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| Home » Thailand Travel »Thailand Travel Tips
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| DESTINATION THAILAND |
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THAILAND TRAVEL TIPS |
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 QUICK GUIDANCE,... |
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| To help you plan an exciting holiday in Thailand, we provide the complete travel tip resource from foreign exchange to passport and visa requirement, customs to weather, useful transport to public holidays of Thailand. You will find here all you need to know for a trip of lifetime in Thailand by browsing through the sections below.
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| THAILAND TRAVEL TIPS |
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THAILAND TRAVEL TRIPS |
COUPLE OF WORDS
Thailand is one of the most beautiful countries in the world. Buddhism is a way of life in Thailand and with the reverence the people have for the monarchy, a dynasty that has maintained the independence of the country for centuries, the result for the Thais is a blend of tradition with contemporary living. A holiday to this destination can combine the beauty of the Golden Triangle’s temples and remote hill tribes north of Chiang Mai, the beaches of Pattaya , Krabi, Phuket, Kod Samui and the dynamic capital Bangkok. |
1. THAILAND PASSPORT AND VISA
According to the visa regulation of Thailand, all nationalities except for citizens of countries having bilateral agreements on visa exemption with Thailand, are required to have visa when entering Thailand. The Thai visa can be obtained in a Thai Embassy or Consulate-General. To apply for Thailand visa, the applicants are required to present the original passport with validity of at least 6 months after the date of entry to Thailand, and plus 2 photos.
At this time, nationals from 41 countries can now stay in Thailand for up to 30 days with an entry visa. The visitors from 20 others countries can obtain a 15 day tourist visa on arrival at following international check points. The categories of visas in Thailand are transiting, visitor transit, tourist, non-quota immigrant. Additionally, holders of transit, visitor transit and tourist visas are not allowed to work in Thailand.
THAILAND VISA EXEMPTION
The immigration regulation of Thailand allows the passport holders from below 40 countries and 1 special administrative region – Hong Kong SAR , to enter Thailand for tourism purposes without visa They will be permitted to stay in the Kingdom for a period of not exceeding 30 days on each visit and may re-enter and stay in Thailand for a cumulative duration of stay of not exceeding 90 days within any 6 month period from the date of first entry.
The nationals: Australia , Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Bahrain, Brunei Darussalam , Canada, Denmark, Finland , France , Germany, Greece, Hong Kong , Iceland, Indonesia , Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea , Kuwait , Luxembourg , Malaysia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Peru, Philippines , Portugal , Qatar, Singapore, Spain, South Africa, Sweden , Switzerland, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom , United States of America, Vietnam
THAILAND VISA ON ARRIVAL
The immigration regulation of Thailand allows the citizen of below 20 countries to obtain a 15 days tourist visa on arrival at international entry gate with passport valid for at least 6 months after the date of entry to Thailand.
The nationals: Bhutan , China , Cyprus, Czech, Estonia, Hungary , India, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Maldives, Mauritius, Oman, Poland, Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia , Slovakia, Slovenia, Ukraine
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2. THAILAND CUSTOMS AND FORMALITIES
The official declaration forms must be filled in and presented with your luggage to customs on arrival. According to the custom regulation, the travelers excluding a crew member or a traveler below the age of 16, shall be allowed to import free of import duties and taxes the following goods, in addition to necessary wearing apparel and personal effects including personal jewelry: 1 liter of sprits and 2 liters of wine, 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250 grams of tobacco, 1/4 liter of toilet water and 50 grams of perfume, one used camera or video camera with 10 rolls of film, one used cine-camera, one used audio-cassette recorder, one used radio receiver, used articles for sport and a camping tent with accessories, one used perambulator.
The commercial goods and items of high value being taken out of Laos require export permits from the customs service. The export of local currency is forbidden. The travellers can take with them unlimited amounts of souvenirs bought with receipts to show proof of purchase. The prohibited items are antiques, non-prescribed drugs, firearms, pornography. |
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3. THAILAND CURRENCY EXCHANGE
US dollar traveller cheques can be conveniently cashed at all provincial banks and authorised money changers. Traveller cheques in other currencies are best changed in Bangkok where better rates prevail. Generally, hotel exchange rates are lower then those offered by banks and authorised money changers. Major international credit cards, such as American Express, Diners, Carte Blanche, Master Card and VISA are accepted by major banks, restaurants, hotels and shops. Thai and foreign banks provide standard services nation-wide, Monday through Friday, except public and bank holidays, between 8.30 AM and 3.30 PM. Major banks such as Bangkok Bank, Thai Danu Bank, Thai Farmers Bank and Siam Commercial Bank operate currency exchange centres in most tourist areas from 7.00 AM to 9.00 PM, seven days a week, including holidays. Many first-class hotels provide 24'-hour money exchange services, but only for major currencies such as American dollars, British pounds, German marks and Swiss francs. Travellers cheques are generally accepted only from bona fide hotel guests.
