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Entry formalities (Visa)
All visitors must possess a passport that is valid for a minimum
of 6 months from the day of entry. Nationals from 56 favored nations,
including the U.S. and most European countries, are given a 30-day
permit upon arrival, which will be issued only if you have a current
passport and ticket to take you out of the country at the end of
your stay. Thai embassies and consulates around the world: specify
whether you want a transit visa (valid 30 days), a tourist visa (valid
60 days) or a non-immigrant visa (valid 90 days and difficult to
obtain). SOUTH AFRICA passport holders do not require a visa for
Thailand. If you have a tourist visa you can, once in Thailand, apply
for a 30 day extension.
Take along a passport photograph and photocopies of the inside page of your passport and the page on which the entry permit is stamped.
If you plan to leave Thailand temporarily during your stay, you must obtain a re-entry visa, available from the Immigration Department in Bangkok. |
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Customs
Customs are usually no trouble, unless you are carrying pornography,
firearms, large amounts of cash (over $10 000), or illicit
drugs-for possession of which the penalties are draconian.
The allowances for the usual luxury goods-perfume, alcohol
and the like - vary, so check them before departure.
How to get there: |
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Tourist Information Services
Tourist information is available at the Tourism Authority
of Thailand (TAT) head office in Bangkok, local offices
in 22 major cities and TAT information counters at other
local airports. TAT provides maps, brochures and other
information on tours, shopping, dining and accommodation.
All TAT information centers operate seven days a week
from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Medical Services
All tourism destination 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 Regulations
Proof of yellow fever vaccination will only be required
if you have visited a country in the yellow-fever zone
within the six days prior to entering South-east Asia.
The following vaccinations are those recommended by the
World Health Organization (WHO) for travelers to Southeast
Asia: Adult diphtheria and Tetanus, Hepatitis A & B,
Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Polio, Typhoid & Varicella.
Venereal diseases-notably AIDS-are extremely prevalent so avoid casual liaisons. Rabies is likewise: if bitten by any animal, seek medical attention immediately.
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 charges are
waived.
Business Hours
Banks: 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. (Monday - Friday).
Shops: mostly 8 a.m. - 9 p.m. (seven days a week).
Departmental stores: 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.
What to take
Thailand is a modern country where almost every conceivable
item can be purchased, and often at lower costs than you
find back home. Shopping emporiums are located in almost
every urban centre and smaller town in the kingdom. Clothes
should be a light cotton or other natural fibre rather
than synthetics or heavy materials. Bring the barest possible
items of clothing and expand your wardrobe in Thailand,
where the clothing selection is excellent and of international
quality. A pair of comfortable walking shoes is essential,
and sandals will prove useful when visiting temples, where
shoes must always be removed prior to entry. Other items
to consider are: a small medical kit, sewing kit, mini
umbrella, insect repellent, drug prescriptions, an extra
pair of glasses, spare passport photos, and photocopies
of essential documents.
Electricity
Electricity in Thailand is 220V, 50Hz, and plugs are generally the flat, two-pin type.
Telephone
IDD dialing code: 66.
Area codes:
Bangkok - 02;
Chiang Mai - 053;
Hua Hin - 032;
Pattaya - 038;
Phuket-076;
Koh Samui and Koh Tao-077;
Koh Lanta, Phi Phi & Krabi-075;
Ko Chang - 039.
Local dialing codes need to be added for all calls, even those made within the same area. Smaller islands have mobile phone numbers and are not on a network. |
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| Exchange Control |
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Foreign tourist may freely bring in foreign bank notes or other types of foreign exchange. |
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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. |
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For travelers leaving Thailand, the maximum amount permitted to take out without prior authorization is 50,000 Baht per person. |
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Foreign visitors may bring in personal effects and
other goods which are not prohibited by current custom
regulation. Other than personal effects, departing
visitors are also allowed to take out merchandise bought
from duty free shops, precious stones, gold and platinum
ornaments. |
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Thais do not normally shake hands when they greet one another, but instead they press their palms together in a prayer-like gesture (wai). |
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Thais regard the head as the highest part of the
body, literally and figuratively. Avoid touching people
on the head and try not to point your feet at an religios
object. |
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When to go
As far as Thailand is concerned, the best time of year
for a visit is between November and February. Generally,
the weather is cooler during this period and there is
certainly less rain than at other times of the year.
However, Thailand is a big country with a diverse landscape.
There is somewhere to visit whatever time of the year
you visit the kingdom.
Thailand's Seasons
Thailand's seasons are reasonably uniform through the country, but there are some regional differences. What follows is a summary of the seasons as they impact the kingdom's various regions: |
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Central Thailand and the East
March - November - Hot summer weather. During
this time extreme temperatures can go up to the 45
degrees centigrade mark.
November - February - The winter months. There
may really be only a few days of genuinely cold weather
during these months.
May - October - The rainy season. The rain is
frequent and sometimes fierce. Though usually rainstorms
go on for around 30 minutes or so, and after a storm
the weather is significantly cooler. |
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Northern Thailand and the Northeast
Northern Thailand and the Northeast have the same basic seasons as those in the central and eastern regions.
The winters are however significantly cooler. Mountainous regions can
get particularly cold, on some occasions down to 0 degrees centigrade.
November to January are the best months for a visit to this area - flowers
are in bloom, it is dry and cool, and the mountains mists and fogs often form
making what is already wonderful scenery exquisite. |
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Southern Thailand
Southern Thailand's seasons are less distinct and really there are only two proper seasons - summer and the rainy season. The Gulf of Thailand lies to the east of the Thai peninsula while the Andaman Sea lies to the west.
The Gulf of Thailand - Areas east of the peninsula (Koh Samui, Hat Yai) are best visited between May and October.
The Andaman Sea - Areas west of the peninsula (Phuket,
Phi Phi, Lanta, Phang Nga, Krabi) is best toured between November and April to
avoid the monsoons that occur during other months. Monsoons obviously make visiting
islands by boat difficult.
If you are planning to visit both sides of the coast during your stay in Thailand, March to April would be the best months. |
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Seasons in short
December-February: Dry and relatively cool
months. Most visitors head to Thailand during the relatively
cool and dry season. Rainfall is scarce and temperature around
28-32ºC (84-32ºF). During this time Thailand can be crowded,
hotel rooms can be in short supply and prices tend to be
higher.
March-May/June: Extremely hot summer months.
This is the hottest time to visit Thailand (38ºC/100ºF),
particularly in the plains of the Northeast, and the level
of humidity is very high (around 80%)
June-November: The rainy season. This is the wet season and may be
the finest period to enjoy the charms of the country without the hordes of tourists.
These months constitute the “rainy” season, when a dose of precipitation
is almost guaranteed most afternoons. The remainder of the day will generally be dry,
if overcast. Another advantage of travel at this time of year is that the countryside
is vibrantly green with flooded rice fields and blooming trees. |
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