous bridge, the markets that are starting to wake up and a kayak trip on the pastoral river.

If you decide to travel to Kanchanaburi you will have to return to Bangkok again and board a flight to Chiang Mai.

A special and unconventional experience.

Food tour with Alon Miller in Chinatown Bangkok (Photo: Photos by surfers, Eric Rosenthal)

Efrat in the Old City of Bangkok (Photo: Photos by surfers, Arik Rosenthal)

Arawan Falls, Kanchanaburi

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Chiang Mai: The sticky white waterfalls

From Bangkok we flew to northern Thailand and continued for five days in Chiang Mai.

We chose to take a simple and comfortable hotel located in the central area of ​​the old city called Wangburapa Grand Hotel because it offers connected and cheap family rooms for families.

Of course there are more luxurious hotels in the city if you want to be pampered.

It's all a matter of budget and whether your plan is to stay in a hotel all day or travel.

* Grand Canyon - A stunning inflatable park with facilities, slides and a water park for children in the open.

do not miss!

One of the most beautiful and memorable places in our journey.

* The sticky white waterfalls (Bua Thong Waterfall) - a waterfall route whose uniqueness is that you can climb the rough white rock to the top inside the waterfall itself.

Suitable for families who like to travel on a mild to moderate level of difficulty.

* Night Market in the Old City - a stunning experience of flavors, full of tropical fruits, banana lotti and smiling Thais.

The Grand Canyon in Chiang Mai

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Pai: A town amazing in its beauty

From Chiang Mai we drove for three and a half hours to the beautiful town of Pai. It is recommended to dedicate five days to her, and much more is possible. We totally fell in love with her and stayed there for a month and a half. We're still waiting to get back to her.

We stayed at the Medio de pai, a charming and clean 3-star hotel in the central area close to the night market.

* Night Market on Walking Street - a must! A crazy experience we have never experienced anywhere else. Insanely delicious food and a happy atmosphere when the sidewalk is full of tourists.

* The warm springs. Please note - there is the nature site of the stunning and perfect hot springs with the perfect water temperature which is fun to spend a whole day, and there is the public government site of the hot springs which in our eyes is less recommended and the water in it is too hot.

* The White Big Buddha - a stunning experience at height. Climb some stairs in modest attire and come to a place to see sunsets from it.

* The Bamboo Bridge - A stunning walk on a bamboo bridge between beautiful green rice fields, near a forest where Buddhist monks live.

This place looks like it was taken from a painting.

The bamboo bridge in Pai

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Southern Thailand route: Phuket, Khao-Lak, Khao-Suk, Kosmoy, Ko Phangan

We recommend starting in Phuket, because there are more attractions for children, and from there continuing to the eastern islands and hiking in Kosmoy and Copenhagen for a relaxing back-to-back vacation at the beaches and pools. The ideal division in our opinion: five days in Phuket, three days in Kosmoy, five days in Copenhagen. Those who travel over two weeks can add a two-day trip to Khao Sok Reserve and Chao Lan Lake. It's a stunning experience. It is also possible to add four days in the Khao Lak area and take in a pampering resort. You can also add three days in the beautiful Krabi.

Recommended hotels where we were in Phuket:

Phuket Marriott

Amari

SAii

Renaissance

and if you are really in the luxury and pampering section then Como Point Yamu

* Blue tree water park - a water park with a beautiful artificial beach, with slip-and-play slides, omega and cliffs for jumping.

* Splash Water Park - A classic water park with water slides of all types and sizes.

* Weekend Market in Phuket Town, Old Town - Beautiful street with spectacular colorful buildings, good food stalls, happy music and street performances. The perfect weekend getaway.

* Rabbit Hole - A beautiful place with omega, waterfalls and animals like horses, rabbits and ducks . you can feed the animals or just enjoy the sight of waterfalls and green paths.

* Hanuman World - Park Omega as equals we were in Thailand, and we were by far. Apart from the trust ziplines very long, you will find there the device - Roller unique.

Kata, Paradise, Banana Beach - Beaches with white sand and the turquoise water color of Thailand.

Blue tree water park, where an artificial beach is spectacular in its beauty (Photo: Photos by surfers, Arik Rosenthal)

Phuket Night Market (Photo: Photos by surfers, Arik Rosenthal)

Kopenhagen: A perfect cliff for jumping into the sea

We were in Cosmoi for a week and it was relatively empty. It is recommended to reach the Chaweng area and Silver Beach and the special rocks (Mamas and Papas rocks) on Lamai beach, and there are also some restaurants with a crazy infinity view.

From there you will continue for five days to Copenhagen. The most luxurious hotels on the island are Anantara, Buri Rasa Village and Santhiya in the Tong Nai Pan area. Keep in mind that the area is about a twenty-minute drive from the center of things. It is recommended to spend time in the Sritano area and experience the lively atmosphere, the stunning restaurants and beaches and also visit the main Shabbat market in Tongsala. In Sritano you will find some relatively simple resorts that are close to the beach or located right on the beach. Other recommended resorts: Try Koh Ma resort, Zee, Akuna or Haadson Resort. The Summer resort is also in the center and has an excellent spa.

* Do not miss the Koh Raham restaurant in Hudson in Secret Beach. There is a perfect cliff for a jump into the sea full of colorful fish, hammocks, swings and an end view.

Zen Beach, Hadrin, Had Yahoo, Than Sadet, Koh Ma, Ban Manali and Hin Kong in the Red Sunsets.

The Rosenthal family in Copenhagen (Photo: Photos by surfers, Arik Rosenthal)

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Cao Suk and Cao Luck

Those who come to Khao Sok - enough to sleep there for one or two nights.

We recommend Rock and tree house in the reserve, similar to Katkat village with B & Bs on a cliff side, and 500 Rai - the most beautiful floating resort on the lake (its price is relatively expensive although it is simple, it's simple because it is so pastoral and special).

A magical and rare experience with a kayak cruise on the lake in front of a crazy view.

In Khao Lak you can enjoy luxurious hotels with or without water slides.

We most loved Eden Beach Resort and The Sands which is perfect for families with children and features decorated rooms like ships, a huge playground and a water park.

In the area you can go kayaking or the Omega Zipline track.

Water Park in Kao Sok

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The Sands - a perfect resort for families

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Krabi

If you have decided to visit Krabi as well, we recommend the Deevana Plaza Hotel which is located on the central beach or Nang.

We got to see the most beautiful sunsets there.

* Rock climbing - an amazing and empowering experience for children and adults.

There are 2 such climbing sites.

* The Hot Springs - Krabi Hot Springs (Klong Thom).

A nature site with hot pools that flow into a cold river.

This combination is rare and fun to spend an entire day there.

* Riley Beach - One of the most beautiful beaches to be reached by long tail boat from Krabi.

A sandy bay with spectacular huge rocks and clear water in all shades of blue.

Exotic power lizards roam the beach making the experience wilder and crazier.

do not miss.

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