Hotels in: Thailand | Bangkok | Chiang Rai | Chiang Mai | Hua Hin | Koh Chang | Krabi | Pattaya | Phi Phi Island | Phuket | Ayuthaya | Cha-Am | Hat Yai | Kanchanaburi

Overview
The kingdom of Thailand lies in the heart of Southeast Asia, making it a natural gateway to Indochina, Myanmar and Southern China.
Its shape and geography divide Thailand into four natural regions:

• the mountains and forests of the North
• the vast rice fields of the Central Plains
• the semi-arid farm lands of the Northeast plateau
• the tropical islands and long coastline of the peninsula South

The country comprises 76 provinces that are further divided into districts, sub-districts and villages.

Bangkok is the capital city and centre of political, commercial, industrial and cultural activities. It is also the seat of Thailand’s revered Royal Family, with His Majesty the King recognized as Head of State, Head of the Armed Forces, Upholder of the Buddhist religion and Upholder of all religions.

Thailand is a constitutional monarchy with His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej, or King Rama IX, the ninth king of the Chakri Dynasty, the present king. The King has reigned for more than half a century, making him the longest reigning Thai monarch.

Thailand embraces a rich diversity of cultures and traditions. With its proud history, tropical climate and renowned hospitality, the Kingdom is a never-ending source of fascination and pleasure for international visitors.

Population
The majority of population is Thai (80%), Chinese (10%), Malay (3%), and the rest are minorities (Mons, Khmers, hill tribes). Ethnic Thais form the majority, though the area has historically been a migratory crossroads, and has thus produced a degree of ethnic diversity. Integration is such, however, that culturally and socially there is enormous unity.

Language
Spoken and written Thai is largely incomprehensible to the casual visitor. However, English is widely understood, particularly in Bangkok where it is almost the major commercial language. English and some European Languages are spoken in most hotels, shops and restaurants in major tourist destinations, and Thai-English road and street signs are found nationwide.

Climate:
Thailand enjoys a tropical climate with three distinct seasons:

• hot and dry from February to May (average temperature 34 degrees Celsius and 75% humidity)
• rainy with plenty of sunshine from June to October (average day temperature 29 degrees Celsius and 87% humidity)
• cool from November to January (temperatures range from 32 degrees Celsius to below 20 degrees Celsius with a drop in humidity)

Much lower temperatures are experienced in the North and Northeast during nighttime. The South has a tropical rainforest climate with temperatures averaging 28 degrees Celsius almost all year round.

Electricity:
The electric current is 220 volt AC (50 cycles) throughout the country. Many different types of plugs and sockets are in use. Travelers with electric shavers, hair dryers, tape recorders and other appliances should carry a plug adapter kit. The better hotels will make available 110-volt transformers.

Business hours:
Most commercial concerns in Bangkok operate on a five-day week, usually from 8 am to 5 pm. Many stores open seven days a week from 10 am to 10 pm. Government offices are generally open between 8.30 am and 4.30 pm with a noon to 1 pm lunch break, Monday to Friday except on public holidays. Banks are open Mondays to Fridays from 9.30 am to 3.30 pm except on public holidays.

Postal Services:
Thailand’s mail service is reliable and efficient. Major hotels provide basic postal services on their premises. Provincial post offices are usually open from 8.00 a.m. to 4.30 p.m.

Telephone Services:
International Roaming Mobile Phone: A Subscriber Identity Module Card (SIM Card) is now available for Thai and foreign customers who are traveling around for work. The SIM Card must be used in conjunction with a Digital GSM mobile phone within the 900-MHz range or a Digital PCN mobile phone within the 1800-MHz range.

At present, all the regular traditional telephone numbers (for local calls and long distance calls within the country) have nine digits and all the mobile phone numbers have ten digits.

• Bangkok calls: 02 is added to the existing numbers (i.e. 0 2694 1222)
• Provincial calls: an area code is added to the existing numbers (e.g. area code for Chiang Mai is 053 => 0 5324 8604)
• Mobile phones: 01 or 09 is added to the existing numbers; newly, in order to satisfy growing need for phone numbers, all the mobile phone numbers are now prefixed by 08 as opposed to existin prefix of sole 0. So calling locally on a mobile phone the number you dial looks like this: 08 XXXX XXXX (Xs represent your old mobile number without the old prefix of 0
• International dialing code for Thailand is 66
• Making international calls to Thailand: add 66 and omit the leading 0
• Making international calls from Thailand: first dial 001+country code+area code+telephone number
• Direct assistance: 1133 (local), 100 (international)

When to go
Thailand’s monsoons arrive around July and last into November (the ‘rainy season’) and can be quite uncomfortable to deal with. This is followed by a dry, cool period from November to mid-February, followed by much higher relative temperatures from March to June. By far the best time to visit is from February to March when the weather is kind and the beaches are at their finest.

