mazing thailand

Thailand
Thailand has an area of 517,000 sqKm.The topography varies from high mountains in the North to tropical islands in the South.The rivers and tributaries of Northern and Central Thailand drawn into the Gulf of Thailand via the Chao Praya River.

The population of Thailand is about 61 millions.The capital of Thailand, Bangkok, is at about 14 north latitude. Bangkok is the largest city is the Kingdom, with a population of over six millions.Thailand's official language is "Thai".

Bangkok
Locally known as Krung Thep, 'City of Angels', Thailand’s capital, blends the old and the new. It is a modern city of marvelous contrasts, where office towers mingle with glittering palaces and temples and traditional wooden houses sit alongside air-conditioned mansions. It is an exotic, fascinating, and sometimes congested home for over six million people, with a strong sense of tradition and legendary hospitality. Amazingly, in the midst of this hectic, modern city Bangkok manages to preserve its cultural heritage to a unique degree.

Travelers find Bangkok an exciting place to visit, as there is lots to see and doboth in the city itself and in the nearby resorts and historic sights. The city is noted for its magnificent palaces and beautiful temples, and the organising committee can arrange exclusive visits for congress attendees to all these historic attractions

Previous major conference events hosted by the city have included the first ASEM gathering, the historic meeting of heads of state of Asia and Europe, a number of important world tourism congresses, and the Asia-Pacific Rotary Convention, with over 10,000 delegates.

Climate
Thailand has a tropical climate with three distinct seasons: hot (March - May), rainy with plenty of sunshine (Jun. - Sep.) and cool (Oct.- Feb.). The temperature in Bangkok at the time of the Congress is approximately 25 to 30ฐC (75 to 80 ฐF).

Religion
Approximately 95 % of the Thai citizen are Budhists.

Taxis
Metered taxis were introduced in Bangkok in 1993, and they now outnumber the old non-meter taxis. The ones with meters have signs on top reading 'Taxi Meter', the others 'Taxi Thai' or just 'Taxi'. Fares for metered taxis are always lower than for non-metered ones. Freeway tolls, 20 - 40 Baht depending where you start, must be paid by the passenger. A taxi ride from the Airport into town costs approx. 300 Baht (=USD 8.-).

Public Transport
In order to facilitate traveling through busy Bangkok, the skytrain opened its doors late 1999. Teh network, which has an elevated rail system, has two lines: a blue line from Taksin Bridge to the National Stadium and a longer red line from Moh Chit Northern bus terminal to On Nut in the south east of the city (which runs along the Sukhumvit Road, where many of the Congress hotels are situated). The skytrain operates every day from 06.00 - 24.00 hours, and is a cheap and easy way of traveling. Tickets are available in all skytrain stations.

River Transport
Although many of Bangkok's canals (khlongs) have been paved over, there is still plenty of transport along and across the Chao Phraya River and up adjoining canals. River transport is one of the nicest ways of getting around Bangkok as well as, quite often, being much faster than any road-based alternatives. For a start you get quite a different view of the city; secondly, it's much less of hassle than tangling with the traffic-crowded Bangkok streets.

Food
Varieties of food are available including spicy Thai Cuisine, Indian, Vietnamese, Chinese, Japanese, vegetarian and Western Cuisines.

Thai Currency
The Baht is the national currency (US$ 1 = approx. Baht 40).

The Baht is divided into 100 Satang. Copper coins are valued at 40 and 50 Satang.
Silver coins are in denominations of 1 and 5 Baht. Gold surrounded with Silver is 10 Baht. Banknotes are valued at 20 Baht (green), 50 Baht (blue), 100 Baht (red), 500 Baht (purple) and 1,000 Baht (grey).

Currency Exchange Services
Most commercial banks in Bangkok provide exchange service for traveller cheques and major currencies. Generally, hotel exchange rates are lower than those offered by commercial banks and authorised money changers.

Major international credit cards such as American Express, Diners, MasterCard and VISA are widely accepted by hotels, restaurants, department stores and shops in major shopping complexes.

Operating hours for commercial banks are between 09.30 and 16.00 hours from Monday to Friday except public holidays and bank holidays.

Many commercial banks provide daily currency exchange service booths in major tourist area from 07.00 hrs to 21.00 hours (including holidays).

Electricity
Thailand operates exclusively on 220 volt, 50 cycle AC power.

Tipping
It is not necessary to tip taxi drivers and cinema ushers. It is customary to tip hotel personnel who have given good service.
A 10% tips is appreciated in restaurants, particularly where service charge is waived.

Passport and Visa

Customs Regulations
Prohibited Items : All kinds of narcotics (hemp, opium, cocaine, morphine, heroine etc.), obscene literature, pictures or articles.

Fire Arms : Importation of firearms and ammunition can be done only after a permit has been obtained from the Police Department or Local Registration Office.

Personal Effects : A reasonable amount of clothing for personal use, toilet articles, and professional instruments may be brought in free of duty.

Cameras : One still-camera or one movie-camera can be brought in without duty. Five rolls of still-camera films or three rolls of 8 or 16 mm movie-camera films may be brought in free of duty.

Tobacco, alcoholic beverages : Cigarettes, cigars or smoking tobacco in total must not exceeding 250 grams in weight; cigarettes should not exceed 200 in quantity. One litre of wine or spirit may be brought in free of duty.

Airport Tax
Upon embarkation, an airport tax of 500 Baht should be paid for international
flights and 30 Baht for domestics flights.

Business hours
Most government offices are open from 8.00 am to 4.00 pm Monday to Friday with lunch break from noon to 1 pm. Regular bank hours in Bangkok are open from 8.30 am to 4 pm Monday to Friday, but several banks have special foreign-exchange offices in tourist-oriented areas which open longer hours and every day of the week.

Business usually operates between 8 am and 5 pm Monday to Friday and sometimes Saturday morning. Larger shops usally open from 10 am to 8 pm, but smaller shops may open earlier and close later.