Thailand - The Rough Guide to Southeast Asia on a Budget - page 703

MEDITATION CENTRES AND RETREATS
Of the hundreds of meditation temples in Thailand, a few cater specifically for foreigners
by holding meditation sessions and retreats in English. The meditation is mostly Vipassana,
or “insight”, which emphasizes the minute observation of internal physical sensation.
Novices and practised meditators alike are welcome. Longer retreats are for the serious-
minded only: there's usually around eight hours of meditation per day; tobacco, alcohol,
drugs and sex are forbidden; there's generally no eating after midday and no talking; and
conditions are spartan. In the south, the most famous retreat centre for foreigners is at Wat
Suan Mokkh ( W suanmokkh-idh.org), an hour north of Surat Thani, with a branch on Ko
Samui ( W dipabhavan.org), while frequent ten-day retreats are held at Wat Khao Tham on
Ko Pha Ngan (see p.790). For options in the north, head to the Northern Insight Meditation
Centre at Wat Ram Poeng or the International Buddhism Centre at Doi Suthep, both just
outside Chiang Mai (see p.750).

10

COMMUNICATIONS
International mail takes around a week
from Bangkok, longer (up to two weeks)
from more isolated areas. Almost all main
post o ces across the country operate a
poste restante service and will hold
letters for two to three months. Surface
packages take three months.
Internet access is available at private
outlets almost everywhere in hailand,
averaging B2 per minute in tourist
centres, and as little as B20 per hour
upcountry, especially in Bangkok. Wi-fi
has made rapid inroads and is now
offered free at nearly all guesthouses, as
well as at many cafés and restaurants.
Most foreign mobile-phone networks
have links with hai networks, but you
might want to check roaming rates,
which are often exorbitant, before you
leave home. To get round this, most
travellers purchase a hai pre-paid SIM
card (1-2-Call is the biggest network with
the best coverage). Available for as little as
B50 (sometimes free at airports) and
refillable at 7-Elevens around the country,
they offer very cheap calls, both
domestically and internationally
(especially if you use low-cost
international prefixes such as 1-2-Call's
003). he cheapest option, of course, is
to find a guesthouse or café with free
wi-fi and Skype from your own device;
Skype is also available on the computers
in most internet cafés.
Note that hai area codes have been
incorporated into the subscriber number
so even when phoning from the same
city, you must dial the entire number.

equipment (leaving you to focus on
breathing steadily and equalizing), are a
wonderful introduction to the
underwater world. Always verify the dive
instructors' PADI or equivalent
credentials, as this guarantees a certain
level of professionalism. here are
currently recompression chambers in
Bangkok, Pattaya, on Ko Samui and
on Phuket.

OTHER OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
hailand's other major outdoor activities
are snorkelling , which is so widespread
that you may want to buy your own
equipment rather than rent the often-
ropey local gear; and sea kayaking - most
famous are the guided tours among Krabi
and Phang Nga's lagoon caves (see box,
p.809), but you'll find kayaks to rent (or
sometimes free at your resort) on scores
of beaches. Mountain-bike rental is
sometimes available, but most islands are
considerably mountainous, so be prepared
for a workout and bring lots of water. At
Railay, in the south, you will find one of
the best rock-climbing destinations in the
world, with towering limestone cliffs.
Sailing , windsurfing and kiteboarding
courses and rental are offered on most of
the main islands, and fishing tours are also
plentiful. But to truly appreciate your
surroundings while working up a sweat
there's beach volleyball and football , a
sunset phenomenon on most island
beaches and great way to make new
friends; there's truly nothing like
freshening up after a big game with a
sunset swim in the ocean.