The peak seasons are August, November, December, February and March, with secondary peak months in January and July. If your main objective is to avoid crowds and to take advantage of discounted rooms and low-season rates, you should consider traveling during the least crowded months (April, May, June, September and October).

On the other hand it’s not difficult to leave the crowds behind, even during peak months, if you simply avoid some of the most popular destinations (eg, Chiang Mai and all islands and beaches).

Where to stay
Thailand has on offer an abundance of hotels for every visitor and every budget. See our Thailand hotel services for a detailed list of Thai hotels and available specials.

Where to go
Bangkok
Bangkok is a shopper’s bonanza as shopping in Bangkok is not limited to one or two major streets. There are many areas throughout Bangkok affording ample choices and easy access. The following is just a selection of some of the principal shopping areas.

• Ploenchit-Ratchaprasong
  Top department stores and luxury shopping malls are concentrated in the area, namely Central, Sogo, Gaysorn Plaza, Isetan, Zen, Amarin Plaza and Peninsula Plaza, all of which together make the largest shopping promenade in Bangkok. Furthermore, the World Trade Centre and Narayana Phand Pavilion, host the official handicraft centre selling items from all parts of the country. Ratchaprasong intersection is the gateway to several shopping areas such as Phloenchit-Sukhumvit, Siam Square-Mahboonkrong, Silom and Pratunam-Phetchaburi.
• Silom-Surawong-Patpong Silom Road
  The main artery of Bangkok’s commercial heart paralleled by Surawong Road while Patpong runs crosswise between the two. In addition to housing dozens of specialist shops and boutiques representing all the major buys, this area also boasts many branches of well-known retailers and several shopping plazas. Street stalls also abound, most notably at Patpong’s famous night market.
• Sukhumvit Like Silom
  Sukhumvit is one of Bangkok’s main thoroughfares, and the long road is lined with shops, boutiques and modern shopping plazas ranging from Soi 3 (Nana Nua) up to Soi 63 (Ekkamai). Most shops and restaurants are concentrated between Soi 3 and soi 21 (Asok) and along shortcuts between Asok and Ekkamai.
• Pratunam-Phetchaburi
  Highlight in the district is Pratunam market, one of Bangkok’s biggest centers for ready-to-wear clothing.
• Baiyoke Tower
  Located next to Bangkok’s tallest hotel building, Baiyoke tower is one of the city’s renowned garment centers.
• Nai Lert Plaza
  Situated close to Pratunam Market, Nai Lert Market is one of many shopping areas in Bangkok where you can buy just about everything from clothing to handicrafts.
• Bang Lamphu
  Situated close to the Grand Palace, Bang Lamphu has a lively market where clothing is a popular buy.
• Bangkok’s Chinatown
  Chinatown Centre on Yaowarat Road and Sampheng Lane, Bangkok’s Chinatown offers a profusion of gold shops as well as several nearby traditional shopping places such as Ban Mo Jewellery Street, Phahurat Cloth Market and the Old Siam Plaza.
• Jatujak or Chatuchak Weekend Market
  Located adjacent to Chatuchak Park, the weekend market, open on Saturday and Sunday, is a Bangkok landmark where you can buy just about everything from clothing to potted plants and everything in between. A paradise for browsers and bargain-hunters alike. The market also offers items of furniture and home decor. It is also where professional and amateur art-lovers and artists meet.
• Pak Khlong Talat
  Wholesale market for all kinds of cut flowers and vegetables. It is located on Maharat Road near the Memorial Bridge. The market is crowded in the early morning and in the evening.
• Damnoen Saduak Floating Market
  This popular attraction which is some 80 kilometers west of Bangkok, accessible by regular bus from the Southern Bus Terminal. Everyday, hundreds of vendor boats crowd the market area in the early morning till noon.

