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Thailand Useful Information
Where to
Stay:
Thailand has world-class accommodation which is probably
unsurpassed in terms of attentiveness, courteous service and
affordability.
Major tourism destinations such as Bangkok, Pattaya, Chiang Mai
and Phuket and thriving commercial centres such as Hat Yai, Khon
Kaen, Lampang and Nakhon Ratchasima offer modern first-class
hotels with every conceivable convenience and
internationalstandard convention facilitics for groups numbering
from 200 to 2,000 and upwards.
Family-style hotels, bungalow complexes, guest houses,
houseboats, hostels, motels, spartan but clean Chinese-style
inns and hotels, and beachside huts complete a range of
accommodation costing anywhere from a few dollars daily to
hundreds of dollar a night.
Current listings of accommodation and rat are available from
Tourism Authority of Thailand's local offices in Bangkok.
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Central: |
Kanchanaburi, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Lop Buri,
Pattaya, Rayong, Cha-Am Nakhon Nayok, Trat |
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North: |
Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Phitsanulok |
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Northeast: |
Nakhon Ratchasima, Ubon Ratchathani, Khon Kaen,
Nakhon Phanom, Udon Thani |
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South: |
Hat Yai, Phuket, Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat,
Narathiwat |
Airline Offices:
Some 50 airlines maintain offices in Bangkok. A complete listing
may be found in the English edition of the Bangkok Telephone
Directory's Yellow Pages.
Tourist
Information Services:
Tourist information is available at the Tourism Authority of
Thailand head office in Bangkok, local offices in 22 major
cities (listed in the back cover) and the TAT information
counter in Bangkok Airport and at every airport where there is a
TAT local office. They provide maps, brochures and useful
information on tours, shopping, dining and accommodation. All
TAT information offices are open seven days a week from 8.30 AM.
to 4.30 PM.
Reservations:
Rail
Train tickets of all classes may be purchased 90 days in advance
at principal stations and at the Advance Booking Office (in
Bangkok Bailway Station) during 08.30 AM. - 06.00 PM. on
weekdays and 08.30 AM. - 12.00 AM. on Saturdays, Sundays and
official holidays. Some major travel agents in Bangkok also
provide train reservation services. To obtain further
information, please contact the Bangkok Advance Booking Office
Tel. 2233762, 2247788, Telex: 72242 SRT BKK TH.
Air
Plane tickets can be reserved through any Thai Airways
International Ltd. office in some 40 cities around the world, or
through any authorized THAI travel agents.
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.
Business Centres
Certain major hotels provide fully equipped business centres for
visiting executives. Services customarily include secretarial
work, typing, photocopying and fax facilities, conference rooms
and reference libraries.
Car Hire:
Those possessing valid International Driving Licenses may prefer
to hire automobiles. English-language road signs and maps are
commonplace. The Bangkok Yellow Pages list local and
international automobile rental companies. Visitors are advised
to shop around since most companies offer different conditions.
Selfdrive and chauffeur-driven automobiles are widely available.
international car hire companies such as Avis and Hertz also
operate in Pattaya, Hat Yai, Phuket, Chiang Mai and Samui
Island.
Church Services:
Christian churches are found in Bangkok and most provincial
capitals. Services are mostly in Thai, with certain services in
English, French and German. Local English-language newspapers
provide comprehensive listings of services in Bangkok.
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 nightclubs.
Electricity
The electric current is 220 Volt AC (50 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
available 110 Volt transformers.
Film and
Photography:
Major international film manufacturers maintain excellent
photofinishing laboratories.
Instant developing can be done within one hour. Popular films
are available countrywide at reasonable prices.
Still photagraphers are free to shoot almost everything. 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.
Newspapers and
Magazines:
Thailand's English-language newspapers, the Nation, the Bangkok
Post and Thailand Times keep readers abreast of local and
international events. Major English language magazines and
newspapers such as International Herald Tribune, Wallstreet
Journal, Newsweek, Time and Asiaweek are readily available at
hotel newsagents, supermarkets, department stores and leading
bookstores.
Embassies:
Some 50 countries maintain embassies, consulates or legations in
Bangkok. Most are concentrated around the Sulkhumvit, Phloen
Chit, Witthayu and Sathon Road areas. A complete list of such
missions is featured in the Yellow Pages of the English edition
of the Bangkok Telephone Directory.
Etiquette:
Polite behaviour is welcomed everywhere, and what is considered
polite in other countries is probably considered polite in
Thailand, too.
However, there and a few cultural pitfalls, mainly social and
religious taboos, the breaking of which can cause offence:
- For example, Thais revere their royal family. Even social
malcontents who ignore legal and community standards refuse to
tolerate a faintly implied slight on the Thai monarchy.
- Outward expressions of anger are regarded as crude and
boorish. The visitor who remains calm and smiles appreciatively
will find all sorts of doors open to him.
