Thailand Travel Guide Sponsored by Dream of Thailand Dream of Thailand �As with any country you visit, you’ll get more out of your stay if you prepare properly and arrive informed about the local way of life. If there’s anything we’ve missed out that you’d like to know, then please email your query to [email protected] and we’ll be happy to help.’ d ThailealnGuide Trav ll Name: Kingdom and of Thail y Fu Countr 0,000 n: 65,00 io t la u Pop hai uage: T g n a L l Officia 7 nd, but e: GMT + year rou what n ll o a Z t o e h on Tim typically ending ailand isnsiderably dep h T : e t o Clima visiting. varies c ate u’re the climthe country yo ring the f o infall du the winter rt ra t pa c e p is to exer times duringy season ts eral rule in dri The genr months and Thailand the ramonsoons - las e f e r o b m e t n m m s a u o m s ast the su e rain c . For m monthsmes known asof October. Th . 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TemperaHowever, and not nge 18 to 32C. when the in the rath is best visited l to June. the sou o hot, from Apri rest is to Contents Page 2 Preparing for your trip Passports | Visas | Health Tips | Travel Insurance 3 - 6 General information Banks and Currency Exchange | Currency | Laws | Customs /Dos and Don’ts Dress | Manners | Monarchy | Religion | Electricity | Measurements Staying Safe | Thai New Year | Travelling around Thailand | Car Hire Tipping | Transport in Bangkok | Skytrain | Taxis | Underground | Tuk tuks 7 - 9 Enjoying yourself Food | Nightlife | Shopping | Sightseeing | Temples | Spas | Sports Thai Boxing | Golf | Water sports 10 Useful phrases Thailand Travel Guide Page 1 Preparing for your trip Passports: Health Tips: Ensure that your passport has more than 6 months’ validity remaining. Whilst there are currently no compulsory vaccinations required for your trip to Thailand, it is strongly recommended that you seek medical advice before starting your holiday to ensure that you comply with any new requirements. The National Travel Health Network and Centre is an excellent source of information – visit http://www.nathnac.org/travel/index.htm Visas: British passport holders may enter Thailand for a stay of up to 30 days, without obtaining a visa in advance of arrival. The visa-free entry of up to 30 days per visit is limited to a maximum of 90 days in any 6 month period. However, any time spent in Thailand on a Tourist Visa issued by a Thai Embassy or Consulate does not count towards the 90-day limit. Further information concerning visas and other aspects of travel to Thailand may be found on the Royal Thai Embassy website: http://www.thaiembassyuk.org.uk/index.html Thailand Travel Guide Travel Insurance: Ensure that you have fully comprehensive travel insurance before you start your trip, and that this includes good health cover. There are excellent international hospitals in Bangkok but they can be expensive. Elsewhere in the country, hospitals are not up to UK standards. Many hospitals require guarantee of payment before they will start treatment, and you would need to seek advice from your travel insurer’s 24 hour hotline in this respect. Page 2 i General information Laws • It is illegal to import more than 200 cigarettes per person into Thailand. • By law, you should carry your passport with you at all times. Banks and Currency Exchange: Banks offer the best foreign exchange rates, and most are open Monday to Friday between 9.30 am and 3.30 pm. Cash dispensers are widely available throughout the country, and you can use your usual debit card to withdraw cash in Thai baht. Currency: • Currency is the Thai baht (THB), symbolised by B • There are 100 satang in each baht. • Banknotes are available in denominations of 25, 50, 100, 500 and 1000 baht. • Coins are available in 1, 2, 5, 10 baht and 25, 50 satang. • Bangkok has strict laws on litter and rubbish disposal, so make sure you always dispose of your litter in a bin. There are also fines for those seen to spit or drop cigarette stubs in the street. • Penalties for drug offences are very severe in Thailand, with jail terms not uncommon even for �soft’ drugs. • It is against the law to kill wildlife for food in Thailand, so avoid visiting local restaurants where wild animal dishes are on the menu. For animal welfare and conservation reasons you should also avoid buying any products or souvenirs made from animals including reptiles, and from elephant ivory and turtle shell. Customs /Dos and Don’ts: Thais are hospitable and friendly, and easy to get along with. They value good manners and a smile, and armed with these and patience, humour and a phrasebook for your journeys outside the major cities, you should encounter no problems with the people of this stunning