The Land of Smiles is famous the world over for its remarkable hospitality, friendliness, and rich culture.  Nestled in the heart of Southeast Asia, Thailand offers an abundance of destinations, from modern city life to the exquisite scenery of lush green mountains and warm blue seas.  It is a place where pleasure merges with tranquility. The Thai people have ever maintained their precious qualities of kindness and generosity; indeed, "Take good care of your guests, make the best for them" is a traditional Thai saying.

There are literally hundreds of web-sites about Thailand's beauty, culture, and tourist opportunities. Here are a few especially helpful for first-time visitors to Thailand:

Tourism Authority of Thailand http://www.tourismthailand.org/
The Lonely Planet  http://www.lonelyplanet.com/destinations/south_east_asia/thailand/index.htm
Prachuap http://en.wikipedia.org:80/wiki/Prachuap_Khiri_Khan_Province
Hua Hin  http://www.hua-hin.com/

AIRPORT
DEPARTURE TAX

Tax for international flights is now added to your ticket in advance.  Whew!

Many banks around in the country offer ATM services both in Thai and English. Note that for some withdrawals from banks using a foreign (non-Thai) bank cards, fees can be applied for withdrawing Thai Baht in Thailand.  Contact your bank for more details.

Credit Cards are widely accepted around Thailand, both at hotels, large restaurants and department stores.  In Thailand, it may be common for extra fees to be applied for credit card purchases, and/or for non-Thai credit cards.  Smaller stores, hotels, and street vendors cannot accept credit cards.

Thailand enjoys three seasons: Cool, Hot and Wet

• Cool: From November to February with a temperature range from +10C to +25C in the North and mountainous areas, between +20 to +27C in the Central, South and low lying areas.
• Hot : From March through May with temperatures ranging from +26C to +35C
• Wet : The monsoon season is from mid-May to October. Temperatures range from +26C to +35C with humidity above 70%. Short bursts of rain showers can be expected in the evening,

The SUN in Thailand is strong even on overcast days. The use of high SPF sunscreen in conjunction with sunglasses and clothing to protect against sunburn is strongly recommended.

Due to the hot and humid climate, cotton clothing is advised. A sweater is useful for the cool season’s evenings or when visiting mountainous areas.  If you have the time, don't pack much - shop instead!   Much good quality clothing at reasonable prices can be found in Thailand, though the sizing tends to be small.  Recommended to bring with you are – when required – spare glasses, extra contact lenses, and a small emergency kit of things you cannot live without.

Dress Code for Entering Temples and Palaces: Temples and palaces are considered sacred.  Visitors must not wear the following when entering, and you can always ask somebody if what you are wearing is appropriate to enter a sacred place:

• See through clothing
• Sleeveless shirt
• Sportswear
• Tights / leggings
• Shorts
• Short skirts
• Three-quarters length trousers
• Robes
• Scarves
• Flip flops/sandals without a strap behind the heel
• Swim wear / Beachwear
• Shirts with offensive texts or images

Dress Code for other Occasions/Situations: If one remembers that the Thai people are, for the most part, extremely modest, this knowledge can be helpful when considering what to wear for certain occasions and situations.   The Thai dress code may look quite conservative to foreigners, but should be respected as much as possible.  As a rule, dressing properly with sleeved shirts, clean clothes, and pants or skirts will be more respectful than wearing short, skimpy, tight, or dirty clothes.

Showing nudity is an offense; topless sunbathing is not allowed and is considered extremely obscene.

Tank tops, shorts, and (not-too-revealing) bathing suits are acceptable at the Drop Zone. 

Currency is the Thai Baht, with bank notes from 1000, 500, 100, 50, 20 and 10 in denomination.  Coin denominations are 10, 5 and 1 Baht down to smaller divisions of 50 and 25 Satangs (100 Satangs = 1 Baht).
Check the current exchange rate

Most major overseas currencies and travellers cheques can be exchanged at banks and hotels throughout Thailand. Travellers are advised to check the exchange rates prior to the transaction.  There is a small transaction fee per Travellers Check exchanged, but the exchange rate is usually higher than it is for bank notes.  The exchange rate is better for USD 100 bills than it is for smaller denominations.

