Getting to Thailand
By Air:
Thailand is well connected by International Airlines and visitors can arrive in Thailand through different major international airports such as: Bangkok, Phuket and Chiang Mai. From the airport, they can catch a bus, limo or taxi to travel to their final destination. The airports offer a souvenir shop and a bar to make the time at the airport more enjoyable. Transfers into the centre of Bangkok and to most hotels would be accessible around 30-40 minutes depending on traffic conditions and time of the day.
By Land:
Land border crossings are possible between Malaysia (road and train), Laos (road and boat) and Cambodia (road and air). To and from Myanmar is possible only by air at present.
Road connections exist between all of Thailand’s neighboring countries, and these routes can be travelled by bus, shared taxi and private car. You can take a bus to the border point, pass through immigration and then pick up another bus or shared taxi on the other side. While crossing the Malaysian border, the bus stops for immigration formalities and then continues to its destination across the border.
By Train:
Thailand’s and Malaysia’s state railways meet at Butterworth (93km south of the Thai–Malaysian border), which is a transfer point to Penang (by boat) or to Kuala Lumpur and Singapore (by Malaysian train).
There are several border crossings for which you can take a train to the border and then switch to automobile transport on the other side. The Thai–Cambodian border crossing of Aranya Prathet to Poipet and the Thai–Lao crossing of Nong Khai to Vientiane are two examples.
Another rail line travels to the Malaysian east coast border town of Sungai Kolok, but because of ongoing violence in Thailand’s Deep South we don’t recommend this route for travellers.
Thailand Visa Regulations
A passport with at least 6 months validity and two recent passport sized colour photographs are required to enter into Thailand.
Basic Requirements for Visa for Thailand
A. Passport must be valid at least 6 months after the expected date of entry into Thailand
B. One filled-in application form per person, including accompanying children
C. Two passport-sized photos are required for those who carry passports issued by Palestine, India, Nepal, China
D. Return air ticket
E. Hotel confirmation in Thailand
Type of Visas and Application Fees
Transit Visa:
Issued for 30 days without extension. Applicant is not permitted to engage in any occupation or employment. A confirmed ticket for onward destination must be shown to the officer at the port of entry.
Application fee: NIS 120 per entry
Tourist Visa:
Issued for 60 days. Another 30 days may be granted by Immigration Division, Bangkok, Thailand. Applicant is not permitted to engage in any occupation or employment.
Non-Immigrant Visa:
Issued for 90 days. No extension granted. Applicant must submit an official letter specifying purpose of visit. Tax Clearance Certificate is required at port of departure.
Non-Immigrant Visa over 90 days:
The issuance of this visa must obtain a prior approval from the Immigration Division in Thailand. The applicant is required to submit the name and address of his/her guarantor or reference in Thailand who will be responsible for the applicant during his/her stay in Thailand. In this respect, a health certificate, criminal record, bank/ financial statements, and other documents certifying title, function, qualifications, purpose and duration of stay in Thailand are also required. The guarantor or sponsoring firms or organizations in Thailand may also apply such visa directly to the Immigration Division in Bangkok on behalf of the applicant.
Requirements for Other Traveling Documents
Holders of traveling documents other than passports may require a visa for Thailand. Please contact the Thai Embassy for detailed information.
Short Transit to Other Destinations without Leaving the Airport
Foreigners, who travel via Thailand to other destinations from the same port of entry, are allowed to transit without a visa. In this regard, the Thai Immigration Division is authorized to instruct the airlines or persons in charge of the transit to ensure that the transit passengers remain in a prescribed area. Should the transit passengers be forced for any reason to remain in the prescribed area for a period longer than expected, the Immigration Division may allow such passengers to do so under guarantees by the airlines or persons in charge of the transit.
Climate/Weather in Thailand
The Thailand climate is controlled by tropical monsoons and the weather in Thailand is generally hot and humid across most of the country throughout most of the year. While Thailand’s seasons are generally divided into the hot season, cool season, and rainy season, in reality it’s relatively hot most of the year. The weather in central, northern, and northeastern Thailand (the landlocked provinces) is determined by three seasons, whereas the southern, coastal regions of Thailand feature only two, making the weather in Thailand quite easy to understand and plan a trip around. In Thailand’s inland provinces the seasons are clearly defined: Between November and May the weather is mostly dry and the cool season and hot season occur from November to February and March to May respectively. The other inland season, the rainy season, lasts from May to November and is dominated by the southwest monsoon, during which time rainfall in most of Thailand is at its heaviest.
The southern, coastal region of Thailand really has only two seasons – rainy season and dry season. Fortunately, for those planning a beach holiday, Thailand’s two coasts have slightly different rainy seasons, allowing visitors to find sunny beaches nearly year round.