country. However, you need to be aware of a few moral and social customs to avoid any difficult situations and misunderstandings or embarrassment. Dress: Apart from on the beach, wearing shorts, swimwear and skimpy clothing including sleeveless tee-shirts is considered improper and low-class attire. It is acceptable for children. Regardless of the heat, you should wear long trousers whilst in town – and actually, wearing light loose clothing does help keep you cool, as well as complying with Thai standards of modesty. Going nude or topless on beaches is considered unacceptable and offensive (a lot of Thais swim fully clothed) and in some cases is illegal. Thailand Travel Guide Page 3 Manners • The normal greeting is not a handshake but a wai. This is a prayer-like gesture of pressing the palms together which you will soon observe on your visit. • Standing over anyone, especially someone older or wise, is regarded as rude since it implies social superiority. As a sign of courtesy, lower your head as you pass a group of people. If you’re not sure what to do, then watch the Thais. • Thais believe that the head is the most sacred part of the body, so never touch or pat anyone in Thailand on the head, even in the friendliest of circumstances. • Feet are considered the lowest part of the body, so don't point at things with them, and when sitting down, make sure the soles of your feet are not facing anyone. • Even if you’re in a frustrating or annoying situation, don’t lose your temper, shout, or even raise your voice. Only patience and a good sense of humour work in Thailand! • Amorous behaviour in public is unacceptable, and in fact even opposite-sex handholding or affectionate gestures are not considered proper behaviour in the more traditional areas outside Bangkok. Monarchy There are two sacred subjects in Thailand – one of them is the monarchy. The Thais have an unswerving devotion to their monarch and it is a criminal offence to make a derogatory comment about any member of the Thai Royal Family. Should you be overheard doing so, this can be punishable by a jail sentence of up to 15 years. Religion The second sacred subject is religion. The Thais’ devotion to the monarchy is matched only by their dedication to their religion, with approximately 95% of the nation being Buddhists. Visitors need to be considerate of this commitment and ensure that their behaviour is not in any way disrespectful: • Each Buddha image, large or small, ruined or not, is regarded as a sacred object. Never climb onto one, and never have your photograph taken with one as this might indicate a lack of respect. • It is forbidden for a Buddhist monk to touch or be touched by a woman, or even to accept anything from a woman’s hand. • If travelling on a local bus and sitting in a rear seat, be prepared to vacate this if necessary, as these are reserved for monks. • If a monk is seated never stand over him, as monks must always remain at the highest elevation. • Remember to dress appropriately if visiting any religious shrine or temple. You should always wear a shirt or tee-shirt, and refrain from wearing shorts. It’s 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 so remove them before entering. Electricity: Measurements: Voltage in Thailand is 220V AC. Two-prong round or flat sockets are most commonly used, so have an electrical travel adaptor to hand if taking hair appliances etc. The metric system of measurement is used in Thailand, so make sure you know your metric clothing and shoe sizes for the limitless shopping opportunities you’ll have whilst visiting the country! Thailand Travel Guide Page 4 Tailor-made holidays created to make your dreams come true. Stunning luxury hotels in some of Thailand’s most idyllic locations. Telephone: Staying Safe Thailand’s people are genuinely welcoming to visitors, but as anywhere, there are exceptions and we recommend that you take precautions to ensure that your holiday is a safe and happy one: • Use common-sense regarding personal safety, as well as taking good care of your belongings. Walking alone in quiet streets or deserted areas isn’t advisable. Make sure that all your valuables, including passport, airline tickets, money, jewellery etc are properly protected and not easily visible. • Beware of strangers who approach you offering assistance or their services as guides. Make sure that any local tourist information is obtained from official sources and that any arrangements for sightseeing trips are also made through a The country dialling code for Thailand is + 66 reputable office. Thailand’s con-artists are very sophisticated, charming and smart and you may be very tempted to believe what they say – don’t! • Also be aware of