Visiting Thailand

(Last updated: 17 Sep 2008)

Visas

The requirement for a transit, visitor transit or tourist visa depends on the activity planned in Thailand. Further information on visa types can be obtained from the Immigration Bureau.

Business visitors to Thailand require a temporary visitor’s visa. Visas for Australian passport holder's cost A$30 for a single entry visa, A$60 for a two-entry visa or A$90 for a three-entry visa. The single entry visa is valid for three months and multiple entry visas are valid for six months. Visas must be obtained prior to arriving in Thailand. For further information contact the Royal Thai Embassy or Consulates located across Australia.

Royal Thai Embassy, Chancery
Optus Centre
10 Moore Street
Canberra ACT 2601
Australia
Tel: +61 2 6273 1149
Fax: +61 2 6273 1518

Climate

Thailand has three distinct seasons:

• From November to March the weather is dry and a bit cooler. Very little, if any, rain falls at this time of the year. It is a pleasant time to visit if you are a tourist.
• The three months April to July leading up to the wet season are humid and generally unpleasant outdoors if you are not used to the tropical heat.
• From August to October/November is the wet season. It does not constantly rain nor is the sky always overcast but you can expect a tropical downpour lasting an hour or two on most days. There are very few days when it rains constantly. Taking an umbrella whenever you go out is advisable. Traffic can become gridlocked by flash flooding and accidents so travel can be extremely frustrating during a storm. However it is always warm, the run-off disappears reasonably quickly and life resumes after the storm.

For weather details in Thailand, please visit the World Meteorological Organization.

Airports

There are five international airports in Thailand: Don Muang (Bangkok), Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Phuket and Hat Yai. Don Muang (Bangkok) International Airport is one of the major air destinations in South East Asia with over 45 international airlines and a number of charter companies operating flights to the city. The new Suvarnahumbi International Airport will open in 2006 replacing Don Muang as Bangkok’s international airport.

A departure tax, currently set at 500 baht, is levied on all individuals departing Thailand by air. This MUST be paid in cash before you enter the Immigration Hall. It is not a part of the ticket price nor is payment by credit card accepted.

Domestic flights operated by Thai Airways International and other private carriers are available to all important cities and tourist resorts.

Ground transport

Plan appointments well ahead of time as travelling in Bangkok can be problematic. Four appointments a day is generally the maximum. For convenience, safety and language reasons, taxis, hotel limousines and rented cars are the best options for business visitors travelling in Bangkok. Some taxi drivers have been taught English but it is rudimentary. A business card or address written in Thai is helpful but by no means foolproof. Taxis do not carry street directories.

Taxis are plentiful and the minimum fare is about 35 baht for a distance of up to two kilometres. Taxis can be hired at a fixed rate. A trip into the city from the present airport could take up to an hour depending on the traffic. It is advisable to use the elevated expressway especially during peak hours. You will be expected to pay the toll as you pass through a toll booth. It is not added to the fare at the end of the journey.  Tips are not required, although it is customary to round up the fare.  Receipts are not provided.

Airport buses leave both international and domestic terminals every 15 minutes from 6.00am to 12 midnight. These follow four specific routes which pass by major hotel areas. They do not deliver you to your hotel. The fare is around 100 baht per person. This is economical only if you are travelling alone. The buses are useful if you have little luggage and know your destination. The frequency seems reasonable until you realise that buses to each destination do not leave every 15 minutes. It is one bus each hour to each destination. Do not rely on catching a bus to return to the airport if you are on a tight schedule.

Driving in Bangkok is a challenge, but if you know Bangkok reasonably well you can rent a car from one of the international car rental companies that operate in Bangkok and the larger cities. An international driver’s license is required and driving is on the left hand side of the road which presents no problem to people used to driving in Australia. Be prepared, however, for some unusual driving practices!

Thai ‘tuk-tuks’ are famous, but are less safe, and suitable for short distances only. Fares must be negotiated beforehand.

The elevated railway (BTS) and the underground (MTR) are efficient and comfortable means of transport within the city itself but do not extend to the airport.

Security and health

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) provides advice for business travellers and tourists going to Thailand. This is regularly updated, and should be checked before planning travel.

Health

Inoculation against cholera, hepatitis A, polio, tetanus and typhoid is strongly recommended.  For a stay of more than six months, vaccination against hepatitis B, rabies and Japanese encephalitis is advised.

If you are travelling to an infected area, mandatory vaccinations are yellow fever, cholera and smallpox and if you are coming from an infected area, you will need a certificate of vaccination in order to be allowed into Thailand.

Major private hospitals in Bangkok and some other major cities are equipped with up-to-date medical technology and have internationally qualified specialists who speak English. Almost all pharmaceuticals are widely available; nevertheless, it is advisable to have a first-aid kit and an indispensable mosquito repellent. There are a number of pharmacies some of which are branches of internationally recognised companies such as Boots and Watsons. Such pharmacies may sell prescription drugs, often without prescriptions, as well over-the-counter medicines such as aspirin.

Only limited supplies of negative blood are available from blood banks in Bangkok and virtually none in the provinces.

The water in Bangkok has been declared potable, however, it is advisable to drink only bottled or boiled water and clean your teeth using the bottled water available from your hotel. Ice in most good restaurants, hotels and drinking establishment is hygienically produced and safe.

There is no 24-hour emergency service or national emergency telephone number, but hospitals can be contacted in case of an emergency. Emergency services contact:

• Mobile police - 191
• Fire brigade - 199
• Ambulance (Bangkok) - (02) 2522 1715

The Thailand-Australia Free Trade Agreement (TAFTA) contains rules to streamline the systems for the movement of business people. Australian business visitors will no longer require a work permit for stays up to 15 days (90 days for APEC travel card holders).

Tipping

Tipping is optional except in hotels and some bigger restaurants where a service charge is added. If you feel you have had good service the serving staff will certainly welcome a token of your appreciation. As salary levels are very low service staff often rely on tips even though they would not solicit them.

Time zones and time differences

Thailand is three hours behind Australian Eastern Standard Time.

To find out the current times in Bangkok, view the World Clock.

Dialling codes

Thailand's country code is 66.

For calls to Thailand from Australia dial: 0011 + 66 + area code + telephone number

For calls from Thailand to Australia dial: 001 + 61 + area code + telephone number

For further information (eg. area codes) please visit the White Pages - international dialling codes.

Business hours

Usual business hours are 8.00am to 5.00pm, Monday to Friday.

Banks are open between 9.30am to 3.30pm, Monday to Friday. Foreign exchange counters are generally open between 7.00am to 8.00pm. Banks in department stores follow the opening hours of the stores which are usually 10.00am to 8.00pm. In some limited locations there are currency converting machines which convert foreign bank notes. These are open 24 hours.

Government offices are usually open between 8.30am to midday and 1.00pm to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday.

Large department stores are open daily between 10.00am to 8.00pm, some open till 10.00pm.

Some supermarkets such as Foodland, together with Family Mart and 7-Eleven convenience stores are open 24 hours, seven days a week.

Small stores usually open 12 hours a day.

The sale of alcohol is strictly regulated to certain limited hours during the day.

Public holidays

April 6 - Chakri Day
May 1 - Labour Day
May 5 - Coronation Day
July 1 - HM The Queen of Thailand's Birthday
October 23 - Chulalongkorn Day
December 5 - HM The King of Thailand's Birthday
December 10 - Constitution Day
December 31 - New Year's Eve

Currency

Oanda currency converter 

The official currency is the Baht.

Electricity and water

Thailand’s power supply is 220 volts, 50Hz 1, 3 phases, 2, 3, 4 wires. Pack an adapter as both round and square plugs are used.

Dining

There are hundreds of restaurants and coffee shops, noodle shops, snack bars and street-side food stalls scattered throughout Bangkok and many more in the provincial tourist centres. While it may seem authentic to eat a roadside food stalls it is not always advisable as food poisoning is not uncommon. If you wish to try cheaper, authentic Thai food most big shopping centres have a food hall where you buy coupons that are exchanged for food. The food is cheap, the premises air-conditioned and cleaner. You receive a refund on any unused coupons. It would be unusual to spend more than about 100 baht per person on such a meal.

Restaurants of an international class abound in Bangkok. Bangkok can be a gourmet’s paradise for more than just Thai food. Fast food outlets are also very plentiful. Printed tourist information, including a list of excellent restaurants, can be obtained from any leading hotel.