Thailand is a wondrous kingdom, featuring Buddhist temples, exotic wildlife, and spectacular islands. Along with a fascinating history and a unique culture that includes delectable Thai food and massage, Thailand features a modern capital city, and friendly people who epitomize Thailand’s “Land of smiles” reputation.

Population: 67 million (2011 est.),
Capital City: Bangkok (9.3 million est) Government Constitutional Monarchy
Currency: Thai baht (THB)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 24%
15-64 years: 70%
65 years and over: 6%
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 69 years
male: 66 years
female: 73 (est.)
Nationality: Thai
Ethnic groups: Thai 75%, Chinese 14%, other 11%
Religions: Buddhism 95%, Muslim 3.8%, Christianity 0.5%, Hinduism 0.1%, other 0.6%
Languages: Thai, English (as a foreign language), ethnic and regional dialects
Location: Southeastern Asia, bordering the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand, southeast of Burma Largest provinces Nakhon Ratchasima 20,493 sq. km., Chiang Mai 20,107 sq. km., Kanchanaburi 19,483 sq. km. Largest islands Phuket 543 sq. km., Chang 429 sq. km., Samui 247 sq. km.

Geographic coordinates: 15 00 N, 100 00 E
Map references: Southeast Asia
Area: total: 514,000 sq km
land: 511,770 sq km
water: 2,230 sq km Electricity 220V, 50Hz (American and/or European plug)
Country code: +66

Time Zone: GMT +7hours
Business hours: Most businesses are open from Monday-Friday time 08.30 am. – 17.00 pm. (Government office open Monday-Friday open time 08.30 am. – 16.30 pm.) Lunch time at noon – 13.00pm.

Banking hours: Monday-Friday time 08.30 am. -15.30 pm. (except bank in big shopping mall open time 11.00 am.-20.00 pm. , every day.)

Most business office open from 08.30 am. -17.30 pm. (and for travel agency some shop opened 08.00am-20.00 pm., everyday)

-Telephone and Internet access
Simcard available to sale every 7-Eleven shop, and Internet can available in all major tourist areas such as at hotels or coffee shop.

Credit Card: Major credit cards are also widely accepted in tourist centers.
Clothing – Thin cotton is the best, A jacket or pullover may be necessary in the cold season, especially when you are in mountainous areas in the North or Northeast.

How to go around Bangkok:
Private cars & vans: you can rent a car or van from a car rent company or travel agency, It’s safe and comfortable. International car rent companies are available in Bangkok and big cities.
Taxis: Taxi in Bangkok are fixed with meter and have a sign “ TAXI-METER” on the roof. The minimum fare is start from 35 baht for a distance of one kilometer. The fare will increase according to the distance covered. (Note: call taxi for sent or pick up from airport have to pay extra more around 50 baht from meter)

The Suvarnabhumi airport rail link:
SA Express Service:
1) Suvarnabhumi Airport-Makkasan(City air terminal-interchange with MRT Phetchaburi Station)
2) Suvarnabhumi Airport-Phaya Thai (interchange with BTS Phaya Thai Staton). Ticket cost THB90 for single trip/ and THB150 for return. Duration 15 minutes.

SA City Line Service: Suvarnabhumi Airport-Latkraban-Ban Thap Chang-Hua Mak-Ramkhamhaeng-Makkasan-Ratchaprarop-Phaya Thai (Interchange with BTS Phayathai Station). Fare start from THB15 to THB45, duration 30 minutes.

SAMLORS: also known as TUK-TUK in Thai, are three-wheeled taxis without a meter. Fares must be negotiated beforehand. They’re normally a little cheaper than ordinary taxis but are suitable for short trips only.

METRO (MRT): The route runs from Hua Lamphong to Bang Sue with 18 stations along the way. (See map you can get from MRT office) A train leaves the terminal every 3-5 minutes from 6 a.m. to midnight. and fares range from THB16 to THB40 SKYTRAINS (BTS) Skytrains are in service in two routes. 1) Mor-chit- Bearing route passing Sukhumvit Road. 2) National Stadium-Bang wa Route passing Silom Rd. (See map you can get from BTS office) A skytrain leave the terminal every 5 minutes from 6 a.m. to Midnight and fare start from THB15 to THB50.