unscrupulous taxi drivers who may transport you to shops of their choice (rather than your own!) in order to receive a commission from the inflated price of goods you are then encouraged to purchase. • In short, keep your wits about you – and if problems do occur, contact the local Tourist Police. The telephone number in Bangkok is easy to remember – 1155. Thai New Year: Festivals abound in Thailand, but one of the most memorable is the Songkran, the celebration of the Thai New Year, when Buddha images are bathed and the monks and elders receive the respect of other Thais by having water sprinkled over their hands. This takes place during April (12th -14th) and from these original religious origins festivities have developed and the entire country is now under �water attack’, so be prepared to get drenched as high-powered water balloons and water guns feature strongly! There are staged water battles in most areas, with Chiang Mai’s inhabitants being particularly enthusiastic participants in this annual water �free-for-all’. As a moated city, it lends itself admirably to the installation of temporary pumps which are used to suck up and redistribute water in all directions! Bangkok also has its own �wet’ activities with the most intense battles taking place on Th Khao San. Travelling around Thailand: Car Hire You may wish to hire a car to help you explore the country. Apart from in Bangkok, the volume of traffic isn’t daunting. Roads are well maintained and many road signs are in English, and best of all, driving is on the left as here in the UK! There are lots of small local rental agencies offering quite inexpensive deals, but check before hiring that the vehicle is in good condition and that the charges Thailand Travel Guide include the mandatory insurance. You’ll need an international driving licence which you should obtain before leaving the UK. Other means of transport include bicycles, trains and buses, and we’ll happily provide more details on request. Page 5 Tipping: Transport in Bangkok: Tipping isn’t customary in Thailand and not considered necessary if a service charge is shown on the bill. However, it is still appreciated, especially if there’s loose change from a large restaurant bill. This "City of Angels" that is Bangkok is easily explored using taxis, tuk tuks, the underground or the city’s impressive Skytrain. Skytrain By far the most comfortable, scenic and environmentally-friendly way to travel in Bangkok is by the incredible Skytrain, an elevated rail network that soars above the chaos of the city’s noisy and fume-laden traffic jams. It’s quick, efficient, clean and inexpensive – and offers the additional benefits of air-conditioning and wonderful views of Bangkok which you would otherwise never see. Trains run regularly from 6am until midnight throughout most of the modern part of the city, and there are plans underway to extend the service very shortly to the outlying areas of the city and to the airport. Numerous types of pass are available and for 120 baht (approx £2) a day you get unlimited travel on the whole Skytrain network – information booths show details of discounted tourist passes and provide network maps. You may wish to equip yourself with 5B and 10B coins as these are needed if using the automatic ticket machines, although change is readily available from manned booths from 6am until midnight. Taxis Taxis are without doubt the cheapest of any major city in the world and it is virtually impossible to spend more than 100 baht (less than £2) on any journey of half an hour or less! There is a minimum meter charge of 35 baht. Getting a taxi is usually quite easy apart from during peak commute hours and when bars are closing between 1am and 2am. Underground Bangkok’s underground system – or Metro as it’s called by the Thais - offers a comfortable environment in which to get from one side of the city to the other. Trains run from 6am until midnight and are cheap at 15 to 40 baht depending on the journey. You buy a magnetised coin (available from the ticket window or from an automated dispenser) and put this into the gate slot to exit. Tuk tuks Tuk tuks cost twice as much but are an experience that must be tried at least once! It can be difficult getting a fair price for a ride in one of these open-ended three-wheeled motorised rickshaws as their drivers are experts in the art of spotting innocent tourists and will often quote a high fare, or alternatively insist they take you on a very cheap sightseeing tour which will result in your purchasing overpriced goods for which they’ll receive a commission from the shopkeeper. But providing you keep your wits about you and agree a sensible price before you get in (if you know the normal taxi