Tour Suggestions
Bangkok
is the usual gateway for most travellers, and you should
plan on three or five days in the capital. This should
allow sufficient time for seeing the major sights such
as the Grand Palace and Temple of the Emerald Buddha,
Wat Arun, Wat Pho and Vimanmek Mansion. Perhaps also a
trip along the Chao Phraya River or a shopping jaunt to
Chatuchak Weekend Market.
You might also take an out - of - town excursion
(Ayutthaya or Kanchanaburi are top choices). Check out
some of the suggestions listed under our Bangkok
section.
If a beach vacation is your priority, Bangkok
could be followed by a week at Phuket or Samui Island, which offer
the most exotic settings. Should your time be limited, the resorts
of Pattaya, Rayong, Cha - am and Hua Hin are closer to the capital.
For a different scene, northern Thailand affords
plenty of scope for both cultural sightseeing and refreshing escapes
into the countryside. Chiang Mai is the best base for exploring the
region, offering its own sights as well as numerous hiking and
trekking options, and a stay of three or four days gives a good
introduction. If you have more time, overnight visits to Mae Hong
Son or Chiang Rai are well worthwhile.
Travellers who already know Thailand will find the
Northeast region rewarding. The most traditional part of our
country, it is best toured by car or bus allow five to seven days.
Thailand further provides excellent facilities for
sporting vacations - golf, scuba diving, yachting, and mountain
biking. A two-week stay gives time for general sightseeing and
special interest activities.
The variations for a visit to Thailand are never endless, and
perhaps the best advice to bear in mind when arranging your trip is
to plan on coming back.
money
The Thai unit of currency is the baht, which is worth a little less
than 4 US cents. One US dollar = approximately 40 baht
The baht is divided into 100 satang. "Copper" coins are valued at 25
and 50 satang. "Silver" coins are in denominations of 1,2 and 5
baht. A 10 baht coin is composed of both "silver" and "copper".
Banknotes are valued at 10 baht (brown),20 baht (green), 50 baht
(blue), 100 baht (read), 500 baht (purple) and 1,000 baht (white and
grey).
Travellers Cheques/Cheques/Credit Cards
US dollar traveller cheques can be conveniently cashed at all
provincial banks and authorised money changers. Traveller cheques in
other currencies are best changed in Bangkok where better rates
prevail. Generally, hotel exchange rates are lower than those
offered by banks and authorised money changers.
Major international credit cards, such as American Express, Diners,
Carte Blanche, Master Card and VISA are accepted by major banks,
restaurants, hotels and shops.
Thai and foreign banks provide standard services
nationwide, Monday through Friday, except public and bank holidays,
between 9.30 AM and 3.30 PM. Major banks such as Bangkok Bank, Thai
Danu Bank, Thai Farmers Bank and Siam Commercial Bank operate
currency exchange centres in most tourist areas from 7.00 AM to 9.00
PM, seven days a week, including holidays.
Many first-class hotels provide 24-hour money exchange services, but
only for major currencies such as American dollars, British pounds,
German marks and Swiss francs. Travellers cheques are generally
accepted only from bona fide hotel quests.
Thai food
is eaten with a fork and spoon. Even single-dish meals such as fried
rice with pork, or steamed rice topped with roasted duck, are served
in bite - sized slices or chunks obviating need for a knife. The
spoon is used to convey food to the mouth.
I deally, eating Thai food is a communal affair involving two or
more people, principally because the greater the number of diners
the greater the number of dishes ordered. Generally speaking, two
diners order three dishes in addition to their own individual plates
of steamed rice, three diners, four dishes, and so on. Diners choose
whatever they require from shared dishes and generally add it to
their own rice. Soups are enjoyed concurrently with other dishes,
not independently. Spicy dishes are balanced by bland dishes to
avoid discomfort.
Thai fruits
Thai fruitsincluding mangoes, managosteens, durians, pineapple,
watermelons, papaya, rambutans, longans, lychees, tamarinds,
pomegranates, palm fruits, oranges, pomeloes, jackfruits and more
than 20 kinds of bananasare available all year round. Some harvests
are celebarted in style, with colourful festivals, sometimes
featuring a pageant of local beauties.
Tips For Travellers
1. Remember the number of your important document
or keep a copy of them, so that you can refer to them in case of
loss.
2. Remember the numbers on car licence plates, colour, details of
the vehicle or the driver. They would be useful in the case that you
have problems and wish to lodge a complaint afterwards.
3. In the purchase of goods or services, carefully consider the
conditions and offers before making a decision. Contact a reliable
office in the case that you have doubts.
4. Keep receipts and documents concerning the purchase of goods or
services. They would be useful in the case that you have problems
and wish to lodge a complaint afterwards.
5. Abide by the laws and regulations of every place, so as to avoid
any problems. Request advice for correct understanding.
6. Check your belongings before leaving accommodation/services.
7. Recall the following services if you need assistance:
- Tourist Services Centre (Free of charge and direct line service
around the clock )
- Tourist Assistance Centre (Tel. )
- Tourist Police Division (Tel. )