Credit cards are widely accepted in department stores, major hotels, up-market shops and restaurants. They can also be used for cash advances at banks and exchange counters. The most commonly accepted cards are VISA and MasterCard, followed by American Express, JCB and Diners Club.
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4. THAILAND CURRENCY
The baht is divided into loo satang. "Copper" coins are valued at 25 and 50 satang. "Silver" coins are in denominations of 1' 2 and 5 baht. A 10 baht coin is composed of both "silver" and "copper". Banknotes are valued at 10 baht (brown), 20 baht (green), 50 baht (blue), 100 baht (red), 500 baht (purple) and 1,000 baht (khaki).
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5. THAILAND ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES
The electric current in Cambodia is 220 volts AC at 50 Cycles per second. To operate small appliances, laptop computers or other electronic gadgets, you will need a multi-adapter. You should check with an electronics store before leaving your home. |
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6. THAILAND HEALTH REQUIREMENTS
No vaccinations are required except for yellow fever if you are coming from an area where the disease is present. However visitors should be inoculated against typhoid, cholera, hepatitis A & B, tetanus and polio. The malaria is present in most of the region and it is advisable to take precautions especially if traveling off the beaten track. The medical facilities are rather limited in all countries and it is essential to take out a good medical insurance policy before traveling in case evacuation is needed. |
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7. THAILAND CLIMATE
The centre of Thailand, the north, northeast and east have three seasons: hot (February and March to June), rainy (June to September and October) and cool (October to January and February). Countrywide, humidity is high almost all year.
Temperatures in Bangkok are mostly hot, with highs of around 35° C in April, dropping to roughly 30° C in December. This is the best time to visit, when cool breezes make sightseeing much more pleasant. The monsoon rains usually come in brief but heavy downpours - sometimes producing flash floods - followed by sunshine.
The north (especially Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai and Mae Hong Son) and the northeast can become chilly around New Year, with night-time lows of 11-13°C . Bring warm clothing. However, daytime temperatures are in the high 20° C, reaching the mid-to-high 30°C in April. Rainfall, although is not as heavy as in Bangkok.
The south, roughly from Prachuap Khiri Khan to the Malaysian border, has two seasons; rainy and dry. It is always hot and humid, and the rainfall here is heavier than the rest of the country, especially from March through November. Temperature highs range from 30-36°C on the eastern side of the southern peninsular and dip slightly on the western side, from 28/29° C to 33/34° C. |
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8. THAILAND FOODS
The Thai cuisine is distinctive, thanks to liberal use of spicy ingredients, and combines the best of Chinese and Indian culinary traditions- noodles, curries, sweet and sour dishes, lengthily cooked and fast-cooked ingredients, exotic spices and condiments - while retaining its own very special character.
The food parks, or centres, usually in large shopping malls and hotels, are unusual Thai ventures. Numerous restaurants offer every imaginable type of Asian cuisine and huge colour pictures of dishes assist diners in their choices. Open-air garden restaurants, and riverine restaurants, are more peaceful and are favoured in the evenings by most Bangkokians. Menus are extensive. Service is prompt. Prices are reasonable. All kinds of regional Thai food can be sampled. Special dinners can be enjoyed on boats cruising the Chao Phraya River. Soft breezes, candlelight dining and distant music create romantic moods. Seafood restaurants are also popular. They offer a wide choice of fresh ingredients, charcoal grilled or broiled to individual requests, and a fine selection of local and imported wines. Some tourist-oriented restaurants present selected Thai classical and folk dances. Guests sit around low tables, often in traditional surroundings, with teak panelling and floors, classic paintings and precious porcelain. A combination of Thai cuisine, music, silk, orchids and graceful dances creates memorable evenings.
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9. THAILAND TELECOMMUNICATION
+ Telephone: The telecommunication services in Thailand are on par with international standard, especially in urban areas such as Bangkok. There are two fixed line service provider in Bangkok: Telephone Organization of Thailand (TOT), a state enterprise, and Telecom Asia (TA) , a private company. Fixed line for offices and residences are abundance and phones can be installed usually in a few days. Local call charge is at 3 baht per call. Outside Bangkok area, phone services are provided by TOT and another private company, TT&T Public Co., Ltd.
