Thailand
Time
GMT plus seven hours
Climate
The climate varies from tropical savannah in the north and tropical monsoon in the south. There are three main seasons: hot (March–May), rainy (June–October) and cool (November–February). In
Entry requirements
Passports
Required by all. There are additional requirements for holders of passports of
Visa
Required by all, except those tourists visiting for up to 30 days, listed at www.thai-la.net/visa/visa.htm.
A business visitor must complete a non-immigrant visa application and produce a letter of invitation from a Thai company, printed on a company letterhead. The letter must include the host company's registration, stating the 'capital investment' and documentation of the payment of the last two years taxes. Proof of visit for business purposes must also be furnished along with a letter of approval by the Labour Department. Business visas are only valid for up to 90 days.
Extension, for either tourist or business visas, may be granted by the Immigration Bureau in
Prohibited entry
Entry is refused to nationals of
Customs
Personal effects are allowed in duty-free. Importation of many goods produced locally may be restricted. Export of images or statues of Buddha, antiques and archaeologically valuable items is only allowed with a certificate from the Department of Fine Arts. Articles exceeding B10,000 in value require a Certificate of Exportation.
Prohibited imports
Narcotic drugs, pornographic material, firearms and certain luxury goods.
Currency advice/regulations
There is no limit on the amount of foreign currency which may be imported, although it should be declared on arrival. There are no limits on the export of foreign currency, although the amount must be declared. Local currency exports are restricted to B50,000. Foreign currency should be exchanged only by authorised banks and dealers.
Getting there
Air
National airline
Thai Airways International.
International airport/s
Don Muang International (BKK), 30km north of Bangkok; duty-free shop, bar, restaurant, buffet, bank, post office, hotel reservations; Chiang Mai International (CNX); Phuket International (HKT), 35km from Phuket; Hat Yai International (HDY), 9km from Hat Yai.
Airport limousines and licensed taxis, with yellow numberplates, can be hired from the official taxi rank at
Airport tax
When departing, 500 Baht per person, excluding transit passengers. Foreign currency is not accepted.
Surface
Road
The
The Australian-financed US$30 million
Rail
There are three weekly rail services between
Water
Getting about
National transport
Considerable investment is earmarked for improving the country's transport facilities. In remote areas conditions are still uncertain, and banditry occurs in the north-west of the country.
Air
Thai Airways and Bangkok Airways operate domestic services to main centres.
Rail
Rail services are generally recommended: the system is equipped with modern rolling stock, including air-conditioned coaches, sleeping accommodation and restaurant cars on main express services.
All main lines originate in
Road
There are over 50,000km of national and provincial roads and highways, with another 135,000km of rural roads. Major roads are generally metalled.
Buses
Long-distance (air-conditioned) express coaches operate between main centres; local services are not generally recommended. In 2001, multi-trip tickets were introduced on Thai buses.
Water
There are 1,110–1,600km of navigable inland waterways, depending on the season. Various types of ferries and passenger/cargo boats operate on rivers and in coastal areas.
City transport
Avoid rush-hour travel; two-hour traffic jams are routine.
Taxis
Taxis have yellow number plates and, although they are metered, fares should be agreed in advance. Tipping is not customary.
Taxi drivers rarely understand English and it is best to have the name and address of one's destination written in Thai to show to the driver. Air-conditioned limousine services provided by main hotels are more expensive than ordinary taxis. Tuk tuks are motorised trishaws. The fastest method of city transport is by motorbike taxi.
Trains
The Bangkok Mass Transit System opened in 1999. The subway, a new mass transit system, opened on 3 July 2004.
Helicopter
Royal Orchid Sheraton jointly operates a helicopter service between the airport and the
Car hire
Chauffeur-driven car hire is available in
Executive limousines or private cars are available, for the journey from
Health (for visitors)
Mandatory precautions
A vaccination certificate for yellow fever is required if travelling from an infected area.
Advisable precautions
Vaccination for diphtheria, tuberculosis, hepatitis `A' and `B', Japanese `B' encephalitis, polio, tetanus, typhoid. Malaria precautions should be taken. There is a rabies risk. Water should be boiled and filtered before drinking.
Dress codes
Light, loose cotton clothing is advisable, although it should be modest. Sweaters may be needed in the evenings and during the cooler season. Businessmen wear shirts and ties, while jackets are worn for official functions or meetings with government officials; jackets and ties may be required for evening wear at larger hotels. Smart attire is also expected of businesswomen.
Social customs/useful tips
Always carry business cards and give them to any new acquaintance when introduced. To show respect, offer and accept business cards with both hands, and always read the cards you receive before putting them down.
To the Thais ‘face’ is very important and losing it can be a disastrous, with little chance of social recovery; all dealings should be controlled, polite and respectful.
Thai business relationships, networks and associations can be extensive and visitors should expect to spend much time cultivating contacts.
Both men and women should dress in smart, light and casually wear. Shorts, bare shoulders, and sandals would be inappropriate in a business setting. Westerners are expected to shake hands and Thais are willing to accommodate this practice. Thai women, however, may still be reluctant to shake hands, and may prefer simply to exchange smiles on being introduced. Thais address each other and foreign visitors by their forename, prefixed by ‘khun'.
The head is considered the most esteemed part of the body and the feet the least, so visitors should take care not to touch someone’s head (even accidentally) or show the soles of their feet.
Images of Buddha are held sacred and cannot be taken out of
Shoes should be removed when entering a Thai house or Buddhist temple. Women must never touch a Buddhist monk, give things to him, or receive things from him, directly.
Stand up when the royal and national anthems are played on television and radio at 0800 and 1800 every day. It is a criminal offence to make critical or defamatory comments about the King or other members of the Royal family, punishable by a sentence of three to 15 years.
Security
Experienced business visitors should not encounter any problems, particularly in central
Public holidays
Fixed dates
1 Jan (New Year's Day), 6 Apr (Chakri Day), 13–16 Apr (Songkran/Thai New Year), 1 May (Labour Day), 5 May (Coronation Day), 9 Aug (Sin National Day), 12 Aug (Queen's Birthday), 23 Oct (Chulalongkorn Day), 5 Dec (King's Birthday), 10 Dec (Constitution Day), 25 Dec (Christmas Day), 31 Dec (New Year's Eve).
Holidays falling on a weekend are taken on the following Monday/Tuesday.
Variable dates
Good Friday, Chinese New Year (Jan–Feb), Makha Bucha Day (Feb), Visakha Bucha Day (May), Asanha Bucha Day (Jul), Buddhist Lent Day (Jul), Naga Fire Ball (Oct), Loy Kratong (Nov),
Working hours
Banking
Mon–Fri: 0830–1530.
Business
Mon–Fri: 0830–1700. Sat: 0830–1200.
Government
Mon–Fri: 0830–1630.
Shops
Mon–Sun: 0900–1800/1900. Some shops are open 24 hours.
Electricity supply
220V AC, 50 cycles for domestic use, with plug fittings having two round or flat pins.
Weights and measures
Metric system (local units also in use).
