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Tour
Suggestions
Bangkok is the usual gateway for most travellers,
and you should plan on three or five days in the
capital. This should allow sufficient time for
seeing the major sights such as the Grand Palace
and Temple of the Emerald Buddha, Wat Arun, Wat
Pho and Vimanmek Mansion. Perhaps also a trip
along the Chao Phraya River or a shopping jaunt
to Chatuchak Weekend Market.
 You
might also take an out-of-town excursion (Ayutthaya
or Kanchanaburi are top choices). Check out some
of the suggestions listed under our Bangkok section.
If a beach vacation is your priority, Bangkok
could be followed by a week at Phuket or Samui
Island, which offer the most exotic settings.
Should your time be limited, the resorts of Pattaya,
Rayong, Cha-am and Hua Hin are closer to the capital.
For a different scene, northern Thailand affords
plenty of scope for both cultural sightseeing
and refreshing escapes into the countryside. Chiang
Mai is the best base for exploring the region,
offering its own sights as well as numerous hiking
and trekking options, and a stay of three or four
days gives a good introduction. If you have more
time, overnight visits to Mae Hong Son or Chiang
Rai are well worthwhile.
Travellers who already know Thailand will find
the Northeast region rewarding. The most traditional
part of our country, it is best toured by car
or bus allow five to seven days.
Thailand further provides excellent facilities
for sporting vacations - golf, scuba diving, yachting,
and mountain biking. A two-week stay gives time
for general sightseeing and special interest activities.
The variations for a visit to Thailand are never
endless, and perhaps the best advice to bear in
mind when arranging your trip is to plan on coming
back.
Transit Passengers useful
information
money
The Thai unit of currency is the baht, which is
worth a little less than 4 US cents. One US dollar
= approximately 40 baht
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.
A 10 baht coin is composed of both "silver"
and "copper". Banknotes are valued at
10 baht (brown),20 baht (green), 50 baht (blue),
100 baht (read), 500 baht (purple) and 1,000 baht
(white and grey).
Travellers Cheques/Cheques/Credit Cards
US dollar traveller cheques can be conveniently
cashed at all provincial banks and authorised
money changers. Traveller cheques in other currencies
are best changed in Bangkok where better rates
prevail. Generally, hotel exchange rates are lower
than those offered by banks and authorised money
changers.
Major international credit cards, such as American
Express, Diners, Carte Blanche, Master Card and
VISA are accepted by major banks, restaurants,
hotels and shops.
Thai and foreign banks provide standard services
nationwide, Monday through Friday, except public
and bank holidays, between 9.30 AM and 3.30 PM.
Major banks such as Bangkok Bank, Thai Danu Bank,
Thai Farmers Bank and Siam Commercial Bank operate
currency exchange centres in most tourist areas
from 7.00 AM to 9.00 PM, seven days a week, including
holidays.
Many first-class hotels provide 24-hour money
exchange services, but only for major currencies
such as American dollars, British pounds, German
marks and Swiss francs. Travellers cheques are
generally accepted only from bona fide hotel quests.
Eating & Order Thai Food
Thai food is eaten with a fork and spoon. Even
single-dish meals such as fried rice with pork,
or steamed rice topped with roasted duck, are
served in bite-sized slices or chunks obviating
need for a knife. The spoon is used to convey
food to the mouth.
I deally, eating Thai food is a communal affair
involving two or more people, principally because
the greater the number of diners the greater the
number of dishes ordered. Generally speaking,
two diners order three dishes in addition to their
own individual plates of steamed rice, three diners,
four dishes, and so on. Diners choose whatever
they require from shared dishes and generally
add it to their own rice. Soups are enjoyed concurrently
with other dishes, not independently. Spicy dishes
are balanced by bland dishes to avoid discomfort.
Thai fruits
 Thai
fruitsincluding mangoes, managosteens, durians,
pineapple, watermelons, papaya, rambutans, longans,
lychees, tamarinds, pomegranates, palm fruits,
oranges, pomeloes, jackfruits and more than 20
kinds of bananasare available all year round.
Some harvests are celebarted in style, with colourful
festivals, sometimes featuring a pageant of local
beauties.
Tips For Travellers
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1. |
Remember the number of your
important document or keep a copy of them,
so that you can refer to them in case of
loss. |
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2. |
Remember the numbers on
car licence plates, colour, details of the
vehicle or the driver. They would be useful
in the case that you have problems and wish
to lodge a complaint afterwards. |
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3. |
In the purchase of goods
or services, carefully consider the conditions
and offers before making a decision. Contact
a reliable office in the case that you have
doubts. |
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4. |
Keep receipts and documents
concerning the purchase of goods or services.
They would be useful in the case that you
have problems and wish to lodge a complaint
afterwards. |
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5. |
Abide by the laws and regulations
of every place, so as to avoid any problems.
Request advice for correct understanding.
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6. |
Check your belongings before
leaving accommodation/services. |
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7. |
Recall the following services
if you need assistance:-
- Tourist Services Centre (Free of charge
and direct line service around the clock
1155)
- Tourist Assistance Centre (Tel. 694-1460
Fax: 6941461)
- Tourist Police Division (Tel. 678-6800
Fax: 678-6869) |
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