TRAVEL TIPS

Visa requirements:
Tourist Visa exemption
According to the Interior Ministerial Announcements dated 1 October B.E. 2545 (2002), 20 December B.E. 2545 (2002),18 October B.E. 2547 (2004) and 6 May B.E. 2548 (2005), passport holders from 40 listed countries do not need a visa when entering Thailand for tourism purposes if their stay in the Kingdom does not exceed 30 days. However the traveller must possess sufficient funds to provide for means of living while in Thailand, currently set at 10,000 Baht per person and 20,000 Baht per family accordingly.

Travelers are also advised that ordinary passport holders from 40 listed countries intending to engage in non-travel activities are eligible to apply for a visa when entering the Kingdom, if their qualifications meet the conditions set forth by the Office of Immigration Bureau.

For more information contact the Office of Immigration Bureau, Soi Suan Plu, off South Sathorn Road, Bangkok 10120, Tel. (662) 287-3101-10 or at the website of Thai Police.

Temporary tourist visa: Visa on Arrival
According to the Interior Ministerial Announcements, passport holders from 20 listed countries may apply for visas at the immigration checkpoints for the purpose of tourism for the period of not exceeding 15 days.

The applicant must possess means of living expenses 10,000 Baht per person and 20,000 Baht per family accordingly and must also produce full paid ticket which is usable within 15 days since the date of entry.
Visa on arrival is provided at 32 designated international checkpoints and applicants should produce the application form to which his/her recent photograph (2 ½ inches) is attached. The application fee at the time of writing is 1,000 Baht.

Visitors who enter the Thailand kingdon with Visa on Arrival generally cannot file an application for extension of stay except in special cases such as illness which prevents them from traveling, etc. They can submit an application at the Office of Immigration Bureau, Immigration Division 1, Soi Suan Plu, South Sathorn Road, Bangkok 10120. Tel. (662) 287-3127 or 287-3101-10 ext. 2264-5 or via the website at www.police.go.th. For further details please visit the web of Thailand Ministry Of Foreign Affairs.

Domestic transportation
Getting around in Bangkok

• Taxis:
  Metered taxis are available 24 hours in Bangkok. The metered fare is standardized, with the flag down rate being 35 Baht forthe first 2 km and around 5 Baht for each km thereafter. Passengers must pay tolls if using the expressways. Make sure the driver turns on the meter once you get in. Make sure you have change, as taxi drivers often don’t!
  Drivers change shifts at about 3:30-4:00 p.m. and may not accept you unless your destination is convenient. If taxis do not have meters, fares must be agreed upon before starting. The amount will vary depending on the distance, traffic, weather (if it is raining the fare will rise) and the negotiating skills of the hirer.
  Average fares in Bangkok are between 50-200 Baht. No tip is expected, but it is a nice gesture.
• Tuk-Tuks:
  The colorful, three-wheeled, open-air “samlor” taxis are renowned for their capability to maneuver into the tightest spots, offering passengers an interesting ride. Accommodating two passengers (three or four at a squeeze), it is best for short trips during off-peak hours. Make sure to settle the fare before proceeding!
  Tuk-tuks are normally cheaper than metered taxis, the fare should never exceed 200 Baht per trip.
• City Buses:
  Bangkok has an extensive bus service with routes serving every part of the city, providing a fun and cheap way to explore it. There are both air-conditioned and non-air-conditioned vehicles.The fare for the former depends on the distance traveled, starting from 10 Baht per person and the buses are colored blue, orange or white/green, depending on the route. The latter charges a flat fee of either 3.50 Baht per person (green and white/red colored buses) or 5 Baht per person (white/red and white/blue).
  Because of the low fares, the open-aired buses tend to be heavily crowded, especially during the peak hours in the morning (6-9 am) and evenings (4-7 pm). Be watchful of your belongings and learn the art of balancing since the ride might be jerky, with sudden stops and accelerations.
  You can request the purser to notify you of your stop. People at the bus stops will gladly inform you of the correct bus number to take if unsure of how to get to your destination.
  Be prepared with exact change or bank notes of 50 Baht (blue) or lesser denominations. An uniformed purser aboard the bus (listen for the clinking sound of coins in a long, cylinder container) will collect the fee and give you a ticket. Keep the ticket handy for inspections later down the route.
• Microbus:
  The pinkish-violet, air-conditioned minibuses share some of the popular routes as city buses. Theadvantage is the flat rate of 10-25 Baht per person (depends on the routing distance) and that seats are guaranteed. Once all seats are occupied, the bus will not pick up more passengers until there is a vacancy.
• BTS Skytrains:
  With stations in major commercial areas and departures every 5 minutes, it is an ideal means of transportation to escape the traffic. Service is via 2 routes: the Mo Chit - On Nut route (runs along Sukhumvit Rd.) and the National Stadium-Taksin Bridge route (runs along Silom Rd.). Running from 6 am to midnight, the fare depends on distance traveled, ranging from 10-40 Baht per person. Routes and fares are posted at every station, where tickets must be purchased.
• Bangkok Subway:
  Bangkok’s newest mass transit system, the subway, opened on
  3 July 2004. The regular fare, depending on the distance traveled, is around 14 - 36 baht. The subway runs from the city’s main railway station, Hua Lamphong, under two major thoroughfares, Rama 4 Road and Ratchadaphisek Road.
• Motorcycle Taxis:
  Unique to Thailand, these taxis emerged in response to needs for faster transportation during traffic jams and access to main roads from remote neighborhoods and deep sois (alleyways). Drivers wear colorful vests and fares are slightly higher than those of metered taxis. Fare should always be negotiated before proceeding.
  Thai laws stipulate helmets must be worn in the use of motorcycles on public roads. Be prepared for an adventurous ride.
• River Taxis:
  Taxis that are even more unusual, though equally convenient, are the river taxis on the Chao Phraya river. Some ferry passengers across the river (2 Baht), while others run the route to various landing stages on both banks, going up as far as the northern suburb of Nonthaburi. Fare ranges from 5-20 Baht per person, depending on distance. Signs at the landing piers are posted in both Thai and English.
• Rent a car:
  If you want to experience driving in Bangkok, there are many car rental firms to choosefrom, including international rental companies. The road system is good and well posted with signs written in English but an international driving license is required.

