Only use long-established travel agencies with experts on your destination that belong to a professional trade organization. If they are also your tour operator, ask how you are protected should they default (go out of business) before you go or while you are away. Travel agent organizations in some English-speaking countries:

Association of British Travel Agents
55-57 Newman Street, London W1P 4AH
Tel. 0171-637 2444
Fax 0171-637 0713

Australian Federation of Travel Agents
Tel. 02-9264 3299

Travel Agents’ Association of New Zealand
Tel. 04-499 0104

American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA)
Tel. 800-965 2782 (24 hours)
Fax 703-684 8319

Association of Canadian Travel Agents
Suite 201, 1729 Bank Street, Ottawa, Ontario

Expect to pay 7% VAT on all goods and services. This includes meals and hotel rooms, although budget guesthouses do not usually list this on receipts, if they give receipts at all. Selected department stores offer refunds for tourists, but VAT is generally non-refundable.

Samlors, or tuk-tuks, are 3-wheeled, open-sided buggies fueled by liquid petroleum gas. As taxis, they are a rather noisy and often uncomfortable (albeit convenient) alternative to metered taxis. Nevertheless, tuk-tuks are an integral part of Thai life and at least one ride is a must. Fares are negotiable before the ride, and while locals do well, tourists usually pay the same or more than a taxi fare, roughly US$1 for a 1.5-km trip.

Songthaews are open-sided minivans and/or pickups seating passengers on two benches. They ply regular routes for fixed fares usually a few baht. In some places such as Pattaya and Chiang Mai, they operate as taxis and you have to negotiate the fare before you ride. Per-person fares are slightly cheaper than metered taxis, but groups are better off taking cabs as the fare is calculated according to distance only, regardless of the number of passengers.

Travellers are required to hold a passport valid for not less than 6 months after entry into Thailand. For travellers aged 50 years or above wishing to take retreat in Thailand at least for a period of one year, their passports should be valid not less than 18 months. Before traveling, check that your embassy can replace your passport if it is misplaced. Make copies of the identification of yourself and of your family in case of emergency. If you lose your passport, contact the police and your embassy/consulate immediately.

Passport holders of 39 countries (see list below), including the USA, the UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and most European and Southeast Asian countries are automatically permitted to stay in Thailand for 30 days on a tourist visa status (no visa application needed). This 30-day tourist visa can be extended for before exceeding the permitted period at the Office of Immigration Bureau at Soi Suan Plu.
Ordinary and national passport holders of three countries—Peru, Brazil and Korea– that have concluded agreement on the visa exemption with Thailand are permitted to stay up to 90 days.

Passport holders from other 14 countries (see list below) get 15-day temporary tourist visa or visa on arrival. The visa on arrival will be provided at 23 designated international checkpoints (see list below). Applicants are required to attach their 2.5-inches photograph with their application form. The application fee is BHT300. Visitors who enter the kingdom with visa on arrival generally cannot file an application for extension of stay except in special cases such as illness which prevents them from traveling, etc. They can submit an application at the Office of Immigration Bureau at Soi Suan Plu, South Sathorn Road.

Alternatively, you can apply for visa at a Thai embassy/consulate in your country for a 30-day transit visa or a 60-day tourist visa with the fee of THB200 and THB300, respectively. Both visa types are extendable within the permitted period of stay. However, it is obligatory that passport holders of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Syria, Iraq, Iran, Lebanon, Sudan, Algeria, Libya, Yemen, Egypt and Palestinian States are required to file an application at the Thai Embassy/Consulate-General where they have their permanent residence.
Visa extensions are available at the Office of Immigration Bureau, Immigration Division 1, Soi Suan Plu, South Sathorn Road, Bangkok 10120. Tel. (662) 287-3127 or 287-3101-10 ext. 2264-5. Whatever your nationality and travel plans, confirm entry conditions.

Official agencies in charge of issuing visas are:
1. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs
2. The Royal Thai Embassies and Consulates abroad
3. The Office of Immigration Bureau
NB.
- From August 26, 2003, the Office of Immigration Bureau will require the application fees for the transit and tourist visas to be THB800 and THB1,000, respectively.

- Overstaying your visas for more than 24 hours will be fined for THB200 a day upon leaving Thailand from airports. However, if exiting the country through immigration checkpoints, overstaying visitors will be fined THB200 a day even if the overstaying time does not exceed 24 hours.
More information about applying for a Thai Visa Ministry of Foreign Affairs or Royal Thai Embassy.

