Train Thailand 2012

Newsletter No.2

Now that the State Championships are well and truly over it is time to focus on the International training camp to be held in the city of Singburi in Thailand next year. Newsletter No 1 detailed the dates and a proposed itinerary for the camp alone. Visit http://www.queensland-selfdefence.com.au/news/2011/camp_train_thailand_newsletter.aspx to review.

It is essential that students, family and friends who intend travelling to Thailand for this event request a registration document from their Instructor. The cut-off date for registration is 30^th September and this deadline is not flexible. Once the registrations have been received the organizing committee will be able to respond with firm costs and dates for a payment plan.

For a rough estimate of costs please note the following, as a guide only:

- Flight: Brisbane - Sydney - Bangkok - Sydney - Brisbane with Qantas Economy Class is AUD$1,117 per adult, inclusive of taxes.
1 night at a hotel in Bangkok, AUD$30 including breakfast.
- 3 nights accommodation with breakfast at Singburi ranges from 600 Baht for a standard room for two, to 900 Baht for a VIP room for two. The current exchange rate is 32 Baht to the AUD dollar so $20 or $30 respectively. Needless to say shopping and eating in Thailand is excellent value.
Camp cost, including tuition, three t-shirts and a cap will be AUD$65.
- Camp participant meals - Friday lunch, Friday welcome dinner, Saturday lunch, Saturday market dinner, Sunday lunch, Sunday farewell dinner and Monday lunch en route to Bangkok in total should not cost more than the equivalent of AUD$50 per person, soft drinks included.
- Family and friends who will be sightseeing on Saturday and Sunday should not spend much more than the equivalent of AUD$50 per person for meals, also - drinks excluded.

So, as a guide for Taekwon-Do students the cost will be approx. AUD$1,420 for return flights, 4 nights accommodation, camp and food. The only unknown at this stage is the cost of the bus from Bangkok - Singburi - Bangkok.

Sightseeing for family and friends on the Saturday and Sunday of the camp will be arranged when we know how many and what sort of places are in demand; we will look after these bookings.

The big decision that must be made, in addition to attending the camp, is what you wish to do afterwards. The bus will return to Bangkok mid to late afternoon on Monday, 2^nd April, and drop everyone off at their respective hotels. However, if flights out are required for Monday evening then this needs to be known by 30^th September.

Those wishing to stay in Bangkok for Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings and depart Thursday evening need to decide whether they want to be offered a variety of sightseeing options or would rather ‘go it alone’. It would make sense for everyone to stay at the same hotel. A bus can be arranged to take a group to the airport.

Please complete the documents as accurately as possible - by all means “Google” for possible things to do and places to see. We will do our best to accommodate your wishes.