Visiting Thailand
It is essential to collect the basic information about a country before visiting it for the first time. The tropical weather and pristine beaches make Thailand a perfect holiday destination. It is located in southeastern Asia, bordered by the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea. If you are planning a trip to Thailand, here is an overview of the basic things you need to be aware of.
Safety in Thailand
Thailand is largely a safe country for foreigners. Violence or crimes targeted at foreigners are rare. But you need to be aware of conmen and pickpockets. On of the most common tricks used to fool foreign tourists is selling fake jewels as smuggled Burmese jewels. It is best to take precautionary measures like always keeping an eye on your credit cards and passport, being careful while accepting drinks from unknown people and avoiding carrying excessive jewelry or money.
Visa, passport and customs requirements
If you are an American, Canadian or UK national, you do not need a visa to enter the country for a stay shorter than 30 days. For longer stays, you can apply to the Thai immigration offices for visa extension. All other nationals need a valid passport and visa for entering Thailand. Your passport needs to have at least 6 months validity for entering Thailand. Also, it needs to have pages for placement of embarkation stamp upon your arrival. You may also need to show proof of return/onward passage and sufficient funds.
You are allowed to carry items like 1 liter of alcohol, reasonable amount of films and cosmetics for personal use, and 500 grams of tobacco or 200 cigarettes without paying any duty. You can visit the Thai customs department’s official page for complete information on the things you can and cannot carry with you. In case you belong to areas known to be infected with cholera, yellow fever and small pox, you may need to show certificates of vaccination against these.
Climate and attire
Climate in Thailand is humid and warm round the year. March, April, May and June are the hottest months and are best avoided as the temperatures can rise as high as 40 degree centigrade. Months between November and February are the coolest and a good time to visit the country. The weather is mildest during February and March making them the best months to visit Thailand.
Due to the warm and humid climate, cool, casual and light clothes are preferable. Except at the beaches, avoid wearing beachwear or shorts. It is advisable to wear clothes that cover your legs and shoulders, especially when visiting any places of worship.
Monetary matters
Baht (THB) is the Thai unit of currency, which is formed by 100 satang. You can exchange currency at banks, hotels, accredited moneychangers and airports. Notes are available in denominations of 10, 20, 50, 100 and 1000 Baht. Credit cards may not be accepted in cheaper restaurants or guesthouses. ATMs can be found in most cities, but the withdrawal limits may vary depending on the bank. It is advisable to carry sufficient, although not too much cash with you.
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