ORDINARY CIT BUSES: The fares of BMTA buses (red) and non-BMTA buses (blue, pink) are about THB 8-10 for whole distance.

Emergency Services:
Tourist Police dial 1155
Tourist service Center dial 1672
Police (General Emergency call dial 191
Ambulance and Rescue dial 1554
Fire dial 199
National Disaster Warning Center dial 1860
Crime dial 1195
Immigration Division call 02-141-9889
Suvarnabhumi Airport call center call 02-132-1888

-Flight information call 02-132-0000
– Arrival information call 02-132-9323 to 9
– Departure information call 02-132-9324 to 7

Destination
– The North (Chiang mai, Chiang Rai, Lampang, Mae Hong Son, Nan, Lamphun, Phayao, Phrae, Tak, Uttaradit, Kamphaeng Phet, Sukhothai,Phitsanulok, Phetchabun, Kakhon Sawan, Phichit province)

– The North Eastern (Amnat Charoen, Buriram, Kalasin, Loei, Mukdahan, Nakhon Ratchasima, Nong khai, Sakon Nakhon, Surin, Udonthani, Buengkan, Chaiyaphum, Khon Kaen, Mahasarakham, Nakornphanom, Nong Bua Lamphu, Roi Et, Sisaket, Ubon Ratchathani, Yasothon province)

– The Central (Bangkok, Nonthaburi, Ayutthaya, Angthong, Singburi, Suphanburi, Chinat, Nakornsawan, Kanchanaburi, Phetchaburi (Cha-am), Prachuap Khiri khan (Hua-Hin, Pranburi), Ratchaburi, Samutsakhon, Saraburi, Nakhon Nayok, Lopburi, Nakhonpathom, Pathumthani province)

– The East (Chanthaburi, Chonburi (Pattaya), Rayong (Koh Samet), Sa Kaeo, Trat (Koh chang, Ko kut), Prachinburin

– The south (Surat (Ko samui, Ko Tao, Ko Pha-ngan, Chumphon), Songkhla(Hat Yai), Phuket (Ko Phi Phi), Krabi (Ko Lanta), Phang-Nga, Satun, Yala, Narathiwat, Pattani, Phatthalung, Ranong, Trang, Nakornsithamarat province.)

Climate:
There are three seasons in Northern, Northeastern and Central Thailand
– Hot (March to May),
– Rainy (June to October),
– Cool (November to February).

And there are two seasons in the South
– Rainy (April to November)
– Hot (December to March).
In the North and Northeast in winter, the temperatures are much lower during night time, especially on the mountains, with temperatures lower than 10°C..

Tipping guideline

Porters : US$ 1 – 2 per bag
Waiters in restaurants: 5-10% of total bill
Taxi drivers : 10% of total bill
Tour guides & Drivers US$ 5/ person/per day/ group up to 4 pax
US$ 4/ person/per day/ group up to 9 pax
US$ 3/ person/per day/ group from 10 pax

Custom:
– Thai people hold their King and royal family in great reverence, and so won’t tolerate foreigners showing disrespect to them.
– Dress properly when entering a Buddhist temples, mini-skirts and shorts are not allowed. Take your shoes off before going inside the hall of worship. Ladies are not allowed to touch the monks, even when you are traveling on public transportation please choose your seat away from them.
– Intimacies between man and woman should not be shown in public. Sunbathing in the nude is prohibited.
– Traditionally, Thais greet each other with a waii ( by pressing the palms together at the chest). If someone waii you, you should waii back (Excep wai-ed by a child)
– Call Thais their first names: use the title “Khun” for adults.
– Thai people smile to express gladness and happiness, to thanks for small services.
– Don’t touch a person’s head, nor ruffle his hair. A sincere apology should be offered immediately if you touch someone’s head unintentionally.
– Avoid placing your feet on the table while sitting. Never use your foot to point things out or to touch any part of the body of anyone, which is considered rude.
– Entering a Thai house, you’re expected to remove your shoes.

