Map | Climate | People | Religion | Customs | Health Regulations | Travel to Thailand | Travel within Thailand | Other useful information | Telephone & Fax | Tipping | Sports

This is a clickable map of Thailand. Click on any of our Hotel and Tour locations to be transferred to the appropriate page. Alternatively, to locate key spots, click on:

Thailand Temp & Time

Climate:
Thailand has a tropical climate with three distinct seasons: Hot (March-May), Rainy (June-October) and Cool (November-February). Average temperature is around 27° c. Check our Weather Facts.

People:
Thailand has a population of about 60 million. Ethnic Thais form the majority, though the area has historically been a migratory crossroads, and thus strains of Mon, Khmer, Burmese, Lao, Malay, Indian and, most strongly, Chinese stock produce a degree of ethnic diversity.

Religion
The national religion is Theravada Buddhism, practiced by more than 90 percent of all Thais. The remainder of the population adheres to Muslim, Christian, Hindu and other faiths, all of which are allowed full freedom of expression. Buddhism continues to cast a strong influences on daily life.

Customs
One liter of alcoholic beverage and 200 cigarettes, plus reasonable personal effects (such as one still camera, one movie or video camera, personal jeweler etc) may be brought in duty free and taken out on departure. Narcotics, drugs, pornographic material and firearms are strictly prohibited. Unlimited foreign currency, traveler's checks, money orders etc may be brought into the country, but any amount over US$10,000 must be declared on entry. The amount taken out of the country may never exceed that declared upon entry.

Health regulations

No inoculations or vaccinations are required unless you are coming from or passing through contaminated areas. However, for the latest information, we suggest that you visit the US Center for Disease Control - Traveler's Health Center. As a general precautionary measure, we recommended that you take out health insurance before traveling overseas. You should consult with your medical insurance company prior to traveling abroad to confirm whether your policy applies overseas and if it will cover emergency expenses such as a medical evacuation. Note that some insurers will only authorize payment for medical evacuations performed by companies with whom they have pre-existing agreements. For USA citizens and residents, we highly recommend Travel Insured.

Travel to Thailand

Most visitors arrive through Bangkok's Don Muang International Airport which is connected by daily flights to Europe, North America, Asia and Australia. Flights, from Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Hong Kong, land on a regular basis at Chiang Mai, Koi Samui, Phuket and Hat Yai. Charter flights sometimes land in Bangkok, Phuket, and at U-Taphao for Pattaya. Regular rail services link Singapore and Bangkok intermediary stops include Kuala Lumpur, Butterworth, Penang and major southern Thai towns. Overland entry to Thailand is restricted to three road crossings on the Thai- Malaysian border, and the bridge spanning the Mekong River between Laos and Thailand at Nong Kai. There are no regular steamship connection with Thailand. Cargo ships calling at Bangkok's Khlong Toei port sometimes have passenger cabin facilities. Cruise ships, such as Cunard's Queen Elizabeth II, periodically visit Pattaya. For your easy reference, we have complied a listing of Internet sites that offer special and discounted international airfares.

Thailand is an extremely safe country for tourists. However for your own protection, we suggest that you check the latest Travel Alerts from Governmental Authorities:

Travel within Thailand

Thai Airways International (THAI) operates a wide domestic network with daily flights linking virtually all major towns with Bangkok. Ground transportation is extremely comprehensive and comparatively inexpensive. There are convenient rail connections with the North, Northeast and South, while air conditioned coach and government bus services are operated from Bangkok to all town throughout the country. Rental cars are also readily available.

Other useful information:

Banks:  Banks provide standard services nationwide, Monday through Friday, except public and bank holidays, between 10.00 AM. and 3.30 PM. Bank currency exchange centers operate from 7.00 AM. to 9.00 PM, seven days a week including holidays. Business hours:  Most commercial concerns in Bangkok operate on a five-day week. Government offices are generally open between 8.30 AM and 4.30 PM with a noon to 1.00 PM lunch break, Monday through Friday, except on public holidays. Private businesses maintain much the same hours -perhaps 8.00 AM to 5.00 PM with certain exceptions. Many stores open 12 hours a day, seven day a week. Car hire:  We can provide you with rentals from local and international automobile rental companies self-drive or chauffeur-driven automobiles. Car hire companies also operate in Pattaya, Hat Yai, Phuket and Chiang Mai. Those possessing valid International Driver Licenses may prefer to hire automobiles. Thai currency:  The baht is divided into 100 satang. "Copper" coins are valued at 25 and 50 satang. Silver coins are in denominations of 1,2 and 5 baht. Banknotes are valued at 10 baht (brown), 20 baht (green), 50 baht (blue), 100 bath (red). 500 baht (purple) and 1000 baht (khaki). Travelers checks / credit cards:  US dollar travelers checks can be conveniently cashed at all provincial banks and authorized money changers. Travelers checks in other currencies are best changed in Bangkok where better rates prevail. Major international credit cards, such as American Express, Diners Club and VISA are accepted by major banks, restaurants, hotels and shops. Currency exchange:  Exchange facilities for cash and traveler' checks are available in banks, hotels, and foreign exchange booths located in tourists areas. Airport tax:  Outgoing passengers on international flights from Bangkok's Don Muang airport must pay 500 baht. 30 baht per person is collected for Domestic flight except Samui flight, at baht 400 per person is collected at Samui Airport. Clothing:  Light, loose cotton clothing is best. Nylon should be avoided. Sweaters are needed during cool season evenings or if visiting mountainous areas and remote national parks. Electricity:  Thailand operates exclusively on 220 volt, 50 cycle AC power. Postal services:  To send letters or packages to any desired destinations is very convenient for visitors to Thailand. Post offices as well as most hotels offer good postal services. Taxis: Hotel taxis have fixed tariffs. Taxis cruising the streets of Bangkok have meters.

Telephone & Fax

In Thailand, you can contact virtually any city in the world without difficulty International phone calls, telegraph, telex, and bureau fax services are available at International Telecommunication Services Center, near Bangkok's Central Post Central as well as in most hotels.

Tipping:
It is customary to tip hotel personnel who have given good personal service. A 10% tip is appreciated in restaurants, particularly where service charge is waived.

Sports:

The Thais have adopted a number of modern forms of recreation such as golf, tennis, ice skating, and bowling. But the local sports of boxing and kite fighting are still very much the preferred spectator sport in Thailand. Thai Boxing is the most popular and exciting spectator sport in Thailand, as well as a means of self-defense for the Thai people. It also holds the prestige of being the largest spectator "ring sport" in the world. Unlike the Western-style of boxing, Thai Boxers are allowed to use their feet, elbows, legs and shoulders. Bouts are held at the Ratchadamnoen Stadium and Lumpini Stadium. Thai Boxing may also be seen on television every day, usually in the evening. This is truly an unbelievable sport to see in person, yet the squeamish probably should not attend, as it is quite violent. An ancient local sport played and patronized by the Kings of Thailand for centuries is kite fighting, a contest which is held from March to April at the Sanam Luang in Bangkok. The Thais make kites in hundreds of different forms and colors. Each kite is huge in size and requires a number of people to fly it. Kites are classified as "chulas" (male) or "pukpaos" (female). The object of the contest is to force the opposition's kite to land in your half of the field while thousands of people cheer. Takraw is another traditional Thai game. It involves the use of a takraw ball, five to six inches in diameter, made of rattan. Using their head, feet, knees or elbows, players hit the ball over a net to another team.