General
Information
 Thailand
is a place that has something for everyone. For
those interested in foreign and ancient cultures,
Thailand boasts of having more visible historical
evidence of past eras than any other Southeast Asian
nation, so take your pick of the ubiquitous historical
ruins and temples to visit.
Diving is available at all times of the year, although
visibility changes according to the season. In the
Andaman Sea, the best time to dive is from October
to April, and in the Gulf of Thailand from May to
September.
Scuba diving in Thailand has always been considered
world-class. If you’ve ever dreamed of swimming
with a whale shark, this is the place to do it.
Not only is the land diverse above water, but below
as well with huge boulders that create havens for
both large & small fish. Keep an eye out into
the blue for schools of tuna and other large pelagics
cruising around. You will find everything in this
underwater paradise from large pelagics to ribbon
eels.
One of the first and still one of the most popular
dive areas is Pattaya on the Gulf of Thailand, just
two hours drive from Bangkok.  The
main beach is located on a scenic bay, but facilities
are available all along this coast. the Ang Thong
Islands National Marine Park, a group of more than
40 beautiful islands off the west of Surat Thani
province and near Ko Samui. In Pattaya, scuba divers
can organize daily trips from the resort to the
offshore islands of Ko Lan, Ko Sak, and Ko Krok.
The other major water sport center is the southern
island of Phuket in the Andaman Sea. The majority
of diving destinations close to Phuket are located
in nearby Phangnga , where hundreds of limestone
islands rise up from the blue waters. Also popular
are the largely uninhabited Similan Islands, recently
listed among the world's ten most beautiful spots
for underwater scenery and the spectacular Phi Phi
Islands near Phuket.
Climate: 70 - 93F (21 - 34C)
Water Temperature: 80 - 87F (27-31C)
Visibility: 30' - 130' (10 - 40m)
Dive
Centers & Accommodations
Getting
There
Travel to Thailand
With Bangkok serving as the international travel hub
of SE Asia, the capital serves as the landing port
for numerous international airlines, most with direct
flights from their destinations. Some chartered and
regional flights may land at one of the other international
airports within Thailand, consisting of Chiang Mai,
Chiang Rai, Hat Yai, Phuket, and Ubon Ratchatani.
The country's national airline is Thai Airways. Airport
departure taxes for international departures costs
500 baht/person. The check-in counters open 2 hours
and close half an hour prior departure time.
Airlines Serving Thailand
(links are to Thailand sections)
KLM
Northwest
Airlines
United
Airlines
Lufthansa
Airlines
Aeroflot
Air
France
Japan
Airlines
Those traveling from neighboring countries may enter
Thailand via road, rail, ships, or ferries.
Domestic Travel
Domestic travel during public holidays and on weekends,
particularly to popular destinations, should be booked
well in advance for all modes of transportation. Booking
is particularly difficult during the Songkran Holiday
and New Year's Holiday.
Local air carriers Thai Airways(TG) and Bangkok Airways
(PG) fly to most major provincial airports beyond
250 km distance from Bangkok. Thai Airways' 2 most
popular routes are Chiang Mai and Phuket. Services
to Koh Samui and Sukhothai are only provided by Bangkok
Airways. Other smaller local carriers include Angel
Air (mainly servicing Phuket) and PB Air which flies
to fewer destinations. Air Andaman services is limited
to the Southern cities only.
The domestic terminal is located at the southern end
of the Bangkok International Airport. Normally, check-ins
for domestic flight is one hour prior to departure
time and closes half an hour before flight time. Departure
tax has already been added to your ticket fare.
Domestic Airlines
Angel
Air
Bangkok
Airways
PB
Air
Thai
Airways
Thai
Air International
Air
Andaman
Tickets can be purchased through travel agencies (cheaper
for international flights, same for domestic flights)
or by booking with the airlines themselves, either
via phone, internet, or e-ticketing kiosks (Thai Airways
only).
Buses
Inter-city bus services offer a 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.
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 (662)
225-0300 ext 5200-3.
Entry Requirements
Visa: Visitors to Thailand who hold valid passports
or travelling documents issued by any country included
in an officially issued list of eligible countries
are permitted one-month visa-free visits. If planning
a longer stay, a Tourist Visa valid for 60 days must
be obtained from a Royal Thai Embassy or Consulate
abroad. Visa extensions can be applied for at the
Immigration Department in Bangkok.
Each traveler to Thailand may bring in the following
duty free: 200 cigarettes, one liter of wine or spirits,
one still camera (plus five rolls of unused film),
and one movie camera (plus three rolls of unused film).
Thailand customs strictly regulates the import and
export of items such as firearms, explosives, and
narcotics. All books, magazines, videos or tapes which
may be considered obscene or subversive are completely
forbidden, as are certain species of fruits, vegetables
and plants.
Upon leaving Thailand, visitors may take out gold
jewelry free of duty, but export of any other gold
is subject to licensing by the Ministry of Finance.
Exports of Buddha images (except small ones), antiques
and genuine works of art require export license from
the Fine Arts Department. Ask for assistance at the
shop where you purchase the item(s).
Travel Tips
Getting Around Thailand
Travel within Thailand is relatively cheap and convenient.
When traveling from one center to the other, unless
connected by an air-route can be negotiated by rail
or road. The train routes though not extensive, are
cheap. A bus route links all centers and the more
out of the way places can often be reached by Songtaew
(truck-bus), both are cheap and run regularly.
Car and motorbike rental is also easy on the purse
strings. Your home country’s driving license or an
International one is required for all vehicle hire.
The road accident rate in Thailand is extremely high
and it is recommended that the traveler choose the
former as their mode of rental transport. Thai law
requires car drivers and front passengers to wear
seat belts. If renting a motorbike, helmets are required
by the driver only. Ask for a second helmet if carrying
a pillion passenger.
When opting for public transport especially when renting
a Tuk-Tuk (small van taxi) or one of the motorbike
taxis it is recommended that you agree on a price
before you set off or you may end up paying more.
Traffic lights are a relatively new occurrence in
a number of areas in Thailand. Koh Samui is one of
these places. Be warned, a red light isn’t always
heeded. The safest way is to stop at a red light and
be prepared to give way at a green one.
Sports and Activities
Sailing
If sailing is your game, then Thailand is your playground.
If you haven’t heard of the amazing cruising grounds
in this part of the world, you either haven’t been
sailing for very long or have simply never set foot
on a boat. They are world-renowned, not only for their
almost perfect sailing weather but for the spectacular
scenery and idyllic islands scattered along both its
coasts.
Golf
No other sport in Thailand has attracted so much attention
in such a short span of time as has golf. An increasing
numbers of foreign visitors have realized that Thailand
possesses many qualities to make it a preferred golf
destination. Thailand has been chosen to host many
top international tournaments, including the World
Cup and the Ladies Asia Professional Circuit. Thailand
has the reputation for being a very cheap golf country.
Compared with Europe and industrialized Asian countries,
it’s true that Thailand is a cheap golf destination.
Surfing
The end of July sees Phuket’s Surfing Competition.
Although still in its infancy on the international
circuit, this is fast becoming a popular surf spot.
The week-long event is proving popular with both spectators
and participants alike.
Shopping
The warm climate in most parts of Thailand makes it
wise for the avid shopper to visit the country with
almost, empty bags and a pocketful of money. Here
your entire wardrobe can be replaced for considerably
less than you’d pay in most western countries and
still leave room for gifts for friends and family
on your return.
Shopping Tip - Generally unless the prices
are marked on goods for sale within the country, one
may bargain with the salesperson. Many places will
double their prices, especially the clothing and jewellery
stores one sees everywhere. These shop owners expect
you to bargain. If you don’t you are the one that’s
going to lose by paying a high price for something
worth half its value.
The variety of goods available in Thailand is extensive,
from clothing to antique woodcarvings, gold to handmade
paper, cameras to coloured sand; the list is seemingly
endless. No matter what your budget, you’ll be able
to buy some worthwhile memorabilia of your trip to
this fascinating country.
Dining
Dining in Thailand is a highlight in any visitors
visit. The Thai’s are expert cooks and the menu extensive.
Generally it is considered safe to eat the dishes
on offer in any restaurant or from a street cart.
As with many countries there is the risk of hepatitis
or other food and water born diseases but if you choose
wisely, you will be rewarded with a taste sensation
only Thai food can offer.
Tipping for service is generally up to you but some
eateries do have a service charge. If you are not
a lover of hot-spicy food, learn the words, ‘Mai Phet’
which means ‘not hot’. It will come in handy when
ordering your meal.
Medical Tips
It is advisable when traveling to any foreign destination
that you check with your local hospital as to what
inoculations or medications you may need for your
trip. This applies even more so when traveling to
tropical areas. If there’s a Tropical Diseases hospital
nearby, contact it before departure for Thailand.
If not, then chat to your local doctor.
Private hospitals generally require a deposit before
admission and a possibly a copy of your passport may
be required as well. Doctors will, however, attend
to any patient in an emergency situation, without
asking for money in advance. Private hospitals in
Thailand generally accept credit cards in payment
of bills and credit card holders will probably never
be required to make a deposit.
Traveler Tips
Water
Drinking water and washing water are two separate
entities in Thailand. Do not, under any circumstances,
drink tap water. Although there are some areas where
it's safe to do so, generally it's a better bet to
buy bottled water for drinking.
Electricity
Thailand uses 220 voltage. To use a 110/120 volt appliance
where there is only 220/240 power available, you must
use a step down or combination converter. Your appliance's
wattage and circuitry will dictate the converter you
need to purchase. It is recommended that one uses
dual voltage appliances. They are designed to work
with both 110/120 or 220/240 volt electricity and
tend to work better than using a converter with your
existing appliance.
Most currencies can be exchanged at the banks or local
moneychangers. Travelers cheques denominated in most
countries can also be exchanged. Credit cards are
accepted in most establishments and the transfer of
funds into the country through one of the banking
systems, though generally slow by western standards,
can be achieved.
Emergency Help
The Tourist Police in Thailand are very helpful. They
generally offer a 24 hour service and can be found
in any of the main centres around the country. They
are also helpful in directing one if lost.
Sun Exposure
Cover up! The seas around Thailand are generally crystal
clear and warm, the kind that beg you to go swimming.
Make sure you put sun cream on and wear a hat and
sunglasses when venturing onto the beach. If your
skin is sensitive, it’s a good idea to limit your
tanning time to a cooler time in the day or tan for
a few minutes at a time. It is also suggested for
those with particularly fair skin, to wear some form
of protective clothing even when swimming. Some of
the worst sunburn cases seen here have been when a
fair skinned person has been off snorkeling for a
few hours, not realizing the water magnifies the suns
rays, they burn even faster, particularly across their
backs and legs.
Customs and Rules
Thailand’s culture is vastly different to the west
and it is much appreciated when foreigners respect
both its laws and heritage. There are certain Do’s
and Don’ts that should ALWAYS be adhered to and then
there are other rules that, though generally frowned
upon are at times accepted.
One of these ‘accepted’ rules is that topless-ness
on the beaches is in fact banned by law. Though it
is generally advised, especially in Muslim areas,
to abstain from this practice, some beaches do turn
a blind eye to it. Be prepared for onlookers.
Other than that, rules that are custom to the Thai
culture should always be followed. One of the foremost
of these is NEVER SHOW ANGER OR RUDENESS in public.
If you do, you will find that all it achieves is to
be ignored completely. Thai people are extremely polite
and rudeness is not tolerated in any form.
When visiting a Buddhist Monastery, please remember
the grounds are holy so appropriate attire must be
worn. Shirts with sleeves for women is recommended
and it is preferred that women wear either a skirt
or neat shorts (not high cut ones). For men a neat
shirt and shorts will do fine. Women should be careful
as no monk may come into physical contact with any
women.
Two customs considered impolite are sitting with your
feet pointing towards another person. Where possible
tuck them out of the way. The other is touching another
person’s head in public.
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