Each year Thailand is discovered by millions of visitors, drawn to its pristine beaches and aquamarine seas, as well as its rich culture, glitzy shopping malls, chic boutiques and colourful markets crammed with bargains.

With its enticing mixture of established destinations such as Phuket and Hua Hin, and out-of-the-way palm-fringed islands, Thailand appeals to the most varied of travellers, whether they are craving barefoot luxury or hippy chic. From staying on a converted rice barge, clambering into a jungle tree house or bedding down in a hill tribe village, Thailand offers a wealth of choice for every taste and budget.

Pampering is an art form in Thailand, and throughout the country spas offer authentic treatments whether it's in a 5-star luxury resort or a beach-side hut. If it's pulse-raising excitement you are after, head to the hectic sprawl of Bangkok's futuristic high-rise buildings.

Early morning is when the saffron-robed monks leave the sanctuary of their wats (temples) to receive alms from the people, be it in a dusty village or on crowded city streets. Buddhism is a way of life here and the Thai's are also strong supporters of their monarchy. In fact, His Majesty King Bhumibol is the longest reigning monarch in the world, since coming to power in 1946. 

Following the end of absolute monarchy, Thailand moved towards democracy, but this was thwarted by the military, which has often staged coups in protest at government policies. The most recent was in September 2006 when a bloodless coup overthrew Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and replaced him with an interim prime minister until elections at the end of 2007.

For all this, Thailand has risen above the economic collapse of 1997, SARS and avian influenza as well as the devastating tsunami in December 2004, to become a hugely popular destination on the long-haul tourist trail.

Passport/Visa

Passports

Passport valid for six months on date of application required by all nationals referred to in the chart above.

Visas

Not required by all nationals referred to in the chart above for touristic stays of up to 30 days, provided they hold valid passports, sufficient funds and confirmed tickets to leave Thailand, except:
1. nationals of Bulgaria, Romania and Malta who do need to obtain a visa before travelling to Thailand;
2. nationals of Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Poland, Slovak Republic and Slovenia who may apply for visas on arrival for stays of up to 15 days.

Visa Note

(a) The total duration of stay in Thailand for persons who enter Thailand without a visa cannot exceed 90 days during any six month period, counting from the date of first entry. (b) If you intend on staying or working in Thailand for longer than 30 days you must obtain an extension of stay or a valid visa. (c) Nationals not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements (see Contact Addresses).

Types of Visa and Cost

Single-entry tourist visa: £28; double-entry tourist visa: £56.

Validity

Single-entry: three months. Multiple-entry: six months.

Applications to:

Consulate (or consular section at embassy or high commission); see Contact Addresses.

Working Days Required

Two. Postal applications are usually being processed within 24 hours. Applications made in person take 30 minutes.

Money

Currency

Baht (THB; symbol ฿) = 100 satang. Notes are in denominations of ฿1,000, 500, 100, 50, 20 and 10. Coins are in denominations of ฿10, 5 and 1, and 50 and 25 satang.

Currency Exchange

Foreign currencies can be exchanged at banks (which have the best rates), hotels (which charge high commissions) and bureaux de changes can be found in larger towns (generally open 0800-2000). Outside large towns and tourist areas, notes higher than ฿500 may be difficult to exchange, so visitors are advised to carry small change.

Credit/Debit Cards and ATMs

American Express, MasterCard and Visa are widely accepted. ATMs are found in all major cities and almost all provincial banks.

Traveller's Cheques

Accepted by all banks and large hotels and shops. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take traveller's cheques in US Dollars, Euros or Pounds Sterling.

Currency Restrictions

Restrictions apply.

Banking Hours

Mon-Fri 0830-1530.

Exchange Rate Indicators

Health

Vaccinations

* For travellers spending four weeks or more in the country, or who are going to be more than 24 hours from medical help or who are handling animals. If bitten, seek medical advice without delay.
** A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travellers over one year of age arriving within 10 days from infected areas.

Food and Drink

Use only bottled or boiled water for drinking, brushing teeth or making ice. Unpasteurised milk should also be boiled, although pasteurised or homogenised milk is available. Tinned or powdered milk is safe as long as it is reconstituted with sterile water. Beware of dairy products that may have been made with unboiled milk. Stick to meat and fish that have been well cooked, preferably served hot, but not reheated. Avoid raw vegetables and unpeeled fruit.

