2. Arrival
If you arrive in Thailand by air, or by rail at Padang Besar, you will be given a customs declaration form and a sheet detailing the regulations. You should complete the form and hand it to the customs officer as you leave the airport arrivals hall. If you enter Thailand by rail, customs officers will board the train to carry out their duties. Customs formalities are straightforward, and the officers are polite and efficient.
You are allowed to bring in 200 cigarettes or 250 gr. of tobacco, 1 litre of spirits, plus a reasonable amount of perfume. If you are bringing in prescription drugs ask your doctor for a note detailing the drugs you are taking.
Fire-arms, pornography and narcotics are strictly prohibited, and the penalties for drug trafficking are severe.
Antiques may only be taken out of Thailand with a certificate from the Fine Arts Department in Bangkok. A reputable dealer will be able to offer advice on the practicality of obtaining this certificate. Buddha statues old or otherwise, may not be taken out of the country. (This does not apply to the very small items found in gift shops).
3. Money
Banking hours in Thailand are 8.30 am to 3.30 pm Monday to Friday. You will find currency exchanges at all major tourist areas. These are open daily from 9.00am until around 6.30pm, with some staying open until late evening. There are ATM machines across most of the country which tender the Thai Baht.
Banks adjust their exchange rates on a daily basis, in line with international money markets, and usually offer the best rates. Hotels and some shops also offer exchange services usually at less favourable rates.
4. Climate
Thailand's climate is tropical, high both in temperature and humidity, and dominated by monsoons. April and May are the hottest months of the year, when even the locals are moved to complain about the heat. June sees the beginning of the South West Monsoon, and brings with it the rainy season, which continues intermittently until the end of October.
From November to the end of February the climate is much less trying with a cooling North East breeze and a reduction in the humidity level. This is also the main tourist season, and the best time to visit Thailand.
The north and north-east are generally cooler than Bangkok in winter, and hotter in summer. In the far north, around Mae Hong Son temperatures can occasionally drop as low as 2oC.
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Climatic Table |
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Average Daytime Temperature (oC) - Central Thailand |
|
|
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
|
|
30 |
31 |
34 |
36 |
35 |
33 |
32 |
33 |
32 |
32 |
31 |
30 |
|
|
Average Rainfall (cm) - Central Thailand |
|
|
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
|
|
1.0 |
2.5 |
3.5 |
6.0 |
8.0 |
14.5 |
16.5 |
17.5 |
30.0 |
21.0 |
7.0 |
0.5 |
|
5. Safety
Thailand is a safe place to travel to as long as you have your whit’s about you. With any country we would not recommend walking in poorly lit areas at night and its better to keep your valuables hidden and passport and spare credit cards in the hotel safe.
Thailand has a special Tourist Police force which was founded to assist visitors. The officers are multilingual and will help deal with theft, accidents and disputes.
Emergency Telephone Numbers
TouristPolice1699
Police197
Emergency Number 191 or 123
6. Health
Medical Services
General practitioners, dentists and opticians are readily available. Doctors and staff in the larger hospitals generally speak good English. Every major town in Thailand will have a public hospital, but these can be poorly equipped and overcrowded. However, there is a good number of private hospitals and we recommend these for easier communication and better service.
Ask for "long-piya-barn ekachon" - private hospital.
Most general practitioners work at Polyclinics, which offer a walk in service from 8:00am until 9:00pm. Clinics offer a full range of services, including laboratory facilities, tests can be conducted and the results known, within a very short period of time. Currently the fee for seeing the doctor will be around 100-200 Baht, and the total bill, including medication, may be no more that 500 Baht.
Hospitals also offer a walk in service, where you can see a general practitioner, during the daytime. Many also offer a 24-hour emergency room service.
Vaccination
At the current time there is no compulsory immunisation required for Thailand. Medical opinions also vary as to which immunisations are advisable. The following vaccines are generally recommended for adults:
7. Cuisine
Thailand's cuisine is regarded by many people as one of the best in the world. And, if variety is the spice of life, you can literally have a different meal every day of the year.
Almost all Thai food is cooked with fresh ingredients, including vegetables, poultry, pork, fish and some beef. Lime juice, lemon grass and fresh coriander give the food its characteristic tang, while liberal helpings of fresh chillies are used to add some fire to many dishes. Other common seasonings include black pepper, ginger, tamarind, and coconut milk which is often added to curries.
