Travel
For Thailand a valid passport is required. The passport has to be valid for atleast 6 months after returning from Thailand. If you are staying longer than 30 days in Thailand, a visa is required. You can apply for a Thai visa at any Thai embassy in the world.
Travel Insurance
A good travel insurance is an absolute requirement. If you already have travel insurance, make sure it has world coverage. If this is not the case, let your expand your current coverage. otherwise you are not insured. Do not forget to bring your insurance certificate along on vacation.
Medical
Vaccinations are not required for Thailand. It is nevertheless recommended that a DTP vaccination and a vaccination against Hepatitis A is taken. Please contact the physician, the Public Health Service or the Travel Clinic. Malaria tablets are not really necessary because Thailand is a malaria-free country and in recent decades, no cases of malaria in Thailand has been reported. Areas where you still have to be aware of malaria are some border areas with Laos, Cambodia, Burma. When you visit these areas in the jungle you must take note to a certain dress codes, see the baggage information. Also, the mosquitoes in the aforementioned areas, are only active in the evening during twilight. We therefore recommend that you stay inside around this time with the air conditioner on.
Another dangerous disease that can be transferred is dengue fever. However to become infected you should be stung repeatedly. The disease is characterized by fatigue, headache and high fever. If one acts quick the disease can usually be cured quickly. For the latest information visit your doctor or Public Health Service in your area. It is also very important not to drink tap water. All rooms have a couple of bottles of drinking water which is free and safe, you can also buy water everywhere very easily and very cheap. If you regularly use medecine, make sure you bring enough. It is possible that these medecine are not available in Thailand. Always keep a copy (in English) of the recipe or if you own a health card.
Hospitals in Thailand are of extremely high quality, both the staff as well as the hospital itself. This is because the doctors almost always studied and trained abroad and the hospital has the most luxurious facilities to make your stay as pleasant as possible. If during your visit to Thailand medical problems occure then we will always try to maximize support. We recommend the following hospitals:
- Bangkok: Bumrungrad;
- Bangkok: Phyathai Hospital Building 1 & 2
- Koh Samui: Bangkok Hospital Samui;
- Phuket: Bangkok Hospital Phuket
Money
The currency of the Thai Baht (1 euro is about 40 Baht, 1 USD is about 32 Baht and 1 GBP is about 48 Baht). There are coins of 1, 2, 5 and 10 Baht and banknotes of 20, 50, 100, 500 and 1000 Baht. We recommend that you echange your Euros for Thai Baht at the larger banks in Thailand.
You can pay by credit card in Thailand and travelers checks are accepted almost everywhere. You can also withdraw Thai Baht from the many automated teller machines (ATMs). Thai banks charge 150 Thai Baht per transaction. Banks are open Monday to Friday from 09.00 to 15.30 hours, ATM's are of course 24 hours a day.
Vaccinations
Thailand, vaccinations that are required: Vaccination against yellow fever is mandatory for Thailand only when you have been in a yellow fever country seven days before entering Thailand .
Thailand, vaccinations are recommended: Regardless of residence the following vaccinations for Thailand are recommended: vaccination against DTP (Diphtheria, Tetanus and Polio) and vaccination against hepatitis A (infectious jaundice).
If you stay longer than three months in Thailand the recommended vaccinations are against typhoid, hepatitis B, rabies (rabies =) and tuberculosis.
Religion
94% of all Thai are Buddhist, this is also one of the reasons that the Thai people are regarded as pleasant calm people. There are many temples which provide a peaceful look. You will also encounter many monks in the streets, which are dressed in their orange robes. Please note that persons of a different sex, absolutely not allowed to touch monks and not allowed to sit next to a monk. Touch no monks and Buddha images to try to approach them with respect.
Also be careful if you have a Buddha statue as a souvenir to take home, this may be refused by the Thai Customs. It is very impolite in Thailand when you sit so that people can see your feet. In the temple hold feet always in the opposite direction of a Buddha statue and never point it to buddha. You must wear appropriate clothing if you go on a temple visit, this means long pants and long sleeves and always take of your shoes when entering a temple.
Clothing and Luggage
Do not take too much luggage to Thailand. Shoes, slippers, swimwear and light cotton summer clothes are usually enough. At any visit to a temple, make sure your knees and shoulders are covered. In Thailand, however there are so many clothes for sale at very low prices. Please be aware of the import provisions of the customs in your countrey. Especially counterfeit and copy products can cause problems.
When you take a domestic flight with Air Asia(economy class) take in concideration that not more than up to 15 kilos of luggage per person is allowed. Your hand luggage should not exceed 7 pounds, so keep this in mind.
