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| Passport |
All visitors entering Thailand must possess valid passports.
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| Currency |
The Thai baht is divided into 100 satangs. Bank note denominations include 1,000 (gray), 500 (purple), 100 (red), 50 (blue), 20 (green), and 10 (brown) baht notes.
Ten-baht coins are brass discs encircled by a silver frame. Five-baht coins are silver with copper rims. There are three silver one-baht coins but only the small one will fit in a public telephone. There are two types of 50 and 25 satang coins.
Most newspapers list daily exchange rates between Thai Baht and major world currencies.
ATM machines are found in all cities and towns, normally close to the banks and department stores. Many of them accept major credit cards. The maximum amount that you can take out within one day vary, but it could be assumed as 20000 Thai Baht.
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| Clothes |
Normally the tropical climate calls for washable-cotton, light and loose dresses with comfortable shoes or sandals. Nylon should be avoided. Sweaters are needed during cool season evenings or when visiting mountainous areas and remote national parks. Umbrellas are necessary during the rainy season.
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| Electricity |
The predominant power supply in most locations is 220V, but in some areas 110V is also used.
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| Food & Water |
The food alone is really reason enough for a trip to Thailand. Curries, fruit shakes, stir fries, fresh fish made a zillion ways - and that's just the beginning. Food in Thailand can be as cheap and easy as 20 baht phat thai (Thai fried noodles) cooked at a street stall or as expensive and complicated as a $100 ten-course meal by a royal chef served in one of Bangkok's 5 star hotels.
Since most backpackers will be sticking closer to the first than the second, one of the great things about Thailand is that food from stalls and tiny sidewalk restaurants is usually quite safe. Unlike some Asian countries, travelers should worry more about overeating or too much curry spice than about unclean kitchens and bad food. In fact, street restaurants, where you can see what you'll get and everything is cooked on the spot (usually in a pool of germ- and diet-killing vegetable oil) can be the safest option.
It is advised that you drink only the bottled or boiled water.
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| Health |
No inoculations or vaccinations are required unless you are coming from or passing through contaminated areas.
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| Language |
Spoken and written Thai remain largely incomprehensible to the casual visitor. However, English is widely understood in hotels, shops and restaurants in major tourist destinations. Thai and English road and street signs are found nationwide.
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| Communication |
International phone calls can be made quite easily from mid- to upper-level hotels. There is direct dialing to and from more than so countries on five continents. Rates for calling out of the country are normally considerably higher than for calling in so if you expect a long conversation you might save some money by having your party call back if possible. If you can't call from your hotel, go to the General Post Office (GPO) on New Road, or major post offices, and call from special booths for overseas calls.
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| Shopping |
Thailand is a shopper's paradise and many visitors to Bangkok in particular end up spending much of their time in the countless markets and malls. Particularly good buys are clothing, both cheap locally produced streetwear and fancy Thai silk, and all sorts of handicrafts. Electronics and computer gear are also widely available, but prices are higher than in Singapore, Hong Kong and Kuala Lumpur.
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| Business hours |
Normal business hours are the same in Thailand as in most other countries. It's still common for many companies to work a half day on Saturdays. However, it is highly unusual for Thais to request a business meeting on Saturdays.
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| Tipping |
Tipping in customary in Thailand, although perhaps not to the extent or magnitude that is practiced in many western countries. All public taxi rates are metered, and both Thais and local expats commonly round off the fare upwards as a tip. High-end tourist oriented restaurants and major hotels may include a ten percent service charge in the bill. For hotels in busy tourist areas, it is customary to tip hotel staff. Upcountry hotel staff may not expect tips, but of course they always appreciate a few baht in appreciation of their efforts. For example, it is customary to tip the bellboy 10 or 20 baht for carrying a load of heavy baggage up to your room, and this is practiced by Thai guests even at the smaller upcountry hotels and resorts.In all restaurants except for soup shops and roadside food stalls, Thai people will leave a tip of coins left over from paying a bill, unless a restaurant is more upscale with professional wait staff, and then a cash tip - perhaps less than 10% is usually offered. |
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