TotallyOz Posted May 12, 2012 Posted May 12, 2012 You guys have been wonderful in giving me information and I hope some can help with this. I am going to India. I want to take my Thai BF. Does he need a visa? Is it hard for him to get? Would I be able to get it fast? Is Visa on Entry possible? Quote
Guest fountainhall Posted May 12, 2012 Posted May 12, 2012 Sorry I can't advise on visas, but I'm really wondering if your boyfriend will enjoy visiting India. If you were going to some of the major tourist areas like the Taj Mahal and the vibrant cities in Rajasthan, it might be different. But despite its cultural history, Pune is primarily an industrial and manufacturing centre. I have never been there with a Thai, but I would not take a bf with me as I feel he'd be pretty bored most of the time. Plus the poverty takes some getting used to. Quote
TotallyOz Posted May 12, 2012 Author Posted May 12, 2012 We would go to the Taj and to Mumbai and Pune. We'd stay in a really nice place in Mumbai. I am not sure he would get more bored with me there than he would anywhere else. Not sure what that says about me, but..... Quote
Guest fountainhall Posted May 13, 2012 Posted May 13, 2012 It's 20 years ago since I was in Agra and I know that pollution has got much worse in that time. But if the weather is more or less clear, try and visit the Taj twice. Get there in the dark just before dawn and then gaze in wonder as the sky slowly brightens and the sun (hopefully) starts to hit the stucture. It actually changes colour before your eyes. Then go back mid-morning or mid-afternoon. Mid-day is lousy for photos because the sun is directly above. Sadly, don't even try to get a 'Diana' photo of your bf in front of the Taj - unless with your influence you can get it closed for a day It's always packed with thousands of visitors. Copyright: Iconic Photos As I am sure you have already been advised, also take the 40 km trip to the nearby almost perfectly preserved Fatehpur Sikri. This was built in the late 16th century to be the grand capital of the Mughal Empire. Yet, it was abandoned only 10 years later. Quote
pong Posted May 13, 2012 Posted May 13, 2012 You guys have been wonderful in giving me information and I hope some can help with this. I am going to India. I want to take my Thai BF. Does he need a visa? Is it hard for him to get? Would I be able to get it fast? Is Visa on Entry possible? Very same-same as for you: same time, same cost, NOT on entry-of course not,the tipical Indian burocarts will need their way (mainly to make sure its not a Paki terrorist in hiding-their utmost biggest fear). So combine and hiot 2 with same nail. I very much doubt if the tipical or slightly untipical Thai MB/BF will like it, there seems to be an eternal disgust between these 2 rice-eating Asian nations. Quote
Guest Posted May 13, 2012 Posted May 13, 2012 I very much doubt if the tipical or slightly untipical Thai MB/BF will like it, there seems to be an eternal disgust between these 2 rice-eating Asian nations. Good point. I remember one Thai guy reluctantly sampling a couple of my Indian dishes in a Pattaya shopping mall. After sampling a microscopic portion of each dish (about 1 cubic mm), he confidently pronounced he didn't like it. Mind you, whilst Indian cooking is excellent, I've so far not been brave enough to risk visiting the country. Quote
TotallyOz Posted May 13, 2012 Author Posted May 13, 2012 I had a long conversation with the BF and he wants to go on the trip. If I am able to get us both visas, we will both go. He said that he thought it would be good for him to see a new place and learn new things. I told him I would be working part of the time but he said that was OK. We will spend most of our time in Pune but some in Mumbai and Delhi. We will only have about 2 weeks there so we will try to squeeze as much as possible into the 2 weekends. I hear that many see the Taj and another major World Heritage site. But, I have a lot to do to get ready for this trip and figuring out the transportation, hotels, etc to make sure the BF has a good time just added to the things I need to do. Quote
Guest fountainhall Posted May 13, 2012 Posted May 13, 2012 I hear that many see the Taj and another major World Heritage site That's Fatehpur Sikri. It's easy to do them both in one day. Pre-dawn and dawn at the Taj, mid-morning at Fatehpur Sikri, lunch and then the Taj again in the afternoon. I've never been to Pune. Frankly I found Mumbai boring - apart from the colonial architecture - and Delhi only one notch above boring. Plus in both you will be fighting horrible traffic all the time. So do try and add in 2 nights somewhere in Rajasthan which is vastly more interesting. Jaipur is absolutely fascinating. It's the closest to Agra (a 30-minute flight), but you can also do it as a week-end trip from Pune or Mumbai. Push the boat out and stay at the former Maharajah's home, the Rambagh Palace. There are many major sights, including the Pink Palace, the Lake Palace, and for an afternoon trip take an elephant ride up to the gorgeous Amber Fort about 10kms outside of town. Far more fascinating and exciting than Mumbai or Delhi! Quote
firecat69 Posted May 13, 2012 Posted May 13, 2012 Michael my friend you have no idea how much work you have to do. India is a pain in the ass country for everything but especially for arranging travel such as trains, hotels , tours etc. On my around the world trip I spent more time trying to arrange things in India then I did in the other 22 countries combined. I finally gave up and xxx 'd India and put in Bali. Best decision I ever made. Good Luck and bring lots of Immodium etc etc etc Quote
fedssocr Posted May 14, 2012 Posted May 14, 2012 Google is your friend. Yes, Thai nationals need a visa. It appears that it must be arranged in advance. This place looks like a visa agent in Bangkok for Indian visas http://www.ivac-th.com/index.html Note that there is an online application option Tourist visa is good for 2 entries in 6 months validity period. Fees look reasonable to me Quote
Guest fountainhall Posted May 14, 2012 Posted May 14, 2012 bring lots of Immodium etc etc etc Vital! Always drink only bottled water. And never use ice in drinks. You have no idea where the water came from. Quote
Guest fountainhall Posted May 14, 2012 Posted May 14, 2012 To give you a sampling of Jaipur, here are a few pics from the internet. I cannot find any copyright on any, except the one from the India Tourism Travel. Pink Palace City Palace Jai Mahal Palace Rambagh Palace Hotel Rambagh Palace Detail Amber Fort Quote
Guest fountainhall Posted May 14, 2012 Posted May 14, 2012 I have a lot to do to get ready for this trip and figuring out the transportation, hotels, etc to make sure the BF has a good time just added to the things I need to do. To help you out - and perhaps encourage you to week-end in Jaipur(!) - there is a daily flight on SpiceJet SG342 departing Pune at 07:55 arriving Jaipur at 10:50. The return SG345 departs Jaipur at 20:05 and gets to Pune at 22:55. These flights have a 30 minute interim stop. Unfortunately, there are no non-stop flights. Price is around Bt. 3,560 return per passenger for Saturday/Sunday flights. Flights can be booked on the internet on this site - http://spicejet.com/ I have looked through a ton of connections, but there seems no easy way of getting out and connecting to Jaipur on a Friday night. Quote
