Top Thailand Hotels

All visitors to Thailand must hold a passport valid for 6 months beyond the duration of their stay. Most nationalities are permitted one month visa-free visits, although citizens of certain countries will need to apply for a visa. If planning a longer stay, a tourist visa valid for 60 days must be obtained from a Royal Thai Embassy or Consulate abroad. Visitors must enter the country within 90 days of a visa being issued.

Visitors can extend their stay for a period of up to 30 days and applications should be made at the Immigration Department in Bangkok.

No more than 50,000 Baht in cash can be taken out of the country.

Visitors may take the following into Thailand duty free:

• Alcohol - 1 litre of wine or spirits
• Tobacco - 200 cigarettes

Antiques and Buddha images require export licences that may be obtained from the Bangkok Department of Fine Arts.

Penalties for carrying or trafficking illegal drugs are extremely severe, ranging from long prison sentences to the death penalty.

Thai time: GMT + 7 hours

• Baht (B) - Check current exchange rates
• 100 satang = 1 Baht
• Notes issued: B1000, B500, B100, B50, B20, B10
• Coins issued: B10, B5, B1, 50 satang, 25 satang

The national language of Thailand is Thai, however English is widely understood in most tourist areas.

Tipping is not standard practice in Thailand, although it is becoming increasingly common. Many larger hotels and restaurants add a 10% service charge to the bill. Taxi drivers do not expect a tip but the gesture is appreciated and B10-B20 is acceptable for porters.

Monday to Friday 9.30 am to 3.30 pm

The international dialling code for Thailand is 66.

When making international calls from Thailand, first dial 001 + country code + area code + telephone number

If calling Laos or Malaysia there is a special code which is charged at a semi-domestic rate:

When calling Laos, first dial 007 + 856 + area code + telephone number

When calling Malaysia, first dial 09 + 60 + area code + telephone number

• 220 Volt AC (50 cycles)
• Flat and round 2-pin plugs are most common and it is advisable to carry a universal plug adapter.

Stick to bottled water and if taking ice, check whether it has been obtained from a pure source.

Make sure that you have adequate health insurance. Consider inoculations against typhoid, polio, hepatitis A, Japanese encephalitis and take advice regarding anti-malarials. It is always best to check the current situation and any vaccination requirements with a doctor when planning your trip.

• Bangkok - Don Muang Airport
• Chiang Mai
• Chiang Rai
• Hat Yai
• Koh Samui
• Phuket

B500

All international airports mentioned above plus the following:

• Khon Kaen
• Ranong
• Sukhothai
• Surat Thani
• U Taphao
• Ubon Ratchathani
• Udon Thani

• B30 at most domestic airports
• B100 at Koh Samui

Thai people have a great reverence for their monarchy, therefore visitors should never show disrespect to the Thai Royal Family. It should also be noted that the head is considered to be a special part of the body, so patting/touching someone on the head is not appreciated and it is also considered rude to use your feet to point to a person or object. Shoes should be removed when entering a private Thai home.

Try to avoid wearing revealing shorts, short skirts, vests and singlets once away from the beach. If visiting wats (temples), dress neatly as a sign of respect and wear extra modest clothes such as long trousers/skirts, closed in shoes and keep your shoulders covered - if necessary, you can always improvise with a sarong. When visiting the Grand Palace it is possible to borrow clothes (free of charge) if you are inappropriately dressed.

Many countries have representative offices and consulates in Thailand.

For further information contact the Tourism Authority of Thailand.

Thailand's weather is influenced by monsoons that sweep over the country creating three seasons in the north and central areas and two in the south.

North

• Hot Season - boasts high temperatures and lightweight cotton clothes are best.
• Cool Season - a few warmer layers are required as temperatures drop at night.
• Rainy Season - sees heavy rainfall throughout due to the effects of the southwest monsoon.

Central Thailand

• Hot Season -high temperatures/humidity.
• Cool Season - remains quite hot but evenings tend to be cooler and a few warm layers are required.
• Rainy season - most rain tends to fall between August and September - flooding can be common towards the end of this period.

South

Differences in temperature and rainfall occur during both seasons on the east and west coasts.

• Rainy Season - torrential rain tends to fall in short bursts, usually lasting only a couple of hours each day. Most rain falls between June and November.
• Hot and Dry Season - is relatively rain-free between January and April.

Flooding on the west coast is commonplace. Travel elsewhere during the rainy season is not necessarily problematic unless visiting areas where roads are unpaved, as rain renders these tracks impassable.

Carry a lightweight jumper as it can be chillingly cold inside air-conditioned buildings.

North Thailand

The climate of Northern Thailand is slightly more pleasant than other parts of the country.

Light cotton clothes are recommended all year round.

• Hot Season - high temperatures are experienced throughout the day and only drop slightly at night.
• Rainy Season - heavy rainfall throughout, although temperatures remain quite high. An umbrella is always useful at this time as it is sometimes too warm to consider wearing waterproof clothing.
• Cool Season - warmer clothes are required during the cooler months when temperatures fall slightly through the day and even more so at night. Very little rain falls during this time.

High humidity is prevalent throughout the year, except in the more mountainous regions.

Best time to visit: During the Cool Season when both rainfall and temperatures are lower. Warmer clothes are essential for the evenings.

Central Thailand

Central Thailand covers a wide land area and the climate can vary across this expanse. Light, cotton clothing is recommended, especially as humidity levels remain quite high throughout the year.

• Hot Season - boasts the hottest weather; heat becomes quite oppressive and temperatures can soar above the average. Only a small amount of rain falls during March and April, whilst May begins to see an increase as a prelude to the rainy season.
• Rainy Season - the timing of this season can vary slightly each year depending on when the monsoon arrives. However, this is usually from June until October, bringing heavy rain and high temperatures.
• Cool Season - although daytime temperatures remain quite high during the winter months, warmer items of clothing are advisable for the cooler nights.

Best time to visit: The Cool Season when temperatures are high and humidity is relatively low.

Southern Thailand (West Coast)

The climate of southern Thailand is influenced by monsoon winds and remains warm and humid throughout the year. Light cotton clothes are recommended at any time of the year and an umbrella is a must during the wet months.

• Rainy Season - can be a pleasant time of year to visit with occasional heavy rain and long sunny periods between showers. However, September and October tend to exhibit higher rainfall and less in the way of sunny spells.

Best time to visit: During the Hot and Dry Season - as cool sea breezes ease the high temperatures and humidity. November to January experience relatively high rainfall for the season and April and May are the hottest months.

Southern Thailand (East Coast)

The climate of southern Thailand is influenced by monsoon winds and remains warm and humid throughout the year. Light cotton clothes are recommended at all times and an umbrella is a must during the wet months.

• Hot and Dry Season - temperatures remain high, especially during April when they can soar above the average.
• Rainy Season - rainfall tends to be heaviest towards the end of the year. Rain showers can be short lived and long sunny periods intervene - an umbrella is recommended rather than waterproof clothes due to the heat.

October and November normally see very long periods of rainfall and less in the way of sunshine.

Best time to visit: During the Hot and Dry Season when rainfall is minimal.