Overview
Facts About The Country
Facts for The Visitors
Places To Visit

THAILAND > FACTS ABOUT THE VISITORS

PLANNING
The best overall time for visiting most of Thailand is between November and February, at which time there is the least rain and it is not too hot. The south is best visited between March and May, and the north is best from mid-November to early December or in February. Bangkok is at it hottest in April and wettest in October. The peak tourist months are December and August, and the least crowded months are May, June and September.
Thin cotton is the best. A jacket or sweater may be necessary in the north or in the cool season, especially in a mountainous area in the North or Northeast. The Thais are not used to revealing clothes and ladies are requested not to wear shorts particularly in temples. You will mostly need cotton and lightweight clothing. As sightseeing involves a considerable amount of walking, a comfortable pair of shoes is essential. Also a pair of sunglasses and a hat, and an umbrella during the rainy season, would also be a welcome addition to your wardrobe.

VISAS AND DOCUMENTS
Most visitors can stay for 30 days without a visa. If you wish to extend your stay in Thailand and exceed the visa requirement, you can apply for an extension in Bangkok.

CUSTOMS
Objects of art and antiques may not be exported without a license obtainable from the Director General of the Fine Arts Department (which takes up to 30 days). The same rule applies to Buddha images (excluding small Buddha images worn as jewelry). In addition, authority must be sought from the Minister of Commerce. The following are admitted free of duty: 200 cigarettes or 250 g of cigars or tobacco for travelers over 18 years of age, 1 liter of wine or spirits.
Thai customs authorities may enforce strict regulations concerning temporary importation into, or export from, Thailand of items such as firearms, explosives, narcotics and drugs, radio equipments, books or other printed material, video or audio recordings that might be considered subversive to national security, obscene or in any way harmful to the public interest and cultural property.

EMBASSIES
About 50 countries maintain embassies or consulates in Bangkok. Most are concentrated around the Sulkhumvit, Phloen Chit, Witthayu and Sathon Road areas. A complete list is featured in the Yellow Pages of the English edition of the Bangkok Telephone Directory.

MONEY
Thai currency is the Baht. Banks or legal moneychangers offer the best rates and US dollars are the most acceptable currency for buying baht. Credit cards, especially Visa and MasterCard, are accepted in quality shops, hotels and restaurants. ATMs are easily found in the larger cities. Tipping is not customary in Thailand, except perhaps in some of the up-market hotels. Bargaining is common practice in markets, tourist shops, and non-metered taxis.

POST AND COMMUNICATIONS
Post offices are situated throughout the city areas and resorts areas of Thailand. The mail service is reliable and efficient. Major hotels provide basic postal services on their premises. Bangkok's Central Post Office on New Road is open from 8.00 AM to 6.00 PM, Mondays through Fridays, and from 9.00 AM to 1.00 PM on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays. Telegrams may be sent at any time of the day or night. Upcountry post offices maintain similar hours, except that they close at 4.30 PM. Overseas calls can be made at numerous outlets either with a special card or via credit card. There are numerous Internet and email connections and, in addition, many hotels and other accommodation have connections for customer use.

BOOKS
John Blofeld - King Mongkut of Siam. Warren Fellows - The Damage Done - Twelve Years of Hell in a Bangkok Prison. Ruth Gerson - Traditional Festivals in Thailand. Karen Schur Narula - Voyage of the Emerald Buddha. Niels Mulder - Everyday Life in Thailand.

NEWSPAPERS AND MAGAZINES
Thailand's English-language newspapers, the Nation, the Bangkok Post and Thailand Times keep readers updated with local and international events. Major English language magazines and newspapers are readily available at newsagents, supermarkets, and bookstores.

PHOTOGRAPHY AND VIDEO
Film is available in Thailand, but it is worth going to a camera store or specific shop selling film as sometimes the stock of film in small shops is old and the quality is not always good. Camera batteries are available in Bangkok and Chiang Mai and the larger resorts in the South, but if traveling on treks or to remote places it should be remembered that batteries might not be available. The sun is very bright most of the time so a polarizing lens filter is helpful. Movie cameras are not allowed without permission in Bangkok's Grand Palace and Emerald Buddha Chapel complex. Photography is also prohibited in certain branches of the National Museum. Like other countries, photography of military establishments and activities is forbidden. Regarding photographing people, there is still a belief that a persons body will not successfully complete it's Journey to Nirvana if there are too many photographic images of them left behind - when in doubt always ask.