Getting around provinces and towns

• Taxis:
  Only the towns of Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Hat Yai have metered taxis. For taxis in other towns, the fare must be negotiated bofore getting in. Fares in towns other than Bangkok should never exceed 200 Baht, unless going to remote villages beyond the town’s perimeters.
• Songthaews:
  These are vans with 2 rows of seats in the back, thus the literal translation of “2 rows”. In towns outside of Bangkok, these are equivalent to city buses, running along popular routes at fixed fare prices, normally in the range of 20-40 Baht. If you’re traveling in a large group, it might be worthwhile to hire the songthaews as taxis.
• Rickshaws / Samlors:
  These three-wheeled bicycles are used to transport 1-2 people on a short distance. Prices should be negotiated before getting in. Roughly 30-60 Baht is reasonable for those few kilometers.

Tuk-tuks:
The motorized version of the samlors were introduced here by the Japanese during WWII. These are always popular with tourists, though they are uncomfortable in heavy traffic (carbon monoxide indulgence) and the rainy season. Prices should be negotiated before getting in.

• Hired Mopeds:
  Mopeds and motorbikes are extremely popular and highly available in most provincial towns, especially the seaside resort towns. Average price for one day’s rent may be as low as 200-300 Baht, depending on the type.

Driving distances from Bangkok:

Inter-city buses:
Inter-city bus services offer fast means of transport to all corners of the country. Air-conditioned buses service many provincial areas and bookings for both regular and tour coaches (private companies) can be made through major hotels and travel agents or at the following bus terminals:

• Northern Bus Terminal : Kampaengphet 2 Rd, Bangkok Tel: 0-2936-2852-66, 0-2936-3670
• Eastern Bus Terminal : Sukhumvit Rd, Bangkok. Tel: 0-2391-6846, 0-2391-2504
• Northeastern Bus Terminal : Kampaengphet 2 Rd, Bangkok Tel: 0-2936-2852-66, 0-2936-0657
• Southern Bus Terminal : Boromratchchonnani Rd, Bangkok Tel: 0-2435-1200, 0-2435-1199
• Central Bus Terminal : Kampaengphet 2 Rd, Bangkok Tel: 0-2936-2841-8, 0-2537-8055

The government bus company, called Bor Kor Sor (BKS), provides the cheapest mode for getting around Thailand. Being frequent and reliable, no advance booking is necessary. Both air-conditioned ones and open-aired ones stop almost everywhere along their route, with the latter being the cheapest and slowest.

Trains:
The State Railway of Thailand runs an efficient rail service linking Bangkok (Hua Lam Phong is the central train station) to the rest of the country at very reasonable prices for express, fast and ordinary trains. Limited western and southern routes out of Bangkok also operate from the Thon Buri Station, traveling to destinations as far as Kanchanaburi province in the west and Chumporn province in southern Thailand.

