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TRAVEL GUIDE TO THAILAND
Airport Taxes
Thailand airport tax is not included in your international ticket. A
700 baht tax is paid at the airport check-in counter when departing
Thailand.
Inside the country, for most airports, the tax is 100 baht, and will be
added to the price of the fare when you buy your ticket.
Exceptions are Samui Airport tax, 300 baht, and Sukothai airport tax,
200 baht, since both airports belong to Bangkok Airways. You will have
to pay these taxes separately when you check in.
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Baggage
On Domestic flights,
passengers are allowed 44 pounds of luggage per person. On International
flights, passengers are allowed two pieces of checked luggage. Excess
luggage fees will be charged if you check more than the stated
allowances, and these charges are your responsibility. At most
major airports, baggage carts are available for your luggage, usually
for a small additional fee.
Climate
and Clothing
Thailand enjoys a tropical climate with three distinct seasons-hot
and dry from February to May (average temperature 34 degrees Celsius and
75% humidity); rainy with plenty of sunshine from June to October
(average day temperature 29 degrees Celsius and 87% humidity); and cool
from November to January (temperatures range from 32 degrees Celsius to
20 degrees Celsius with a drop in humidity).
Much lower temperatures are experienced in the North and Northeast
during nighttime. The South has a tropical rainforest climate with
temperatures averaging 28 degrees Celsius almost all year round.
Light, cool clothes are sensible and a jacket
is needed for formal meetings and dining in top restaurants. Shorts
(except knee length walking shorts), sleeveless shirts, tank tops and
other beach-style attire are considered inappropriate dress when not
actually at the beach or in a resort area.
Communications
Telephone
services : Long Distances calls can be made from hotels or via
calling cards which are widely available.
Thailand's mail service is reliable and efficient. Major hotels
provide basic postal services on their premises. Provincial post offices
are usually open from 8.00 a.m. to 4.30 p.m.
Fax and E-mail: All of Thailand's leading hotels offer facsimile
(fax) and e-mail services. Numerous private businesses offer such
facilities, most often in conjunction with translation services.
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 "
cybercafes " that are cropping up in all major tourist destinations.
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Currency
The Thai unit of currency is the baht. 1 baht is divided into 100
satang. Note are in denominations of 1,000 (brown), 500 (purple), 100
(red), 50 (blue), 20 (green) and 10 (brown) baht. Coins consist of 25
satang, 50 satang, 1 baht, 5 baht and 10 baht.
Major currency bills and travelers cheques are cashed easily at hotels,
tourist shops, all provincial banks, shopping centers and money
changers. Travelers cheques are best changed in banks (you will need
your passport). Rates of exchange at banks or authorized money changers
are better than those at hotels and department stores.
Thai banks honor all internationally recognized travelers' checks
such as American Express and Thomas Cook. Credit cards and debit cards
are a safe and convenient way to manage your funds, and provide you with
certain consumer rights. Western Union Money Transfer has offices in
many major department stores. ATMs are available throughout Thailand.
Customs Regulations
According to related laws and regulations, the
luggage of inbound and outbound passengers must come under customs
supervision and control. Passengers should make accurate declarations to
customs officials regarding the luggage they carry into or out of the
territory.
Any amount of foreign currency may be brought into the country.
Visitors may take foreign currency out of Thailand, but no more than the
amount stated in the customs declaration made on arrival. Travelers
leaving Thailand may take out no more than 50,000 baht per person in
Thai currency.
Buddha images, antiques and objects of art cannot leave Thailand
without a Fine Arts Department permit, although the rules for this are
unclear. It is unlikely that cheap souvenirs fall under such
restrictions, but expensive pieces from select showrooms may do so: ask
the salesperson and get a receipt. Take note: Illicit drugs, pornography
and firearms are forbidden, and penalties for lawbreakers are often
severe.
Electricity
Voltage in Thailand is 220 volts, so a
transformer will be needed to operate 100-volt appliances.
Electrical appliances will require an adapter that can change the shape
of the plug prongs, as well as an electrical voltage converter that will
allow a normal 110-volt American appliance to take 220 Volt current.
Most major hotels provide hair dryers
and other amenities.
Escorted Tour Info
In each city, a local
English-speaking guide will meet you upon arrival and handle all
arrangements, including sightseeing commentary, while you are in that
city.
Most ground transportation will be provided via private car and guide.
