|
|
Below you will find relevant details about travelling to, in and from Thailand. Visit
our [Directory] for details about tour
operators, accommodation and services.
Our [Multimedia] area features a
choice of Slideshows and Videos. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Traveling 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. Further international flights, mostly from Singapore, Kuala
Lumpur, Penang and Hong Kong, land on a less regular basis at the southern airports of
Phuket and Hat Yai and Chiang Mai in northern Thailand. Charter flights from Europe and
the Orient sometimes land in Bangkok, Phuket, Chiang Mai, Hat Yai and at U-Taphao for
Pattaya. |
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. |
By
Sea |
There are no regular steamship connections with
Thailand. Cargo ships calling at Bangkok's Klong Toey port sometimes have passenger cabin
facilities. Cruise ships, such as Cunard's Queen Elizabeth II, Royal Viking, or Pearl of
Scandinavia periodically visit Pattaya. |
|
Back to Top |
|
|
Traveling in Thailand |
By
Air |
Thai Airways International, Thailand's
national airline, flies to five destinations in the North, five in the Northeast, and
seven in the South.
Bangkok Airways (Tel: (02) 5237116, 25340'14-6, 5352497) flies to Samui Island and
Phuket.
Reservations can be made through any authorised Thai Inter Travel Agent.
Thai Airways International's Lan Luang Office is on 6 Lan Luang Road, Tel: 2800070,
2800080. The airline also organises 'Royal Orchid Holidays' tours to every destination it
flies to.
Our [Directory] features details
about accommodation and services packages and tour operator contacts. |
By
Rail |
An efficient rail system links major northern
and north-eastern towns with the capital. A southern route permits the visitor to travel
by train into Malaysia and Singapore.
Domestic express trains comprise first, second and third-class carriages.
Slower trains may have only third-class seats.
The State Railway of Thailand organises one- day, two-day economy tours to various
destinations on Saturdays, Sundays and official holidays.
Other tours include trips to Surat Thani (for Koh Samui), Chumphon and Chiang Mai.
Railway schedules can be obtained from Bangkok Railway Station, Tel: 223- 7010, 223-7020
and from most tour operators. |
By
Road |
A modern highway system reaches into all
corners of the kingdom with domestic bus services offering fast means of travel.
Air-conditioned tour coaches offer more comfort.
Bangkok's Northern / North-eastern Bus Terminal is on Phahonyothin Road, Tel: 2794484-7
(air-conditioned) and 2710101-5 (regular).
Bangkok's Southern Bus Terminal is on Pinklao-Nakhon Chaisri Road, Tel: 4351190, 4351200
(air-conditioned) and 4345558 (regular)..
Bangkok's Eastern Bus terminal is on Sukhumvit Road, Tel: 3929227, 3919829
(air-conditioned) and 3912504, 3922521 (regular). |
|
|
|
|
Back to Top |
|
|
Getting around in Bangkok |
Public
Transport |
Public buses are plentiful and cheap, with 3.50
baht minimum and 5 baht maximum fares to most destinations within metropolitan Bangkok.
Air- conditioned buses within Bangkok have minimum and maximum fares of 6 and 16 baht
respectively.
Red and grey Micro-Buses, also air conditioned and cost 25 baht for single journey.
A Bus Route Map is available at most hotels, bookshops and the TAT head office for 35
Baht.   |
Taxis and
Tuk Tuks |
Hotel taxis have fixed tariffs. Taxis cruising
the streets of Bangkok, and designated "taxi-meters" charge 35 baht for the
first 3 kilometres and approximately 5 baht for every kilometre thereafter.
Tuk-Tuk or three wheel taxis are quite popular among tourists for short journeys inside
Bangkok. Fares range from a minimum of 30 baht to a maximum of 150 baht and must be
bargained for. |
River
Taxis |
There are many boats plying the Chao Phraya River.
