What To Wear : Light, loose cotton clothing is best. Nylon should be avoided. Sweaters are needed during the cool season evenings or if visiting mountainous areas or national parks. Jackets and ties are required in a few restaurants and nightclubs. Neat clothes are required for entering temples or palaces. 

Local Time : GMT + 7 hours.

Business Hours : Most offices open from 9 am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday, except on public holidays. General banking hours are Monday to Friday 9.30 am to 3.30 pm. Many stores open 12 hours a day, seven days a week.

Currency : There are 100 satangs in 1 baht. (B=baht) Notes are issued in denominations of B1000 (gray), B500 (purple), B100 (red), B50 (blue), B20 (green), and B10 (brown). There are 10, 5 and 1 baht coin, and 50 and 25 satang. Most foreign currencies and traveller cheques are easily changed at banks, hotels or moneychangers. All major credit cards are widely accepted throughout the kingdom. 

Electricity : The electric system is 220 Volt AC 
(50 cycles). There are many plugs and sockets in use. Travelers with shavers, tape recorders and other appliances should carry a plug-adapter kit.

2. THAI PUBLIC HOLIDAYS 1999

January
Elaphant Round-up,Chaiyaphum
Smaller than the November festival in Surin, this colourful event
brings elephants from all over the province to demonstrate their powers. A spectacular re-enactment of a medieval battle is one of the highlights of the two day extravaganza. 

Umbrella Fair, Bo Sang, Chaing Mai 
Almost everyone in the small village of Bo Sang derives a livelihood from making gaily painted paper umbrellas. This fair celebrates the traditional skill and features contests, exhibitions and demonstrations.

Phra Tat Phanom Fair, Nakorn Phanom
An annual seven day Buddhist homage paying festival, attracting
thousands of devotees to this northeastern township.

Don Chedi Memorial Fair, Suphan Buri
A high-spirited re-enactment of a famous duel where King Naruesan the Great of Ayuthaya defeated a challenger to the Thai Kingdom.

February 
Luang Wiang Lakorn, Lampang 
A procession through town culminating in northern style
entertainment spectacular at Wat Lampang Luang.

Flower Festival, Chiang Mai 
Spectacular floral floats and unique handicraft displays a the
highlights of this three day extravaganza in the Northern Capital.

Dragon and Lion Parade, Nakhon Sawan
A procession of colourful costumes and Chinese dragons and
venerated deities.

Bang Sai Arts & Crafts Fair, Ayuttaya
A shopping extravaganza of products from H.M. the Queen's support programme.

Straw Bird Fair, Chai Nat
Using the residue from the rice harvest, villagers construct large
colourful models of bird species in the local Bird Park.

Phra Nakhon Khiri Fair, Phetchaburi
'The City on the Hill' is host to a historical light and sound show.

Homage Paying Fair, Nakon Si Thammarat
A series of religious ceremonies to pay homage to locally enshrined relics of Lord Buddha.

Kite Flying, Sanam Luang-Bangkok 
Enjoy surrogate 'Fight of the Sexes' as the larger male kites try to
ensnare the more agile female kites.

Chao Mae Lim Ko Nieo Fair, Pattani
Exotic feats of endurance are performed in respect of a goddess
believed to possess magical powers.


March 
Asean Barred Ground Dove Festival, Yala
Dove lovers from all over Thailand, as well as from other ASEAN countries come to Yala for this event.

Phra Buddha Bat Fair, Saraburi 
Large numbers of Buddhist pilgrims come to pay their respect to the Holy Footprint of Lord Buddha.

International Jewellery Fair, Bangkok
Hundreds of Thai and International Jewellery manufacturers will
present exquisite jewellery and gemstone collections.

Phanom Rung Fair, Buri Ram
Centred around the Khmer Temple, dating from the early Angkor
Wat period, this temple is the showcase for exhibitions and displays.


April 
Poi Sang Long, Mae Hong Song 
During this annual ordination ceremony for young novices, offerings are carried through town accompanied by brightly clad dancers. 

Food Fair 
A gastronomic extravaganza at Bangkok's Queen Sirikit Exhibition Centre, with delicacies from Thailand's top food exporters.

