Thailand

Thailand is divided into four distinct areas : the mountainous North, the fertile Central Plains, the semi-arid plateau of the Northeast, and the peninsula South, distinguished by its many beautiful tropical beaches and offshore islands.

Visa

Temporary visitors who are exempted from applying for an entry visa must be of the nationality of and holding a valid passport or travelling documents issued by :

Persons meeting the above conditions are exempted from a visa and are permitted to remain in the Kingdom for a period not exceeding 30 days, except for the nationals of the Republic of Korea, Brazil, and Peru who are permitted to stay in Thailand for a maximum of 90 days from the day of entry.
Note : Please check the period of stay stamped in your passport upon entry into the Kingdom.

For more details contact the Immigration Division, Soi Suan Phlu, Sathon Tai Rd., Bangkok 10120
Tel : (662) 287-3101 - 10
Fax : (662) 287-1740

Getting to Thailand

By Air:
Bangkok is Thailand's major gateway. Most visitors arrive through Bangkok's Don Muang International Airport which is connected by daily flights to Europe, North America, Asia and Australia aboard the world's major airlines. Spanning an area of 6.21 sq.kms, Bangkok International Airport is Thailand's most important gateway and has annually welcomed over 25 million passengers from 81 scheduled airlines. It operates on a 24-hour basis.

By Rail:
Regular rail services link Singapore and Bangkok. Intermediary stops include Kuala Lumpur, Butterworth and major southern Thai towns.

By Road:
Overland entrance to Thailand is restricted to three road crossings on the Thai-Malaysian border in Songkhla,Yala and Narathiwat.

For more information on public transportation, please click here.

Climate

While Thailand is tropical, and therefore hot and humid, there are regional temperature variations. Bangkok's seasons are divided as follows: Hot: March to mid-June: 27-35 C (80-95F); Rainy: June to October: 24-32 C (75-90 F); Cool: Nov. to Feb: 18-32 C (65-90 F), but lower humidity.

Clothing

Clothes should be light and loose; natural fibres or blends are best. Sunglasses are essential; light hats are advisable. Shorts are taboo for men and women at temples and mosques. Shoes must be removed upon entering temple buildings, so slip-ons are best.

Language

Thai, the country's official language, is spoken by nearly all its people. English language fluency is limited to city residents; even fewer speak Asian or European languages. Hotel personnel speak English and travel agency guides are fluent in several languages.

Money Matters

The Thai baht is divided into 100 satangs. Paper currency includes a 1,000 (grey), 500 (purple), 100 (red), 50 (blue), and 20 (green) baht note. Ten-baht coins are brass disks in a silver ring, five-baht coins are silver with copper rims. One-baht coins are silver. The 50 and 25 satangs coins are brass. The baht is rated around 45 baht/dollar. Newspapers list daily exchange rates. There is no currency black market. Most establishments accept traveller cheques but not personal cheques.

Banks

Only banks in the major cities can handle currency transfers. In cities and resorts, banks operate currency exchange kiosks accepting two dozen currencies at rates set each day by the government's Bank of Thailand.

Thai Dates

The dates found on many old buildings accord to the birthdate of the Buddha in 543 B.C. To calculate the Roman date, subtract 543 from the Thai date i.e. B.E. 2477 - 543 = A.D. 1934.

Local Time

GMT + 7 hours.

Business hours

Business hours are from 8 or 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Some businesses are open Saturdays 8:30-12. Government offices are open 8:30-4:30, Monday through Friday. Banks open from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. Money-changing kiosks open 8:30-8 daily. Post offices hours are 8:30-4 p.m.. The General Post Office on New Road between Suriwong and Siphya Roads opens M-F, 8:30-4:30; Sat, 8:30-12:30. Department stores are open 10-9, seven days a week. Shops, restaurants, and pharmacies open at 8:30 or 9 a.m.; most close at 10 p.m.

Currency

There are 100 satangs in 1 baht. (B=baht) Notes are issued in denominations of B1000 (gray), B500 (purple), B100 (red), B50 (blue), B20 (green), and B10 (brown). There are 10, 5 and 1 baht coin, and 50 and 25 satang. Most foreign currencies and traveller cheques are easily changed at banks, hotels or moneychangers. All major credit cards are widely accepted throughout the kingdom.

Credit Cards

American Express, Diner's Club, Mastercard, and Visa are widely accepted in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket, and major up-country towns. Expect a 3-5% surcharge. Credit cards can also be used in the ATMs of major Bangkok banks to receive an equivalent amount in baht.

Electricity

Electrical outlets are rated at 220 volts, 50 cycles, and accept flat-pronged plugs. More details of electrical adapter plugs.

Post Office and Communication

Post offices provide mailing, packing, shipping, and telephone services. In Bangkok, place long-distance calls from the General Post Office in the Nava Building on Soi Braisanee, just north of the GPO, or from the Telephone Organisation of Thailand's office on Ploenchit Road. Both are open 24 hours a day. Most large hotels have telephones, telegrams, mail, telex, and FAX facilities. First-class hotel rooms have IDD phones.

Health Emergencies

Are first-class hotels, doctors are on call for medical emergencies. For more serious cases, ambulances convey you to hospitals equal to those in major Western cities, with Intensive Care Units fully equipped to handle any emergency. Many doctors have been trained in Western hospitals but locally-trained doctors are also first-rate and usually speak English.

Police Emergencies

In Bangkok, the police emergency number is 191. There are also Tourist Police assigned to assist travellers. Find them at the Tourist Assistance Centre at the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) headquarters, at 372 Bamrungmuang Rd. (Tel: 226-0060, 226-0072, Ext. 311-317), and on the corner of Rama 4 and Silom roads. Most Tourist Policemen speak English.

Tourist Information

Tourism Authority of Thailand domestic branches provide details of tours and services in that area.