Frequently asked questions
Do I need a visa to visit Thailand?
Most nationalities are issued a 30 day visa stamp on entry in to the country. This can be extended by visiting the local immigration office or making a “visa run” to the Cambodia border.
If you are planning a longer stay in Thailand, more than 60 days, you should consider applying for a 60 day tourist visa at a Thai Consulate office in your area. If you need additional info, please contact us.
How do I get to the Sailing School?
The Sailing School is based on the eastern seaboard of Thailand, 2 hours south east of Bangkok and about 10 minutes south of Pattaya City at the Ocean Marina Yacht Club, approximately 1 kilometer past the Ambassador City Hotel, our local landmark.
The Sailing School facility is located directly across from the entrance to OceanMarina Hotel.
If you are arriving at the Suvarnabhumi International Airport the easiest way to get to Ocean Marina is to take a taxi from the airport. After clearing airport customs, take a left through the doors and follow signs to the “Taxi Stand” and taxi counter. You will pay 1,500baht, up to 3 passengers, at the taxi counter for the 1.5-2 hour drive. Occasionally the driver may not be familiar with Ocean Marina. In that case, mention that we are about 1 kilometer south of the Ambassador Hotel, Thailand’s largest hotel, and they will find us with no problem.
There is also a bus and mini-van service that will save you some money, but does not operate 24 hours a day. You will also need to get from the Pattaya bus stop to your hotel by hiring a local taxi.
It is also possible to have us arrange a private car and driver to pick you up at the airport upon arrival, cost 2,000baht for up to 3 passengers. You will need to supply flight details and keep us posted of any flight changes. This charge can be added to your course cost.
What should I bring when attending the Sailing Course?
Most students wear shorts and a crew or T-shirt while aboard the boat. Hats, sunscreen, non-marking soft soled boat shoes or barefooted, swim wear etc. are options. A light rain jacket can come in handy if it rains or to keep you warm during the night sailing portions of the course.
It is also recommended to have a pair of sailing gloves, available here at Ocean Marina for about 1,000 Baht.
All other course materials are supplied. You are welcome to bring along any other personal gear you may require but it is recommended that you try to keep items brought aboard the training boat to a comfortable minimum.
What is the Payment, Cancellation and Refund Policy?
After selecting course or events dates, we require a 25% deposit to confirm your booking and reserve your place for your selected dates.
Unless other arrangements have been made, total payment is due on the first day of class or before departure for other sailing events and can be paid by cash in our office or online using a credit card and/or Paypal. Contact us for other payment options.
We understand that your schedule can change. Should a student cancel his enrollment before the course date, the deposit is non-refundable, but we are usually able to transfer your deposit payment to other more convenient dates without additional charge.
In truth, if you make a payment and then want your money back, we typically just give it back minus any transfer costs, but we do reserve the right.
In the event you do need to re-schedule your dates or cancel a booking, please give as much notice as possible so we can fill the vacancy.
Should a student "no show" or decide to not continue with the training program or event, for any reason, we reserve the right to award a refund, either all, part or none of the payment received, on an individual basis.
Please contact us if you have any issues.
