Thailand North - Central - South - East - West

Thailand Travel Info.com provides comprehensive destination and travel guide to Thailand with hotel directory listing to different major cities such as: Bangkok - Chiang Mai - Phuket - Pattaya - Samui - Krabi - Koh Lanta - Khao Lak - Trang and etc.

Situated at the center of Indo-China peninsula in Southeast Asia, Thailand spans a total area of 513,115 square kilometers, bordering Myanmar in the north and west, Laos in the northeast and the east, Cambodia in the southeast, and Malaysia in the south. Its elephant-headed shape stretches over 1,800 kilometers from north to south.

Thailand is administratively divided into five regions, the Central, the Northern, the Northeastern, the Eastern, and the Southern, each of which differs from each other in population, natural features, historical background, ethnicity and languages, and level of social and economic development.

TRAVELER TIPS:

• Thailand is Buddhist country where Buddha images are held sacred.
• Sacrilegious Acts are punishable by imprisonment even if committed by foreign visitors.
• Thai people hold their King and Queen and the Royal Family in great reverence, and so won’t tolerate foreigners talking about them in disrespect.
• Generally Thai women are conservative. So don’t touch them without their consent.
• Dress properly when entering a Buddhist temple. Mini skirts and shorts are not allowed. Take your shoes off before going inside the hall of worship. Ladies must not on any account touch a Buddhist monk, give things direct to him or receive things direct from him.
• Intimacies between man and woman should not be shown in public. Sunbathing in the nude is prohibited.
• Call Thais their first names: use the title “Khun” for adults.
• Thai people smile to express gladness and happiness, to thank for small services, to return the wai (a way of greeting) of children and inferior persons, and event to excuse small inconveniences.
• Don’t touch a person’s head, nor ruffle his hair. The head is the noblest part of the body. A sincere apology should be offered immediately if you touch someone’s head unintentionally.
• Avoid placing your feet on the table while sitting. Never use your foot to point things out or to touch any part of the body of anyone, which is considered rude.
• Entering a Thai house, you’re expected to remove your shoes.

THAI CURRENCY:

Foreign currencies can be exchanged at banks (the best rates), hotels (which charge with high commission), and bureau de change in large towns. Credit cards including American Express, MasterCard, and Visa are widely accepted. Travelers’ cheques are accepted by all banks, larges hotels, and shops. Travelers’ cheques in US Dollars, Euros, and Pounds Sterling are recommended. ATM machines are available at the airports, hotels, and in large towns throughout the country.

The basic monetary unit in Thailand is the Baht. A Baht is divided into 100 satang. The following coins and notes are currently in use: Coins: 25 and 50 satang; 1, 5 and 10 Baht.

Bank notes: 10(brown), 20(green), 50(blue), 100(red), 500(purple) and 1,000(grey) Baht.

THAI VISA

Most visitors can stay for 30 days without a visa.

OFFICE HOURS

Most government offices, including post office are open Monday to Friday 08.30-12.00 and 13.00-16.30. Banks are open Monday to Friday 08.30-15.30.