fare for the journey, that will help in your bargaining) you’ll Thailand Travel Guide certainly have a memorable journey as you weave in and out of Bangkok’s chaotic traffic jams, accompanied by the �tuk tuk’ sound of the engine and the suffocating exhaust fumes! Three people can fit into a tuk-tuk quite comfortably, but any more than that and it becomes a bit cramped. By the way, however tempted you may be for comfort’s sake, don’t rest your feet on the rail near the driver’s head as this is considered to be very disrespectful. Page 6 Enjoying yourself Food Thailand offers a sheer cornucopia of culinary excellence. If you like good food and fantastic service then you won’t be disappointed with the choice available throughout the country. Most hotels will have at least three restaurants offering Thai and International cuisine and all will have the ubiquitous steakhouse serving, as the name suggests, the most succulent meats. Away from the hotels there is every conceivable type of restaurant to be found, serving Thai, Indian, Chinese, French, Italian, Vietnamese ....the list really is endless. Whatever your own culinary preferences, as you’re in Thailand you’ll really want to sample the country’s own cuisine, which has in recent years become one of the world’s favourites. You could start by trying some of the sizzling dishes you’ll see at the local street markets – this is Thai food at its most original, eaten fresh from the vendor’s cart amid the hustle and bustle of the real Thailand. It’s what the locals do. Street stalls abound in Bangkok and in Chiang Mai the night markets provide a quite incredible choice of eating experience. You may worry about the hygiene aspect of the open-air street cooking, but by and large standards are good, and you can at least see what is being cooked and how! The Thais have a very sociable approach to eating, and rarely eat alone, making mealtimes a communal experience whenever they can. This is why all the dishes are normally served at the same time, as people dip in and help themselves and others to samples of all that’s on offer. Also of course, given the range of spices and herbs used in the cooking, a wonderful blend of sweet, sour, spicy and delicate flavours can be combined to create a magnificent meal. Once you sample Thai food you’ll be hooked on it, so what better thing to do during your holiday than spend a day at a Thai cookery school? Short courses are on offer in both Bangkok and Chiang Mai and are becoming increasingly popular, giving travellers the opportunity to return home able to recreate a taste of Thailand in their own kitchen! Nightlife If it’s nightlife you require then look no further! From a simple night at the cinema to world class music venues Thailand has it all. Wherever they are, visitors young and old can always find something to suit their mood and activity levels. There are regular appearances by many of the world’s top individual performers and bands in both the capital Bangkok and other resorts around the country .Bangkok abounds with dance clubs, local Thai bars, jazz bars, chic hotel cocktail lounges – in fact, whatever your preference, you’ll find it here. If culture’s more your scene, there are excellent theatres offering traditional dance and drama productions. Cinemas show the latest films and are high-tech and usually air-conditioned, providing VIP areas with reclining seats and table service (don’t forget to stand for the Thai National Anthem played before each film). And whilst in Bangkok, try a romantic dinner cruise on the magnificent Chao Phraya - �The River of Kings’ - where this wonderful city glides by as you eat sumptuous food aboard an old wooden rice barge; this is a truly amazing experience. Outside the capital, there are bars and clubs galore in all major resorts and towns. Why not take in one of the many Full Moon parties that take place on different islands around the coastline or sample the world famous Go-Go scene of Patpong or Pattaya? No visit to the Kingdom of Thailand is complete without a night at a Ladyboy show - words cannot describe the grandeur of the performances and it must be seen to be believed! Or opt perhaps for a traditional Thai evening watching a classical dance show at one of many authentic Thai restaurants. Whatever your choice you will find it somewhere in this amazing kingdom. Thailand Travel Guide Page 7 Shopping Shopping in Thailand is an experience that cannot properly be described, but we’ll try! Forget for a moment that any fashion label that you care to think of is probably represented at two or three outlets in Bangkok alone, and that every conceivable "top name" in everything from gems to high technology to designer goods appears in