Some criss-cross between landings on opposite banks while the Chao Phraya Express boats
travel upstream and downstream within the metropolis. Fares range between 5 and 15
baht. |
|
Car
Hire |
People with valid International Driving
Licenses may want to hire a car or a motorbike as English road signs and maps are
commonplace.
The Bangkok Yellow Pages list local and international automobile rental companies.
Visitors are advised to shop around since most companies offer different conditions.
Self-drive and chauffeur-driven automobiles are widely available.
International car hire companies such as Avis and Hertz also operate in
Pattaya, Hat Yai, Phuket, Chiang Mai and Samui Island. |
|
Back to Top |
|
|
General Information |
ACCOMMODATION
Thailand has world-class accommodation which is probably unsurpassed in terms of
attentiveness, courteous service and affordability.
Major tourism destinations such as Bangkok, Pattaya, Chiang Mai and Phuket and thriving
commercial centres such as Hat Yai, Khon Kaen, Lampang and Nakhon Ratchasima offer modern,
first-class hotels with every conceivable convenience and international-standard
convention facilities for groups numbering from 200 to 2,000 and upwards.
Family-style hotels, bungalow complexes, guest houses, houseboats, hostels, motels,
spartan but clean Chinese-style inns and hotels, and beach-side huts complete a range of
accommodation costing anywhere from a few dollars to hundreds of dollars a night.
Current listings of accommodation and rates are available from Tourism Authority of
Thailand's local offices in and for Bangkok, Pattaya, Rayong, Cha-Am Nakhon
Nayok, Chiang
Mai, Chiang Rai, Phitsanulok, Nakhon Ratchasima, Ubon Ratchathani, Khon Kaen, Nakhon
Phanom, Hat Yai, Phuket, Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat and Narathivat.
A choice selection of all types of facilities and services can also be found in our
[Directory]. |
CURRENCY AND EXCHANGE
- Thai Currency
The Thai unit of currency is the Baht which is worth a little more than 3 US cents. One US
dollar = approximately 32 baht [Current Exchange Rates].
The baht is divided into 100 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).
- Traveler's Cheques/ Cheques
US dollar traveler cheques can be conveniently cashed at all provincial banks and
authorised money changers. Traveler 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. Travelers cheques are generally accepted
only from bona fide hotel guests.
- Credit Cards
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 US Dollars, British Pounds Sterling, German Marks and Swiss Francs.
|
RESERVATION SERVICES
Rail Train tickets of all classes may be purchased
90 days in advance at principal stations and at the Advance Booking Office (in Bangkok
Railway Station) during 08.30 AM. – 06.00 PM. on weekdays and 08.30 AM. - 12.00 AM.
on Saturdays, Sundays and official holidays.
Some major travel agents in Bangkok also provide train reservation services.
To obtain further information, please contact the Bangkok Advance Booking Office Tel.
2233762, 2247788, Telex: 72242 SRT BKK TH.
Air Plane tickets can be reserved through
any Thai Airways International Ltd. office in most major cities around the world, or
through any authorised THAI travel agents.. |
BUSINESS HOURS
Most commercial concerns in Bangkok operate on a five-day week basis. Government offices
are generally open between 8.30 AM and 4.30 PM with a noon to 1.00 PM lunch break, Monday
through Friday, except on public holidays.
Private businesses maintain much the same hours – starting from around 8.00 AM to
5.00 PM, with certain exceptions.
Most shops are open 12 hours a day, seven days a week. |
CLOTHING
Light, loose cotton clothing is best. Nylon should be avoided. Sweaters are
needed during Cool Season evenings or if visiting mountainous areas and remote national
parks. Jackets and ties are required in certain restaurants and night-clubs. |
ELECTRICITY
The electric current is 220 Volt AC (50 cycles) throughout the country.
There are many types of plugs and sockets in use. Travelers with shavers, tape recorders
and other appliances should bring fitting plug-adapter kits.
