Practical Information
Police: 191
Fire: 199
Ambulance: 255 1333-6
Local Time: GMT + 7 hours
Thai Year: The Thai year is based on the
birthdate of Buddha in 543 BC. To calculate the Roman date, subtract 543 from
the Thai date (eg: BE 2495 - 543 = AD 1952.)
Country Code: 66
International Line: 001
Business Hours: Most offices open from 9am to
5pm, Monday to Friday, except on public holidays. General banking hours are
Monday to Friday 9.30am to 3.30pm. Many stores open 12 hours a day, seven days
a week.
Electricity: The electrical system is 220
Volt AC (50 cycles). There are various plugs and sockets in use. Travellers
with shavers, tape recorders and other appliances should carry a plug adapter
kit.
Climate: Thailand enjoys a tropical climate
with 3 distinct seasons:
- hot: March to May
- wet: June to September (humid, hot and
muggy)
- cool: October to February
The average annual temperature is 28°C
(83°F), ranging in Bangkok from 30°C in April to 25°C in
December.
Clothing: Light, loose-fitting cotton
clothing is best. Nylon and other synthetics should be avoided. Jacket and tie
is required in a few restaurants and nightclubs. Neat clothes are required for
entering temples or palaces.
Visa Issues: Most visa issues and extensions
can be dealt with at the Immigration Bureau in Soi Suan Plu, Sathorn Tai.
Currency: The basic unit of Thai currency is
the baht (THB, Bt or B), divided into 100 satang. Most foreign currencies and
traveller's cheques are easily changed at banks, hotels or moneychangers. All
major credit cards are widely accepted. ATMs (automatic teller machines or cash
machines) are everywhere and accept virtually all cards.
Notes:
- 1000 baht (gray)
- 500 baht (purple)
- 100 baht (red)
- 50 baht (blue)
- 20 baht (green)
- 10 baht (khaki)
Coins:
- 10 baht
- 5 baht
- 1 baht
- 50 satang
- 25 satang
(Very) approximate exchange rates:
- 1 GBP (£) = 60 THB
- 1 USD ($) = 40 THB
- 1 EUR = 40 THB
- 1 THB = 3 JPY
Note: one finger means B10, not B1! So if a
shopkeeper puts up four fingers, the price is B40. |
