Customs
One litre of alcoholic beverage and 200 cigarettes, plus reasonable personal effects(such as one still camera, one movie or video camera, personal jewellery etc) may be brought in duty free and taken out on departure. Narcotics, drugs, pornographic material and firearms are strictly prohibited. Visit our Thailand Duty Free Shop Unlimited foreign currency, traveller's cheques, money orders etc may be brought into the country, but any amount over US$10,000 must be declared on entry. Amount taken out of the country may never exceed that declared upon entry.
Visas
Most nationalities do not require a visa for a stay of up to 30 days provided they have a ticket for onward travel. Longer visits require a visa obtainable from Thai embassies and consulates. Tourists visas permit stays up to 90 days. For full details, contact your nearest Thai embassy or consulate.
Do I need a visa?
Temporary visitors who are exempted from applying for entry visa must be of the nationality of and holding valid passport or traveling documents issued by :
Americas : Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Mexico, U.S.A.
Asia : Bahrain, Brunei, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Kuwait, Malaysia,
Myanmar, Oman, Philippines, Qatar, *Republic of Korea,
Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Turkey, United Arab Emirates
Pacific : Australia, Fiji, *New Zealand, Papua New Guinea,
Vanuatu, Western Samoa.
Africa : Algeria, Djibouti, Egypt, Kenya, Mauritania, Morocco,
Senegal, South Africa, Tunisia, Yemen.
Europe : Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany,
Greece, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway,
Portugal, Slovene, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, U.K.
Persons meeting the above conditions are exempted from visa and are permitted to remain in the Kingdom for a period not exceeding 30 days, except for the nationals of the Republic of Korea and New Zealand, who are permitted to stay in Thailand for maximum 90 days from the days of entry.
Note : Please check the period of stay stamped in your passport upon entry into the kingdom
For more details contact :
The Immigration Division, Soi Suan Phlu, Sathon Tai Rd., Bangkok 10120
Tel : (662) 287-3101 to 10 Fax : (662) 287-1740
Airport tax
Outgoing passengers on international flights from Bangkok's Don Muang airport must pay 500 baht. 30 baht per person is collected for Domestic flight except Samui flight, at baht 400 per person is collected at Samui Airport.
Health regulations
No inoculations or vaccinations are required unless you are coming from or passing through contaminated areas.
Travel to Thailand
Most visitors arrive through Bangkok's Don Muang International Airport which is connected by daily flights to Europe, North America, Asia and Australia. Flights, from Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Hong Kong, land on a regular basis at Chiangmai, Koh Samui, Phuket and Hat Yai. Charter flights sometimes land in Bangkok, Phuket, and at U-Taphao for Pattaya.
Regular rail services link Singapore and Bangkok intermediary stops include Kuala Lumpur, Butterworth, Penang and major southern Thai towns.
Overland entry to Thailand is restricted to three road crossings on the Thai- Malaysian border, and the bridge spanning the Mekong River between Laos and Thailand at Nong Kai.
There are no regular steamship connection with Thailand. Cargo ships calling at Bangkok's Khlong Toei port sometimes have passenger cabin facilities. Cruise ships, such as Cunard's Queen Elizabeth II, periodically visit Pattaya.
Travel within Thailand
Thai Airways International (THAI) operates a wide domestic network with daily flights linking virtually all major towns with Bangkok. Ground transportation is extremely comprehensive and comparatively inexpensive. There are convenient rail connections with the North, Northeast and South, while air conditioned coach and government bus services are operated from Bangkok to all town throughout the country. Rental cars are also readily available.
Banks
Banks provide standard services nationwide, Monday through Friday, except public and bank holidays, between 10.00 AM. and 3.30 PM. Bank currency exchange centres operate from 7.00 AM. to 9.00 PM, seven days a week including holidays.
Business hours
Most commercial concerns in Bangkok operate on a five-day week. Government offices are generally open between 8.30 AM and 4.30 PM with a noon to 1.00 PM lunch break, 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 day a week.
There are also efficient business centre available if you are in business in Thailand for a few days.
Car hire
The Bangkok Yellow Pages lists local and international automobile rental companies Self-drive and chauffeur-driven automobiles are widely available. Car hire companies also operate in Pattaya, Hat Yai, Phuket and Chiang Mai. Those possessing valid International Driver Licenses may prefer to hire automobiles.
Thai currency
The baht is divided into 100 satang. "Yellow " coins are valued at 25 and 50 satang. Silver coins are in denominations of 1, 5 and 10 baht. Banknotes are valued at 10 baht (brown), 20 baht (green), 50 baht (blue), 100 bath (red). 500 baht (purple) and 1000 baht (khaki)
Travellers cheques / credit cards
US dollar travellers cheques can be conveniently cashed at all provincial banks and authorized money changers. Travellers cheques in other currencies are best changed in Bangkok where better rates prevail.
Major international credit cards, such as American Express, Diners Club and VISA are accepted by major banks, restaurants, hotels and shops.
Currency exchange
Exchange facilities for cash and traveller' cheque are available in banks, hotels, and foreign exchange booths located in tourists areas.
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.
Electricity
Thiland operates exclusively on 220 volt, 50 cycle AC power
Postal services
To send letters or packages to any desired destinations is very convenient for visitors to Thailand. Post offices as well as most hotels offer good postal services.
Taxis
Hotel taxis have fixed tariffs. Taxis cruising the streets of Bangkok have meters.
Telephone & Fax
In Thailand, you can contact virtually any city in the world without difficulty International phone calls, telegraph, telex, and bureau fax services are available at International Telecommunication Services Center, near Bangkok's Central Post Central as well as in most hotels. Tipping
It is customary to tip hotel personnel who have given good personal service. A 10% tip is appreciated in restaurants, particularly where service charge is waived.
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