RADIO & TELEVISION
AM radio is commercial with about 200 stations nationwide. FM radio offers pop music, classical music, and English-language news broadcasts. Leading hotels have color televisions in each room, offering video features, satellite or cable television and tourism related English-language programs.

ELECTRICITY
220V,50Hz

TIME
Time in Thailand is 7 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT+ 7).

WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
Metric with local variations.

LAUNDRY
Most hotels have laundry facilities, but do remember to take some liquid detergent (e.g. travel wash) and a folding iron if you prefer to look after your own clothes.

HEALTH
The health risks in Thailand are AIDS, cholera, dengue fever, Japanese encephalitis, malaria, and rabies. Visitors who have been in an area infected by cholera, smallpox or yellow fever during the 14 days prior to their arrival, require the appropriate valid International Certificate of Vaccination.
Medicines are readily available in Thailand but can be expensive especially if you have to get a doctor's prescription to obtain them.
It is best to consult your doctor, prior to traveling, regarding the latest health requirements. You can also obtain information from public health offices or your travel agent. You should not drink the tap water in Thailand. Bottled mineral water is available everywhere and some hotels provide purified water in a Thermos flask in your room, which is replenished by the room attendant.

GAY AND LESBIAN TRAVELLERS
There do not seem to be any strong religious or legal obstacles to being gay in Thailand. The Thais are very accepting people and obvious homophobia; harassment or violence against gays is rare, although it has increased in some areas. Whilst Thailand may appear to be a haven for gay visitors, it is not so for all gay Thais. There are usually strong family and social pressures to get married, and for many people, being gay is not a possible option. The social class of the family usually has a lot to do with the level of acceptance. Open public displays of affection are not acceptable in Thailand, regardless of the gender of the participants. But you may notice that a Thai male will often walk with his arm around another male friend (but not around a female friend) - this should not be interpreted as a sign of sexual preference, it is just the done thing! Thais, straight and gay, are also very modest people in private. The term ‘gay’, although English, is now used as a Thai word. A gay subculture and gay identity is now starting to be more noticeable in Thailand, especially in Bangkok, however, there are still very few social and political gay groups to be found.

DANGERS AND ANNOYANCE
Thailand is relatively free of violet crime, but it is certainly not scam free. It is definitely not recommended to buy "rubies" or "emeralds" on the streets. Be aware that all those involved in the Thai tourist industry are professionals and that a potentially ‘rich’ tourist is always considered to be a business opportunity. Most of the guides will receive commission or have a business arrangement with the shops they recommend
Travelers should avoid border areas. The Cambodian and Myanmar border areas are particularly dangerous with land mines, bandits, smugglers and rebels, and are the scene of occasional low-level military activity. Embassies warn against camping in undesignated areas of the national parks. Tap water can make you ill. Drink bottled water as a general rule. Ice is made from purified water so is safe.

BUSINESS HOURS
Most offices operate on a five-day week basis. Government offices are generally open between 8.30 AM and 4.30 PM Monday through Friday, except on public holidays. Private businesses maintain similar hours. Many stores open 12 hours a day, seven days a week.

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
January 1st- New Year’s Day.
January/February: Lion Dance Festival: Colorful lion and dragon dances are staged by Chinese communities all over Thailand.
February: Makha Pucha Day: One of the holiest Buddhist holidays takes place at the time of the full moon and marks the occasion when 1,250 saint-disciples of the Buddha spontaneously gathered to hear his preaching.
April 6: Chakri Memorial Day: To commemorate the foundation of the present Chakri Dynasty in 1782.
April: Songkran-Festival. The traditional Thai New Year is celebrated throughout the country with rituals of cleaning houses and honoring elders, together with parades of dancers and boat races.
Pattaya Festival: The highlights of this colorful festival include
food and floral floats, beauty contests and a spectacular display of fireworks on beach.
May: National Labor Day.
Coronation Day: the day when the reigning King Bhumibol, the longest reigning monarch in the world, was crowned as the 9th king of the Chakri Dynasty in 1950.
Rocket Festival: is a unique festival where bamboo rockets are launched as an annual plea to the gods for plenty of rainfall in the rainy season.
Rice Ploughing Ceremony: This ancient Brahmanic ceremony is held at Sanam Luang in Bangkok to mark the beginning of the planting season and to bless the farmers with good harvests.
Visakha Bucha: Celebrated at the time of the full moon to commemorate that on this day in different years the Buddha was born, attained Enlightenment and entered Nirvana.
July: Asarnha Bucha Day: Celebrated at full moon to commemorate the day when Buddha received his first five disciples after his Enlightenment
Khao Phansa Day: on the day following Asarnha Bucha Day, this is the first day of the three-month period of ‘Rains Retreat’ when monks meditate and study the doctrine of Buddha and laymen renew their commitment to follow the teachings of Buddhism.
September: Buffalo Races: held in the capital of the Chonburi province on the Eastern Seaboard.
October 23rd: Chulalongkorn Day is held to commemorate the death of King Chulalongkorn the Great.
November: Loy Krathong Festival: celebrated on the full moon night is probably the most romantic festival in Thailand. In the evening, people float Krathongs, lotus-shaped vessels decorated with flowers and candles as a thanksgiving and worship to the Goddess of Water.
The River Kwai Bridge Week: It is held in Kanchanaburi province to commemorate the horrible ordeal suffered in the construction of the Death Railway to be used by the Japanese army as a route of supply from Thailand to Burma in World War II.
Surin Elephant Round-up: The world famous elephant roundup in Surin with a show that also includes elephant football, elephant race and hunt, elephants in ancient battle and demonstrations of their strength and skills.
December 5th: H.M. the King's Birthday: It is also observed as National Day. Huge crowds gather at Sanam Luang and on Ratchadamnoen Road in Bangkok to celebrate.
December 10th: Constitution Day
December 31st: New Year's Eve

FOOD
Thai food is very tasty, pungent and spicy. Seasoned with garlic, chilies and a mix of lime juice, lemon grass and fresh coriander. Galangal root, basil, ground peanuts; tamarind juice, ginger and coconut milk are other common ingredients. Fish sauce or shrimp paste are mainstays of Thai dishes and, of course, rice is eaten with most meals. Main dishes include hot and sour fish ragout, green and red curries, various soups and noodle dishes usually served with a large assortment of sweet, sour and fiery sauces. Some favorite Thai dishes are: ‘Gai ho bai toei’ seasoned fried chicken in leaf wrappers; ‘thotman plakrai’ or ‘thotman gung’ fish or shrimp fritters Thai style; various kinds of ‘yam’ Thai salad; ‘tomyam’ hot and sour soup; curry and ‘namprik’ with fresh vegetables. Thai sweets include ‘salim’, ‘thapthim krop’, ‘lotchong’, and ‘khanom cha’ made from coconut-cream gelatin. The seafood is fresh and delicious and there are restaurants where you select your own seafood and choose how it is cooked. Snacks and appetizers include fried peanuts, chicken, chopped ginger, peppers and slices of lime. There are many delicious fruits: Mango, Papaya, Mangosteen, Watermelon, Custard Apple, Jackfruit, Guava, Banana, Coconut, Orange, Pomelo, Pineapple, Lamyai, Rambutan, and the king of fruits, Durian. There are hundreds of restaurants and thousands of coffee shops, noodle shops, snack bars and street-side food stalls scattered in the downtown districts of Bangkok and many, many more in the provincial tourist centers.

ENTERTAINMENT
There is plenty of entertainment in Thailand; sports include boxing, racing, golf, tennis, squash, and billiards. There are also cinemas, nightclubs, bars, gourmet restaurants, concert halls, teahouses, cocktail lounges, amusement parks, museums, theatres, art galleries, massage parlors and zoological gardens. Thailand's English-language newspapers contain daily listings of cinema films, concerts, and exhibitions. Bars, cocktail lounges and pubs are mostly concentrated in the Sukhumvit, New Petchaburi and Silom Road areas.

THINGS TO BUY
Thai silks, cottons, silver and bronze ware, pottery, pewter ware, precious stones, jewelry, and a wide range of unusual handicrafts make excellent souvenirs and gifts. Tailors and dressmakers offer reliable 24-hour services in Bangkok and other major tourist destinations. From bustling open-air village food markets and colorful noisy night markets; to little shops and street stalls selling inexpensive sportswear and souvenirs; to western style department stores and up-market boutiques, Thailand offers the best of everything.
Department stores and a number of shops in Bangkok have fixed prices, but at most of the others bargaining is acceptable and expected - expect to pay around 10-40 percent less than the original asking price - depending on your bargaining skills and the will of the vendor. Some department stores will offer a discount on expensive items. Most shops are experienced at shipping abroad and will attend to all the documents such as insurance, customs, and necessary permits.