Climate : We enjoy a tropical climate with 3 distinct seasons - hot from March through May, wet from June to September, and cool from October through February. The average annual temperature is 28o C (83o F), ranging from in Bangkok, for example, from 30 C in April to 25 C in December.

    What To Wear : Light, loose cotton clothing is best. Nylon should be avoided. Sweaters are needed during the cool season evenings or if visiting mountainous areas or national parks. Jackets and ties are required in a few restaurants and nightclubs. Neat clothes are required for entering temples or palaces.

    Local Time : GMT + 7 hours.

    Business Hours : Most offices open from 9 am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday, except on public holidays. General banking hours are Monday to Friday 9.30 am to 3.30 pm. Many stores open 12 hours a day, seven days a week.

    Currency : There are 100 satangs in 1 baht. (B=baht) Notes are issued in denominations of B1000 (gray), B500 (purple), B100 (red), B50 (blue), B20 (green), and B10 (brown). There are 10, 5 and 1 baht coin, and 50 and 25 satang. Most foreign currencies and traveller cheques are easily changed at banks, hotels or moneychangers. All major credit cards are widely accepted throughout the kingdom.

    Electricity : The electric system is 220 Volt AC (50 cycles). There are many plugs and sockets in use. Travelers with shavers, tape recorders and other appliances should carry a plug-adapter kit.

    Visas : Visitors to Thailand who hold valid passports or travelling documents issued by any country included in an officially issued list of eligible countries are permitted one-month visa-free visits. If planning a longer stay, a Tourist Visa valid for 60 days must be obtained from a Royal Thai Embassy or Consulate abroad. Visa extensions can be applied for at the Immigration Department in Bangkok.

    Tipping : Tipping is not a usual practice in Thailand although it is becoming more common. Most hotels and restaurants add a 10% service charge to the bill. Taxi drivers do not require a tip, but the gesture is appreciated.

    Bargaining : Fixed prices are the norm in department stores, but at most other places bargaining is to be expected. Generally, you can obtain a final figure of between 10-40% lower than the original asking price. Much depends on your skills and the shopkeeper's mood. But remember, Thais appreciate good manners and a sense of humor. With patience and a broad smile, you will not only get a better price, you will also enjoy shopping as an art.

Thai is a tonal language belonging to the group of Ka-Tai languages, the five tones are monotone, low, falling, high, and rising. This can be a rather complicated language for the visitor; however, English is quite widely understood, particularly in Bangkok where it is almost the major commercial language

    Religion : Visitors should dress neatly in all religious shrines. They should never go topless, or in shorts, hot pants or other unsuitable attire.

It is acceptable to wear shoes when walking around the compound of a Buddhist temple, but not inside the chapel where the principal Buddha image is kept.
Each Buddha image, large or small, ruined or not, is regarded as a sacred object. Never climb onto one to take a photograph or do anything which might indicate a lack of respect.
Buddhist monks are forbidden to touch or be touched by a woman, or to accept anything from the hand of one. If a woman has to give anything to a monk, she first hands it to a man, who then presents it.

    Social Norms : Thais don't normally shake hands when they greet one another, but instead press the palms together in a prayer-like gesture called a wai. Generally a younger person wais an elder, who returns it.

Thais regard the head as the highest part of the body, literally and figuratively. Therefore, avoid touching people on the head and try not to point your feet at people or an object. It is considered very rude.

Shoes should be removed when entering a private Thai home.

Public displays of affection between men and women are frowned upon

    When is the best time to visit Thailand ?
During the cool season between November and March

    What vaccinations do I need before coming to Thailand ?
There are no required vaccinations, unless you are coming from an infected area. Yellow fever certificates are required for those who are coming from an infected area. Please check the latest regulations with your local health office.

    Do I need a visa ?
Temporary visitors who are exempted from applying for an entry visa must be of the nationality of and holding a valid passport or travelling documents issued by :

Persons meeting the above conditions are exempted from a visa and are permitted to remain in the Kingdom for a period not exceeding 30 days, except for the nationals of the Republic of Korea, Brazil, and Peru who are permitted to stay in Thailand for a maximum of 90 days from the day of entry.

    Note : Please check the period of stay stamped in your passport upon entry into the Kingdom.
For more details contact the Immigration Division, Soi Suan Phlu, Sathon Tai Rd., Bangkok 10120
Tel : (662) 287-3101 - 10 Fax : (662) 287-1740

    What are the customs regulations ?
Prohibited items: All kinds of narcotics (hemp, opium,cocaine, morphine, heroin), obscene literature, pictures or articles. Firearms: Importation of firearms and ammunition can be done only after a permit has been obtained from the Police Department of the Local Registration Office.
Personal effects : A reasonable amount of clothing for personal use, toilet articles, and professional instruments may be brought in free of duty. Cameras : One still-camera or one movie camera can be brought in without duty. Five rolls of still-camera film or three rolls of 8 or 16 mm movie-camera film may be brought in free of duty.
Tobacco, alcoholic beverages : Cigarettes,cigars,or smoking tobacco each or in total must not exceed 250 grams in weight. Cigarettes not exceeding 200 in quantity. One litre each of wine or spirits may be brought in free of duty.
Household effects : A reasonable amount of used household effects, accompanied by the owner on change of domicile are also free of duty.
Plants and animals : Certain species of fruits, vegetables and plants are prohibited. Please contact the Agricultural Regulatory Division, Bangkhen, Bangkok, Tel : 5791581, 5793576. permission of entry for animals coming in by air can be obtained at the airport. If entering by sea, the application must be made at the Department of Livestock Development, Bangkok, Tel: 251-5136, 252-6944. Vaccination certificates are required.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand receives over 1,000 complaints a year about fake jewellery purchases. To avoid being a statistic, you must stay alert to the warning signs of a swindle at work. Heeding our warning could help you stave off unpleasent surprises and make your vacation what it should be - full of sparkle.

The following are valuable pointers for your protection :

• Be wary of any encounter that ends up requiring your presence in a gem shop. Most probably it is a scam.
• Buying gems or jewellery to resell at double or triple the purchase prices is an impossible proposition under any circumstances. Buy jewellery only for personal satisfaction for your own use or for loved ones.
• Make price comparisons in various shops before deciding to buy. Never be in a hurry.
• Never mail sapphires or other precious stones. Carry valuable items with you.
• Do not believe special (jewellery) sales of any kind. Reputable dealers hardly ever offer sales and never send touts to lure tourists to their stores.
• There are no promotions, shows or special sales on jewelry authorized by the government or any official agencies at any time of the year.
• The government does not own, operate, subsidize, or authorize any jewellery stores.
• As far as you can, take time to verify all claims. Words, promises, personal guarantees, unchecked documents, unauthorized verbal or written statements, casual references, encounters and the like do not constitute verification. Remember, you are your own best protection.
• All Thai embassies, consulates or any delegations abroad are neither bound nor responsible for refunding goods that are bought in Thailand.

When in doubt about a gem shop, check it with us at:
     Tourist Assistance Centre
     Tourism Authority of Thailand
     Le Concorde Building
     202 Ratchadapisek Road
     Bangkok 10310
     Tel: 694-1222 ext. 1090-1094

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