Country – Thailand
Official Language – Thai
Capital – Bangkok
Currency – Thai Baht (THB)
(1 THB = 1.80 INR as on 28 May 2014)
Time Zone – Thailand Standard Time (THA)
(IST = THA+1 hour 30 minutes)
Visa – 15 day visa on arrival is available at airport
Airports – You are most likely to land at either Suvarnabhumi International Airport (IATA – BKK) or Don Muang Airport (IATA – DMK); both located in Bangkok
List of flight connections between India and Thailand
Official Tourist Website – Amazing Thailand
When do Tourists Visit Thailand
- High Season – November to March
- Average Season – April to June; September; October
- Low Season – July to August
Safety Advise on Travel in Thailand
- Exercise a high degree of caution in Bangkok due to civil unrest and political demonstrations; as on 28 May 2014
- Koh Phangan – be extra careful and always have a watch on what is going in your bucket; do not accept anything from strangers
- Use/sale of drugs is prohibited and will carry heavy punishment
- Do not photograph military equipment, installation or people
- Border disputes with
1. Cambodia at Southern provinces of Narathiwat, Pattani, Yala and Songkhla & Preah Vihear temple area
2. Burma at provinces of Tak and Mae Hong Son - Crime such as pick pocketing, bag snatching, theft and petty money scams are common in Thailand; be alert in touristy and isolated places
- Do not visit islands during the peak of Monsoon season
- Travel insurance is advisable
Money
- Cash is the king
- Credit cards are accepted at high/middle range restaurants and hotels. If you’re looking for a travel credit card without any annual fees, visit https://www.urlaubinbangkok.de/awa7-visa-kreditkarte/.
- ATM’s are widespread
- Travelers Cheques can be cashed out at many banks but they charge a fee. When applying for a cash loan in Thailand, do bring all your documents with you.
- Do not exchange at the airport, the exchange rates there are disappointing
Transportation
- Air – The main airports are in Bangkok (BKK & DMK) and two other international airports in Phuket (HKT) and Chiang Mai (CNX). There are plenty of domestic airports in/nearby all the major tourist places.
- Boat – Boats connect most of the touristy islands with the mainland Thailand. Be aware, boat travel in peak monsoon is dangerous.
- Bus – Intercity buses are reliable and cheap. But a better option is minivans as they are more faster and new.
- Rail – The rail network in Thailand is 4500 kilometers long. It connects almost all the parts of Thailand ranging from Northern parts like Chiang Mai and Southern to Surat Thani.
- Local Transport
Taxis – Bangkok has metered taxis. In other cities and towns taxi fares can be negotiated before travel
Tuk Tuks – Tuk Tuk is Indian version of motorized auto rickshaw; the fares are negotiable and not done through meters
Mass Transit Rail – Bangkok is well connect with mass transit rail; other cities has no metro rail
Communication
- Thailand’s dialing code is +66
- SIM cards can be purchased at airport & 7-Eleven and the cost ranges from 300 – 500 Baht. Calls to India is about 5 Baht per minute. Alternatively using, VOIP service provided by Local Phone or Rebtel will cost you more than ten times lesser.
- WiFi is provided by most of the hotels. Restaurants and coffee shops may or may not provide WiFi.
Embassies
- Embassy of India
46, Prasarnmitr, Sukhumvit, Soi 23, Bangkok 10110
+66 (02)-2580300-5 - Consulate General of India
33/1, Thung Hotel Road, Wat-Kate, Muang, Chiang Mai
+66 (0)-53-243066
Useful Links
- Thailand Visa for Indian tourists
- Flight connection to Thailand from India can be booked on Yatra or Expedia
- Hotels in Thailand can be booked on Yatra, Expedia or Hotels.com
- Itineraries for Thailand
- Indian restaurants in Thailand
- Indian friendly restaurants in Thailand
Image Source – https://www.flickr.com/photos/archer10/3652128666
Quick Starter Guide to Thailand