- Visitors should dress neatly in all religious shrines. They
should never go shirtless, or in shorts, hot pants or other
unsuitable attire.
- Shoes should be removed when entering private Thai homes;
chapels where Buddhist images are kept; and any of the Islamic
community's mosques.
- Each Buddha image, large or small, ruined or not, is regarded
as being a sacred object. Never climb onto one to take a
photograph or do anything that might show lack of respect.
- Public displays of affection between men and women are frowned
upon. Westernised Thai couples may hold hands but that's as far
as it goes in polite society.
- It is considered rude to point your foot a person or object.
- Thais regard the head as the highest part of the body, both
literally and figuratively. Therefore, they do not appreciate
anyone patting them there, even as a friendly gesture.
Tourist
Police:
In 1982, the Tourist Police was set up to coordinate with the
Tourism Authority of Thailand in providing safety for tourists.
Its responsibilities are receiving and acknowledging claims and
complaints-, to conduct investigations and acting as co-ordinator
of tourist security protection. At present, some 500 tourist
policemen are stationed in major tourist areas such as the Grand
Palace, Pat Pong and Lumphini Park.
Bi-lingual Tourist Police are attached to Tourism Authority of
Thailand offices in Bangkok, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Pattaya,
Kanchanaburi, Nakhon Batchasima, Udon Thani, Khon Kaen, Chiang
Mai, Chiang Rai, Mae Hong Son, Phitsanulok, Nakhon Sawan, Surat
Thani, Phuket and Songkhla to provide speedy assistance to
visitors.
In case of emergency, contact the Tourist Police Centre,
Unicohouse Building, Soi Lang Suan, Phloen Chit Bd., Bangkok
Tel: 6521721-6
Medical Services:
All tourism destinations and provincial capitals have hospitals
and clinics staffed by well-trained doctors and nurses. In case
of emergencies, ambulances can be summoned from any private
hospital.
Health Guide for
Travellers to Thailand:
Welcome to Thailand. Every year, more than 8 million tourists
visit this country as one of their travel destinations. Many
arrive with insufficient health advice which often results in
bounts of illnesses that spoil a good part of their journey. The
information provided in this page will help you come up with
appropriate protection against some common illnesses and promote
enjoyment of your happy stay in Thailand.
Malaria
Bangkok and most provinces in the central region as well as
major tourist resorts such as Chiangmai, Phuket, Hua-Hin and Koh
Samui have been free from malaria for decades. Now all cities in
Thailand are malaria free. However, tourist destinations in
rural neighbourhoods, especially those in the mountainous and
border areas are still at certain risks.
Chloroquine and most other chemoprophylactic drugs have proved
to be ineffective against falciparum malaria in Thailand.
Tourists visiting these endemic areas are rather recommended to
take general precautions against mosquito bite. After sunset,
they should stay in screened quarters or mosquito nets, wear
longsleeve shirts and pants, and may apply mosquito repellents.
Those who develop fever within two weeks of entry to risk areas
should seek prompt medical examination and treatment.
Japanese encephalitis
This viral infection of the brain, is contracted through the
bite of mosquitoes that prevail in rural agricultural areas. It
is found in many Eastern and Southeastern Asian countries,
primarily in the rural and suburban areas. Similar to malaria,
the disease can be prevented by avoiding mosquito bite during
the night time. Travellers who plan to spend their time exposing
to rural environment in these regions for over several months
are recommended to take Japanese encephalitis vaccination before
entry.
Dengue fever and dengue hemorrhagic fever
These diseases are endemic in Southeast Asia. They are caused by
dengue virus from the bite of aedes mosquito that lives in the
houses and their neighbourbood. This mosquito bites during the
day time. Dengue infection in local people, mostly children,
often results in fever with bleeding in the skin and other
organs (dengue hemorrhagic fever) which is sometime fatal; but
for travellers from non-endemic areas, the infection usually
minifests as fever with rash in the skin, severe headache and
muscle and pains (dengue fever), which is usually non-fatal.
Dengue infection is common in the rainy season (approximately
May to September in Thailand) when aedes mosquito is abundant.
Travellers visiting local households or their vicinity,
especially in the rainy season, should be using mosquito
repellent even in the day time. Ones who are ill with symptoms
suspected of dengue infection should seek medical consultation
to establish the cause of the illness.
Rabies
Rabies can be found in many animals especially dogs and cats.
Although Thailand has been working toward elimination of the
disease and the situation has been much improved, travellers are
recommended to take prevention if their travel itineraries allow
possible exposure to animal bites. Those who plan walking
sight-seeing in local communities should consider having
pre-exposure rabies vaccination before starting off. Three
intramuscular injections of cell-culture rabies vaccine are
required. In case of exposure to animals without prior
vaccination, the pose-exposure vaccination is usually effective
if it is initiated without delay. However, for those who have
had pre-exposure vaccination, if they are bitten, they should
also seek prompt consultation with the physician for evaluation
and consideration for booster vaccination.
