FAQs

Question

When should I RSVP by?

Answer

ASAP! In all seriousness, the Thai people are known for their friendly hospitable nature. Gale's family is SOOOO excited to welcome all of Wes' family and friends to their hometown. They would like to make it an extra-special experience. In order to do so, they would like a "head count" for the wedding asap. Please indicate on the Save the Date reply your interest in attending :) A digital wedding invitation will be forthcoming to those who have shared an interest in the Save the Date reply. The final RSVP for the celebration will be due by March 1st.

Question

When should I arrive to Bangkok?

Answer

We suggest landing in Bangkok no later than Thursday, July 3rd, 2025. We'd love for you to have a chance to acclimate to the weather and time before the welcome dinner on Friday night, July 4th, 2025. Bangkok is +12 hours from CST / +13 hours from MST.

Question

How long should I plan to be there?

Answer

The welcome dinner is on Friday, July 4th, 2025, followed by the wedding weekend. We welcome you to travel around Thailand or other neighboring countries before or after the wedding. For more information/suggestions, please feel free to contact Gale/Wes at wesgaleduke@gmail.com!

Question

What is the weather like?

Answer

A typical day ranges from a high of 89°F (32°C) to a low of 77°F (25°C). Historically, July is a rainy season with lower temperatures than other months but please keep in mind that Thailand is tropical weather -- humidity is real! Along with your warm weather clothes, we recommend bringing a rain jacket/umbrella and sandals, just in case.

Question

What should I wear to the wedding?

Answer

Your favorite cocktail dress in any color! We don't have any traditional style specifically.

Question

Where else I can travel to besides Bangkok?

Answer

Domestically, we recommend traveling north to the Chiangmai or Chiangrai provinces (1 hour by plane, 8 hours by car). A closer drivable option is a mountain town called 'Khao-Yai', which means big mountain in Saraburi province (2.45 - 3 hours by car). Our beaches in the south are some of the most beautiful beaches in the world! Because July is, unfortunately, monsoon season and offers somewhat spotty weather, we would recommend spots along the Gulf of Thailand Ocean (Koh Tao, Koh Samui, Koh Pangan) rather than the Andaman Ocean side (Phuket, Krabi) at this time of year. Internationally, we recommend Japan, Taiwan, Indonesia, and Vietnam.

Question

I've never traveled to Asia before, what else should I know?

Answer

Credit cards with no foreign transaction fees Cash: bring $ cash to exchange at a Superrich Exchange for Thai Baht (THB) (cash only is requested at many food vendors) SIM card: get a roaming package from a US carrier or get a travel SIM Card in Thailand (make sure your phone is unlocked from your main carrier) Adapter: The standard voltage is 220 V at a frequency of 50 Hz. When in doubt, universal adaptors and Apple wall charging blocks do well with most outlets. Tipping: Tipping is not expected in Thailand, but a small gratuity is appreciated for exceptional service like Massage/Spa/Taxi. For such a service at a restaurant, 10% of the total bill is already automatically charged. So, tips are not needed for those places.

Question

Airline Options and Lay-Overs

Answer

It depends on from where you fly out. Layovers are varied based on airlines such as UAE, Doha, Dubai, Turkey, Japan, Taiwan, Hongkong, and South Korea. If you are coming from east coast US, you will fly over Europe from JFK or ATL. If you are on the west coast US, you will fly over the Pacific Ocean. For example, United has direct flights from Denver (DEN) to Japan (NRT) for 14 hours, layovers in Tokyo Narita airport for 2 hours, and then Japan (NRT) - Bangkok (BKK) for 6 hours.

Question

How much money will I be spending?

Answer

Your budget will obviously depends on what you are planning to do, how many days of travel, and whether you will be traveling within/outside Thailand. Without a doubt, your biggest expense (and possibly bigger than all other expenses combined) will be your plane ticket. Once you get to Thailand, everything is pretty cheap. Street food starts at $2 and a bottle of water is at $0.30. The 5-star hotel ranges from $100-200 per night. It's more expensive if you dine at a full service restaurant as opposed to street food, but still significantly cheaper compared to the US. The currency is $1 = ~34 THB.

Question

What is the transportation in Bangkok?

Answer

Grab App: Grab is the superior ride-hailing app in the country; essentially acting like Uber/Lyft in the region. For the best rates, we recommend using Grab versus flagging down a taxi. BTS Sky train: Think NYC subway, but extremely clean and with beautiful views. The easiest, cheapest, and convenient way to travel throughout Bangkok's most popular neighborhoods! The BTS train is also perfect for day tours or mall hopping. MRT Subway: Another train that intersects with the BTS sky train and services further parts of Bangkok. Tuk Tuk: 3 wheeler car. It is a fun and memorable experience; however, fair warning that the drivers will likely overcharge you so it is important that you agree upon a price before taking off. Taxi Scooter: You will see the orange vest jacket flying everywhere on the road, that's our taxi scooter. It's the most convenient and fastest to skip the traffic and travel into the small alley. However, they don't provide helmets for every ride. We use it for a short distance like 1-3 miles. The price varies depending on the distance ranging from 20 THB (50 cents) to 100 THB ($3). Be careful and ride at your own risk.

Question

What is 'sabai'?

Answer

You may have heard that Thailand is known as 'The Land of Smiles'. Sabai (suh-bye) is the spirit that plays a big part of coining this nickname. Sabai has multiple meanings, including "happy," "comfortable," and "pleasant". Sabai is a core part of the Thai philosophy of life, which emphasizes maintaining a peaceful and buoyant spirit. In Thailand, the line between work and relaxation is less distinct, and the two can be shared in the same time and space. If someone asks you "Sabai dee mai?" (How are you?), you can reply with a smile and say "Sabai sabai" to indicate that you're feeling fine :)