every shopping mall (and there are plenty of those) – after all, that’s just for starters. Spend many hours meandering through street markets that are not contrived tourist scenes but are actually Thai people living their daily lives, and you get a real feel for life as it is for the local population. You can buy local produce, local handicrafts, and even fish (cooked or raw) caught the same day. Why not sit for an hour and eat and drink "a la local" for just a few baht before wandering on to browse the Boss shirts, Rolex watches and Christian Dior dresses? Unlike the shopping malls not the real thing, but a wonderful way to pass a few hours as you haggle over how much your next Louis Vuitton bag will cost! Thais respect a good haggler and items sold in markets and in many shops are negotiable. You can usually get an immediate discount from the first price by just asking �is that your best price?’……it works wonders, is good fun, and makes your spending power go quite a lot further! And if it’s too hot for you to wander in the daytime try the same thing after dark at one of the numerous Night Bazaars dotted around. Here the atmosphere intensifies amidst twinkling lights and the increased activity around the open food stalls with their sizzling pans and tempting smells. For something different take a trip out to the weekend floating market of Damnoen Saduak with all its colour and exotic fragrances. About 100kms outside Bangkok, it’s easily accessible by a 2 hour bus trip. You can see the locals selling a vast array of souvenirs, together with their fresh produce, from their small flat bottomed boats just as their ancestors did centuries ago. Outside Bangkok, whilst there are not the same array of designer shopping malls, the markets, bazaars and small shops are aplenty and teem with local goods, handicrafts, ceramics, jewellery, woodcarvings, antiques and fabrics. Serious shoppers and browsers alike will be captivated by the sheer volume and choice of goods – and the fact that service comes with a smile! There are variations, but typically department stores are open 7 days a week from 10am to 8pm, whilst smaller shops usually trade from 10am to 5pm and often close on Sundays. Sightseeing Details of recommended sightseeing excursions for various areas of Thailand can be found at www.dreamofthailand.co.uk/thailand-tours.html but no Thailand Travel Guide can be considered complete without reference to the country’s most prized assets: Temples If you can go a mile without seeing a temple you are in the wrong country!! To the Thai people, temples are the most important part of their everyday life and thus visitors to the country need to respect this and pay attention to the temple etiquette given in the Customs (Religion) section of this guide. All the temples are open to the general public and many, in Bangkok in particular, need to be visited to experience a taste of centuries gone by and the development of Buddhism within Thailand. The Thai word for temple is wat and among the many "must see" temples with their dazzling array of colours and exotic smells are the Temple of the Emerald Buddha and The Golden Buddha at Wat Traimit. The Reclining Buddha at Wat Po is an enormous Buddha covered in gold leaf and lying on its side - a truly incongruous yet magnificent sight. Don’t miss the Grand Palace with its golden domes, fluted spires and glittering temples, situated close to the banks of the Chao Phraya - �The River of Kings’. This is a perfect example of an ancient Siamese court and houses the aforementioned Emerald Buddha. This most precious image of the Lord Buddha is believed to have supernatural powers and is dressed in robes according to the season by the King of Thailand himself. All of the above are in Bangkok, but in Chiang Mai there are 121 temples within the city boundary alone (with another 200 in the area!), and throughout the whole country you can at any time come upon Thais making their way to the local temple as part of their daily routine. Nothing is more important to them, and whatever your own beliefs their spiritual conviction and commitment are thought-provoking and somewhat humbling. Thailand Travel Guide Page 8 Spas Spas abound in Thailand, combining cultural heritage with all modern amenities. Traditional Thai massage houses co-exist happily with western-style luxury day spas and residential spa retreats in a country where pampering is seen rather more as an essential than a treat. You may opt for the rejuvenating techniques of a traditional Thai massage – considered to be an act of compassion in which the therapist practices the physical application of metta (loving kindness) and bestows a healing touch in the spirit of giving. This has