Justifi Thailand: Winter 2014/2015 December 23rd to January 1st Justifi Itinerary and Contact Information
Emergency Contacts Trip Organizers, Primary Contacts:
Chabad Centers of Thailand:
US Embassy of Bangkok:
Trip Senior Educator
[email protected] Steve Marcinuk, (Trips Director, International Contact)
[email protected], +1.203.309.0093 (International) http://www.jewishthailand.com/ +(66) 2 663 0244 (Jewish Assoc. of Thailand) +(66) 2 6292770 (Chabad of Bangkok) +(66) 81 870 2249 (Chabad of Chiang Mai, Mobile of Rabbi) http://bangkok.usembassy.gov/ +(66) 2 205 4049 (Emergency from Outside Thailand) 1 888 407 4747 (Department of Overseas Citizens)
Lodging and Websites (Subject to Change)
Bangkok: Khaosan Holiday, 66(0) 26295494, http://www.khaosanholiday.com Chiang Mai: CH Hotel, +66(0)29330205, http://chhotelchiangmai.com Chiang Rai: Tanya Inn, +66 53 744 966
Flight Requirements:
NOTE: Our program officially starts at 8am December 23rd in the lobby of the hotel. Arriving Flight Requirements: Please book your flight to arrive in the evening of December 22nd, or at least several hours before 8am on December 23rd. Our program starts at 8am in the hotel lobby on the first day of the trip, arriving the night before will ensure that you feel well rested. On the final registration form, you may request a hotel room the night before if you like. Departing Flight Requirements: We will finish our trip in Bangkok, at the DMK domestic airport (note NOT the BKK international airport) after 1pm on January 1st. If you want to book onward travel in Thailand, plan to fly out of DMK after 4pm. If you plan to fly internationally that evening, plan to book your flight after 7pm on January 1st out of BKK international airport. There is a safe and free shuttle service between the domestic and international airports.
Arrival Instructions: Thailand does not require a visa in advance for visitors from most developed countries. See visahq.com/ to confirm your status. Most tourists get a 30 day visa on arrival, free of charge. Once you clear customs and have picked up your suitcase, visit an ATM to withdraw spending money. We recommend you withdraw at least 3,000 Baht ($100 USD) to get started. If you want to get a telephone, go to level 1 in the arrivals terminal and visit either the DTAC stand or the TruMove stand (two leading telephone companies in Thailand) and you can purchase get a simple phone with local service for approximately $30 USD. They can also help you get a SIM card for your unlocked phone from back home. Once you have your money and luggage, follow the “public taxi” signs outside and tell the desk that you are going to Khaosan Road (pronounced Cow Sahn). Give the slip of paper written in Thai to the driver and enjoy the ride for 60 90 minutes depending on traffic. The taxi will take you close to the hotel, to the top of the street. Khaosan Holiday is located on a small sidestreet about halfway down Khaosan Road. Look for a small purple sign that says “Sawasdee Bangkok Inn” (there's a few purple signs for Sawasdee Inns, this is the smallest one), across from the Khaosan Palace hotel, turn left to walk behind the renovation area, and look for the sign that says “Khaosan Holiday.” Dip into the small sidestreet, turn right, and you’ll see the hotel lobby with many glowing colored lights in the front.