List of 39 countries eligible for a 30-day tourist visa
1. Australia : Commonwealth of Australia
2. Austria : Republic of Austria
3. Belgium : Kingdom of Belgium
4. Brazil : Federative Republic of Brazil
5. Bahrain : State of Bahrain
6. Brunei Darussalam : Negara Brunei Darussalam
7. Canada
8. Denmark : Kingdom of Denmark
9. Finland : Republic of Finland
10. France : French Republic
11. Germany : Federal Republic of Germany
12. Greece : Hellenic Republic
13. Hong Kong : Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
14. Indonesia : Republic of Indonesia
15. Ireland : Republic of Ireland
16. Israel : State of Israel
17. Italy : Republic of Italy
18. Japan
19. Korea : Republic of Korea
20. Kuwait : State of Kuwait
21. Luxembourg : Grand Duchy of Luxembourg
22. Malaysia
23. Netherlands : Kingdom of the Netherlands
24. New Zealand
25. Norway : Kingdom of Norway
26. Peru : Republic of Peru
27. Philippines : Republic of the Philippines
28. Portugal : Republic of Portugal
29. Qatar : State of Qatar
30. Singapore : Republic of Singapore
31. Spain : Kingdom of Spain
32. South Africa : Republic of South Africa
33. Sweden : Kingdom of Sweden
34. Switzerland : Swiss Confederation
35. Turkey : Republic of Turkey
36. United Arab Emirates
37. United Kingdom : United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
38. United States of America
39. Vietnam : Socialist Republic of Vietnam

List of 14 countries eligible for a 15-Day visa on arrival

1. Bhutan : Kingdom of Bhutan
2. China : People’s Republic of China (including Taiwan)
3. Cyprus : Republic of Cyprus
4. Czech : Czech Republic
5. Hungary : Republic of Hungary
6. India : Republic of India
7. Kazakhstan : Republic of Kazakhstan
8. Maldives : Republic of Maldives
9. Mauritius : Republic of Mauritius
10. Oman : Sultanate of Oman
11. Poland : Republic of Poland
12. Russian Federation
13. Saudi Arabia : Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
14. Ukraine

List of Thailand’s Immigration Checkpoints that provides facilities for issuance of visa on arrival

1. Don Muang International Airport , Bangkok
2. Chiangmai International Airport , Chiangmai
3. Phuket International Airport , Phuket
4. Hatyai International Airport , Songkla
5. U Tapao Airport , Rayong
6. Mae Sai Immigration Checkpoint , Chiengrai
7. Chieng Saen Immigration Checkpoint , Chiengrai
8. Chieng Khong Immigration Checkpoint , Chiengrai
9. Betong Immigration Checkpoint , Yala
10. Sadoa Immigration Checkpoint , Songkla
11. Samui Airport , Surat Thani
12. Sukhothai International Airport, Tak Immigration Checkpoint
13. Bangkok Harbour Immigration Checkpoint, Bangkok
14. Sri Racha Immigration Checkpoint , Chonburi
15. Mabtaput Immigration Checkpoint , Rayong
16. Nong Khai Immigration Checkpoint, Nong Khai
17. Samui Immigration Checkpoint , Surat Thani
18. Phuket Immigration Checkpoint , Phuket
19. Satun Immigration Checkpoint , Satun
20. Krabi Immigration Checkpoint , Krabi
21. Songkhla Harbour Immigraion Checkpoint , Songkhla
22. Chiangrai Airport Immigration Checkpoint, Chiangrai
23. Surat Thani Airport Immigration Checkpoint , Surat Thani

List of countries which have concluded agreement on the exemption of visa requirement with Thailand

- Country which has concluded agreement on the exemption of visa requirement for holders of diplomatic, official and ordinary passports with Thailand and permitted to stay for 90 days:
Republic of Peru

- List of Countries which have concluded agreement on the exemption of visa requirement for holders of national passport with Thailand and permitted to stay for 30 and 90 days:

90 Days
1.Brazil
2. Republic of Korea

30 Days
1. Hong Kong SAR
2. Socialist Republic of Vietnam
3. Macao Special Administrative Region

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.

Although almost all year round in Thailand has a hot weather, walking shirtless on the street, especially in Bangkok, is generally regarded as impolite – tank tops are acceptable

Dining in Thailand is usually a positive experience, but misunderstandings can arise. In large hotels and international restaurants the service is predictably good, but elsewhere it might not be. When ordering your food, ask the waiter to write down and repeat the order. Couples/groups ordering individual dishes should request that everyone’s food arrive at the same time. Orders sometimes disappear between the table and the kitchen, so if you feel something is amiss, tell the staff sooner rather than later.