been practised and learnt through the centuries and is a luxury that you should experience during your visit. If you choose to treat yourself to this in one of the low-key local (usually family-run) establishments, you’ll often be able to have additional beauty treatments such as manicures and pedicures, and usually receive excellent value for money. However, if you fancy splashing out and indulging yourself a little more lavishly, head for one of the more modern and totally splendid day or residential spas which abound in all the popular areas . Some adjoin or are part of the country’s luxury hotels, whilst others are totally separate commercial enterprises. Either way you’ll be thoroughly spoilt for choice as you select from treatments which include a huge range of massages in addition to normal Thai massage, steam baths, sauna treatments, mud body wraps, facials, footbaths ……the list is endless. Private treatment rooms are the norm, with some spas offering special romantic pampering packages for couples. Relax and enjoy! Sports Thai Boxing - entertainment rather than sport, but not to be missed! The national sport of Thailand is of course Muay Thai (Thai boxing) but it is recommended for visitors to watch rather than participate! There are regular bouts all around the country and an enjoyable afternoon/evening can be spent attempting to understand the rules of engagement! Muay Thai is both a sport and a means of self defence. Contestants may use almost any part of their body: feet, elbows, legs, knees, and shoulders are all weapons. The accompaniment of traditional music during the boxing provokes even greater excitement within the cheering Thai crowds. Water sports Golf Alternatively why not have a relaxing round of golf on one of the numerous courses – more than 200 in total dotted around the whole country, many of which are full championship courses that are regularly played by the top professionals in world golf. Courses are well-maintained and offer excellent facilities, and can be found within easy distance of most major resorts. Green fees are extremely reasonable by UK standards and it is mandatory to hire a local caddie (often a smartly-clad female with an excellent knowledge of the course) which is likely to add all of 200-300 baht (approx £3-5) to your costs! The best time to take your golf break is during the less humid time from November to March but it is a pleasant experience no matter what time of year you decide upon. Thailand Travel Guide Think Thailand, think water sports. With some of the best beaches anywhere in the world, if you’re feeling energetic the crystal clear waters and coral provide the perfect environment in which to use your diving and snorkelling expertise. For the experienced diver there are few better places than Thailand with its underwater mountains, rock formations and coral gardens to explore, and with visibility in places of up to 30 metres the experience is truly stunning. There could also be no better location for the beginner to have their first attempt at diving or snorkelling - all the equipment can be hired without breaking the bank as the costs are relatively cheap, and a professional diving organisation (PADI) oversees all training so everything is really safe. As well as diving and snorkelling, other water sports on offer at the major beach resorts include windsurfing, waterskiing, surfboarding, kite boarding, and jet skiing. Or you may prefer to just recline on your lilo! Page 9 Useful phrases No overseas holiday is complete without attempts to communicate with the locals in their own language. We’ve compiled just a few phrases which you may find helpful during your stay. The Thai people you encounter on your travels will be delighted that you’re making the effort and will be keen to help you perfect your pronunciation, but a word of warning – it can be tricky! Hello Goodbye sa-wat dii laa kawn Please Thank you No thank you ka-ru-naa khawp khun mai ao khawp khun Yes No chai mai chai Excuse me Sorry khaw a-phai khaw thoht Today Tomorrow Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday wan nii phrung nii wan jan wan ang-khaan wan phut wan pha-reu-hat wan suk wan sao wan aa-thit How much? Too expensive Smaller Bigger thao rai? phaeng pai lek kwaa yai kwaa Beer Tea Coffee Drinking water Orange Juice bia chaa kaafae naam deum naam som A final point to remember is that to be polite, if you’re a man you should end your sentence with the word khrap, and if you’re a woman, with the word kha. You can also use these same words to answer yes to a question or to show agreement with what is being said. © Dream of Thailand 2008 Thailand Travel Guide Page 10
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