PASSPORT
Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months following your scheduled return to your countries.  Also make sure to have enough blank page available in your passport for visa.  Blank amendments and Endorsement pages are not acceptable.  If both of these requirement are not met, you may be refused enter to a country.
Remarks: US citizen can visit National Passport Information Center website : http://www.travel.state.gov

VISA
US citizen require an entry visa for Vietnam and Cambodia.

Cambodia visa: Can be obtained upon arrival at Siem Reap airport.  Fee US$ 20.00 per person.

You will need to fill out an application form with 2 recent photos (2"x2") per person.  This application form is available on board during your flight to Cambodia or at the arrival hall of Siem Reap airport.  We recommend that you      fill out the form ready prior to arrival to Siem Reap so that you can go to the immigration line right away.  

Tourist visa is valid for 30 days.

Vietnam visa: Must obtain your visa prior to arrival to Vietnam.  Fee US$ 25.00 per person.

You will need to fill out an application form with 2 recent photos (2"x2") per person. You can apply for a visa in Bangkok. You may use the local visa agent who can apply for you with the fee of US$ 25.

They required 3 working days. Delivery service to your hotelis available. 

HEALTH CHECK
If you take medication regularly, make sure to pack enough with extra supply that will last your entire trip.  To get refill of your medication can be difficult in some areas during your trip.  Pack your medication in your carry on bag with original labeled containers.   To be prepared for any unforeseen loss of your medications, you should bring copies of the prescriptions, using the generic drug name rather than a brand name. 

Prevention of Malaria:

Discuss with your doctor regarding your trip to rural area of Vietnam or Cambodia on the post convention tours.
For further information, your health care professional can obtain the CDC document "Prescription Drugs of Malaria" available in CDC website

Diarrhea Precautions: 

The greatest health risk in Southeast Asia is diarrhea, caused by eating contaminated fruit or vegetable or drinking contaminated water.  TCOT has carefully chosen the restaurants for your group meals and food is generally as safe as in restaurants in your country.  We also provide drinking water for all the tours and transfers we handled. Mild case of diarrhea may respond to Imodium or Pepto - Bismol which can be purchased at the local drug stores.

Remark: In Thailand, we do have specialized doctors in hospital with multi - language staff on service.

Thailand now turns to be medical hub for Asian countries.

EMERGENCY PHOTOCOPIES

The most security precaution you can take is to carry photocopies of your personal information pages of your passport, air ticket, credit cards, extra passport sized photos, phone and fax number for reporting lost of credit cards.  Keep them separate from the original ones

REGIONAL WEATHER INFORMATION

Bangkok, Thailand

Summer from February to June.  Rainy season from July to October.  Cool season from November to January.
You will experience the hot weather almost year round

In the north of Thailand, Chiangmai & Chiangrai; lowest temperature will be 45 degree F 

Siem Reap, Cambodia

Siem Reap and Bangkok have more or less the same tropical climate

Hanoi, Vietnam

North Vietnam, Hanoi onward, experience 2 seasons - summer and winter.  Summer from May to October with some typhoons occasionally bring stormy weather.  Winter between November and April.

Saigon, Vietnam

South of Vietnam, Saigon has tropical climate with 2 seasons,  hot and wet.  Hot and dry season from December to April.  Rainy season from May to November

Remark: Checking weather condition.  Http://www.weather.com

Data shown are for sites we visit or the nearest regional equivalents. You may wish to check and monitor current weather conditions through internet site or weather channel.

PACK YOU LUGGAGE

Luggage allowance:                                                                                                                                       
Two pieces of luggage and also allowed on carry-on (size 9"x14"x 20" ) per person.  Keep your luggage light, leave some room for bringing souvenirs home.

Your Lock and Luggage:
Please do not lock you luggage when checking for flight within USA.  According to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), baggage handling agents may require access to the contents of your luggage and will break locks as required.  There are some locks available that are accepted and recognized  by TSA.  They have tools for opening and re-locking bags using those locks, which avoiding damage to the lock.

All flights out of USA : We strongly recommend you lock your luggage
Remark: Visit to TSA website for a list of accepted locks and other travel suggestion

Carry-On bags:
We recommend you to pack in your carry-on at least one full set change of clothes, camera, all medications, socks, underwear, important travel documents and irreplaceable items, in case your checked bags are delayed.

Clothing suggesting:
Beside the dressy and meeting clothing, comfortable informal apparel is perfectly acceptable at each of your destinations of your post trip.  Your travel clothes should be suitable for tropical weather, walking shoes, casual shirts and well as light pants or khakis are appropriate.

Rain gear - a folding umbrella is a worthwhile accessory.  A plastic raincoat and non-breathing polyester are good in the tropical regions.  The raincoat is too warm even during heavy rain

Remark: To help make your trip convenient as pleasant as possible, you may review lists of suggested travel gear on the website: http://www.travellite.org

Luggage handling
At airport, there are trolleys provided at no charge

Hotels can provide storage, for those who want to store luggage without charge. 
Appropriate tip US$ 3 per person for tipping the storage.

GENERAL  MATTERS

Hospitality desk:
There will be TCOT hospitality desk set in all official hotels use for Lion Convention.  Staff will help you with any information of the city, how to go around, restaurants for dining outside, general information and tours.

Credit Cards:                                                                                                                                               
All major credit cards, American Express, Visa, MasterCard are accepted

Please note that credit cards are not accepted by many local shops or in the market.  Check before purchase.

Currency:
Thai monetary unit is Baht.  Approximate exchange : Baht 34.00 to 1US$

Vietnamese monetary unit is Dong.  Approximate exchange Dong 15,000.00 to 1 US$

Sight-seeing:                                                                                                                                      
During your free time from the meeting, you may join the half or full day site-seeing

Contact TCOT hospitality desk at your hotel for details.  Payment can be made by credit cards.

Post Convention package tours

There are some post package tours for you to book prior to your arrival to Thailand.  Should you have any query or need tailor made package for your group, you many contact pea@TCOT.net

Payment Policy
Full payment is required when making the reservation.

Cancellation and Refund Policy

• In case of NO-SHOW or early check out, non refund will be made. (Considered as cancellation without the required advance notice)
• Amendment need to be made not less then 10 business days prior to check-in date (in case of emergency, please contact our reservation directly.)
• TCOT will not be responsible for any (additional) charges incurred after cancellations/ amendments without confirmation from our side

For authentication purposes, only written cancellation notices (e-mail or fax) will be accepted.

The refund will be made through bank transfer or through your credit card, depending on the original method of purchase. Additionally, although TCOT will instruct the bank to handle the crediting process immediately upon notification of cancellation, it could take from 4 to 6 weeks for the actual crediting to take place, depending on your Bank's practice.

Drinking water:
Throughout your trip, do not drink tap water.  You should drink only bottle water. 
Bottle water will be provided on tours.

Special dietary restrictions
Can be arrange upon request, vegetarian, no salt etc..
Kosher meal not available

Electric Current:
The electric current in Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia is 220 volts. If you bring your small appliances such as shaver, you will need an electric current transformer and a set of international plug adapters.  Your hotel can provide them.

Laundry service:
Laundry service and dry-cleaning are available at your hotel at specific fees.

Taxi service:
Both in Thailand and Vietnam, all taxi use meter.  No tip required

Tipping guidelines
Local restaurants where no service charge in the bill - 10% tip is appropriate
Hotel restaurants - service charge already charged in the bill
Hotel porterage - US$ 3  per couple
Taxi - no tip
Coach driver (half day tour) US$ 1 per person.  Full day US$ 2 per person
Tour guide (half day tour) US$ 2 per person.  Full day US$ 3 per person