A Handy Reference for Visitor to The Kingdom

Arrival

Visitors from about 60 countries need no visa upon arrival and are granted a stay up to 30 days. When staying longer than expected, visa extensions can be obtained at immigration offices. A one-week extension costs Bht500. Dress appropriately when entering any Thai government office. If planning to stay longer, it is recommended that visitors apply for a visa at their point of origin.
Narcotics are strictly prohibited and Thai customs officers are very good at finding them upon arrival and departure.
Airport tax: International Bht500; domestic Bht30.

Currency

All Thai banks and moneychangers give standard exchange rates. And they are always at places where you need them! The Thai Baht is the country's currency. Bank notes denominations are 10, 20, 50, 100, 500, and 1,000: Coins are 1, 5 and 10 as well as 25 and 50 satang. Travellers checks are changed at a higher rate than cash but you will need to produce your passport and the check receipt.

Getting Around

Bangkok

Taxis with meters ('Taxi-Meters') outside the airport arrival hall have a Bht50 surcharge. You are presented with a release form with your destination written on it; if you encounter any problems with the driver simply call the number on the form. The regular 'Taxi Meter' cabs with no extra charge are outside the departure hall. Both types are reliable, but are likely to argue for a fixed rate if the destinations are outside of Bangkok Metropolitan.

Airport buses cover Silom Rd., the Main Ground (Sanam Luang), Sukhumvit, and Hua Lamphong railway station. The fare is Bht70, service hours are from 5 am to 12 pm.

Tuk-tuks (motorised rickshaws) have no meter. Negotiate fare beforehand. They are most likely to be found on smaller but busier streets around shopping areas. Don't expect them to be cheaper than a taxi, though!

Skytrains are fast, clean and convenient and they run above the busiest roads in Bangkok. Fares are Bht10 to 40

Buses Air-conditioned bus fares are from Bht6 to 16. The pink microbuses charge set fares of Bht20 to 25 and guarantee a seat for every passenger. The yellow Euro buses charge between Bht8 to18. Ordinary bus fare starts at between Bht3.50 to 5.

Motorcycle taxis are popular for short distances where traffic is unbearable. Make sure that the strap of the crash helmet works and hold on tight.Taxi drivers/motorbike riders and bus conductors don't really speak English, if there's a communication problem, point at your destination on one of the easily obtainable Bangkok maps.

Last but not least are the River Taxis that ply the network of Klongs (canals) throughout the city. These boats are regular, narrow and clean however the water is not so keep your mouth closed!

Car and motorbike rental

Rental Cars are safe and comfortable and can be rented at car rental offices and travel companies both in Bangkok and at other major travel destinations. Outside of Bangkok, better bargains (Bht500 upwards per day) can be found but check if insurance is included: fuel is not!

Rental Motorbikes are less expensive, and more popular with visitors at beach towns and on the smaller of the islands. Remember: Safety First and always wear a crash helmet. Check the condition of the car or motorcycle and note all dents, bumps and scratches before signing any leasing contract. Drive carefully, especially up and down the mountains on rainy days! Be alert with the road traffic and always give way to bigger cars coming behind you. Remember, In Thailand we drive on the LEFT hand side of the road!

Outside Bangkok

Thai Airways, Bangkok Airways, P.B. Air and Angel Airlines serve most regions. Be at the check-in counter 1 hour before departure time. Koh Samui airport is exceptionally charming. The arrival and departure areas, restaurant and souvenir shop, are open-air. Passengers hop on motor trailers to get to and from the plane.

Express trains are fast and safe. First and Second class sections of the night trains have beds and are quite comfortable with economical ticket prices; A good choice when you have a long way to go.

Buses are not expensive and reliable, but long journeys at night can cause fatigue and backache. Often, the air-conditioning is turned up very high: consider taking a jacket or blanket to keep warm. The 24-seaters are highly recommended as they have more space.
Tour companies on Kao Sarn Road provide 'VIP' buses to the south of Thailand and fares are very reasonable.

Thai Customs

• Dress appropriately when going to government offices and temples.
• Never touch the top of a Thai adult's head to show intimacy.
• Take off your shoes when entering a Thai house or Buddhist chapel.
• Avoid pointing your feet at anything.
• Be sensitive to ways of life of the local people. There are several hill tribes in the Northern part of Thailand with their own unique cultures as is the case in many of the southern provinces.

Food

Thai food is one of the tastiest on earth! Several dishes are spicy, but many are not. You'll never starve in Thailand: restaurants and street stalls are virtually everywhere. Noodle and rice dishes are delicious and can be served hot very quickly. It is quite safe to eat at street vendors, but follow your instincts!

Shopping

Bangkok has some of the best shopping in Asia. Most Thai destinations have unique products that are irresistible. When buying items from small, open-air shops on the street, bargaining is a must.

Health

Diarrhea, typhus, malaria, dengue, rabies, viral hepatitis A and B and HIV are present in some parts of the country. Take sensible precautions to avoid falling victim to any of these.
Tap water is not suitable for drinking; so drink bottled water.
There are several good hospitals around Bangkok and many clinics and surgeries in most destinations. Thai medical services in general are of a fairly high standard.
Sunburn is one of the main problems visitors suffer from. Even on a cloudy day, the high level of UV's can damage skin. Use sunscreen lotion and cover up whenever outside for long periods.
The other main health risk many tourists face is alcohol related. Thai beer and whiskeys are tasty and effective. Drink moderately!

Points to ponder

As in any country, avoid people approaching you on the street offering 'bargains', girls (or boys) for sex, or guided tours. There is nothing you need from these people, and you risk falling victim to drug and rob syndicates that prey on unsuspecting tourists.

HIV/AIDS is increasingly common in Thailand. If you feel the urge to indulge in any acts that could put you at risk of being infected, remember condoms are widely available, USE THEM if you absolutely must take advantage of the services on offer.

Drugs, such as marijuana, heroin and opiate derivatives and amphetamines, called 'Ya Ba' (crazy pills) are, as anywhere, available in Thailand. The penalties for possession or use of these prohibited substances are severe. Many tourists end up languishing in jail because they couldn't resist the temptation of cheap, available drugs. Others end up overdosing and damaging their health. It shouldn't need to be said that those dealing drugs cannot be trusted and should be avoided at all costs. There are enough wonderful things to do in Thailand that do not involve drug use so STAY AWAY FROM DRUGS, its not worth the risk!

For more information on travelling
in Thailand, check out the
Tourism Authority of Thailand
www.tat.or.th