International call services in Thailand are also at an international level. Direct connections to almost every country are provided by the Communication Authority of Thailand (CAT). Since the beginning of the year 2004, there was significant decrease in international rates to many countries around the world. When making international calls to Thailand, add 66 and omit the leading 0. When making international calls from Thailand, first dial 001+country code + area code +telephone number
+ Hand phone : mobile phones services are also plentiful. There are 3 service providers utilizing GSM technology: Advance Info Service (AIS), Total Access Communication (DTAC), and TA Orange. Further more, there is one CDMA provider, Hutch, and one Digital PCS provider, Thai Mobile. Therefore, mobile phones in Thailand are easily available at competitive price and wide range of options. Most of the providers have both prepaid and subscription option as choices for customers. A Subscriber Identity Module Card (SIM Card) is now available for Thai and foreign customers who are travelling around for work. The SIM Card must be used in conjunction with a Digital GSM mobile phone within the 900-MHz range or a Digital PCN mobile phone within the 1800-MHz range.
+ Internet services : Thailand has been expanding its information service for residents and tourists alike through the Internet system. Services are now available at Thailand's leading hotels and at the many " Cyber-Cafes " that are cropping up in all major tourist destinations.
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10. THAILAND DOMESTIC FLIGHTS
The domestic travel during public holidays and on weekends, particularly to popular destinations, should be booked well in advance for all modes of transportation. Booking is particularly difficult during the Songkran Holiday and New Year's Holiday.
The local major carriers Thai Airways(TG) and Bangkok Airways (PG) fly to most major provincial airports beyond 250 km distance from Bangkok. Thai Airways' 2 most popular routes are Chiang Mai and Phuket. Services to Koh Samui and Sukhothai are only provided by Bangkok Airways. The other smaller local carriers include Angel Air (mainly servicing Phuket) , Nok Air, Airasia and PB Air which flies to fewer destinations. In addition, Air Andaman services is limited to the Southern cities only. These small airline companies are quite often reviewing the timetable of these regular flights according to the aircraft load , however the published timetables may not be relied on. |
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11. THAILAND INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS
The international airports are Don Muang airport and Suvarnabhumi airport in Bangkok City , Chiang Mai airport in Chiang Mai City, Chiang Rai airport in Chiang Rai Town, Phuket airport in Phu Ket City, Hat Yai airport in Hat Yai, U-Tapao airport in Pattaya, Udon Thani airport in Udon Thani.
The airline companies currently serving Thailand are Air Andaman (2Y ), Air Mandalay (6T), Angel Airline (8G), Myanmar Airways (8M), PB Air (9Q), Phuket Air (9R), American Airlines (AA), Air Canada (AC),Air France (AF), Finnair (AY), British Airways (BA), Biman Bangladesh Airlines (BG), Royal Brunei (BI), Eva Airlines (BR), Air China (CA), China Airlines (CI),Canadian Airlines (CP), Cathay Pacific Airways (CX), China Southern (CZ), Emirates Airlines (EK), Garuda Indonesia (GA), Gulf Air (GF), Japan Airlines (JL), Korean Airlines (KE), KLM Royal Dutch Airlines (KL), Kuwait Airways (KU), Lufthansa German Airlines (LH), Swiss Air (LX), El Al Israeli Airlines (LY), Malev Hungarian Airlines (MA), Malaysian Airlines (MH), China Eastern Airlines (MU), All Nippon Airways (NH), Northwest Airlines (NW), Air New Zealand (NZ), Olympic Airways (OA), Austrian Airlines (OS), Asiana Airlines (OZ), Laos Airlines (QV), Bangkok Airways (PG), Pakistan Int'l Airlines (PK), Philippines Airlines (PR), Ukrain International Airlines (PS), Qantas Airways (QF), South African Airlines (SA), Scandinavian Airlines System (SK), Singapore Airlines (SQ), Aeroflot Airlines (SU), Thai International Airways (TG),Turkish Airlines (TK), United Airlines (UA), Srilanka Airlines (UL), Vietnam Airlines (VN) , Aerosvit Ukrainian Airlines (VV)
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12. THAILAND AIRPORT TAX
The airport tax for domestic flight is currently included in the airfare except flight from Kod Samui. The tax at this airport is Baht 50 for all domestic flights. The airport tax for international flights is currently Baht 500 per passenger. Children under two years are exempt. |
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13. THAILAND RAIL TRANSPORT
The excellent railway network extends over 4600km (2860 miles), linking all major towns with the exception of Phuket. It is run by State Railways of Thailand. It has recently been extended to serve centers on the east coast. There are four main trunk routes to the northern, eastern, southern and northeastern regions, and also a line serving Thon Buri, River Kwai Bridge and Nam Tok. There are several daily services on each route, with air-conditioned, sleeping and restaurant cars on the principal trains. The journeys are leisurely and comfortable, and traveling by train is certainly one of the best ways to get around the country. The Southern Line Express stops at Surat Thani for those who wish to continue by bus and ferry to the islands off the east coast. Most railway timetables are published in English.
