Thailand

Visa: Not required for U.S. citizens for visits up to 30 days.

Passport must be valid 6 months beyond your visit.

The airport name is pronounced “su-wan-na-poom”. It means "The Golden Land", specifically referring to continental Indochina. "Golden Peninsula" or "Golden Land" is a traditional name for the Thailand-Cambodia-Laos-Burma region.

Other Principal Airports (Airport Codes):

• Bangkok - Don Muang Airport (Domestic Flights) DMK)
• Chiang Mai International (CNX)
• Chiang Rai International (CEI)
• Krabi Airport (KBV)
• Koh Samui Airport (USM)
• Mae Hong Son Airport (HGN)
• Phuket International (HKT)
• Sukhothai Airport (THS)
• Udon Thani Airport - (UTH)

Passenger Service Charge: Should be pre-paid on airline ticket.

Currency: The Thai currency is the Baht (rhymes with "lot") which is divided into 100 Satang. $1 U.S. = approx. 35 to 40 Baht. The Baht circulates in 1, 5, and 10 Coins, 10, 20, 50, 100 and 500 bank notes. The "cents" below this are called satang, but the odd small coins are usually rounded up or down.

Exchange: U.S. Dollars are easy to exchange at banks, exchange counters and hotels. Best exchange rates are at banks and exchange counters - hotel rates are about 5-10% less.

Credit Cards: Credit cards are widely accepted at hotels, major stores and restaurants in Bangkok and Pattaya. Only accepted at major hotels up-country, where the U.S.$ exchange rate will also tend to be 5-10% less than in Bangkok.

Banking: Open from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. weekdays. Closed on weekends and public holidays.

Value Added Tax: Bangkok has a 10% VAT (value added tax). This is usually only levied in the first-class hotels, larger restaurants and some of the bigger shops.

Electricity: 220 volts, 50 cycles. Most hotels also provide a 110 volt outlet for shavers.

Time: Pacific Standard Time + 15 hours.

Water: Bottled water is available in hotel rooms. Tap water not potable.

Health: Visitors to Thailand are not required to carry a vaccination certification, unless they are coming from an infected area. If you are traveling outside of Bangkok, we suggest that you check with your local Health Department or a Travel Medicine Clinic regarding your risk to cholera and malaria. Overall sanitation, outside of the large hotels, is not up to Western standards. Eating at street-stalls is not recommended.

Climate: Tropical.

• March - May is hot with daytime temperatures in the 86°F range and can reach 104°F, especially in the Northeast.

• June - October is the rainy season with slightly lower temperatures but higher humidity. During the rainy season the weather is unpredictable, some days bring erratic rainstorms while others are clear and sunny.

• The cool season, November - February, still brings temperatures above 80°F. In the North evening temperatures may drop as low as 46°F in this season. The long isthmus in South Thailand, has subtle seasonal variations with the weather generally warm, humid, and sunny year-round. Rain is possible almost any time.

What To Wear: Light, loose cotton clothing is best. In the hot season, pack clothes that provide adequate protection from the sun. Sweaters may be needed during the cool season evenings in the North.

Language: Thai is the official languange. English is widely spoken, particularly in Bangkok.

Tipping: Most hotels and restaurants add a 10% service charge to the bill. Leave 10% or so at restaurants were there is no service charge. It is not necessary to tip taxi drivers unless the driver was exceptionally helpful with luggage.

Taxi: Taxis are plentiful and inexpensive. Most Thai taxis have meters. For non-metered taxis, the fare must be negotiated before you start. All hotels have their own private taxi/chauffeur service, with a list of fares to major points of interest posted at the bell captain's desk. You can get a good idea of the current taxi fares from their fare list too. Hotel cabs are generally a little more expensive than regular street cabs, but they are usually air-conditioned and most drivers have a fair command of English. You may rent these or regular cabs by the hour or day as well.

Crime: The largest city in the nation is Bangkok followed in size by Chiang Mai. Many poor villagers and hilltribe people have made their way to these cities to find their wealth and fortune. Unfortunately, few see their dreams come true and many become street vendors, prostitutes, con artists, pickpockets and petty thieves.

Don’t, wear expensive jewelry or watches. Put any valuables in the hotel safety deposit boxes or your in-room safe (if so equipped). Don’t leave important documents or valuables in your hotel room.

Beware of pickpockets in crowded streets and public places. Don’t leave your luggage, purse unattended. Do not accept invitations from friendly locals to visit a special place, shop or their home.