110 Volt transformers are often available in top rated hotels. |
PHOTOGRAPHY
Major international film manufacturers offer excellent developing and photofinishing
services throughout the Kingdom. Instant developing can be done within one hour.
Popular films are available countrywide at reasonable prices. Still photographers are free
to shoot almost everything, however video and movie cameras are not allowed to be used
without prior permission in Bangkok's Grand Palace and Emerald Buddha Chapel complex.
Photography is also prohibited in certain branches of the National Museum. |
NEWSPAPERS AND
MAGAZINES
Thailand's three English-language newspapers, namely The Nation, the Bangkok Post and
Thailand Times keep readers informed about local and international events.
Major English language magazines and newspapers such as the International Herald Tribune,
Wallstreet Journal, Newsweek, Time and Asiaweek are readily available at hotel newsagents,
supermarkets, department stores and leading bookstores. |
RADIO AND TELEVISION
There are some 200 commercial AM radio stations
battling for the Thai audience. FM radio offers a selection of popular music, classical
music, jazz, English-language news broad-casts and the original soundtracks of some movies
that shown on local television's five channels.
Leading hotels have colour televisions in each room, offering either video features,
satellite and / or cable television or tourism-related programmes in English. |
MEDICAL SERVICES
All tourism destinations and provincial capitals have hospitals and clinics staffed by
well-trained doctors and nurses. In cases of emergency, ambulances can also be summoned
from any private hospital.
Besides an abundance of traditional Thai and Chinese preparations and treatments there are
plenty of modern pharmacies, most of which offer a very good selection of medications and
professional advice. |
TIPPING
While it is not necessary to tip taxi drivers or cinema ushers, it is
customary to tip porters and hotel personnel who have given good personal service. A
10%-15% tip is appreciated in restaurants, particularly where service charge is waived. |
|
|
|
Back to Top |
|
|
Rules and Regulations |
ETIQUETTE
Polite behaviour is welcomed everywhere, and what is considered polite in other countries
is probably considered polite in Thailand, too.
However, there and a few cultural pitfalls, mainly social and religious taboos, the
breaking of which can cause offence:
For example, Thais revere their royal family. Even social malcontents who ignore legal and
community standards refuse to tolerate a faintly implied slight on the Thai monarchy.
Outward expressions of anger are regarded as crude and boorish. The visitor who remains
calm and smiles appreciatively will find all sorts of doors open to him.
Visitors should dress neatly in all religious shrines. They should never go shirtless, or
in shorts, hot pants or other unsuitable attire.
Shoes should be removed when entering private Thai homes; chapels where Buddhist images
are kept; and any of the Islamic community's mosques.
Each Buddha image, large or small, ruined or not, is regarded as being a sacred object.
Never climb onto one to take a photograph or do anything that might show lack of respect.
Public displays of affection between men and women are frowned upon. Westernised Thai
couples may hold hands but that's as far as it goes in polite society.
It is considered rude to point your foot at a person or object. Thais regard the head as
the highest part of the body, both literally and figuratively. Therefore, they do not
appreciate anyone patting them there, even as a friendly gesture. |
|
|
IMMIGRATION
Temporary visitors to Thailand for the purpose of pleasure who are exempted
from applying for entry visas must be of the nationality of and holding valid passports or
travelling documents and must enter the kingdom by passenger transports such as aircraft
or sea-going vessels of 500 registered tons and up; or through channels of immigration
check-points or border check-points on the Malaysian boundary; or enter by means of
passenger aircraft, sea-going vessel, rail, bus, taxi, touring coach or hired motor-cycle
and having: Fully paid ticket or other document belonging to the vehicle owner or to the
operator of the vehicle which is to be used for leaving the kingdom within the period
specified, or Documentary evidence of the owner or operator of the vehicle showing fully
paid reservation for the departure from the kingdom within the period specified.