The Thai kitchen is well known throughout the world, catering for each and every single person’s personal taste. Please feel free to sample the vast range of cuisine on offer. However, we recommend that you exercise care when consuming food from street stalls, making sure that they are clean and hygienic.  Thai food is a blend of basic ingredients (rice, meat, vegetables, seafood and noodles) where the addition of a huge variety of spices gives it that special taste.  For those who have not developed a taste for Thai food, hotel restaurants generally serve a variety of international foods.

Please do not drink tap water - just don't.  Bottled water is often available in your hotel rooms, and always available for sale. Cheap.  Everywhere.

Please refer to your health insurance policy to insure that you are covered for medical and emergency services in Thailand, as charges will be levied should you require treatment. If you are not covered by your policy, please consider arranging for travel insurance before you depart.  There is a good hospital in Prachuap, and several excellent internationally-renowned hospitals in Bangkok.

The prices of many articles, services, and products are lower than in most western countries, and the salary level of the Thai is generally much lower, as well.  With some average monthly salaries not exceeding USD 200 per month, many Thais work 6 – 7 days a week and, to them, western visitors are considered to be rich in all aspects. 

Please be mindful and considerate of this reality if/when you are confronted by a Thai with it.  They do not mean to insult you, but do not insult them by angrily denying that you are 'rich.'  Compared to them, you are. 

Although the country has a reputation of being safe and the amount of criminality is low, it does not mean that you can walk around careless of your personal belongings. Thais are attentive when you forget something or drop something while walking, but please bear in mind that pick pockets are around, mostly at busy areas (bus stops, markets and tourism attractions)

• Make use of the safety deposit boxes at the hotels, in your room or at the front des, if they are available.  In most cases, these are free of charge.
• Do not carry too many valuables, money, or travel documents with you (but always at least one legal form of identification)
• During your stay you may be approached by a variety of people, called 'touts,'who will initially befriend you. Once they have established your trust they will try to sell you something at inflated prices. Please be aware that there are NO government shops in Thailand.
• Do not buy any jewelry without a certificate of authenticity
• If you become victim of a crime, always go directly to the police station to report or – when in larger tourism destinations – to the tourism police. For stolen passports, always get in touch with your local embassy
• Always contact your insurance company for anything in case of a loss of theft. They may be of more assistance to you than you imagine.

Local time in Thailand is GMT +7 hours all year round.
Check the current time in Bangkok

Tipping is not compulsory but is welcomed.  Here are some guidelines – Bell Boys 20 Baht per suitcase, maids 20 Baht per day, tour guides and drivers 100 Baht per person per tour. In restaurants, when the service is good, 10% of the bill is appropriate. 

Thailand has an extensive local transportation network, covering the whole country. Here are the most commonly used means of transportation. It is not common or recommended to hitchhike in Thailand.

Train
There are 4 major lines, all leading to Bangkok (West, East, Northeast and South). Trains offer a comfortable and cheap way to travel. Train schedules between larger cities as well as in between towns operate frequently and, sometimes, around the clock. Trips over 10 hours in length offer both 1st and 2nd class sleepers with bed and pillow.

Coach/Bus
Thailand has one of the most extensive bus and coach schedules around the world. Servicing main cities with frequent departures. Bangkok itself has 3 major bus terminals with a variety of services from local non-air-conditioned bus services to fully air-conditioned coaches with all facilities you can find on a bus. Tickets can be purchased at the bus terminals.  Click here for the State Railway of Thailand web-site (includes schedules and fares).

