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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)
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.