Travel by motorcoach will be
by modern air-conditioned deluxe coaches for large groups.
Additionally, a National Guide is normally assigned to groups of 7
or more. The National Guide will meet you upon arrival in the first city
and will remain with the group until departure from the last city.
Food and
Water
Tap water is clean but drinking from it
directly should be avoided. Bottled water is recommended
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Heath
Matters
There are no vaccinations required for entering Thailand from
anywhere around the world. All tourism destinations and provincial
capitals have hospitals and clinics staffed by well-trained doctors and
nurse. In the case of an emergency, an ambulance can be summoned from
any private hospital.
Holidays
New Year's Day : Jan 1st
Makha Bucha Day : late January to early March
Chakri Day : Apr 6th
Songkran Day : Apr 13th
National Labour Day : May 1st
Coronation Day : May 5th
Visakha Bucha Day : May
Asanha Bucha Day : Jul
Khao Phansa (Buddhist Lent) : Jul
HM the Queen's Birthday : Aug 12th
Chulalongkorn Day : Oct 23rd
HM the King's Birthday : Dec 5th
Constitution Day : Dec 10th
New Year's Eve : Dec 31st
Passports and Visas
According to the Interior Ministerial Announcements, passport holders
from 39 countries, including the US, do not require a visa when entering
Thailand for tourism purposes if their stay in the Kingdom does not
exceed 30 days. Any foreigner seeking entry into the Kingdom of Thailand
for business, investment, study, medical treatment, mass media,
religion, employment and other purposes is required to apply for a visa
from a Thai Embassy or Consulate-General.
Time Difference
The time in Thailand is seven hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (+7
hours GMT) and 12 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time.
Tipping
Tipping is a customary practice in Thailand. Most hotels and restaurants add a
10% service charge to the bill. Taxi drivers do not require a tip, but
the gesture is appreciated.
On tours with private sightseeing, gratuities of $5-$10 for travel
guides, $2-$3 for drivers per person per day is customary.
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Transportation
All airport and sightseeing transportation
are included in our tours. Airport transfers and most sightseeing
(except in Bangkok) are
provided via private cars. While on your own, you are free to explore on
your own through a variety of transportation. Thailand is generally safe
for tourists.
Taxis: Only the towns of Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Hat Yai have metered
taxis. For taxis in other towns, the fare must be negotiated BEFORE
getting in. Fares in towns other than Bangkok should never exceed 200
Baht, unless going to remote villages beyond the town's perimeters.
Songthaews: These are vans with 2 rows of seats in the back, thus the
literal translation of "2 rows". In towns outside of Bangkok, these are
equivalent to city buses, running along popular routes at fixed fare
prices, normally in the range of 20-40 Baht. If you're traveling in a
large group, it might be worthwhile to hire the songthaews as taxis.
Rickshaws/ Samlors: These three-wheeled bicycles are used to transport
1-2 people a short distance. Prices should be negotiated BEFORE getting
in. Roughly 30-60 Baht is reasonably for those few kilometers.
Tuk-tuks: The motorized version of the samlors were introduced here by
the Japanese during WWII. These are always popular with tourists, though
they are uncomfortable in heavy traffic (carbon monoxide indulgence) and
the rainy season, and are extremely noisy. Prices should be negotiated
BEFORE getting in. Roughly 30-60 Baht is reasonably for those few
kilometers.
Car Rental: If you wish to explore on your own, there are many car
rental companies
in Thailand, including international rental companies such as Hertz and
Avis. The road system is good and well sign - posted. An international
driving license is required.
Hired Mopeds: Mopeds and motorbikes are extremely popular and highly
available in most provincial towns, especially the seaside resort towns.
Average price for one day's rent may be as low as 200-300 Baht,
depending on the type of moped/motorbike.
What to Pack?
Bring light clothing that is easy to wash and
iron. Sandals and light shoes are adequate. A sweater is handy for cool
season nights and drastically air-conditioned buildings. Top hotel
restaurants usually require a tie, sometimes a jacket.
Other essential items
include: Valid Passport.
Travelers Checks. Copy of Your Airline Ticket. Your Medicines. Departure
documents. Voltage converter. Travel alarm clock. Camera(s), batteries & films. Sunscreen/Tan lotion. Pocket size
Kleenex. Extra luggage locks/keys. First Aid kit. Soft, foldable
slippers. Extra set of eyeglasses. Folding Umbrella. Comfortable
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