Language: Thai is the official language, although English is widely spoken in tourist areas.
Currency: The unit of currency is the Baht (THB), which is divided into 100 satang. Currency can be exchanged at the airport, banks, hotels and bureaux de change. Banks are open Monday to Friday. ATMs are available in most cities and tourist resorts. Most large hotels and shops accept travelers cheques, but a better rate will be given at banks. Most major credit cards are accepted at hotels and larger businesses.
Time: GMT +7.
Electricity: 220 volts AC, 50Hz.
Both flat and round two-pin plugs are used.
Communications: The international country dialing code for
Thailand is +66. The outgoing code is 001, followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 00144 for the
United Kingdom). City/area codes are in use, e.g.
Bangkok is (0)2 and
Chiang Mai is (0)53. To dial a mobile in Thailand an 8 must precede the city code. International direct dial facilities are available throughout most of the country. Mobile phone networks cover most towns, cities and holiday resorts; operators use GSM 900, 1800 and 1900 networks. Internet cafes are available in the main towns and resorts.
Duty Free: Travelers to Thailand do not have to pay duty on the following items: 200 cigarettes, or 250g tobacco or equivalent amount of cigars; alcohol up to 1 liter; 1 camera with 5 rolls of film or 1 movie camera with 3 rolls of 8 or 16 mm film. Goods to the value of Bt10,000 per person for non-residents with transit visas and Bt20,000 per person for holders of tourist visas. Family allowances are double the individual allowances. Prohibited items include firearms and ammunition without licenses, fireworks, and drugs. Trafficking in drugs carries the maximum penalty. Restrictions apply to meat imported from any country affected by BSE or mad cow and foot-and-mouth diseases. Antiques or objects of art and religious articles may not be exported without a license.
Tourist OfficeThailand
Tourist Office: +66 (0)2 250 5500 (Bangkok) or www.tourismthailand.org
EmergencyEmergencies: 191.
Embassies
Royal
Thai Embassy,
Washington DC,
United States: +1 202 944 3600.
Royal Thai Embassy,
London, United Kingdom: (also responsible for
Ireland) +44 (0)20 7589 2944 ext 5500.
Royal Thai Embassy,
Ottawa,
Canada: +1 613 722 4444.
Royal Thai Embassy,
Canberra,
Australia: +61 (0)2 6273 1149.
Royal Thai Embassy,
Pretoria,
South Africa: +27 (0)12 342 5470.
Royal Thai Embassy,
Wellington,
New Zealand: +64 (0)4 476 8616.
United States Embassy, Bangkok: +66 (0)2 205 4000.
British Embassy, Bangkok: +66 (0)2 305 8333.
Canadian Embassy, Bangkok: +66 (0)2 636 0540.
Australian Embassy, Bangkok: +66 (0)2 344 6300.
South
African Embassy, Bangkok: + 66 (0)2 659 2900.
Honorary Consul of Ireland, Bangkok: +66 (0)2 677 7500.
New
Zealand Embassy, Bangkok: +66 (0)2 254 2530 (also responsible for
Cambodia,
Laos and
Myanmar).