Trek or Jungle Tour
If you go on a Jungle Trekking Tour than we recommend you to bring the following items with you. Please also note that you can buy many of the required items in Thailand;
- Clothing and footwear suitable for though trekking (Firm shoes)
- Flashlight
- Field Bottle
- Small backpack
- Jack for in the winter (November to February)
- Cape Rain gear to keep dry during rainy season (May to October)
- Mosquito Oil
- Copy of passport
Remember that these items are nessecary for a Jungle trip and we strongly recommand to bring each one on these items on every jungle you will make. Our advice: Travel prepared!
Transport
- Taxi
Only take taxi's that use their meter, if he does not want to turn on the meter just simply step out. Taxis are everywhere in Bangkok , waiting for a taxi never lasts long. The starting price on the meter, in Bangkok, is 35 Baht, then there is a 3 baht increase every 2 km.
- Minivan
A very comfortable way to travel. We already have a number of minivans using a qualified driver and English speaking guide. Ideal for short to medium distances. We also use it in most of our tours. Click the following link to a separate transfer by minivan to book: http://www.visitthailand.travel/Transfer.aspx
- Tuk Tuk's
Perhaps the most popular means of transport among tourists. We use a tuk tuk as well in our City Flash Bangkok program, a very unique experience. You can negotiate the price with the driver, always try to get 30 to 40 % off the price the driver offers you. And never forget to agree about a price in advance.
- Sky Train and Subway System (Metro)
The most pleasant mode of transport, riding only in Bangkok and its ultra clean and perfectly maintained. Prices range from 10-50 baht, depending on your destination. The lines of the BTS(skytrain)are linked to the network of the MRT(subway).
- Song Taew
Most economical means of transportation. You get back in and sits with others on two rows facing each other, in a converted pick up '. A distance of one mile only costs 10 baht, sometimes even cheaper.
- Motor scooter taxis
Scooter taxis you see throughout the city and can be recognized by their orange vests. A ride on small distance costs between 10 to 20 Baht. We advise not to use it here, since in Bangkok, 10 motor scooters per day crash.
- Water taxis
These can be found on the larger rivers and canals. The fare is between 10 to 20 Baht. It is usually a longtail boat and it is an excellent opportunity to escape the heat. Some Hotels in Bangkok use a shuttle service with private boat pier to hotel and vice versa.
- Samlor
Rickshaws are still to be found in many places in Thailand. It is Asia at its best, very nice experience, but we recommend strongly that you negotiate a good price.
- Buses
In Bangkok there are many buses often run with a poor quality, also it is very difficult to actually getting on and off the busses, and the route system is complicated.
- Train
The train in Thailand is good and cheap and the trains offer plenty of space. Be prepared, however because it is a little bit back to basic. To see our train offers visit http://www.bezoekthailand.nl/Transfer.aspx
- Aircraft
Thailand has many airports and there are lots of cheap domestic flights. An excellent alternative to a night of 12 hours pure traveling. Other airports include Krabi, Koh Samui, Phuket, Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai. There are many flights per day and the most commen airliners are: Thai Airways, Bangkok Airways and Air Asia. Note that on flights with Air Asia only 15 pounds it should be taken, in contrast to Thai Airways and Bangkok Airways, where the standard is 20 pounds.
Tipping
People do not always recommend give tips in Thailand, also they find it difficult to determine an amount or to make a difference when and when not to tip. In Thailand, the salaries in the service and catering industry tuned up on receive tips. The total amount of the tip depends on the type service, travel or the length of the trip. But we always recommend the following amounts;
- For a meal at a local Thai restaurant, around 20 Baht
- For a meal in a luxury hotel or a restaurant around 50-100 baht depending on the total,
- For a taxi driver it is unusual to tip, but they often have no small change with him, so you can wrap the amount up.
- For a tour guide for a half-day around 100 to 200 Baht
- For a tour guide for a full day around 200 to 400 Baht
- Drivers can be given about half the amount of the guides
Telephone and Internet
We recommendto buy a Thai SIM card once inThailand. Allows you to call and receive national and international calls. SIM cards are available at all major department stores and most supermarkets (Seven-Eleven). Most of the hotels we use have a wireless Internet service. In Thailand there also are many Internet cafes.
Voltage
In Thailand, the voltage is 220 volts, so take a universal plug along if you want to charge elecktronishe products.
Addresses
Thai Immigration Department
The Thai immigration authorities recently moved (October 1909) The new address is:
Building B, Government Center Bangkok,
Chaeng Wattana Road, Soi 7
Bangkok
Here you can go for all your questions about your visa.
Links:
Questions:
Do you have any questions, or is something unclear please feel free to send an email to: info@visitthailand.travel We are at your service!