The Land of Smiles
+ 7 hours GMT
Internet domain: .th
International dialling code: +66
Thailand Capital: Bangkok
Communications
Mobile
Mobile phones are used widely throughout Thailand and reception is generally good when in any urban areas.
Email and Internet
Widely available whilst travelling in Thailand, as popular with Thai's as it is with visitors. An hour on an ADSL connection will cost approx $2.
Post
Post is available throughout Thailand. Service is slow to good and generally very trustworthy.
Electricity Connections
You will require a universal adapter for any electrical appliances you are carrying whilst travelling in Thailand. Service is generally very good although power cuts do occur, especially during monsoon season, usually for just a short period of time.
Recommended Thailand Travel Reading
- Thai Food – David Thompson, Earl Carter
- Thai Art and Culture: Historic Manuscripts from Western Collections - Henry Ginsburg
- Very Thai: Everyday Popular Culture - Philip Cornwel-Smith
- The Damage Done –Warren Fellows
- Thailand: Temples and Traditions - MG Casella
Medical
It is essential that you are fully insured for medical emergencies including repatriation. Click here for details of our travel insurance
Vaccinations for Thailand
When travelling in Thailand you will require the vaccinations listed below. Please consult your GP or doctor, a nurse or a specialist travel clinic for the most up to date advice.
Courses or boosters usually advised:
- diphtheria
- tetanus
- poliomyelitis
- hepatitis A
- typhoid
Vaccines sometimes advised:
- tuberculosis
- rabies
- Japanese B encephalitis
- hepatitis B
Malaria
Malaria is a serious and sometimes life threatening disease transmitted by mosquitoes. You cannot be vaccinated against malaria. You are advised to take all possible Malaria precautions whilst in Thailand.
Money
Local currency is the Thai baht, itself made up of 100 satangs.
You will find ATM machines throughout the country- they dispense Thai baht.
Visas
Many guests to Thailand staying for under 30 days will not require a pre-arranged tourist visa. For members of these 57 nationalities, only the need to stay over 30 days will require you to obtain your visa before entering the county (this is without exiting the country; each time you re-enter you are awarded another 30 days).
The standard visa costs $15 and takes 5 days to be issued. It is a single entry visa that allows you to travel in the country for 60 days. The embassy does offer an express service as well as a multiple entry visa, both at additional cost.
You will need one clear page and your passport should be valid for at least another 6 months.
UK Residents
You can acquire you tourist or business visas from the Thai Embassy in London.
Address:29 – 30 Queens Gate, London SW7 5JB
Tel: 020 7589 0173/2944)
Non UK residents
You will need to contact the Thai Embassy in your country of residence.