Taking a trip to Thailand for the first time? Here are some basic practical information you can keep in mind while living in Thailand so your stay in the Land of Smiles will be one unforgettable experience.
Timezone
Thailand is seven hours ahead of GMT, so make sure you set your timepiece and other devices upon your arrival.
Local Currency
The local currency is the baht, which is abbreviated as THB in most currency exchanges. Banknotes come in denominations of 20 baht (green-colored), 50 baht (blue-colored), 100 baht (red-colored), 500 baht (purple-colored) and 1,000 baht (beige-colored). If you observe carefully, you may notice that bank notes of greater value are considerably larger in size than the smaller ones. Numerals are printed in Arabic as well as Thai, so the notes are quite easy to get accustomed to. Coins, on the other hand, come in denominations of 1, 2, 5, and 10 baht coins. There are also the bronze-colored 25 and 50 satang coins, which are a quarter or half the value of a one baht coin respectively. As inflation continues to rise over the years, satangs are now of little use. However, it is not uncommon to see certain items at convenience stores priced at an adjusted rate of 12.50 baht or 13.25 baht rather than a flat rate of 12 baht or 13 baht. All denominations bear the image of the current monarch of the Chakri Dynasty and are supposed to be handled with the utmost respect, so take care not to crumple your bills nor throw away your coins.
Legal moneylenders such as banks, financial institutions, and currency exchange providers such as Superrich tend to offer the best exchange rate for the Thai baht. While you can exchange other foreign currencies into Thai baht, US dollars are the most accepted in Thailand. The common rate over the past few years has fluctuated around 34 baht for 1 US dollar.
Travelers’ cheques get a better rate, with a commission of 1% of the amount plus 3 baht per cheque cashed. Visa and Master cardholders can get cash advance of up to 500 USD a day through some branches of local banks. ATM accepting debit cards are also readily available all around Bangkok and in many smaller towns.
Foreign Passport
Being a gateway for tourists, Thailand knows how to make things easy for visitors. After all, there are various tourist visas to choose from so that your stay in the Land of Smiles becomes the most memorable. However, be warned that overstaying by one month or more will land you in serious trouble.
Foreign passport holders are normally allowed to enter for a stay of up to 30 days without having to apply for a visa. This is granted upon entry at no cost, but one is supposed to show proof of onward travel arrangements such as a return ticket. The 30-day no-visa stay can be extended for a maximum of 7 to 10 days at the immigration. If you desire a longer stay, you should apply for a 60-day Tourist Visa from a Thai Embassy or Consulate.
As a regional hub of Southeast Asia, Bangkok is a convenient place to get visas for onward travel to numerous countries. There are altogether 33 foreign diplomatic missions in Bangkok, generally listed and indicated on all tourist maps. The visa sections of most embassies are open from around 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Monday to Friday.
Where to find useful information?
For brochures, city maps and other information that you may need, check with the Bangkok Tourist Bureau (BTB) or the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), two invaluable resources for tourists in need of help. There are also Bangkok maps provided for free at the sky train stations.
BTB is managed by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration. The bureau is conveniently located near Chao Phraya River and it can also help with the chartering of boats from the nearby pier. Here is their contact information: (Tel: 0-2225-7612 – 17/1 Phra Athit Road, Banglamphu – 9 AM to 7 PM daily)
TAT is the governmental arm to promote the tourism industry. They have desks in both Terminal One, Counter 4 (Tel: 0-2535-2669) and Terminal Two, Counter 8 (Tel: 0-2504-2703) of the airport but the main office on New Petchaburi Road is better equipped (Tel: 0-2250-5500 – open 8 AM to 4:30 PM daily)
The TAT also maintains a 24 hours Tourist Assistance Center run by a paramilitary body called the Tourist Police. They are present in many of hotspots in and outside Bangkok and are likely to prove much more helpful than the normal police in case of trouble as they speak fairly good English. To reach out to them, call their 24 hour hotline at 1672.
Communications and Other Connections
All modern forms of communication, be it telephones, mobiles, faxes or the Internet, are available. Postcards, the good old fashioned snail-mail way, are available at a size of 105 x 148 mm for 12 baht and also at a size of 130 x 180 mm for 15 baht. You can easily send them to anywhere in the world. The 1972 Thai art deco building housing Bangkok’s main post office is worth a visit as their service is very efficient particularly for parcels, and it includes packaging facilities. Worldwide courier services are also available.
The telephone system is efficient but a little costly. Thailand’s country code is 66 and for Bangkok is 02. For international calls, dial 001 before the number and for operator assistance, dial 100. As an example, if you want to call someone in Bangkok with the number 02-341-9560 from the US, you will have to press 001-66-02-341-9560. Public payphones do also allow international calls and hotels mostly have 30% surcharge. Cellular phones use the NMT 900MZ and GSM standards.
Like most Southeast Asian countries, the internet is widely used throughout Thailand and cyber-cafes have become a growing trend. To plug in your own machine, RJ11 phone jacks are the standard in most hotels.
Electricity in Thailand
Electricity in Thailand runs at 220V, 50 hertz. Electrical wall outlets usually come in the form of two-pin wall plug sockets. International plug adapters are also readily available in department stores if you want to convert your voltage from an electrical appliance you brought back home, say a 120V hairdryer from the US for usage in Thailand.
Weights and measures are expressed in the Metric system here as well.
Business Hours
Public offices work up to a 50 day week, whereas private companies can be considerably lesser at 40 hours. Most shops and businesses, however, are open from Monday to Saturday from about 8 AM to 8 PM. Shopping tends to be at its peak on Sundays, where many people frequent malls and department stores during their day off.
Tipping
Tipping in restaurants is not a required custom like in the US or European countries. It is not common practice to tip in Thailand, but leaving a small change on the restaurant table or rounding up a taxi fare are generally appreciated.
VAT
The 7% VAT is refundable in Bangkok airports when leaving the country upon presentation of the goods and corresponding receipts.
Water
Drinking water from the tap is not recommended as it’s unsanitary; drink boiled or bottled water instead. Ice is generally produced from purified water under hygienic conditions and can be regarded as safe. However, exercise caution when buying crushed ice from substandard food shops as they are likely to be contaminated with germs or chemicals. Use your common sense in any way when traveling in the country. The same thing goes for food; find a clean looking eatery or food shop as they will likely be safe. As for street food, use your own judgment to see which shops appear to sanitary.
Healthcare System in Thailand
Overall, Thailand is a fairly clean country and few travelers experience anything more than an upset stomach. Urban Thailand is malaria-free. There are three university research hospitals, about a dozen private and public hospitals as well as hundreds of medical clinics serving locals and tourists alike. Three hospitals offering a comprehensive range of services include the Bangkok General Hospital on New Phetchaburi, the Bangkok Nursing Home on Convent Road and the Chao Phraya Hospital on Boromma Ratcha Chonnani Road.
