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All nationalities require valid passports; they should be valid for at least the period of visa validity, or if obtaining visa on arrival then passports should have at least six months validity. Travelers entering Thailand are required to prove they have sufficient funds to cover the length of their stay, and are recommended to hold documentation for return/onward travel. Entry may be refused to travelers of a 'hippy' appearance.
Americans: Visas are not required for holiday travel by US passport holders for periods of 30 days or less (an extension of up to 10 days is possible).
Passports must be valid for at least 30 days from date of arrival.
UK nationals: Visas are not required for travel by UK passport holders endorsed British Citizen for periods of 30 days or less (an extension of up to 10 days is possible). Other UK passport holders require a visa and a passport valid for the intended period of stay.
Canadians: Visas are not required for travel by Canadian passport holders for periods of 30 days or less (an extension of up to 10 days is possible). Passports must be valid for at least 30 days from date of arrival.
Australians: Visas are not required for travel by Australian passport holders for periods of 30 days or less (an extension of up to 10 days is possible). Passports must be valid for at least 30 days from date of arrival.
South Africans: South Africans do not require a visa for tourist visits of up to 30 days (an extension of up to 10 days is possible), and can travel on a temporary passport. Otherwise passports must be valid for at least 30 days.
Irish nationals: Visas are not required for travel by Irish passport holders for periods of 30 days or less (an extension of up to 10 days is possible). Passports must be valid for at least 30 days from date of arrival.
New Zealanders: New Zealand nationals do not require a visa for periods of 30 days or less (an extension of up to 10 days is possible). Passports must be valid for at least 30 days from date of arrival.
Health
Travelers should take medical advice at least three weeks before traveling to Thailand. Malaria is a risk outside Bangkok and the major tourist resorts, and most physicians will also advise immunization against hepatitis A and typhoid fever. Yellow fever vaccination certificates are required from those traveling from infected areas. Since January 2005 there has been an increase in reported cases of dengue fever, particularly in the south, and vaccination against Japanese encephalitis is also recommended for many travelers. Outbreaks of leptospirosis often occur during the rainy season and after flooding. There have been recent outbreaks of bird flu among poultry, and several human deaths, although the risk of travelers contracting the disease is slight; contact with live birds should be avoided, and all poultry and egg dishes well cooked. HIV/AIDS is rife in the major cities and resorts and food and water-borne diseases are common; drinking bottled or sterilized water is strongly advised. Outbreaks of cholera have been reported. Medical facilities are good in major cities, but good medical insurance is vital: without insurance, or cash/credit card, travelers will not be treated. Bangkok has excellent international hospitals.
Safety
The vast majority of visits to Thailand are trouble-free, but travelers should be aware that there is a continuing threat to westerners from terrorism throughout South East Asia and should be particularly vigilant in public places, including tourist resorts. Visitors are advised to avoid the border areas and not camp in undesignated areas in national parks. Visitors to major cities are advised to keep an eye on their passports and credit cards and ensure they don't carry around too much money or jewelry. In Bangkok visitors should be aware of scams, often involving gems recommended by kind strangers. In tourist areas, and in particular at the Full Moon Party on Ko Phan Ngan, visitors should be careful about accepting drinks from strangers, as there have been several reported incidents of drinks being heavily drugged. Incidents of sexual assault, on women in particular, continue to occur, and female travelers should be cautious. The security situation in the southern provinces closest to the Malaysian border is unstable and travel to Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat and Songkhla is to be avoided; recent bomb explosions and fighting have killed and injured many people in public places and the government has announced a state of emergency in the area. Further attacks could take place in areas frequented by foreigners, although the Thai authorities have put additional security measures in place throughout the country, including in Bangkok. Several explosions have occurred in Bangkok since December 2005; in December 2006 eight bombs killed three people and injured at least 36, including foreigners, while a bomb blast in April 2007 outside a major Cineplex in Bangkok caused no injuries. In September 2006 there was a coup against the government; a state of martial law was declared in 35 provinces (excluding Bangkok), and although the situation in Bangkok remains calm, visitors are advised to avoid all government buildings and military personnel, as well as political demonstrations. Since 2005 there have been several sinkings of passenger boats causing loss of life, thought to have been caused by overloading. The height of the monsoon season in September and October (November to March on Koh Samui) brings about routine flooding in the north, north east and central regions, often causing mudslides and flash floods; visitors planning to trek in the jungle during this time should check conditions with licensed tour guides before leaving. A budget airline crashed on landing at Phuket on 16 September 2007, killing at least 88 people, mostly tourists.
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