On the Andaman or west coast, where Phuket, Krabi, and the Phi Phi Islands lie, the southwest monsoon brings heavy storms from April to October, while on the Gulf of Thailand or east coast, where Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, and Koh Tao lie, the most rain falls between September and December.
From November to March, many consider conditions to be at their best with a cooling wind keeping the sky-high summer temperatures at bay and making the daytime more comfortable (avg daily temp: 26°C -32°C). Due to the breeze, the humidity levels are lower than later in the year.
From March through to May the temperatures rise (avg daily temp: 30°C-36°C) as the cooling winds depart and the humidity rises.
In late May, monsoonal weather usually arrives, which is expected to last through October. Peak rainfall levels are usually experienced between mid-September and mid-October. Outside of these months, the rain often come in a short, heavy downpour, usually in the afternoon.
Thailand Travel Information
Packing light makes your trip to Thailand much less stressful. Pack only the minimums and do some shopping on arrival. Cotton shirts and walking shorts are available at street markets.
Luggage can ruin your day! Wheels are great for airports but not for the sidewalks of Bangkok.
Currency exchange should wait for Thailand. Don't pat a foreign bank premium. You will get better exchange rates after arrival. Travelers' checks, ATM cards or cash will get market rates.
ATM's are pretty much everywhere nowadays. Every 7-11 will have one. Shopping areas have banks of them. Some offshore banks now charge Bt 200 for a withdrawal. Some of our tips may save you a few Thai Baht. Plus you can see real time exchange rates for all major currencies.
Accommodation
Thailand has world-class accommodation which is probably unsurpassed in terms of attentiveness, courteous service and affordability. Major tourist destinations in the kingdom offer modern first- class hotels with every conceivable convenience and international-standard convention facilities for groups numbering from 200 to 2,000 and upwards. Family-style hotels, bungalow complexes, guest houses, houseboats, hostels, motels, spartan but cheap Chinese-style inns and hotels, and beach-side huts complete a range of accommodation costing anywhere from a few dollars daily to hundreds of dollar a night.
Best Time to Visit Thailand
The best time to visit Thailand is November through February (cool season). The weather in Thailand is generally very hot, particularly between March and May. From July to October is the rainy season but the rain is not permanent- it comes in bursts and cools things down after it has gone! Despite the rain the weather is still hot and humid during this period.
Currency and Exchange Services
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Thai Currency
Thai unit of currency is the Baht which is worth a little less than 4 US cents. One US dollar = approximately 40 baht. The baht is divided into loo satang. "Copper" coins are valued at 25 and 50 satang. "Silver" coins are in denominations of 1' 2 and 5 baht. A 10 baht coin is composed of both "silver" and "copper". Banknotes are valued at 10 baht (brown), 20 baht (green), 50 baht (blue), 100 baht (red), 500 baht (purple) and 1,000 baht (khaki).
Traveller's Cheques/ Cheques/Credit Cards
US dollar traveler cheques can be conveniently cashed at all provincial banks and authorized money changers. Traveler cheques in other currencies are best changed in Bangkok where better rates prevail. Generally, hotel exchange rates are lower than those offered by banks and authorised money changers. Major international credit cards, such as American Express, Diners, Carte Blanche, Master Card and VISA are accepted by major banks, restaurants, hotels and shops. Thai and foreign banks provide standard services nation-wide, Monday through Friday, except public and bank holidays, between 8.30 AM and 3.30 PM. Major banks such as Bangkok Bank, Thai Danu Bank, Thai Farmers Bank and Siam Commercial Bank operate currency exchange centres in most tourist areas from 7.00 AM to 9.00 PM, seven days a week, including holidays. Many first-class hotels provide 24'-hour money exchange services, but only for major currencies such as American dollars, British pounds, German marks and Swiss francs. Travellers cheques are generally accepted only from bona fide hotel guests.
Exchange Control
A. Foreign tourists may freely bring in foreign banknotes or other types of foreign exchange. Upon leaving Thailand, a foreign tourist may freely take out foreign means of payments which he brought in with him, with the exception that foreign notes or coins are limited to a maximum equivalent of US$ 10,000 or the amount declared in writing to Customs upon arrival. Failure to do so may lead to arrest, confiscation of the excess amount involved and/or prosecution.
B. For travellers leaving Thailand, the maximum amount permitted to take out without prior authorisation is 50,000 Baht per person.
C. Foreign visitors may bring in personal effects and other goods which are not prohibited by current customs regulation.
D. Other than personal effects, departing visitors are also allowed to take out merchandise bought from duty free shops, precious stones, gold and platinum ornaments.
E. Foreign visitors are welcome to open a foreign currency account with any commercial bank in Thailand. As a special gesture to non-residents, no restrictions are imposed on the maintenance of and withdrawal from the account, as long as the funds originate from abroad.
