May I bring a guest with me?

Each dealer can register two people to share a hotel room and attend all events and activities. You will register the primary person first and will have the opportunity to add one guest before you submit your online registration. If you would like to bring more than two people, contact Program Headquarters at 847-519-2255 (press 1) or via email at Bernina@proghq.com.

May I extend my stay?

Based on availability, you may pre-extend at the Shangri-La Hotel, Bangkok. Please indicate your preferred hotel arrival date on your registration. The cost to pre-extend at the Shangri-La Hotel, Bangkok, is 6,000 THB plus 17.7% tax and service charge (approx. $208 USD) per night, including breakfast for double occupancy. Also based on availability, you may post-extend at the Shangri-La Hotel, Chiang Mai. Please indicate your preferred hotel departure date on your registration. The cost to post-extend at the Shangri-La Hotel, Chiang Mai, is 5,800 THB (approx. $171 USD) per night, including tax, service charge and breakfast for double occupancy. In addition to the extra nights at the hotel, you will also be responsible for any increase in airfare due to your deviation.

NOTE: Due to flight schedules to Thailand, you will depart from your home city on one day and arrive in Bangkok the following night. If you would prefer to depart from the U.S. on March 30 and enjoy a free day to get acclimated to the time change, BERNINA will pay for the additional night (March 31) at the Shangri-La Hotel, Bangkok. For your return to the U.S., you will depart from Thailand on the evening of April 6 or morning of April 7.

What kind of identification do I need for travel to Thailand?

A valid passport is required for travel to Thailand. It must be valid for at least six months beyond your scheduled return date. TSA requires that we have the full legal name (including middle name) EXACTLY as it appears on the passport, as well as gender and date of birth for each person traveling. Please have this information available before you fill out the online registration form. Travel documents must be carried on your person and be readily available after deplaning as well. By law, you must carry your passport with you at all times in Thailand.

What should I wear?

Daytime: Daytime touring attire should be casual with comfortable walking shoes. Shorts are acceptable during the day on Sunday and Wednesday; however, shorts are not acceptable on Saturday and Monday when we visit the temples or on Tuesday when we visit the factory.

When entering temples, modest clothing is required. For the ladies, wear a skirt or dress that covers the knees or pants and a nontransparent top with sleeves that cover the shoulders. A shawl thrown over the shoulders is NOT acceptable. For the men, wear long pants and a shirt with sleeves that cover the shoulders. Thai culture is tightly controlled by etiquette; much of it based on the people’s Buddhist religion. Revealing clothing, worn by either men or women, is frowned upon. Prior to entering any temple, you must always take off your shoes. Most temples have outside shelves for shoes.

Evenings: Business casual – a casual dress, capri outfit, or slacks and blouse is appropriate for women; a sport, oxford, or polo shirt and casual or dress slacks for men is appropriate (no shorts or jeans, please).

What are the average temperatures in early April?

Located just north of the equator, Bangkok is a tropical metropolis that is sunny most of the year, with high humidity and warm temperatures. The average high temperature in Bangkok for early April is 95˚F, and the average low is 77˚F. Click here for additional Bangkok weather information.

Chiang Mai has a tropical climate but is cooler and less humid than elsewhere in Thailand. The average high temperature in Chiang Mai for early April is 98˚F, and the average low is 71˚F. Click here for additional Chiang Mai weather information. 

What time zone is Thailand in?

Thailand is 12 hours ahead of the Eastern time zone. When it is 11:00 p.m. in Thailand, it is 8:00 a.m. Pacific time, 9:00 a.m. Mountain time, 10:00 a.m. Central time and 11:00 a.m. Eastern time.

What are the Shangri-La Hotels’ check-in and checkout times?

Check-in: 2:00 p.m.                   Checkout: 12:00 noon

Do the hotels have internet access?

Complimentary Wi-Fi is available in your guestroom and in select public areas at both the Shangri-La Hotel, Bangkok, and Shangri-La Hotel, Chiang Mai. If you do not plan to bring your laptop, you can access your email and the Internet from a computer workstation in the business center at your own expense.

Is it safe to drink the water in Thailand?

It is recommended that visitors drink water from bottles only; however, ice cubes are safe to ingest at the Shangri-La Hotels and at all restaurants where the group will be dining. Complimentary bottled water is provided at the Shangri-La Hotels, and your guestroom will be replenished daily.

What is the electrical current in Thailand?

The electric current in Thailand is 220 volts at 50 cycles per second. You will need an adapter and might need a converter, depending on which electrical appliances you bring with you. Most laptop and phone chargers are dual voltage (i.e., they operate equally well on 110 and 220 volts), so they require only an adapter. A hair dryer is available in each guestroom at both Shangri-La Hotels. A limited supply of converters and adaptors is available through hotel guest services.

What is the currency in Thailand?

The currency of Thailand is the Thai baht (THB). It is subdivided into 100 satang. Tiny copper coins represent 25 and 50 satang; silver coins are 1B and 5B. The larger 10B coin is silver with a copper inset. Bank notes come in denominations of 20B (green), 50B (blue), 100B (red), 500B (purple) and 1,000B (brown). Foreign currency exchange is available at the hotels’ reception desk.

Will my cell phone work in Thailand?

Please check with your cell phone company regarding their signal and charges for using your phone and data while traveling to Thailand. You may want to purchase a special short-term rate plan to use your phone and data in Thailand during program dates.

If I have a question not addressed in this FAQ, whom do I contact?

You may contact Program Headquarters at 847-519-2255 (press 1) or via email at Bernina@proghq.com.