Thailand has many things to offer the vacation needs of the travellers. The busy and enchanting city of Bangkok is struggling with commerce and street-bustle nearly every hour of the day. Both Bangkok itself and Thailand are generally relatively safe, and they have the decades of experience in providing services to business and leisure travellers. In fact, one of the reasons that Thailand is among the most visited countries in Asia (some 11 million visitors annually) is because of its accessibility and extensive tourism facilities. In Bangkok, you might want to lose your way intentionally to discover the hidden parts of the city that you might otherwise miss.
And you can always find a taxi to bring you back to your hotel. In Thailand, you'll find fabulous architecture, beautiful beaches and islands, exotic hill-tribe villages, ancient ruins, fantastic food, inexpensive shopping, and all the amenities as well. The balance between comfort and excitement is nearly perfect. From the frenetic capital to the hill country gateway of Chiang Mai, Thailand is a place that can excite the mind, tantalize the senses and fulfilling your travel needs. Thailand, or Siam as it was called until 1939, has never been colonised by a foreign nation, unlike its south and other Southeast Asian neighbours. Therefore, the kingdom has never been externally controlled to dampen the Thai's individualism.Blessed with a huge collection of beautiful natural resources and vibrant culture, it is no wonder that Thais are such fun-loving people. Quite simply, where else can you find pristine beaches, crystal blue waters, an assortment of activities and a choice of modern or traditional accommodations all in one compact package.
A unified Thai kingdom was established in the mid-14th century known as Siam until 1939, Thailand is the only Southeast Asian country never to have been taken over by a Foreign Administration. A bloodless revolution in 1932 led to a constitutional monarchy. In alliance with Japan during World War II, Thailand became a US ally following the conflict. Thailand is currently facing armed violence in its three Muslim-majority southernmost provinces.
Full name of the country: Kingdom of Thailand
Area: 517,000sq km
Population: 62 million
Capital city: Bangkok (population of 9 million people approx.)
People: 75% Thai, 11% Chinese, 3.5% Malay, also Mon, Khmer, Phuan and Karen minorities
Language: Thai
Religion: 95% Buddhism, 4% Muslim, others 1%
Government: Democratic constitutional monarchy
Prime Minister: Mr. Abhisit Vejjajiva
Head of state: King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX)
Location: Southeastern Asia, bordering the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand, Southeast of Burma
Area: total: 514,000 sq km
land: 511,770 sq km
water: 2,230 sq km
Land boundaries: total of 4,863 km
border countries: Burma 1,800 km, Cambodia 803 km, Laos 1,754 km, Malaysia 506 km
Climate: Tropical climate rainy, warm, cloudy southwest monsoon (mid-May to September); dry, cool northeast monsoon (November to mid-March); southern part is always hot and humid.
Weather: Thailand enjoys a tropical climate with three distinct seasons-hot and dry from February to May (average temperature 34 degrees Celsius and 75% humidity); rainy with plenty of sunshine from June to October (average day temperature 29 degrees Celsius and 87% humidity); and cool from November to January (temperatures range from 32 degrees Celsius to below 20 degrees Celsius with a drop in humidity).
Much lower temperatures are experienced in the North and Northeast during night time. The Southern part has a tropical rainforest climate with temperatures averaging 28 degrees Celsius almost all year round.
Population: 65,444,371
Note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2005 est.)
Passport & Visa: Travellers are required to hold a passport valid for not less than 6 months before enter Thailand. For travellers aged 50 years or above wishing to take retreat in Thailand at least for a period of one year, their passports should be valid not less than 18 months.
Passport holders of 39 countries, including the USA, the UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and most European and Southeast Asian countries are automatically permitted to stay in Thailand for 30 days on a tourist visa status (no visa application needed). Passport holders from other 14 countries get 15-day temporary tourist visa or visa on arrival. The visa on arrival will be provided at 23 designated international checkpoints. Applicants are required to attach their 2.5-inches photograph with their application form. The application fee is THB 300. Visitors who enter the kingdom with visa on arrival generally cannot file an application for extension of stay except in special cases such as illness which prevents them from traveling, etc. They can submit an application at the Office of Immigration Bureau at Soi Suan Plu, South Sathorn Road.
Visa extensions are available at the Office of Immigration Bureau, Immigration Division 1, Soi Suan Plu, South Sathorn Road, Bangkok 10120. Tel. +6622873127 or 2873101 - 10 ext. 2264 - 5. Whatever your nationality and travel plans, confirm entry conditions.
More information about applying for a Thai Visa
http://www.mfa.go.th/web/12.php#temp or
http://www.thaiembdc.org/consular/visa/visa.htm.
Thai Currency and Currency exchange : The Thai unit of currency is the baht 1 baht is divided into 100 satang. Note are in denominations of 1,000 (brown), 500 (purple), 100 (red), 50 (blue), 20 (green) and 10 (brown) baht. Coins consist of 25 satang, 50 satang, 1 baht, 5 baht and 10 baht.Major currency bills and travellers cheques are cashed easily at hotels, tourist shops, all provincial banks, shopping centres and money changers. Travellers cheques are best changed in banks (you will need your passport). Rates of exchange at banks or authorised money changers are better than those at hotels and department stores.
Any amount of foreign currency may be brought into the country. Visitors may take foreign currency out of Thailand, but no more than the amount stated in the customs declaration made on arrival. Travellers leaving Thailand may take out no more than 50,000 baht per person in Thai currency.
Credit Cards: Credit cards are widely accepted. For lost cards, contact
American Express Tel : 0 2273 5100 or 0 2273 0022
Diners Club Tel : 02-2382920 or 02-2382680
Master Card Tel : 02-2567326-7
Visa Tel : 02-2567326-7
Thailand Public Holidays
Thailand's national public holidays are linked to religious or agricultural traditions and follow the lunar calendar, therefore the dates for some of the holidays change each year. The following are national public holidays in Thailand:
New Year's Day : Jan 1
Makha Bucha Day : late January to early March
Chakri Day : April 6
Songkran Day : April 13
National Labour Day : May 1
Coronation Day : May 5
Visakha Bucha Day : May
Asanha Bucha Day : July
Khao Phansa (Buddhist Lent) : July
HM the Queen's Birthday : August 12
Chulalongkorn Day : October 23
HM the King's Birthday : December 5
Constitution Day : December 10
Note: The above mentioned details are the guidance purpose only and if you need to know the exact information regarding the government regulations e.g, visa regulations, etc., please contact the relevant authorities. We are not responsible for any damage occurred from the above stated information as things can be changed without prior notice.