F. For additional information concerning foreign exchange regulations, please contact any authorized banks.
NOTE: The regulations might change without prior notice. Please contact your nearest hai Consulate for confirmation.
Business Hours
Most commercial concerns in Bangkok operate on a five-day week basis. Government offices are generally open between 8.30 AM and 4.30 PM with a noon to 1.00 PM lunchbreak, Monday through Friday, except on public holidays. Private businesses maintain much the same hours - perhaps 8.00 AM to 5.00 PM, with certain exceptions. Many stores open 12 hours a day, seven days a week.
Required Clothing
Light, loose cotton clothing is best. Nylon should be avoided. Sweaters are needed during Cool Season evenings or if visiting mountainous areas and remote national parks. Jackets and ties are required in certain restaurants and night-clubs.
Electricity
The electric current is 220 Volt AC (so cycles) throughout the country. There are many plugs and sockets in use. Travellers with shavers, tape recorders and other appliances should carry a plug-adapter kit. The better hotels will, make avail- able 110 Volt transformers.
Tipping
It is customary to tip porters and hotel personnel who have given good personal service. A 10%-15% tip is appreciated in restaurants, particularly where service charge is waived.
Places to Visit in Thailand
Bangkok, the capital of Thailand, is a very exciting and often chaotic Asian city. Despite that, it still stays true to its long standing culture that defines the land. It’s a city where the old and the new co-exist harmoniously. The major sights of the city are The Grand Palace, Wat Phra Kaew and Wat Arun. The Grand Palace, built in 1782, has been the home to the Thai king for 150 years, the royal court and the administrative base of the government. Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha) sits in a corner of the Palace and is one of Thailand’s important temples. It enshrines the Emerald Buddha (Phra Kaew Morakot)- an image of Lord Buddha carved out from a single block of jade. Wat Arun (or Wat Cheng or the Temple of Dawn) is another famous Buddhist temple. It is situated on the west (Thonburi) side of the Cho Phraya River). Its spires and stupa are as stunning up close as they are from a distance. The other well-known backpacker’s paradise are Khao San Road, Chinatown’s alleyways and bazaars and the Patpong Night Market.
Phuket is Thailand’s largest island in the Andaman Sea. Earlier, it derived its wealth from its rubber plantations, but now the growing tourism generates a booming economy. Exciting water sports, relaxing spas, golf parks or lively nightlife- are the major highlights of Phuket. Phang Nga Bay is a popular pick with spectacular vistas. What is amazing about it are the stunning limestone rock formations that protrude vertically out of the brilliant jade waters. It is a great place to get away from crowded touristy areas, though you will find some at the famous James Bond Island (of ‘The Man with the Golden Gun’ fame) and Koh Panyee. Boat trips from Phuket are the best ways to enjoy these places.
Pattaya
Pattaya is a beauty of a seaside resort on the eastern Gulf Coast of Thailand. There are lots to see and enjoy in Pattaya. The fishing villages, gardens, zoos, museums, temples, entertainment shows and many indoors and outdoors activities that will keep you occupied and enthralled.
You can see the world in just a few hours at Mini Siam. Here, you’ll find the Eiffel Tower, Beijing’s Altar of Heaven, St. Petersburg’s Church, Sydney Opera House, London’s Tower Bridge, the Statue of Liberty and many more.
Underwater World Pattaya is a colossal aquarium that gives you a taste of “twenty thousand leagues under the sea”. The 100m tunnel will find you with all kinds of marine animals- sharks, stingrays, sea otters, lobsters, turtles, bamboo sharks, shovelnose ray (mix between a shark and a stingray), sea anemones, fishes and colourful reefs. Do not to miss out on the live feeding shows.
Only an hour's drive outside of Bangkok, Ayutthaya was a Siamese kingdom existing from 1351 to 1767. The olden city is now cleaned out but the remains of the elegant, unexpected and often towering temples and buildings are now classed as a UNESCO world heritage site and should not be missed.
Chiang Mai
The religious city of Chiang Mai is a much calmer city than Bangkok but still a necessary visit on the travellers trail. Dotted with temples, craft shops, tasty restaurants, Thai massage and cooking schools the city has somehow a relaxing and relatively tranquil environment. Many travelers often cite Chaing Mai as their favourite Thai city and once visited it’s easy to see why it’s so popular. Its location high in the north mountainous region of Thailand also makes it’s a perfect base for the popular mountain treks and organized treks can be arranged very easily here. The trails from Chiang Mai are although very interesting are often a well-worn path and many backpackers now head for nearby Pai – a gorgeously located traveler’s Mecca popular with artists and musicians. Pai also offers less touristy and more ‘rustic’ treks and visits to hill-tribes