Other Risks

HIV is rife in Thailand, especially among prostitutes in Bangkok and Chiang Mai. Amoebic and bacillary dysentery and hepatitis E may occur. Hepatitis B is highly endemic. Japanese encephalitis may occur, particularly in rural areas and precautions should be taken to guard against mosquito bites due to the risk of this disease and also dengue fever. Travellers to Thailand are unlikely to be affected by avian influenza, but should avoid visiting live animal markets, poultry farms and other places where they may come into close contact with wild or caged birds; and ensure poultry dishes are thoroughly cooked.

Health Care

Health insurance is recommended. Medical facilities are good in main centres. All major hotels have doctors on call.

Getting There

Getting There by Air

The national airline is Thai Airways (website: www.thaiairways.com).

Approximate Flight Times

From London to Bangkok is 12 hours, and from New York is 17 hours.

Main Airports

Bangkok International (BKK) (Suvarnabhumi) (website: www2.airportthai.co.th) is 30km (19 miles) east of the city (journey time - 1 hour). To/from the airport: There are airport express bus routes to the city. There are also regular public bus routes to the city and to the provinces, including Pattaya. An overhead city rail link is being built and is expected to open by summer 2009. Taxis are also available at all hours. Facilities: Left luggage, first aid, chemist, duty-free shop, banks/bureaux de change, restaurants, bars and snack bars, post office, international and local car hire, accommodation reservations, and Internet cafe.

Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) (website: www2.airportthai.co.th) is 4km (2.5 miles) southwest of the city (journey time - 20 minutes). To/from the airport: Taxi services are available to the city centre. Facilities: International and local car hire companies, banks/bureaux de change, restaurant, shops and snack bars.

Phuket International Airport (HKT) (website: www2.airportthai.co.th) is 32km (20 miles) northwest of Phuket (journey time - 45 minutes). To/from the airport: Taxis and limousines are available to the city centre. Facilities: Left luggage, duty-free shops, first aid, bureau de change, post office, restaurant and snack bars, international and local car hire companies and tourist information.

Departure Tax

Departure tax is included in the price of the air ticket.

Getting There by Water

Main port: Bangkok (website: www.bkp.port.co.th), but there are very limited passenger services available. There are passenger crossings between Thailand and Laos at several points along the Mekong River.

Cruise lines call at Thailand.

Getting There by Rail

State Railways of Thailand operate through trains (tel: (02) 222 0175; website: www.railway.co.th) between Butterworth in Malaysia, with daily connections between elsewhere in Malaysia and Singapore and the borders with Cambodia (at Aranyaprathet) and Laos (at Nong Khai).

The opulent Eastern and Oriental Express (tel: 0845 077 2222, within the UK; website: www.orient-express.com) runs directly from Bangkok to Singapore, but is expensive.

Getting There by Road

There are international roads from Cambodia, Malaysia and Laos. Roads into Myanmar are not officially open to tourist traffic. Long distance air-conditioned buses travel to border crossing towns and can be arranged at the bus stations or through travel companies.

Climate

Generally very hot, particularly between March and May. The monsoon season runs from June to October, when the climate is still hot and humid with torrential rains. The best time for travelling is November to February (cool season), although the southern islands are best from June to September.

Required Clothing

Lightweights, and rainwear are advised.

Contacts

Royal Thai Embassy in the UK

29-30 Queens Gate, London SW7 5JB, UK
Tel: (020) 7589 2944. 
Website: www.thaiembassyuk.org.uk
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0930-1230 (consular section); Mon-Fri 1400-1700 (telephone enquiries).

Tourism Authority of Thailand in the UK

3rd Floor, Brook House, 98-99 Jermyn Street, London SW1Y 3EE, UK
Tel: 0870 900 2007.
Website: www.tourismthailand.co.uk

Royal Thai Embassy in the USA

1024 Wisconsin Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20007, USA
Tel: (202) 944 3600.
Website: www.thaiembdc.org

Tourism Authority of Thailand in the USA

61 Broadway, Suite 2810, New York, NY 10006, USA
Tel: (212) 432 0433.
Website: www.tourismthailand.org