PASSPORT
AND VISA
Visitor entering the Kingdom is required
to have a pasport with at least 3 months
of validity and to obtain a visa if the
period of stay is longer than 30 days
(29 nights). Transit passenger * staying
in Thailand no longer than 30 days generally
does not need a visa, but must have a
confirmed return or onward ticket. An
entry visa can be obtained at Bangkok
International Airport if necessary.
*Tourist
Visa Exemption (Information
from website of Thailand Ministry of
Foreign Affair : (www.mfa.go.th
)
List of 39 countries that
passport holders do not require a visa
when entering Thailand for tourism purposes
if their stay in the Kingdom does not
exceed 30 days:
1. Australia
2. Austria
3. Belgium
4. Brazil
5. Bahrain
6. Brunei
7. Canada
8. Denmark
9. Finland
10. France
11. Germany
12. Greece
13. Hong Kong
|
14. Indonesia
15. Ireland
16. Israel
17. Italy
18. Japan
19. Korea
20. Kuwait
21. Luxembourg
22. Malaysia
23. Netherlands
24. New Zealand
25. Norway
26. Peru |
27. Philippines
28. Portugal
29. Qatar
30. Singapore
31. Spain
32. South Africa
33. Sweden
34. Switzerland
35. Turkey
36. United Arab Emirates
37. United Kingdom
38. United States of America
39. Vietnam |
Temporary
Tourist Visa: Visa on arrival
Passport holders from 14 countries may
apply for visas at the immigration checkpoints
for the purpose of tourism for the period
of not exceeding 15 days.
List
of these 14 countries:
1. Bhutan : Kingdom of Bhutan
2. China : People’s Republic of
China (including Taiwan)
3. Cyprus : Republic of Cyprus
4. Czech : Czech Republic
5. Hungary : Republic of Hungary
6. India : Republic of India
7. Kazakhstan : Republic of Kazakhstan
8. Maldives : Republic of Maldives
9. Mauritius : Republic of Mauritius
10. Oman : Sultanate of Oman
11. Poland : Republic of Poland
12. Russian Federation
13. Saudi Arabia : Kingdom of Saudi
Arabia
14. Ukraine
List of
Thailand’s Immigration Checkpoints
which provides facilities for issuance
of visa on arrival are as follow:
1. Bangkok International Airport, Bangkok
2. Chiangmai International Airport,
Chiangmai
3. Phuket International Airport, Phuket
4. Hat Yai International Airport, Songkhla
5. U-Tapao Airport, Rayong
6. Mae Sai Immigration Checkpoint, Chiangrai
7. Chiang Saen Immigration Checkpoint,
Chiangrai
8. Chiang Khong Immigration Checkpoint,
Songkhla
9. Betong Immigration Checkpoint, Yala
10. Sadao Immigration Checkpoint, Songkhla
11. Samui Airport, Suratthani
12. Sukhothai International Airport
and Tak Immigration Checkpoint
13. Bangkok Harbour Immigration Checkpoint,
Bangkok
14. Sri Racha Immigration Checkpoint,
Chonburi
15. Mabtaput Immigration Checkpoint,
Rayong
16. Nong Khai Immigration Checkpoint,
Nong Khai
17. Samui Immigration Checkpoint, Suratthani
18. Phuket Immigration Checkpoint, Phuket
19. Satun Immigration Checkpoint, Satun
20. Krabi Immigration Checkpoint, Krabi
21. Songkhla Harbour Immigration Checkpoint,
Songkhla
22. Chiangrai Airport Immigration Checkpoint,
Chiangrai
23. Suratthani Airport Immigration Checkpoint,
Suratthani
AIROPORT |
DOMESTIC
FLIGHTS |
INTERNATIONAL
FLIGHTS |
| BANGKOK |
30 |
500 |
| CHIANG
MAI |
30 |
500 |
| CHIANG
RAI |
30 |
500 |
| SUKHOTHAI |
100 |
500 |
| PHUKET |
30 |
500 |
| SAMUI |
400 |
500 |
| U-TAPHAO |
30 |
400 |
NATIONAL
HOLIDAYS IN 2004
| Jan 1 |
New Year Day |
| Mar 5 |
Makha Bucha Day |
| Apr 6 |
Chakri Memorial Day |
| Apr 13-15 |
Songkran Festival Day |
| May 1 |
National Labour Day |
| *May 3 |
Substitution National Labour Day |
| May 5 |
Coronation Day |
| Jun 2 |
Visakha Bucha Day |
| Jul 31 |
Asarnha Bucha Day |
| Aug 1 |
Buddhist Lent Day |
| *Aug 2 |
Substitution of Buddhist Lent
Day |
| Aug 12 |
H.M. The Queen's Birthday |
| Oct 23 |
Chulalongkorn Memorial Day |
| *Oct 25 |
Substitution of Chulalongkorn
Memorial Day |
| Dec 5 |
H.M. The King's Birthday |
| *Dec 6 |
Substitution of H.M. The King's
Birthday |
| Dec 10 |
Constitution Day |
| Dec 31 |
New Year's Eve |
CALENDAR OF FESTIVALS AND EVENTS
Click
to view details
|
CURRENCY
The local currency is the Baht. The exchange
rate varies in accordance with the international
market. Actually it is positioning at
37 to 39 Baht for one US Dollar and 42
to 45 Baht for one euro. Credit Cards
and Traveller’s Cheque are widely
accepted by Boutiques and Shopping Malls.
They are often refused by sellers on markets.
The excess of Thai Baht can be converted
in major of foreign currencies at the
Donmuang International Airport.
CLIMATE
Thailand can be visited all year long.
The most pleasant season is the fresh
season from November to February. The
hot season goes from march to may while
the most appropriate clothes are light
cotton and hats are recommended. The
rainy season lasts from June to october.
The rains generally come at the end
of the day or at night and are weak
causes of tour cancellations. The average
of temperature is 25º- 36º
C.
LOCAL TIME
The Bangkok Zone Time is : GMT +0700
hrs
ELECTRICITY
An uniform 220 voltage / 50 Hz is delivered
in all the country.
RUNNING WATER
Although running water is chemically
treated, visitors are advised to consider
it as usable but not drinkable. Capsule
sealed up bottles are easily founded
in every hotels, restaurants and shops.
HEALTH
Vaccines are actually not required.
The prophylaxy against malaria is recommended
in certain spots of the country.
FOOD
Local and western foods are served in
most of the hotels. Local restaurants
serve Thai Cuisine in preference. Fruits
and vegetables from those places are
safe.
GOOD SHOPPINGS
A great diversity of quality hand made
products are found in Thailand : Thai
Silk, Silverware, Jewelry, Teak Wood,
Fans & Umbrellas, Lacquerware, Ceramics,
etc. Because of many iimitations and
reproductions of these articles, visitors
are advised to purchase them in Boutiques
wearing the Authenticity mention from
the Tourism Authority of Thailand. Exports
of antique objects and Buddha images
are subject to approval from the Fine
Arts Department.
TIPS
As a general rule, bank notes are better
considered than coins that are given
to beggars. For tips, it is preferable
to let a minimum of 20 baht to hotel’s
porters or waiters.
TAX AND SERVICES
Most of the hotels display prices exclusive
of tax. At those prices, 10% of government
tax and 7% of VAT should be added.
Every travellers
have to pay Airport Passenger Service
Charge (in Baht) when flying from all
airports of Thailand.
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