Useful Thailand Travel Information

Arrival in Thailand

Nearly all trips to Thailand will begin at Bangkok's International Airport, Suvarnabhumi. This world class airport was opened in September, 2006. Since that time, it has experienced some negative press. However, improvements have been made and Suvarnabhumi airport makes a great gateway for entry to the wonders of the "land of smiles". Upon arrival in Thailand, make your way to the luggage claim area to collect your bags before heading to your private limosine or the public taxi stand.

Foreign Currency Exchange

Suvarnabhumi Airport has many currency exchange booths so that you can have some Thai currency in your pocket before you leave the airport. Taxi drivers and hotel staff should be paid with Thai baht.

Thailand Weather

Thailand's weather can be divided into three distinct seasons. They are the hot season, the rainy season, and the cool season (although the southernmost regions do not have much of a cool season).

Thailand's hot season starts mid-March and can last until the second half of June. During this time of year, the high temperatures can climb to more than 40 degrees Celsius (about 105 degrees F). Thankfully the humidity is lower this time of year, but be sure to drink lots of water if you have any outsdie activities during the middle of the day.

Thailand's rainy season follows the hot season. Therefore, it may not start until late June, but some years it may come as early as mid May. Rainy season does not mean it will rain every day. Typically, the rain comes in the form of late afternoon thunder showers which last from 30 minutes to 2 hours. Periods of overcast skies and steady rain due occur as well. Overall, rainy season does mean the chance of rain at any time is possible.

The most pleasant time to be in Thailand is during the cool season. Thailand's cool season follows the rainy season and often starts in early November. Cool season brings much milder temperatures and once again the humidity drops. With daily high's of 26-30 degrees Celsius, life during cool season means outdoor activities are very enjoyable.

This is an extremely brief summary of Thailand weather. For more indepth Thailand travel information on Thailand weather, go to the Thailand weather page.

Thailand Culture

Thai culture has many differences when compared to western cultures. If you plan a trip to Thailand, it is a good idea to prepare for your journey by learning about Thailand culture.

The most distinct difference between Thai culture and western culture is the use of the "wai" for greeting versus a handshake. One of the first Thai customs learned by Thai children is the sawasdee greeting. A "wai" is performed by placing both hands together in front of your face and then bowing slightly. There are many variations of the "wai" which depends on the age of the greeter and the person being greeted.

As a tourist it is impractical to try to learn all the intricacies of Thailand culture. However, Thai people will appreciate the fact that you made an effort to learn about Thai life. Another important part of Thai culture is to remove your shoes before entering a person's house. It is important to keep floors clean since it is very common for people to sit on the floor instead of a chair. This is especially true at mealtime when the floor also becomes a table for eating.

A third item and perhaps the most important thing to learn about Thai culture is that the head is the most respected part of the body and the feet are the least important part. Therefore, feet should not be placed in a high position and especially not above person's head. If you remember these three things, your holiday in Thailand will be more enjoyable. Find out more about Thai culture.

Thailand Visa Issues

Thailand is very easy country to visit. Citizens from 57 countries are allowed to stay for up to 30 days without the need for a Thailand visa. The 57 countries include most European countries, the United States, Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Ireland and South Africa. If you wish to stay for a period longer than 30 days, there are several options available. The most common way to extend your stay is to visit the local immigration office and request an extension of stay in Thailand. The extension can be for a period of 7-15 days. There is a fee of 1,900 Thai baht for this service.

If you are staying near a border crossing, it is possible to exit Thailand and return the same day. Upon your return to the Kingdom, you will receive a 15 day entry stamp at no cost. Thailand will allow up to three consecutive 15 day entry stamps. If you still wish to stay longer, you will need to contact a Thai embassy and request a 60 day Thailand tourist visa or a 90 day Thailand non-immigrant visa.

Whatever you choose, make sure you don't overstay your visa or your 30 day entry stamp. Overstay is a serious matter. The fine for an overstay of your Thailand visa is 500 baht per day, with a maximum fine of 40,000 baht. Besides the fine, you may also be arrested and detained by the immigration police.