Prohibited goods and restricted goods
Prohibited goods are goods for which either the import into or export out of the Kingdom is prohibited, e.g., drugs, pornographic materials, counterfeit goods and pirated items, counterfeit notes, coins, bonds, Royal seals and official seals, goods with the image of the Thai national flag, protected wild animals or related products, etc. Violators of laws related to illicit drugs., e.g., having and holding, holding for use, or being a producer, seller, or transporter are subject to the death sentence.

Restricted goods are goods the import and export of which are restricted by law and therefore require a permit from the related government agencies. The following items require a permit from the government agency concerned in order to go through the Customs formalities.
– Buddha images, religious or ancient arts, and antiques (Department of Fine Arts)
– Weapons, bullets, and explosive devices (Ministry of Interior)
– Plants and planting materials (Department of Agriculture)
– Live Animals, pets and animal products (Department of Livestock Development)
– Food, drugs and supplementary products (Food and Drug Administration)
– Automobile parts (Ministry of Industry)
– Cigars, cigarettes, smoking tobacco and alcoholic beverage (Limited amount) (Excise Department)
(for further inquiry and information, you may contact the customs ports of entry/exit or contact the Customs call center at Tel: 1164 or email: Customs_clinic@customs.go.th

Visa (for more information at http://www.immigration.go.th/   and  http://www.consular.go.th/main/th/services/1287

The following information about Thailand’s visa information is obtained from the Office of the Immigration Bureau, Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Tourist Visa Exemption
The Thai government allows nationals from 41 countries and 1 special administrative region to stay in Thailand for tourism purpose for up to 30 days without an entry visa.
List of 41 countries are as follows:
Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Bahrain, Brunei Darussalam,
Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece,
Hong Kong, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan,
Korea, Kuwait, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Monaco, Netherlands,
New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Peru, Philippines, Portugal, Qatar,
Singapore, Spain, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland,
Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, USA, Vietnam.

Temporary Tourist Visa : Visa on Arrival
Passport holders from 21 countries may apply for visas at the immigration checkpoints for the purpose of tourism for the period of not exceeding 15 days.
Documents required: Valid passport, visa application form completely filled in, confirmed air ticket paid in full, one recent photograph
(4×6 cm), and application fee of 1,000 baht.
Validity of stay: 15 days
The visa is granted by Immigration officers at 24 designated international checkpoints located in Thailand’s international airports — Bangkok, Phuket, Chiang Mai, Hatyai, and at other points of entry into the country.

List of 21 countries are as follows:
Bhutan, China, Cyprus, Czech, Estonia, Hungary, India, Kazakhstan, Latvia,
Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Maldives, Mauritius, Poland, Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Taiwan, Ukraine

Transit Visa
Documents required:
1. Passport or travel document with validity not less than 6 months
2. Visa application form completely filled out
3. One recent photograph (4×6 cm)
4. Confirmed air ticket paid in full
5. Evidence of adequate finance
(20,000 Baht per person and 40,000 Baht per family)
6. Visa of a third country in a passport or travel document

Visa fee : 800 baht per entry
(The fee may be changed without prior notice.)
Validity of stay: 30 days

Tourist Visa
Documents required:
1. Passport or travel document with validity not less than 6 months
2. Visa application form completely filled out
3. One recent photograph (4×6 cm)
4. Confirmed air ticket paid in full
5. Evidence of adequate finance
(10,000 Baht per person and 20,000 Baht per family)
Visa fee: 1,000 baht per entry
(The fee may be changed without prior notice.)
Validity of stay: 30 days or 60 days for nationals of countries on Thailand’s Tourist Visa Exemption List

Extension of Stay
Those who wish to stay longer or may wish to change their status of visa must file an application form at the Office of Immigration Bureau. The extension of stay as well as the change of certain type of visa is solely at the discretion of the Immigration officer.
The above information is subject to change. For more details, contact the Immigration Bureau, or visit www.immigration.go.th