USEFUL TRAVEL INFORMATION
Sunday, February 24th, 2008Communications
Mobile Phones No problems with using your own mobile phone in Thailand. Just arrange for international roaming. Normally the phone charge is calculated from your home country to the destination number and can be very expensive. True Move (formerly known as TA Orange), AIS, DTAC are the leading service providers.
IDD (International direct dialing) is Available from most hotels. Check rates, hotels often levy a surcharge. Costs vary with the time of day and charge for a minimum of 1 minute) Dial 100 for Operator-Assisted Overseas. For IDD dial 001 followed by country and regional codes.
You can also phone from International payphones found at the airport and most tourist areas using credit card or phone cards which can bought at most convenience stores.
Festivals are celebrated throughout the year in Thailand and provide a wonderful excuse for a holiday. During the major festivals of Songkran (Thai New Year - April) and Loy Kratong (November) many Thais take a break so travelling throughout these periods can be hectic. Flights and trains are often booked in advance so check the dates before you depart.
The festivals however do add colour and are a great time to visit if your travel arrangements are already sorted out. Most larger shops (department stores) stay open and usually offer discounts, so it’s a good time for a bargain. Small family shops generally close for Chinese New Year (early February) and Songkran (April).
Read here for more details and dates of Thailand’s festivals and events.
Most hotels now have Internet access either directly from the room if you plug in your laptop, or from their business centre. Charges vary from around 100 Baht for the first 15 minutes with lower charges afterwards. Additional surcharges times apply, so check first. There are also Internet cafes in most shopping areas which are generally expensive. Connections, however, can be slower than in your home country.
Voltage is 220 Volt AC with flat 2 pin plugs. You can buy an adapter for shavers, laptop computers, mobile chargers, etc., on arrival at most department stores.
Language
English is fairly widely understood and spoken in most tourist areas of Bangkok. German, Swiss Italian, and increasingly Japanese and Russian are also spoken in most hotels. Bilingual Thai / English road signs are found on all road signs, Skytrain stations and some local buses.
ATM machines are available at most banks and shopping centres throughout the city. Thai Baht only. ATMs generally have Thai and English language displays and will accept most internationally recognised foreign cards. Many ATM’s will also accept cards under the CIRRUS, Maestro, VISA or Mastercard system.
Travellers Cheques / Credit Cards Most traveller cheques can be cashed at banks. Take your passport or ID. Mastercard and VISA are widely accepted by major banks, restaurants and shops. AMEX, Diners and tend to be accepted only at upmarket venues.
Banks Open Monday - Friday from 09:30 to 15:30, except public and bank holidays. Currency exchange centres operate in most tourist areas from 07:00 to 21:00, everyday, including holidays.
VAT Refunds Value Added Tax (VAT) is payable on a range of goods and services at 7%. If you’re visiting for less than 180 days in a calendar year, not an airline crew member, and leaving Thailand by plane, you can claim VAT refund (Non-Thais only) Tel: +66 (0)2 272 6576-79 (Fax: +66 (0)2 617 3559)
* Payment subject to hours of operation, time zone differences and applicable restriction.
** In some countries. the “send money” service is not available, customer can only receive money.
On arrival
Airport Taxis
If arriving from a long flight, try to arrange with your hotel for transfer on arrival at the airport. If not, you can book an airport taxi or limousine from inside the arrivals hall. Fares are around 800-1,000 Baht.
A cheaper option is a meter taxi. You can find these on the floor directly beneath the arrivals hall. Escalators are scattered along its length. Just outside the exit of the arrivals building is a ticket booth. Tell the attendent here the name of your hotel and they’ll give you a taxi voucher and inform a waiting driver. You pay the taxi driver on arrival at your destination. Fares vary depending on the time/distance from around 200Baht upwards. A small tip is always appreciated.
Depending on your hotel location, the driver may take the tollway. There two main toll roads into central Bangkok which cost 30-40 baht. This is an extra separate charge from the fare and optional. You should pay the driver direct as you go through the tollway. It can be much quicker to take the toll roads in standard “rush hour” periods.