On express trains, sleepers are available in three classes: first and second class (air-conditioned), and second class (non air-conditioned, but with fans).

Advance tickets are available at all principal stations or the Bangkok Railway Advance Booking Office at Tel : 0-2220-4444

Money Matters:

Credit cards
All major credit cards are widely accepted in quality shops, hotels and restaurants. Visa is the most useful, followed by MasterCard.
For lost credit cards the contact numbers in Thailand are:

• American Express Tel : (662) 273 5100 or (662) 273 0022
• Diners Club Tel : (662) 238 2920 or (662) 238 2680
• Master Card Tel : (662) 256 7326-7
• Visa Tel : (662) 256 7326-7

Changing Your Money
If needing an exchange, the US dollars are the most readily acceptable currency and travelers cheque get a better rate than cash. Euro and british pounds are the next-best options.
Banks or legal money-changers offer the best rates. ATMs that accept Visa and other credit cards are easily found in the larger cities and many exchange booths will give you a cash advance on your credit card.

Money Tips
If you’re traveling on a budget, you should be able to get by on around THB500.00 a day anywhere in Thailand. Visitors staying in comfortable hotels and eating at restaurants should budget on around THB600.00-THB1000.00 a day outside Bangkok and around double this amount when in the capital.

If money is no object, you can spend to your heart’s content in Bangkok, since the capital has several of the world’s most sumptuous hotels. Your spending levels will be curtailed by the scarcity of luxury accommodation and quality restaurants when you get off the beaten track.

Currency Notes
Paper baht comes in denominations of 10 (brown), 20 (green), 50 (blue), 100 (red), 500 (purple) and 1000 (beige).

Currency Coins
There are 100 satang in one baht; coins include 25-satang and 50-satang pieces and baht in denominations of 1, 5 and 10.

V.A.T. Refunds
Visitors entering the Kingdom on a tourist visa are entitled to refund of the 7% V.A.T. on goods purchased at registered retail outlets.
For more information, please contact the VAT Refund for Tourists Office, Tel: 0 2272 9388, 0 2272 8195-8 or VAT Refund Office at Bangkok International Airport, Tel: 0 2535 6577-8 or visit Revenue Department of Thailand.

Bargaining
Fixed prices are the norm in department stores, but at most other places bargaining is to be expected. Generally, you can obtain a final figure of between 10-40% lower than the original asking price. Much depends on your skills and the shopkeeper’s mood. But remember, Thais appreciate good manners and a sense of humor. With patience and a broad smile, you will not only get a better price, you will also enjoy shopping as an art.

Dos & Don’ts
The Monarchy: Thai people have a deep, traditional reverence for the Royal Family, and a visitor should be careful to show respect for the King, the Queen and the Royal Children.
Religion: Visitors should dress neatly in all religious shrines. They should never go topless, or in shorts, hot pants or other unsuitable attire. It is acceptable to wear shoes when walking around the compound of a Buddhist temple, but not inside the chapel where the principal Buddha image is kept.
Buddha images: Each Buddha image, large or small, ruined or not, is regarded as a sacred object. Never climb onto one to take a photograph or do anything which might indicate a lack of respect.
Monks: Buddhist monks are forbidden to touch or be touched by a woman, or to accept anything from the hand of one. If a woman has to give anything to a monk, she first hands it to a man, who then presents it.
Social Norms: Thais don’t normally shake hands when they greet one another, but instead press the palms together in a prayer-like gesture called a wai. Generally a younger person wais an elder, who returns it.
Body: Thais regard the head as the highest part of the body, literally and figuratively. Therefore, avoid touching people on the head and try not to point your feet at people or an object. It is considered very rude.
Visits: Shoes should be removed when entering a private Thai home.

Important phone numbers:
Central Emergency (Police, Ambulance, Fire): 191
Highway Patrol: 1193
Crime Suppression: 195 or (662) 513 3844
Tourist Police (English, French and German spoken): 1155
Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Call Centre: 1672
Immigration Bureau: (662) 287 3101-10

Hotels in: Thailand | Bangkok | Chiang Rai | Chiang Mai | Hua Hin | Koh Chang | Krabi | Pattaya | Phi Phi Island | Phuket | Ayuthaya | Cha-Am | Hat Yai | Kanchanaburi

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