Itinerary: Due to the fact that we're actively developing better, richer programming, this itinerary is subject to change. Note: Justifi will cover kosher options from Chabad or our own chef in Chiang Rai for most meals of the program. However, please budget to pay for up to 5 meals on your own about $510 per meal, you’ll always have access to a kosher option. Monday December 22rd Evening: We encourage participants to arrive the night before the program and head to the hotel. We will have a small block of rooms reserved, please contact us if you'd like to confirm one of them. This will be a modest additional expense payable online before the trip. For kosher food needs before the trip, there is a Chabad center with a restaurant a short walking distance from the hotel. Staff can help direct you. Tuesday December 23rd: Arrive in Bangkok, Get Settled, Orientation, Tour of Bangkok. 8am Team meets trip leader in lobby of hotel Walk to Chabad, orientation in Chabad of Bangkok Large breakfast before the first day! 125pm Bangkok Adventure! (Get an authentic taste of the city, in an unexpected way... Details to follow!) 5pm6pm Regroup back at the hotel, decompress, first impressions of Thailand! Evening Optional Dinner, Group outing Wednesday December 24th: Bangkok, Human Trafficking Education Part 1: The Issues 8am: Quick breakfast, group session. 9:30 am: Depart for Home of New Beginnings women’s shelter 11am 4pm: Issues Orientation with Home of New Beginnings Learn about human trafficking in Thailand Return to Hotel 6:00 – 8pm Free Time for Dinner 8pm Depart for bus station, ready for overnight buses 10pm: Deluxe Overnight Tour Bus to Chiang Mai
Thursday December 25th: Human Trafficking Education Part 2: Legal Perspective & Prevention Early Morning: Arrive at Hotel, Get Checked in, Rest 9:30am Breakfast at Chabad of Chiang Mai 111pm Meet with Thai founder of multifaceted humantrafficking task force. Break for Lunch Games and Exercises, Case Studies Q&A About Human Trafficking and Prevention 25pm: Service project with local homeless youth 6pm Sunset at Doi Suthep! Gorgeous mountain overlooking Chiang Mai. Evening Free time for dinner Check in session 9pm: Night out in Chiang Mai to local night venues Friday December 26th: Elephant Park, Free time, Shabbat! 7am to 2pm Depart for Elephant Sanctuary! Bath and ride welltreated elephants in a sustainable elephant camp. 2pm5pm Free time for massage, rest, food and swimming. Early Evening: Preshabbat preparations Shabbat: Candle lighting Communal Shabbat meal with Israeli backpackers at local Chabad center Oneg Shabbat (postmeal celebration) at the hotel
Saturday December 27th: Chiang Mai, Shabbat Shabbat: Optional sessions/classes available all day. Before Sunset: Group Session, entering the week. Havdalah Service and group check in session 8:30 pm: Free time for Shopping in Chiang Mai Night Bazaar 10:30 pm: Social night out in Chiang Mai! Sunday December 28th: Travel to Chiang Rai, Service work with local NGO Morning: Check out of Hotel Songtau to the bus station 7:15 AM: 3hr bus to Chiang Rai Late morning: Arrive, check in to the Tanya Inn Lunch Afternoon: Visit to Tom Karen's Center for Service Project with kids Evening: Dinner (optional) 7:15 pm: Group Session: Preparing classes to teach the children. 8:30 pm: Excursion into town Visit night bazaar and optional massage. Monday December 29th: Full Day at Tom Karen's Center Morning: Breakfast at the Hotel Group session All Day: Depart for Tom Karen's Center Multiple stations for service at Tom Karen's Center Includes painting, Designing murals, teaching children, visiting the local school for english games, swimming in the reservoir, cooking class, etc Evening: Return to the hotel Dinner (optional) Group Session Optional: Excursion into town, local night venue, live music
Tuesday December 30th: Chiang Rai, Karen Tribe Village School Morning: Breakfast & group session Depart for local school Late Morning: Service work at local middle school Leading classes with local children Afternoon: Sports activities and Thai arts demonstration Other service work as requested. After school activities with the children Evening: Dinner (optional) Optional excursion into town, festivities. Wednesday December 31st: Final Day with Tom Karen's Center, Cultural Activities Morning: Breakfast Group session Afternoon: Finish service work at Tom Karen’s Center Evening: Dinner & check In Concluding Sessions: Bringing it all back home Paper lantern release by the river! Last night out in Chiang Rai Thursday January 1st: Conclusion Morning: Breakfast Final Group activity bringing it all back home. About 12pm: Flight to Bangkok, DMK Airport (Domestic Airport) Free shuttle to BKK main international airport. Evening: International Flight Home OR: Option to extend and stay in SE Asia