Beers, wines and spirits are readily available but the imported items can be a little expensive. A big favourite among Thai people is rice whisky of which Mehkong is the leading brand. It has a sharp, sweet taste similar to rum. Several brands of beer are produced in Thailand, most popular is the local Singha beer.
Some of the more popular dishes are listed below.
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Gaengmus-sa-man |
Rich spicy curry with beef or chicken. |
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Gaeng kari gai |
Mild yellow curry with chicken. |
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Gaeng khiaw waan |
Sweet green curry with coconut milk and shrimp, chicken, or beef. |
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Tom yam kung |
Spicy soup with lime juice, lemon grass, mushroom and shrimp. |
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Tom khaa gai |
Soup with galangal root, chicken feet and coconut milk. |
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Gaeng jeud |
Chilly free soup with vegetables and minced pork. |
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Khao phat |
Fried rice with shrimp, beef, pork or chicken. |
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Khao man gai |
Sliced boiled chicken over marinated rice. |
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Khao na phet |
Roast duck over rice. |
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Kuay-tiaw nam |
Soup with rice noodles, meat and vegetables. |
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Laat naa |
Rice noodles, meat and vegetables in a thick gravy. |
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Phad siyu |
Fried rice noodles with meat and vegetables |
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Sang kha-yaa maphraow |
Coconut custard. |
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Kluay khaek |
Fried banana. |
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Mamuang khao niaw |
Ripe mango with sticky rice in coconut cream. |
8. People
Thailand is often called the "land of smiles", and rightly so because you will see more smiling people here than anywhere else in the world.
The country has a population of about 59 million, with some 6.7 million of these people living in the Bangkok area. Approximately 75% of the citizenry are ethnic Thais, 14% are Chinese, and the remaining 11% are mostly Indian, Malay, Karen, Khmer, or Mon. The literacy rate is high at about 94% and the average life expectancy is 66 for men and 72 for women.
9. Language
Thai is one of the oldest languages in East and South-East Asia. It is a monosyllabic language which uses five tones (high, mid, low, rising, and falling tone) to alter the meaning of a single syllable. This makes it rather tricky to learn for most Westerners used to speaking non-tonal languages.
10. Public holidays and special events
New Years Day Jan 1st
In Thailand there are three New Year's days. The Western, on Jan 1st, the Chinese New Year on the first day of the First Lunar month, usually in February and the Thai New Year marked by the Songkhran festival in April. Thais usually exchange gifts on January 1st.
Phra BuddhaBahtFair
Held at the temple of the Holy Footprint at Saraburi, 236Km north of Bangkok, from 31st January to 1st February. Many activities including music and outdoor drama.
Bosang Umbrella Fair
Held in Chiang Mai during January, it features colourful paper umbrellas and other local handicrafts.
Chinese New Year
1st day of the first Chinese Lunar month, usually in February. Businesses close for 3-4 days giving families time to get together and worship at one of the Chinese Buddhist temples. There may also be public celebrations with acrobats, Lion Dance and firecrackers. The latter are believed to frighten away "foreign devils".
Flower Carnival
Held in Chiang Mai during February it features parades and colourful floats exhibiting the local flora.
Makha Bucha Day
End of February/beginning of March, depending on the moon. This commemorates the day when 1250 of Buddha's disciples gathered spontaneously to hear him preach. Buddhists visit Wats and make merit by such acts as releasing caged birds. In the evening the celebrations culminate in a candle lit procession around the main temple building.
Chakri Day 6th April
Commemorates the founding of the Chakri Dynasty, of which the present King Bhumipon is the 9th King. Portraits of the King and Queen are prominently displayed and decked with tributes of flowers.
Songkhran 13-15th April
This is the celebration of the old Thai New Year. Buddhists visit the temple for the ceremony of Rod Nam Dam Nua. They sprinkle water on the Buddha images, and on the hands of the monks and novices at the temple, as an offering to express confidence that the supply of water will be adequate to cover the dry season.
Songkhran is a time when the Thai family will try to be together, and many people will travel back to their home village.
This holiday has now become secularized, with exuberant merrymakers taking to the streets throwing water at each other, and you, by the cup full, the bucket full, or even with a hose. To add to the fun, talc is mixed with the water and may be daubed on your face. Take it all in good spirit, no one is exempt, not even the policemen. The cool water may even be a welcome relief as the festival coincides with the time when the sun is due overhead and the weather can be very hot.
Pattaya Festival
Held during the second week of April in Pattaya on Thailand's Eastern Seaboard. It features processions, floral displays, and other special events plus a spectacular fireworks display.
