Useful Information for the Visitor to Thailand

Accommodation

The vast majority of people who visit Thailand are on holiday and will stay at a tourist hotel. These come in all shapes and sizes with varying costs and standards. Prices are subject to supply and demand and will vary according to the time of your visit. Prices are at their highest.... More »

Customs Regulations

If arriving in Thailand by air at Customs use the green channel if you have nothing to declare. People with goods that need to declare use the red channel. If arriving by train it is usual for the customs officers to board the train.... More »

Do's and Don'ts

Whilst Thai people are among the most tolerant and forbearing of hosts, they have nevertheless a number of customs and taboos which the visitor should respect. To help with this the Tourist Authority of Thailand publishes a tiny booklet entitled "Do's and Don'ts in Thailand". A few extracts are included here.... More »

Banking

Opening a bank account in Thailand is quite straightforward if you have the relevant documentation. Although banks can vary slightly on what you need to show, all banks will want to see your passport and usually a work permit to show you are working legally in Thailand and have a regular income. This will enable you.... More »

Getting Around

Thailand has a number of airports that service both domestic and international air traffic, as well as many more that only serve domestic flights. Domestic carriers, such as Thai Airway and AirAsia, fly numerous domestic and international routes into and out of various Thai airports. Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi (BKK) is the premier Thai airport and serves as a hub for international transit passengers as well as a gateway to various Thai destinations.... More »

Gold, Gems & Jewellery

Thai gold is famous worldwide for its high purity of 96.5 percent (or 23 carat) and is measured in "Baht" and is not to be confused with the same word for Thailand's Currency. Baht is a unit of weight measurement for Gold in Thailand where 1 Baht is equal to.... More »

Health Care

General practitioners, dentists and opticians are readily available. Doctors and staff in the larger hospitals generally speak good English. Every major town in Thailand will have a public hospital, but these can be poorly equipped and overcrowded. However, there is a good number of private hospitals and we recommend these for easier communication and better service.... More »

Medical Vacation

Private healthcare in the West is notoriously expensive, for some, prohibitively so. Even commonplace medical areas like dentistry and orthodontics are extortionately priced, while surgery and major operations can completely drain personal finances. Given the costs, and the stakes, many people have looked beyond the shores of their native homelands.... More »

Miscellaneous

Business hours, time, electricity, telephone, Internet, postal service, TV and newspapers, credit cards, lost/stolen cards.... More »

Safety

Thailand is a very safe country to visit, but it is always wise to take some precautions to ensure you have a trouble free holiday.... More »

Visa

There are several different visas that can be applied for at the Thai embassy in your home country when travelling to Thailand and many depend on your reason for entering the country. For example, there are visas for those who wish to retire there and different visas which are required for those who want to work.... More »