Song Kran, Nationwide
The tossing of sweet scented water to mark the Thai New Year is a major celebration for Thais.

Pattaya Festival, Pattaya
The World-famous seaside resort plays host to floral floats, fireworks and foodstalls, as this city celebrates it's annual parade.

Redy to Wear Fair, Bangkok
Another grand showcase of Thai export garments, where buyers
from aroud the world will be able to snap up clothing bargains.


May 
Royal Ploughing Ceremony, Bangkok
Various ceremonies are performed in this ancient Brahman festival, to mark the official commencement of the rice planting season.

Rocket Festival, Yasothon
Skyrockets as big as people are despatched to the heavens in a
ceremony to ensure plentiful rains during the coming rice planting
season.

Home & Craft Show, Bangkok
This annual event features decorative items, textiles, furniture, and
household goods.


June 
Phi Ta Khon Festival, Loei
Young men dressed as spirits parade a sacred Buddha image and
tease villagers.


July 
Phuket International Marathon, Phuket
One of the most picturesque marathons on the Asian circuit.

Candle Festival, Ubon Rachathani
To mark the commencement of Buddhist Lent, Beautiful beeswax candles, some several metres long, are paraded through
town before being presented to the temples. 

Tak Bat Dok Mai, Saraburi
During this impressive meritmaking ceremony marks the start of the annual three-month start of the annual three-month 'Rains Retreat', when Buddhist monks must remain in their monastries.

Nakhon Si Thammarat
During the fifteen nights of the waning moon, Buddhists offer food and other gifts to the monks, amid cultural performances, contests and other performances.

August 
Phichit Boat Races, Phichit 
This annual regatta draws hundreds of spectators to the banks of the Nan River for three days of revelry.

International Swan-Boat Races, Bangkok
Where top Thai crews take on contenders from neighbouring
countries.

Wax Castle & Boat Racing Festival, Sakon Nakhon
Beeswax creations of Buddhist temples are paraded to mark the end of the 'Rains Retreat', in the belief that the accrued merit from this act ensures their future rebirth. On the following day, the annual regatta is a day of merriment for all.

Korlae Boat Racing Festival
The festival on the Bangnara River includes boat racing and dove
cooing contests, and sale of produce and handicrafts.


October 
International Hospitality Show Exhibition, Bangkok
Trade shows to review the latest in food service and catering equipment. Includes ice-carving, bartending and related contests.

Thai Leather Goods, Bangkok 
A major export item, leather products of all shapes and sizes are on display.

Vegetarian Festival, Phuket and Trang
Residents of Chinese ancestry go on a 10 day vegetarian diet, and
ceremonies and parades are held at local Chinese temples.

Lanna Boat Races
This well known regatta is part of the festivities that accompany the Kahtin season, when groups present robes to monks in merit making ceremonies.

Chak Phra & Thot Phapa Festival
Land and waterborne processions carry elaborately decorated
carriages, following the dawn ceremony when robes are offered to the monks.

Illuminated Boat Procession, Nakhon Phanom 
The Thai Lao friendship festival celebrates 30 years of tourism in the Northeast, and features sports and cultural exhibitions, and souvenirs. The festival is enlivened in the evening when miniature boats are set adrift carrying a lighted candle.

Chonburi Buffalo Races, Chonburi
When the traditional farming beast is put to more amusing uses, as
crowds gather from near and far to witness the event.

Tak Bat Devo, Uthai Thani
To mark the descent from the hilltop temple, as Lord Buddha himself is believed to have done.

Chinese Lunar Festival, Songkhla
Traditional festivities to make offerings to the moon, including dragon dancing, lantern processions and contests.


November 
Phimai Boat Races, Nakhon Ratchasima
Near the fascinating archaeological site of the Old Khmer City of
Phimai, the boating regatta

Surin Elephant Round-up, Surin
This internationally renowned event brings crowds to watch 100
trained elephants demonstrate their skills.

Loi Krathong, Sukholthai
In the atmospheric ruins of the ancient city, a spectacular light and
sound show marks the origination of the Loi Krathong festival.

Bang Sai Loi Krathong, Ayutthaya
Krathong launching beneath the full moon, is complimented with
special events and exhibitions.