We’re happy to report that airport tax (which used to cost 500 baht) is no longer payable on departure to all international destinations. It is now included in the price of tickets.
Arriving passengers with between 5 to 12 hours transit time, can take a Bangkok Transit Tour jointly offered by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and the Assocation of Thai Travel Agents. Contact the counters located near the transfer desks in terninals 1 & 2.
Security
The Tourist Police provides help for tourists in difficulties. Responsible for investigating any problems and handling claims and complaints. Bilingual Tourist Police can be found at the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) offices in Bangkok. Call Tourist Police 1155, 678-680 (Emergency)/. Emergency Numbers Tourist Hotline IS 1155 (English and other languages spoken) Ext 1 (24 hours).
Thai Cultural Etiquette
- The Thai Royal Family are deeply revered, and you will see portraits of them throughout Bangkok. At the cinema you must stand for the national anthem before the film is screened.
- Anger is regarded as crude and lacking in self discipline. Remain calm and smile and you will find all sorts of doors opened.
- You should dress appropriately when visiting temples. Don’t go shirtless, in shorts, hot pants, short skirts or spaghetti straps. Remove your shoes when entering a Thai home or Buddhist temple.
- Buddha images large or small, ruined or not, are regarded as sacred. Don’t take photographs or do anything which might indicate a lack of respect.
- It is considered rude to point your foot at a person or object.
- While on the rise in Bangkok, extreme public displays of affection are often frowned upon. By all means hold hands if the urge takes you.
- Thais regard the head as the highest part of the body and do not appreciate anyone touching them there, even as a friendly gesture.
Tipping
Tip porters and hotel staff if you’ve been given good personal service - the amount varies with the kind of hotel. In restaurants around a 10 % - 15% tip is usually the norm, but you don’t need to tip in small roadside eating places. Taxi fares should be rounded up to the nearest 5 or 10 Baht, especially meter-taxis who don’t earn a lot, are pretty knowledeable and incredibly patient in the Bangkok traffic.
Standard time zone: UTC/GMT +7 hours
Tourist Visas
If your coming here on holiday you need to check if you need a visa before leaving for Thailand.
Tourists from many countries (including the US, UK, Germany, France, America and Singapore) do not require a visa when entering Thailand and can stay for a duration of 30-days. In many of these countries (including the US, UK, Australia, Germany, France and Singapore) you can apply for a 60-day tourist visa before you leave. If you’re toying with the idea of staying longer, this is well worth the effort and cost. Citizens of some other countries are required to apply for a 15-day visa at immigration checkpoints on arrival, while others must apply for one before they leave.
It all depends on the particuliar visa arrangement Thailand has with your home country. The best way to find out what this is, is to check with either the Thai Immigration Bureau (www.immigration.go.th) or the Thai Embassy or Consulate in your home country (the website www.thaiembassy.org lists these).
Coming to Thailand for business is a whole different story. Check out the Legalities section of our Business Essentials Guide for information about the visas necessary for those looking to work or gain employment here.
Weather
Bangkok is a tropical city that sits just north of the equator, and so it’s pretty warm throughout the year. At times the heat can be oppressive. If your especially adverse to extreme temperatues, avoid between April and May when the weather is especially hot and sticky (temperatures around 34C). However, don’t fret if you do choose to come then: one of Thailand’s most celebrated festivals, Songkran, takes place in April and involves lots of refreshing water throwing to help cool everyone down.
Perhaps the best time to visit is from October until February, when temperatures hover between 25 and 28C and there are light breezes and only occasional showers. From June through to September there’s still plenty of sunshine and it’s much cooler (around 24-28 C). Remember though, this is the season for rain and there can lots of it. However, this is actually quite refreshing! Others advantages are less visitors and better hotel rates.
Forget tight pants and clinging dresses (at least during the day) and go for light, loose cotton clothing. When visiting temples, certain museums and the Grand Palace remember to dress appropriately. Shorts, singlets, spaghetti straps and open backed sandals are not acceptable!
Contact: TAT Head-office Bangkok, 1600 New Phetburi Road, Makkasan, Rajatevee. Tel: +66 (0)2 250 5500 (120 automatic lines)