Exempted are Malaysian nationals entering the kingdom by means of bus, hired car, touring
coach or hired motor-cycle through immigration check-points or border check-points
bordering on Malaysian territory, who need not have travelling ticket or documents
mentioned under Items 1 and 2.
Persons mentioned in the above conditions are exempted from visas and are permitted to
remain in the kingdom for a period not exceeding fifteen days from the day of entry. They
are not allowed to extend their stay for more than fifteen days, unless under unforeseen
circumstances such as illness or delay of aircraft departure.
Visitors wishing to stay in the kingdom for more than fifteen days are advised to apply to
missions in their countries. In the event there are no Thai diplomatic missions, they may
apply to missions in neighbouring countries, or forward their request and supporting
evidence to the Immigration Division, Soi Suan Phlu, Sathon Tai Rd., Bangkok 10120,
Thailand. Tel: 2873101-10
Visitors to Thailand may obtain Visas upon Arrival at Bangkok
International Airport, Chiang Mai International Airport, Phuket International Airport or
at Hat Yai International Airport.
They must also have a fully paid ticket which enables them to travel out of the kingdom
within the stipulated time. The application for a visa must be accompanied by a photograph
as well as the necessary fee.
Visitors from the following countries may now visit Thailand for up to 30 days without
requiring visas: Algeria, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Bahrain, Brunei,
Canada, Denmark, Egypt, Fiji, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Indonesia,
Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Djibouti, Kenya, Korea, Kuwait, Luxembourg, Malaysia,
Mauritania, Mexico, Morocco, Myanmar, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Papua New
Guinea, Philippines, Portugal, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Singapore, Slovenian, South
Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tunisia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom
of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United States of America, Vanuatu, Western Samoa
and Yemen.
Every kind of visa is valid for a 50-day period from the date of issue
Length of Stay: Transit Visa 30 days; Tourist Visa 60
days; Non-immigrant Visa 90 days
Note: Please check the period of stay stamped in your passport by the Immigration
officer upon arrival. Visitors who overstay their visa will, be fined 100 Baht for each
excess day upon their departure.
Visa Extensions: Applications for extension of
stay permit can be made at the local Immigration office for a fee of 500
baht. |
HEALTH REGULATIONS
No inoculations or vaccinations are required unless you are arriving from
or passing through contaminated areas.
Yellow fever certificates are required if you are arriving from one of the following
countries: -
Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Peru, Angola, Barkina Faso, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Mauritania,
Mali, Nigeria, Sudan and Zaire.
Note: Please check the latest regulations with your local Health Office and/or
Thai Representative. |
TOURIST POLICE
In 1982, the Tourist Police was set up to coordinate with the Tourism Authority of
Thailand in providing safety for tourists. Its responsibilities are receiving and
acknowledging claims and complaints; to conduct investigations and acting as
co-ordinator
of tourist security protection.
Presently, some 500 tourist policemen are stationed in major tourist areas such as the
Grand Palace, Phatphong and Lumphini Park.
Bi-lingual Tourist Police are attached to Tourism Authority of Thailand offices in
Bangkok, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Pattaya, Kanchanaburi, Nakhon Ratchasima, Ubon
Thani,
Khon Kaen, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Mae Hong Son, Phitsanulok, Nakhon Sawan, Surat
Thani,
Phuket and Songkhla to provide speedy assistance to visitors.
In case of an emergency, contact the Tourist Police Centre Unicohouse Building Soi Lang
Suan Ploenchit Rd., Bangkok Tel: 6521721. |
CUSTOMS
- Prohibited Items
All kinds of narcotics (hemp, opium, cocaine, morphine, heroin), obscene
literature, pictures or articles.
Fire Arms: Importation of firearms and ammunition can be done only after a permit has been
obtained from The Police Department or local Registration Office Personal Effects:
- Permitted Items
A reasonable amount of clothing for personal use, toilet articles, and professional
instruments may be brought in free of duty. Cameras: One still-camera or one movie camera
can be brought in without duty.
Five rolls of still-camera film or three rolls of 8 or 16 m.m. movie-camera film may be
brought in free of duty.
Tobacco, Alcoholic Beverages: Cigarettes, cigars, or smoking tobacco each or in total must
not exceed 250 grams in weight but cigarettes not exceeding 200 in quantity. One litre
each of wine or spirits may be brought in free of duty.
A reasonable amount of used household effects, accompanied by the owner on change of
domicile are also free of duty.
- Plants and Animals
Certain species of fruits, vegetables and plants are prohibited. Please contact the
Agricultural Regulatory Division, Bangkhen, Bangkok, Tel: 5791581, 5793576 for details. A
permission of Entry for animals coming in by air can be obtained at the airport. If by
sea, application must be made at the Department of Livestock Development, Bangkok, Tel:
2515136, 2526944. Vaccination certificates are required. 
- Export of Antiques
Objets D'Art from The Kingdom of Thailand, Buddha images, Bodhisattva
images or fragments thereof are forbidden to be taken out of Thailand. (With the
exceptions only for worshipping by Buddhists; or cultural exchanges; or studying purposes.
A license must be obtained from the Department of Fine. Arts).
A permit must be obtained from the Department of Fine Arts in order that such objects of
antiquity or objects of art, irrespective of whether they are original, or reproductions,
may be taken out of the country.
Procedure for license application: "Photograph the front view of
objects and make two postcard-size prints (not more than 5 pieces in one photograph) The
passport of the applicant must be photocopied Objects together with photographs and
applicant's passport with photocopy must be taken to: The National Museums Division,
Bangkok The Chiang Mai National Museum, Chiang Mai The Songkhla National Museum, Songkhla
at least four to seven days before the date of shipment or departure of the applicant in
order to process the application and for inspection".
For further information, telephone the Bangkok. National Museum at 2261661
- Temporary Import of a Vehicle for the Purpose of Tourism
Valid International Driving Licence and passport or equivalent
documents are required as well as Vehicle registration or, in the case of a borrowed
vehicle, authorisation documents from the owner Cash guarantee or bank guarantee or
personal guarantee is required.
If vehicle is brought in through Bangkok or Klong Toey Port, cash guarantee or bank
guarantee is essential. If entry is via land across the southern border then it is
acceptable to only complete the customs form, giving necessary details to the customs
officer and signing the record.
Permission is granted for a one month period from the date of entry, In the case of having
requested to bring the vehicle in for a period of just 5-10 days and then wishing to
extend the length of stay, a renewal can be granted free of charge by the Customs
Department.
Procedure: "Contact the customs office at the relevant
border. Customs officer will complete an additional incoming form and at the same time
check documents as in No.2 above and also fix the self-guarantee. In the case of cash or
bank guarantee, the customs officer will evaluate the price of the vehicle according to
its condition plus 20%"
- Exchange Control
Foreign tourists may freely bring in foreign banknotes or other types of
foreign exchange.
Upon leaving Thailand, a foreign tourist may freely take out foreign means of payments
which he brought in with him, with the exception that foreign notes or coins are limited
to a maximum equivalent of US$ 10,000 or the amount declared in writing to Customs upon
arrival.
Failure to do so may lead to arrest, confiscation of the excess amount involved and/or
prosecution.
For travellers leaving Thailand, the maximum amount of local currency
permitted to be taken out of the country without prior authorisation is 50,000 Baht
per person.
- Foreign Currency Accounts
Foreign visitors are welcome to open a foreign currency account with any commercial bank
in Thailand. As a special gesture to non-residents, no restrictions are imposed on the
maintenance of and withdrawal from the account, as long as the funds originate from
abroad.
For additional information concerning foreign exchange regulations, please
contact any authorised banks.
|
|
Back to Top
|
|
|
|
[
ECONOMY ] [
THE FACTS ] [
MULTIMEDIA ] |
|
|
|
 
 
|