Yi Peng Loi Krathong, Chiang Mai 
An addition to the traditional Loi Krathong, the Yi Peng festival is
marked by the launch of colourful paper balloons, fearing trouble away.

Long-Boat Races, Phichit 
Races to select Thailand's fastest longboat crews, to send them to
compete in international regattas.

River Kwai Bridge Week, Kanchanaburi
The celebrated Bridge is the setting for a week-long series of events, including historical and archaeological displays and exhibitions.

Bangkok Marathon, Bangkok
Where runners from around the world will compete amid temples and historic palaces, twice crossing the 'River of the Kings'. 

Silk Fair, Khon Kaen
The finest hand-crafted Thai Silk is offered for sale amid processions and cultural shows.

Made in Thailand, Bangkok
A collection of Thailand's best exports, with everything from
handicrafts to hi-tech.


December 
Trooping of the Colours, Bangkok
The King and Queen preside over the ceremony where the Royal
Guards swear allegiance to the King.

Phuket King's Cup Regatta, Phuket
In this event in honour of H.M. the King, who is himself an avid sailor,yachtsmen from around the world vie for honours as they cruise through the tranquil surrounds of the Andaman Sea.

3. LANGUAGE
Thai is a tonal language belonging to the group of Ka-Tai languages, the five tones are monotone, low, falling, high, and rising. This can be a rather complicated language for the visitor; however, English is quite widely understood, particularly in Bangkok where it is almost the major commercial language
Here are a few Thai basic greetings and phrases to try. Just click on the Thai versions to hear a native speaker pronounce each phrase :

 4. DO'S & DON'TS
The Monarchy : Thai people have a deep, traditional reverence for the Royal Family, and a visitor should be careful to show respect for the King, the Queen and the Royal Children.

Religion : Visitors should dress neatly in all religious shrines. They should never go topless, or in shorts, hot pants or other unsuitable attire.

It is acceptable to wear shoes when walking around the compound of a Buddhist temple, but not inside the chapel where the principal Buddha image is kept.

Each Buddha image, large or small, ruined or not, is regarded as a sacred object. Never climb onto one to take a photograph or do anything which might indicate a lack of respect.

Buddhist monks are forbidden to touch or be touched by a woman, or to accept anything from the hand of one. If a woman has to give anything to a monk, she first hands it to a man, who then presents it.

Social Norms : Thais don't normally shake hands when they greet one another, but instead press the palms together in a prayer-like gesture called a wai. Generally a younger person wais an elder, who returns it.

Thais regard the head as the highest part of the body, literally and figuratively. Therefore, avoid touching people on the head and try not to point your feet at people or an object. It is considered very rude. 

Shoes should be removed when entering a private Thai home.  Public displays of affection between men and women are frowned upon.

5. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Here are some of the questions we're asked most frequently: 

When is the best time to visit Thailand ?
During the cool season between November and March 

What vaccinations do I need before coming to Thailand ?
There are no required vaccinations, unless you are coming from an infected area. Yellow fever certificates are required for those who are coming from an infected area. Please check the latest regulations with your local health office. 

Do I need a visa ?
Temporary visitors who are exempted from applying for an entry visa must be of the nationality of and holding a valid passport or travelling documents issued by

Persons meeting the above conditions are exempted from a visa and are permitted to remain in the Kingdom for a period not exceeding 30 days, except for the nationals of the Republic of Korea and New Zealand, who are permitted to stay in Thailand for a maximum of 90 days from the day of entry. 

Note : Please check the period of stay stamped in your passport upon entry into the Kingdom.