Plane
With an open skies policy in place in the beginning of the 21st century, Thailand has a wide and extensive network of domestic flights connecting all major cities from Bangkok. Thai Airways, Bangkok Airways, PB Air, and Orient Thai are among the most used airlines for domestic stretches; flights on these airlines can be pre-booked in all the usual ways.  Thai AirAsia, Nok Air and One-Two-Go are active players on the low cost/no thrills segment, but can only be booked via the airline web sites.

Tuk Tuks
“ Tuk Tuks” are three-wheeled motorized taxis; its name is derived for the sound the engine makes.   It is normal to agree on the fare before the trip has begun. Tuk tuks are a fun and fast way to explore the town and to get from one side to the other in Thai style.  Be mindful not to accept “ free trips around the town” by tuk tuk drivers, as they may try to force you to buy at tailors, jewelry stores and handicraft centres, where the drivers receive commission from the shops

Taxi
Mostly seen in Bangkok, they can be recognized by the “Taxi Meter” sign on top of the roof.  You can stop them everywhere by putting your hand out to a taxi with a red light on in its front window. The meter always starts at 35 Baht.   Should the taxi driver refuse to turn on the meter and begin to arrange a price, please leave the taxi immediately and call the next one.  Insist on using the meter at all times. Always bring sufficient small money with you; taxi drivers never have sufficient change in hand.

Busses
Again, mostly found in Bangkok, a maze of business with various colors and price schemes drive around the city centre and even further. It may be hard to find the right bus number, which brings you to the destination you may need to go to, as routings and bus numbers frequently change. It is a very cheap way to travel. There are green and red busses (non-air-conditioned) as well as orange and blue ones (air-conditioned) travelling all around the city. You pay the fee inside the bus to a bus boy/girl who runs around the bus, collecting the fee for the stretch you plan to drive.  Correct change is required.

Express boats
Mainly in Bangkok and sailing over the Chaophraya River, this is a nice way to sail around and see Bangkok from the water.   The main access point for water taxis is the River City Boat pier, close to the Royal Orchid Sheraton Hotel, where a detailed map of all the water routes and fees is displayed. If you bring electronic equipment, make sure that you have a protective, water-proof bag for your valuables. Water can be very destructive!

Song Taew’s
This kind of transportation you can find mainly at the beach destinations; open, covered trucks with 2 benches (song taew) who drive you where you want to go. Cheap and always be prepared to bargain about the price!

Sky Train
Opened in December of 1999, the Bangkok Sky Train is an elevated electrical train system connecting the city from north to southwest and to the river — no traffic jams, connecting all the major roads around in Bangkok, clean, air-conditioned, and frequent.  There are currently only 2 lines, connecting with each other at Siam Square, yet more are planned. The fare is paid via coin machines and/or staff at the Skytrain stations. The prices are determined by distance. Maps of the Skytrain can be obtained free of charge at each Skytrain station.

Subway
Opened in 2004, the subway is the latest addition to beat traffic in Bangkok. It connects the city from north to west via an extensive network underground and has connections with the Sky Train at 2 stations (Sukhumvit and Saladaeng). Works in the same way as the Skytrain (prices are according to the distance you plan to travel, they run 7 days a week, and trains arrive basically every 5 minutes).

Cars:  In order to rent a car in Thailand, either a Thai Driver's license or an International Driver's license is required.

Motorcycles: Only recommendable outside the larger cities (not in Bangkok, even though there are loads of motorcycles around in this city, please do not try this yourself). Rates for renting a motorcycle are around 200-250 Baht per day, but this can vary a lot from town to town.  These motorcycle shops are never properly insured and you, as the renter, can be held liable for any damage or loss of the motorcycle. It is compulsory to wear a helmet at all times.

It is highly recommended that you arrange for travel insurance. This may include coverage for medical services, emergency evacuation, repatriation, trip interruptions, and lost luggage. Short-term policies can be arranged by your travel agent, or directly with an insurance company, for a relatively low cost.

HABITS, MANNERS AND RELIGION

As with all the countries in the world, Thailand has its own (un) written rules about how to act. Here are the most common ones you may want to consider: