Entry Regulations


Visas and Passports

Travellers should check visa regulations at a Thai Embassy or consulate before staring their journey. All foreign nationals entering Thailand must have valid passports. At the airport, nationals from most countries will be granted a free transit visa valid up to 30 days, provided that they have a fully paid ticket out of Thailand. Tourist visas allow for a 60-day stay from the date of entry into the Kingdom. People who are waiting for a work permit to be issued can apply for a non-immigrant visa, which is good for 90 days, from their Thai Embassy or consulate at home. A letter of guarantee is needed from the Thai company you intend to work for.


Visa Extensions

Visas can be extended before they expire by applying at the Immigration Bureau on Soi Suan Plu, South Sathorn Road, Tel : 0 2286 4231, 0 2287 3101 ext. 2271 (8:30 a.m.-4p.m., Monday-Friday) Visitors wishing to leave Thailand and return before their visa have expired can apply for re-entry permit prior to their departure at immigration offices.


Area Codes

Thailand country code : 66
Bangkok : 02
Chiang Mai : 053
Chiang Rai : 053
Chiang Saen : 053
Chumphon : 077
Hat Yai : 074
Hua Hin : 032
Kanchanaburi : 034
Koh Samui : 077
Krabi/Ao Nang : 075
Mae Hong Son : 053
Nakhon Ratchasima (Khorat) : 044
Pattaya / Jomtien : 038
Phang Nga : 076
Phi Phi : 075
Phuket : 076
Songkhla : 074
Sukhothai : 055
Surat Thani : 077


Emergencies Number in Bangkok

Police Emergency Number : 191
Tourist Police Head Quarter : 0 2678 6800-9


Banks

Most Thai institutions as well as foreign banks are equipped to handle telegraph and telex money transfers and a wide range of money services. In the provinces, the services are much more restricted. If you have overseas business to conduct with a bank, it is better to do it in Bangkok. Most banks are open from Monday to Friday at 8:30 a.m - 3:30 p.m.


Money Matters

The Baht is the principal Thai monetary unit. It is divided into 100 units called satang. Bank note denominations include 1,000 (grey), 500 (purple), 100(red), 50(blue), 20(green), 10(brown) baht. While bank notes are easy to decipher, the coinage is a confusing matter with a variety of sizes and types for each denomination. Ther are 10-baht coin (brass center with a silver rim), two different 5-baht coins (silver pieces with copper rim), three varieties of 1-baht coins (silver, usually only the small size will fit in a public telephone), and two small coins of 50 and 25 satang (both are brass coloured).


Business Hours

Government offices are open from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.Monday-Friday.

Business hours are 8 a.m. or 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m Monday-Friday, some businesses are open half day 8:30 a.m. - noon on Saturday.

Banks are open from 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.five days a week, but many operate money changing kiosks throughout the city , which are open until 8 p.m. seven days a week. The Bank of Asia has pioneered branch banking at supermarkets and shopping malls outside the normal hours.

Most department stores are open 10 a.m.-9 p.m. seven days a week. Ordinary shops open at 8:30 a.m. or 9a.m. and close between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m., depending on the location and type of business. Some pharmacies in the major cities remain open all night.

Small open-air coffee shops and restaurants open at 7 a.m. and close at 8:30 p.m., though some stay open past midnight. Large restaurants generally close at 10 p.m.
Twenty-four-hour convenience stores have become increasingly common, and can find nearly on every corner of the streets.


Special Facilities

Left Luggage

There are two left luggage facilities at Don Muang International Airport. One is on the 1st floor on the northern end of the arrival hall (Terminal 1) after passing through customs. The second is in the departure hall on the 03rd floor (Terminal 1) near the currency exchange counter. The fee is Baht 20 (Usd 0.50) per piece per day.

International Airport Tax

There is a 500 Baht (approx. Usd 12) airport tax at your departure, and the ticket has to purchase in cash only .