For more details contact the Immigration Division, Soi Suan Phlu, Sathon Tai Rd.,
Bangkok 10120
Tel : (662) 287-3101 - 10
Fax : (662) 287-1740 

Where can I get information on the Orient Express?
Eastern & Oriental Express Train Prince, contact :
Sea Tours Co., Ltd
Suite No.88-92, 8th floor., Payathai Plaza 128 Phayathai Rd, 
Rajathevee, Bangkok 10400
Tel: (662) 216-5783-93
Fax: (662) 216-5757-58 

Where can I find out more about Thai Boxing ?
Thai boxing is both a sport and a means of self-defense. Contestants are allowed to use almost any part of their body: feet, elbows, legs, knees, and shoulders are all 'weapons.' The playing of traditional music during bouts adds to the excitement. The three main venues in the Bangkok area are: 
Ratchadamnoen Stadium: Ratchadamnoen Nok Avenue, Bangkok
Tel: (662)281-4205 
Lumphini Stadium : Rama IV Rd., Bangkok
Tel: (662)251-4303 
Samrong Stadium : Samut Prakan
Tel: (662)393-3592 

Where can I find information on exporting and importing?
Department of Export Promotion,
22/77 Ratchadaphisek Road, Lad Yao, Chatuchak, Bangkok 10900
Tel: 511-5066 to 77, 512-0093 - 0104
Fax: 512-1079, 513-1917 

What are the customs regulations ?
Prohibited items: All kinds of narcotics (hemp, opium,cocaine, morphine, heroin), obscene literature, pictures or articles. Firearms: Importation of firearms and ammunition can be done only after a permit has been obtained from the Police Department of the Local Registration Office. 
Personal effects : A reasonable amount of clothing for personal use, toilet articles, and professional instruments may be brought in free of duty. 
Cameras : One still-camera or one movie camera can be brought in without duty. Five rolls of still-camera film or three rolls of 8 or 16 mm movie-camera film may be brought in free of duty. 
Tobacco, alcoholic beverages : Cigarettes,cigars,or smoking tobacco each or in total must not exceed 250 grams in weight. Cigarettes not exceeding 200 in quantity. One litre each of wine or spirits may be brought in free of duty. 
Household effects : A reasonable amount of used household effects, accompanied by the owner on change of domicile are also free of duty. 
Plants and animals: Certain species of fruits, vegetables and plants are prohibited. Please contact the Agricultural Regulatory Division, Bangkhen, Bangkok, Tel : 5791581, 5793576. permission of entry for animals coming in by air can be obtained at the airport. If entering by sea, the application must be made at the Department of Livestock Development, Bangkok, Tel: 251-5136, 252-6944. Vaccination certificates are required.  

What are the regulations regarding the export of antiques from Thailand ?
Buddha images, Bodhisattva images or fragments thereof are forbidden to be taken out of Thailand. A license must be obtained from the Department of Fine Arts in order that such objects of antiquity or objects of art, irrespective of whether they are originals or reproductions, may be taken out of the country. For a license application, contact the National Museum, Tel. 226-1661, 281-0433 

6. BUYER BEWARE
The Tourism Authority of Thailand receives over 1,000 complaints a year about fake jewellery purchases. To avoid being a statistic, you must stay alert to the warning signs of a swindle at work. Heeding our warning could help you stave off unpleasent surprises and make your vacation what it should be - full of sparkle.

The following are valuable pointers for your protection :

• Be wary of any encounter that ends up requiring your presence in a gem shop. Most probably it is a scam. 
• Buying gems or jewellery to resell at double or triple the purchase prices is an impossible proposition under any circumstances. Buy jewellery only for personal satisfaction for your own use or for loved ones. 
• Make price comparisons in various shops before deciding to buy. Never be in a hurry. 
• Never mail sapphires or other precious stones. Carry valuable items with you. 
• Do not believe special (jewellery) sales of any kind. Reputable dealers hardly ever offer sales and never send touts to lure tourists to their stores. 
• There are no promotions, shows or special sales on jewelry authorized by the government or any official agencies at any time of the year. 
• The government does not own, operate, subsidize, or authorize any jewellery stores. 
• As far as you can, take time to verify all claims. Words, promises, personal guarantees, unchecked documents, unauthorized verbal or written statements, casual references, encounters and the like do not constitute verification. Remember, you are your own best protection. 
• All Thai embassies, consulates or any delegations abroad are neither bound nor responsible for refunding goods that are bought in Thailand. 

When in doubt about a gem shop, check it with  at: 

Tourist Assistance Centre
Tourism Authority of Thailand 
Le Concorde Building
202 Ratchadapisek Road
Bangkok 10310
Tel: 694-1222 ext. 1090-1094