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General
Information
Car Hire
Travelers with a valid international driving license may choose
to hire a car. English-language road signs and maps are commonplace.
The Bangkok Yellow Pages lists local and international automobile
rental companies. Each offers different conditions. International
car rental companies such as Avis, Hertz and Budget operate in Bangkok,
Pattaya, Hat Yai, Phuket, Chiang Mai, and on Ko Samui. Self-drive
and chauffeur-driven automobiles are widely available at a relatively
comfortable price.
Climate
Thailand is a tropical country. In February the climate is generally
pleasant, dry and cool. The average temperature is 20-25 ŸC.
Credit Cards
and Traveller's Cheques.
Most of major department stores, restaurants and hotels accept major
credit card: Visa, Master, and AMEX. Diner Club International, Discovery
and JCB can also be valued at some places. Traveller's cheques can
be conveniently cashed at all commercial banks and authorized money
exchangers.
Currency
and Credit Cards
Thai currency is "Baht". The bank notes are 10, 20, 50,
100, 500, and 1,000 Baht; approximate exchange rate is 40 Baht/1
US dollar. Currency exchange is generally available in banks, hotels,
arrival lounge of BIA, and foreign exchange services located in
many tourist spots. Office hours are 9.30 A.M. to 3.30 P.M., Monday
through Friday.
Driving
Traffic drives on the left side of the road. Visitors need an international
driving license to hire and drive a vehicle in Thailand. Those who
are not acquainted with left-side driving are recommended to use
chauffeur-driven cars to ensure road safety.
Electricity
The electric current is 220 volt AC (50 cycles) throughout the country.
However, cooking is not allowed in most hotels.
Emergency
Telephone Number
191 for Police and Medical Emergencies, and 199 for firemen.
Health Advice
Most hotels have medical doctors on-call. There are 3 major international-class
private hospitals and one 400-bed public hospital in Pattaya area.
You can reach these hospitals by contacting hotel officers. Please
ensure your medical insurance is up to date.
Health Regulations
Visitors do not require vaccinations unless coming from or passing
through designed contaminated countries.
International
Roaming Mobile Phone
A Subscriber Identity Module Card (SIM Card) is now available for
rent at The BIA. The SIM Card must be used in conjugation with a
Digital GSM mobile phone within the 900-MHz range or a Digital PCN
mobile phone within the 1800-MHz range.
Language
Spoken and written Thai is largely incomprehensible to casual visitors.
However, English is widely understood, particularly in Bangkok and
Pattaya
The Congress activities will be in English. There will be no simultaneous
translation.
Official
Carrier
Thai Airways International (Thai Air) is the official carrier for
the 9th APCN. Thai Air's routes serve more than 70 destinations
in 4 continents, offering a comprehensive network of flights linking
Bangkok with most major cities throughout the world. For further
information, please visit their website:http://www.thaiairways.com
Shopping
Shopping centers are open everyday, from 10.00 A.M. to 9.00 P.M.
Some are open 24 hours.
Time
The Time in Thailand is seven hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time
Tipping
Tipping is optional, but small tips are the norm for good service.
However, tips are usually given for restaurant services and to hotel
porters.
Tourist
Information Services
Tourist information is available at the Tourism Authority of Thailand's
(TAT) information counter at Bangkok International Airport and in
22 major cities including Bangkok and Pattaya. Maps, brochures and
information on tours, shopping, dining, and accommodations are available.
All TAT offices open seven days a week from 8.30 A.M. to 4.30 P.M.
Tourist
Police
The Tourist Police are set up to coordinate with the TAT in providing
safety for tourists. Its responsibilities include receiving and
acknowledging claims and complaints, conducing investigations and
acting as coordinators of tourist security. At present, some 500-tourist
police officers are stationed in major tourist areas including the
Grand Palace, Pat Pong and Lumphini Park.
Bilingual Tourist Police are affiliated with TAT officers in Bangkok,
Ayutthaya, Kanchanaburi, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Surat Thani, Phuket
and Songkhla to provide assistance for visitors.
In the case of an emergency, contact the Tourist Police Center,
Unicohouse Building, Soi Lang Suan, Phloen Chit Road, and Bangkok.
Tel: (662) 652-1721-6
VAT Refunds & Tax
A 10% service charge and 8% tax are usually levied on hotel rooms,
meals or other services, and will be added to the bill.
Visitors entering the Kingdom can now claim VAT refunds at Bangkok,
Chiang Mai, Hat-Yai and Phuket international airports for a minimum
purchase of 5,000 Baht with no less than 20,000 Baht/receipt/day.
Upon purchase, visitors should request the store to process a VAT
refund form (por.por.10). When departing from Thailand, visitors
must request for the customs stamp on the form prior to airline
check-in.
When passing through Passport Control, visitors will have the form
processed by the Revenue Department and receive a VAT refund. Please
note that valuable merchandise such as jeweler, watches, eyeglasses
and pens must be declared before customs and revenue officials.
Visa and
Passport
All delegates visiting Thailand must have a valid passport or travel
documents endorsed and valid for Thailand. Delegates from most nations
holding a valid passport may spend up to fifteen days in Thailand
if they have a valid onward ticket or a transit visa. Participants
wishing to stay longer are advised to apply for a visa allowed for
a stay of up to sixty days. For more information and proper procedure,
please contact the Royal Thai Embassy or Consulate in your country.
Delegates from 58 countries can now stay in Thailand for up to 30
days without an entry visa provided that they are nationals of the
following countries: Algeria, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahrain,
Belgium, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Denmark, Djibouti, Egypt, Fiji,
Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel,
Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Korea, Kuwait, Luxemburg, Malaysia,
Mauritania, Mexico, Morocco, Myanmar, Netherlands, New Zealand,
Norway, Oman, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Portugal, Qatar, Republic
of Korea, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Singapore, Slovenia, South Africa,
Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tunisia, Turkey, U.A.E., U.K., U.S.A.,
Vanuatu Samoa, Republic of Yemen.
If you overstay your visa, the penalty is a fine of 200 Baht for
each extra day, with a limit of 20,000 Baht. For more information
and proper procedure, please contact the Royal Thai Embassy or Consulate
in your country. Unauthorized overstay is regarded as illegal and
subject to criminal violation.
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