Diarrhea
Diarrhea is mostly caused by ingestion of food and drinks
contaminated with bacteria or viruses. To prevent diarrhea,
avoid uncooked food and drink only boiled of bottled or
carbonated water. Food served at street vendors should be
considered at risk. Fresh vegetables and fruits should be
adequately washed with clean water. Fresh salad should be taken
only from a salad bar or a restaurant of hygienic standard. Tap
water in many Southeast Asian cities is claimed to be safe for
drinking, but it is still advisable to stick to safety
precautions.
Danger from diarrhea primarily is the result of the loss of
water and electrolytes from the body. If you happen to have
diarrhea during your travel, the most helpful remedy is drinking
electrolyte solution to replace the loss. Therefore, it is
always useful to keep some electrolyte solution packets in your
first-aid kit. If your diarrhea gets worse or does not improve
within 12-24 hours, consult the physicians for proper
investigation and treatment.
Typhoid fever
Typhoid fever has become uncommon among Thai people. However,
travellers should not neglect taking prevention against this
food and water borne disease. Precaution measures for diarrhea,
as mentioned above, are effective for typhoid as well. It is
also recommended that the travellers receive typhoid
vaccination, in injectable or oral form, before start of the
journey. However, those who need initiation or booster
vaccination can find the service at most hospitals and clinics
in Thailand.
Sexually transmitted diseases and HIV/AIDS
Urethritis remains the most common treatable sexually
transmitted disease (STD) among tourists to Asia. Gonorrhea from
Southeast Asia is frequently multidrug resistant. While syphilis
become less common, HIV/AIDS is spreading at worrisome speeds in
most Asian countries, resulting mostly from unprotected sexual
contacts.
Promiscuous sex anywhere can be dangerous. For travellers, local
sex workers, either of explicite or concealed types, are
potential sources of STDs and HIV/AIDS. All casual sex should be
avoided or strictly protected with the use of condoms. Danger
from intravenous drug use with sharing of needles and syringes
cannot be overemphasized. However, blood transfusion at all
medical centers in Thailand is considered safe as intensive
screening of donated blood for HIV, hepatitis B and syphilis is
implemented nationwide.
Viral hepatitis
There are two major groups of viral hepatitis. Hepatitis spread
by contaminated food and water, hepatitis A and E, are endemic
in many parts of Asia. Most local people are immune to these
types of hepatitis through natural infection, but travellers
from better hygienic environments can be receptive to infection.
Therefore, travellers are recommended to practice prevention
measures against food and water borne diseases, as suggested for
diarrhea. An alternative protection for hepatitis A is the
immunization with hyperimmune serum or hepatitis A vaccine.
Consult with the physician at an established medical service for
the immunization.
Another group of hepatitis; hepatitis B, C and D; are
transmitted through contaminated blood and sexual contacts, or
passed from infected mothers to their babies at the time of
birth; similar to the ways HIV/AIDS is transmitted. This group
of hepatitis can be simultaneously and effectively avoided if
precautions against HIV/AIDS are strictly taken. However, for
those who require immunization, effective vaccine against
hepatitis B is available at most medical services.
Tipping:
It is not necessary to tip cinema ushers. 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.
Radio and
Television:
AM radio is heavily commercial - - there are some 200 stations
nationwide - - and appeals to popular taste. FM radio offers
popular music, classical music, jazz, English-language news
broadcasts and the original sounctracks of certain imported
filmshows shown on local television's five channels. Leading
hotels have colour televisions in each room, offering either
video features, satellite and / or cable television or
tourism-related English-language programmes.
The Temporary
Import of a Vehicle for the Purpose of Tourism
1. Valid International Driving Licence and passport or
equivalent documents are required.
2. Vehicle registration or, in the case of a borrowed vehicle,
authorization documents from the owner are required.
3. Cash guarantee or bank guarantee or selfguarantee is
required. If vehicle is brought in through Bangkok or Klong Toey
Port, cash guarantee or bank guarantee is essential. If entry is
via land across the southern border then it is acceptable to
guarantee oneself by completing the customs form, giving
necessary details to the customs officer and signing the record.
4. Permission is granted for a 6 month period from the date of
entry.
5. In the case of having requested to bring the vehicle in for a
period of just 5-10 days and then wishing to extend the length
of stay, a renewal can be granted free of charge by the Customs
Department.
6. Procedure:
(i) Contact the customs office at the relevant border.
(ii) Customs officer will complete an additional incoming form
and at the same time check documents as in No.2 above and also
fix
the self-guarantee.
(iii) In the case of cash or bank guarantee, the customs officer
will evaluate the price of the vehicle according to its
condition plus 20 %
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Thailand Hotels Resorts Quick Access