The express trains, sleepers are available in three classes: first and second class (air-conditioned), and second class (non air-conditioned, but with fans). |
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14. THAILAND ROAD TRANSPORT
Thailand has, depending on the season, up to 1600km (1000 miles) of navigable inland waterway. Services operate between Thanon Tok and Nonthaburi, and luxury cruises are available on the Oriental Queen. Long-tailed motorboats and taxi-boat ferries also operate. Strong competition on all of the major routes ensures that fares are kept low. Reduced services operate during the monsoon season from May through to October along the east coast and Andaman coast, and from November through until January on the Gulf coast. The more remote spots become inaccessible in these periods. |
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15. THAILAND RIVER
The Mekong and other rivers are a vital part of the country’s transport system. The choice is between irregular slow ferries and exciting but noisy and hazardous speedboats. These services run from Vientiane to Luang Prabang and Luang Prabang to Houexay. The ferries often depart early in the mornings and can take several days, whilst speedboats run more regularly and take approximately eight hours for each leg of the journey. The times and prices alter according to demand. The private jet boats can be hired from Lao River Exploration Services. |
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16. OVERLAND TO THAILAND
The country of Thailand borders Laos , Cambodia , Malaysia and Myanmar. The overland border crossing are available at the below entry points. The visa on arrival at these border gates may not be available however you need to have Thailand visa beforehand.
+ The entry from Laos: There are border crossing at Chieng Saen in Chiang Rai province opposite Houeixay - Bokeo, Nong Khai in Nongkhai province opposite Friendship Bridge – Vientiane of Laos, Chong Mek in Ubon Rachathani province ( no visa on arrival) opposite Vangtao – Champasack of Laos, Mukdahan in Mukdahan province ( no visa on arrival) opposite Savanakhet of Laos , Nkhon Phnom in Nkhon Phnom province ( no visa on arrival) opposite Thakhaek – Khammouane of Laos
+ The entry from Cambodia: There are border crossing at Klong Yai in Trat province opposite Cham Yeam - Koh Kong of Cambodia and Aranyaprathet in Sa Kaeo province opposite Poipet - Banteay Meanchey of Cambodia
+ The entry from Malaysia: There are border crossing at Su Ngai Go Lok in Narathiwas province and Betong in Yala province
+ The entry from Myanmar: There are border crossing at Mae Sai in Chiang Rai province , Mabtaput in Ranong and Three Pagodas Pass in Kanchanaburi propvince.
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17. THAILAND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
The Thai Calendar Thailand has adopted the western calendar to divide the year into days, weeks and months, using Thai names for these units. Years are numbered according to the Buddhist era (BE) which commenced 543 years before the Christian era. Therefore 2003 AD is BE 2546 and 2004 is BE 2547. National public holidays Thailand's national public holidays are linked to religious or agricultural traditions and follow the lunar calendar, therefore the dates for some of the holidays change each year.
HOLIDAYS IN THAILAND
New Year's Eve : 31 December, New Year's Day : 1 January, Makha Bucha Day : late January to early March, Chakri Day : 6 April, Songkran Day : 13 April , National Labour Day : 1 May, Coronation Day : 5 May, Visakha Bucha Day : May, Asanha Bucha Day : July, Khao Phansa (Buddhist Lent) : July , HM the Queen's Birthday : 12 August , Chulalongkorn Day : 23 October , HM the King's Birthday : 5 December , Constitution Day : 10 December
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18. BUSINESS HOURS
The opening time of offices varies depending on business sectors. They are usually open from Monday to Friday from 07:30 or 08:00 until 17:00 or 18:00 and often close for lunch between 11:30 and 13:00. In some business sectors, also open Saturday morning. The banks are generally open from Monday to Friday from 8h00 to 15h30. The shops open early and close any time between 18:00 and 22:00 during 7 days a week. |
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19. TIME ZONE
The time in Laos is 7 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) and lies in the same time zone as its neighbors Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam.
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20. USERFUL PHONE NUMBER
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