National Labour Day - 1st May
This holiday follows the lead of many western countries, whose workers now celebrate Labour Day.
Coronation Day - 5th May
This celebrates the coronation of the present King Bhumipon, Rama IX. Tributes are paid at shrines and portraits of His Majesty.
Royal Ploughing Ceremony
This is an ancient Brahman ceremony, held under Royal patronage in Bangkok during May, which celebrates the beginning of the rice planting season.
Fruit Fair
A festival is held in Rayong during May and another in Chantaburi during June. They feature locally grown fruit such as rambutan, durian, and jack fruit.
Visakha Bucha Day - Full moon of the 6th Lunar Month.
This celebrates the birth, death and enlightenment of Buddha, and is therefore the most sacred day on the Buddhist calendar.
Asalaha Bucha Day - Mid July
This is the day before the start of Buddhist Lent. Many young men, who are about to become monks, hold parties on this day.
Buddhist Lent - Mid July
This marks the start of Khao Pansa, period similar to the Christian Lent. During the period monks do not travel to other monasteries, their religious duties are strictly observed, and the novice monks receive their training in the teachings of Buddha.
Candle Festival
Held in Ubon Ratchatani on Khao Pansa Day. Candles carved from bees wax are paraded through the streets.
H.M. Queen's Birthday - 12th August
Tributes are paid to Her Majesty, and donations are made to the many charitable organisations that are patronised by the Queen.
Chulalongkorn Day - 23rd October
This commemorates the death of King Chulalongkorn, Rama V, who reigned between 1868 and 1910. He is renowned for his achievements in the fields of education, modernisation and progressive thinking.
Buffalo Races
Held in Chonburi (80Km east of Bangkok) during October.
Loy Krathong - Full Moon 12th Lunar month, November
The festival is believed to date back to the Sukhothai period, but its exact significance is uncertain. Krathongs, or lotus flowers made of natural materials, containing a candle, incense sticks, a coin or two and beautifully decorated with flowers are launched into the sea, or any convenient stretch of water, as a thanksgiving to the water spirits, and a cleansing of sins.
River Kwai Bridge Week
A week long series of historical exhibitions, light and sound shows, and vintage train rides held in Kanchanaburi during the last week of October.
Annual Elephant Roundup
Held during the third week of November at Surin in North East Thailand.
Trouping of the Colour - 3rd December
Their Majesties the King and Queen preside over this annual event which is held in the Royal Plaza, Bangkok.
H.M. King's Birthday - 5th December
People demonstrate their respect for King with flags, displays and other tributes.
Constitution Day - 10th December
This marks the day in 1932, when the monarchy became constitutional, at the very beginning of democracy on Thailand.
New Year's Eve - 31st December
The end of the old year when everybody celebrates
11. Do's & Don'ts
Whilst Thai people are among the most tolerant and forbearing of hosts, they have nevertheless a number of customs and taboos which the visitor should respect. To help with this the Tourist Authority of Thailand publishes a tiny booklet entitled "Do's and Don'ts in Thailand". A few extracts are included here:
- Public displays of affection between men and women are frowned upon. You may see Westernised young Thai's holding hands in public, but that is as far as it goes, in polite society.
- Topless bathing may be considered acceptable in your own country, but is inappropriate in Thailand.
- Thai's consider the head as the highest part of the body, both literally and figuratively. As a result they don't approve of touching anyone on the head, even as a friendly gesture.
- It is considered rude to point the sole of your foot at another person, so try to avoid doing so when sitting opposite someone, and following the concept that the foot is the lowest limb, don't point your foot to show anything to anyone.
- Buddhist monks are forbidden to touch or be touched by a woman, or to accept anything from the hand of one. If a woman wants to give anything to a monk or novice, she first hands it to a man, who then presents it. In case the woman wants to present it with her hand, the monk or novice will spread out a piece of saffron robe, and the woman will lay down the gift on the material.
- It is alright to wear shoes whilst walking around the grounds of a Buddhist temple, but not inside the chapel where the Buddha image is kept. Women should ensure that their legs and shoulders are covered before entering a Buddhist temple. Please do not wear shorts.
- The Thai people have a deep traditional reverence for the Royal Family, and the visitor should also show respect for the King and the Queen, and the Royal Children. When attending a public event where a member of the Royal Family is present, the best guide on how to behave is to watch the crowd and do as it does.
Source Amazing-thailand.com