Visa & Customs: As a general rule, any foreigner seeking entry into the Kingdom of Thailand for business, investment, study, medical treatment, mass media, religion, employment and other purposes is required to apply for a visa from a Thai Embassy or Consulate-General. To do so, a foreigner must possess a valid passport or travel document that is recognized by the Royal Thai Government and comply with the conditions set forth in the Immigration Act B.E.2522 (1979) and its related provisions. List of countries which have concluded agreement on the exemption of visa requirement with Thailand can be viewed at http://www.mfa.go.th/web/12.php#Tourist .

Note: Please check the period of stay stamped in your passport by the immigration officer. Visitors who overstay their visa will, at the time of their departure, be fined 500 baht for each excess day. For more information, please visit: http://www.mfa.go.th/web/12.php

Money Matters: Currency and Currency exchange: The Thai unit of currency is the baht 1 baht is divided into 100 satang. Notes are in denominations of 1,000 (brown), 500 (purple), 100 (red), 50 (blue), 20 (green) and 10 (brown) baht. Coins consist of 25 satang, 50 satang, 1 baht, 5 baht and 10 baht.

Major currency bills and travellers cheques are cashed easily at hotels, tourist shops, all provincial banks, shopping centres and money changers. Travellers cheques are best changed in banks (you will need your passport). Rates of exchange at banks or authorized money changers are better than those at hotels and department stores.

Any amount of foreign currency may be brought into the country. Visitors may take foreign currency out of Thailand, but no more than the amount stated in the customs declaration made on arrival. Travellers leaving Thailand may take out no more than 50,000 baht per person in Thai currency.

Credit Cards: Credit cards are widely accepted. For lost cards:

American Express Tel : (662) 273 5100 or (662) 273 0022
Diners Club Tel : (662) 238 2920 or (662) 238 2680
Master Card Tel : (662) 256 7326-7
Visa Tel : (662) 256 7326-7

Tipping: Tipping is not a usual practice in Thailand although it is becoming more common. Most hotels and restaurants add a 10% service charge to the bill. Taxi drivers do not require a tip, but the gesture is appreciated and 10-20 baht is acceptable for porters.

Bargaining: Fixed prices are the norm in department stores, but at most other places bargaining is to be expected. Generally, you can obtain a final figure of between 10-40% lower than the original asking price. Much depends on your skills and the shopkeeper's mood. But remember, Thais appreciate good manners and a sense of humor. With patience and a broad smile, you will not only get a better price, you will also enjoy shopping as an art.

V.A.T. Refunds: Visitors entering the Kingdom on a tourist visa are entitled to refund of the 7% V.A.T. on goods purchased at registered retail outlets.

Average Temperature in winter (November - February) for Bangkok: 20-33 ºC|68-91 ºF

Language: Thai is the official language, although English is widely spoken in tourist areas.

Communications: The international country dialing code for Thailand is +66. The outgoing code is 001, followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0044 for the United Kingdom). Thailand also has city codes (Bangkok 2, Chaing Mai 53). 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.

Time: GMT +7.

Electricity: 220 volts AC, 50Hz; both flat and round two-pin plugs are used.

Tap water: Tap water is clean but drinking from it directly should be avoided. Bottled water is recommended.

Clothing: Light, cool clothes are sensible and a jacket is needed for formal meetings and dining in top restaurants. Shorts (except knee length walking shorts), sleeveless shirts, tank tops and other beach-style attire are considered inappropriate dress when not actually at the beach or in a resort area.

Weights & Measures: The metric system is used throughout Thailand. Numerals on vehicle speedometers, highway markers and speed limits all indicate kilometers.

Business hours: Most commercial concerns in Bangkok operate on a five-day week, usually from 8 am to 5 pm. Many stores open seven days a week from 10 am to 10 pm. Government offices are generally open between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm with a noon to 1 pm lunch break, Monday to Friday except on public holidays. Banks are open Mondays to Fridays from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm except on public holidays.

Postal Services: Thailand's mail service is reliable and efficient. Major hotels provide basic postal services on their premises. Provincial post offices are usually open from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm.