WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT THAILAND

Generalities:

Area : 514 000 km²
Cross-border countries : Cambodge, Laos, Malaisie, Birmanie
Population : 64 632 000
Inflation : 5.1%
GDP per citizen : US$ 9 100
Religion : 95% Buddhist
Adult literacy : 92.6%
Name of origin : Siam
Highest mountaintop : Doi Inthanon 2565m
Rice export : 7.4 million ton in 2006

Formalities and Health

Passport :

Your passport has to be valid until 6 months your date of home-come. This is not necessary to get a visa for a touristic journey of 30 days maximum.

Vaccines:

No needs of specifics vaccines for Thailand, however, we suggest to you to be update with all usual vaccines (hepatitis, polio, etc.). Your personal doctor may have to suggest you other vaccines like the one against typhoid. If you want to get a Diving Diploma, a medical certificate will be asked to you, so we advise you to go to the doctor to avoid to waste time during your holidays.

Mosquitos :

Only few small regions of Thailand are not treated from palladium. So, you shouldn't be under risks of contamination. However, it's compulsory to have lotions against mosquitos and to apply sometimes on its skin during walks.

 

Climate

The seasons :

Thailand can be described with tropical and humid climate for the major part of the country during the year. Like every tropical climate, it exists 2 seasons :

- The rain season (from June to October: it is not the same rain season as India! The weather can stay sunny with sometimes briefs strong thunderstorms. It's raining a lot in the North where the climate is colder.

- The cool season (from March to May): but it's quite cold during the night.

The Regions :

- North : mountainous, lush tropical jungle and lasts teak trees with deep where the rice grows under the sun. The highest mountaintop is at 2590 meters.

- North-East : the side the less known by travelers. This is still a traditional region but so interesting to cross.

- Center : wide rich soil, ideally watered, numerous rivers and climate favorable for cultures.

- South : this region produces rubber trees. However, it's first of all stunning beaches and leisure!

The average annual temperature in Bangkok is 28°C, with extremes at 30°C in April and 25°C in December.

Local currency and credit cards

The local Thaï currency is in Baths (THB): 1€ is about 41 Baths and 1USD is about 33 Baths.

Notes: 10, 20, 50, 100, 500, 1000.

Coins: 1, 5, 10 Bath (silvery) and 25 and 50 Satang (golden).

All notes and coins are with the head of the King.

- Withdrawals :

It exists numerous locations to change Euros in Baths: all banks, big malls, in metro stations, etc.

Most of international malls accept VISA / MasterCard, but take into account all possible bank charges (1-2%) - please check with your own bank.

Tip : Bests change rates are in banks directly in Thailand compare to airports counters.

- Change your Baths in Euros/USD at the end of your trip :

At the end of your trip you can change big amount of your Baths in Euros/USD, the easiest is to wait to be at the airport where counters have lot of international bank notes.

Example of costs:

Transport fares, meals and accomodations are much more cheaper than Europe or USA :

• Daily single trip in the BTS (elevated railroad): 120 Bahts (~2,85 €).
• Cotton T-shirt in a big mall like MBK: 100-200 Baths.
• 20 min of taxi in Bangkok : ~ 160 Baht.
• A nice lunch in a self-service in a mall: 150 Bath.

How to dress-up ?

In truth, the cold season is just « cool » compare to the hot season and generally a pullover is not necessary in the Center and the South (Bangkok, islands, etc.). It's much better to take filmy clothes and just think of pullover for the flight. In the worst case, everything can be bought in Thailand with very interesting prices!

 

The phone :

To phone cheap from worldwide to Thailand :

- Prepaid phone cards: Saleable from every 7/11 supermarket. It allows you to call from a telephone box with very good prices! One card costs 100, 200 or 500 bahts.

- Mobile Phone: If you have a mobile phone, another solution consists of calling from your mobile with Thaï sim card. For this you have to go in any mobile phone shop (for example MBK center if you are in Bangkok) or supermarket (7/11) and ask for "1-2 CALL" sim card. Be careful, you have to check that your phone is unlocked and accepts Thaï Sim card. Otherwise, you can unlock your mobile phone. Once your mobile ready (think to top-up first…), call for France for example 00933 (without the 0 of the number).

You can top-up 50, 100, 150, 300 and 500 Baths.

Then, you can communicate your Thaï number to your family or your friends and thus be always available.

Thailand Post

Thailand owns a very good and cheap postal service. You can count out between 8 and 12 days for a card or a letter sent to Europe. Most of postal offices sell very cheap parcels post. We also find postal offices in cities and country towns. It's generally open from Monday to Friday from 8am to 4pm, Saturday from 8.30am to 12pm.

Electricity

We find 220 V everywhere. You can easily find international adapters in local markets or hardware stores. Just think to buy a reverse adapter if you buy any electrical equipment and take it with you back home.

These plugs work in Thailand :