If the bill is in Thai, ask the waiter to explain any discrepancies. These are usually accidental, but an unscrupulous restaurateur might sneak extra drinks onto a group bill. Useful expressions:

Mai sai prik. = No chili.
Mai aow ped. = I don’t want it spicy.
Nee mai chai kong pom. = This isn’t mine.
(Dish) mai dai. = I haven’t received (dish).
Kep tang/Check bin, khrap/kha. = The bill, please.

Common words in Thai menu
Pad (eg. Pad Thai) = stir fried
Ping, Yang (eg. Moo Ping or Moo yang) = grilled
Tom Yam = spicy sour soup
Kaeng (eg. Kaeng Khiew Waan) = spicy soup with coconut milk
Kao = rice
Kuay-Teow = noodles
Moo = pork
Gai = chicken
Nuea = beef
Pla = fish
Kung = shrimp
Luk-chin = meatballs

Useful expressions in the restaurant:
Mai Sai Prik = no chili
Mai Aow Ped = I don’t want it spicy
Nee Mai Chai Khong Phom/ Di-chan (for men/women) = This isn’t mine
Yang mai dai..(dish) = I haven’t received..
Kep tang/Check bin, krap/kha (for men/women) = The bill, please.
Khem/ Waan/ Ped/ Pruew mak pai = too salty/ sweet/ spicy/ sour.

You can rent cars in most cities and major towns certainly anywhere with a large tourist intake. Jeeps and sedans cost anything from US$25-45 per day, and minivans are around US$50-70. Prices depend on the vehicle and the company; international firms usually charge more, but in any case it is cheaper to hire weekly. You may be able to hire a driver with the car for around US$10-12 per day.

Motorcycles are ideal for reaching Thailand’s out-of-the way beaches and mountain views. As with cars, you can hire them in tourist spots, particularly in Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Pattaya, Phuket and the larger islands. Prices are as low as 3 to 5 dollars per day, depending on the machine. Check any vehicle thoroughly before you take it away: you may be liable to pay for any previously unnoticed damage.

Car Rental Services

• AVIS
• BUDGET

Finding film is easy everywhere in Thailand. Japanese brands cost around 100 baht for 36 exposures. American brands cost more; up to 150 baht. Expect to pay up to 300 baht for slide films depending on the make. Few shops outside Bangkok and Chiang Mai stock these, so buy them before visiting the provinces. Most department stores stock new cameras, and small camera shops with new and second-hand models are dotted around Bangkok and other cities. Bangkok’s Yaowaraj district is great for used cameras.
A good place for computers, peripherals and software is Pantip Plaza on Petchburi Road. Department stores often have small computer sections, and malls usually have at least one shop. Genuine and bootleg CD-ROM’s are sold at market stalls in Silom Road, Patpong Road and Chatuchak Market, among others. Internet cafes are opening everywhere now, so you can check your email regularly.

For those who travel with a notebook, you should also bring along the electrical wire with a two-pin plug. Electrical sockets in Thailand are generally designed for this type of plug.

For digital cam users, they can transfer photos from their full-loaded cams on the CD-R’s at any Internet cafes. However, they must bring along the cam driver CD to enable the computer to support the cam.

An efficient rail service links northern and northeastern towns with Bangkok (terminus is Hualamphong Station). Regular western and southern routes out of Bangkok (Thon Buri) Station enable travel by train to Kanchanaburi province and to southern Thailand.

On express trains, sleepers are available in three classes: first and second class (air-conditioned), and second class (non air-conditioned, but with fans).

Advance tickets are available at all principal stations or the Bangkok Advance Booking Office.
Tel.(66) 2225-0300 ext 5200-3.

Telephone number of Hualanphong Station in Bangkok, 02-2204334

Another way to get around Bangkok is by taxis. However, calling a cab during rush hour (8-10 a.m. and 5-6 p.m.) might be difficult because the traffic is held-up or the cabs are taken. In that case, taking bus or walking seems to be the better choice. Most of taxis in Bangkok are meter taxis, which protect the passengers from the unscrupulous taxi drivers. Short trips will be charged in accordance with the fare showing on the meter. Tip is not expected. However, if you want to take the expressway, you are responsible for paying the tolls. If you are traveling outside Bangkok or in the upcountry, be sure to settle the fare with the driver before departure and don’t fall into the mischievous invitations of some taxi drivers who offer to take you to the attraction sites.