Travel Stories and Articles about Thailand

Useful Travel Information on Bangkok

Currency, money matters, business hours, security, Internet access, emergency numbers, medical.
All you need for a great stay in Bangkok.

Festivals

Festivals are celebrated throughout the year in Thailand and provide a wonderful excuse for a holiday. During the major festivals of Songkran (Thai New Year - April) and Loy Kratong (Nov) many Thai’s take a break so travelling throughout these periods can be hectic.
Flights and trains are often booked in advance so check the dates before you depart. (for full festival listing, look here)

The festivals however do add colour and are a great time to visit if your travel arrangements are already sorted out. Most larger shops (department stores) stay open and usually offer discounts, so it's a good time for a bargain.
Small family shops generally close for Chinese New Year and Songkran.

April - Songkran Festival - Nationwide.
Probably the best known of the Thai festivals. This simple and fun filled festival celebrates the Thai New Year. The exact date varies according to the solar calendar, but usually occurs around the 13th -15th April when the planets are positioned so that the days and nights are equal.

Thais celebrate by visiting the temple to make merit, honor their relatives and "spring clean" their houses before entering the streets. Then the fun begins with water thrown over everyone passing by. The days of the traditional gentle pouring over the hands as a blessing have long since gone; replaced by water pistols and buckets, but it's all very good natured and lots of fun. This is particularly popular in the tourist areas of Khao San Road, Bangkok.

May - Bangkok
Royal Ploughing Ceremony
Presided over by the King and Queen at Sanam Luang in Bangkok, this ancient Brahmin festival marks the beginning of the rice-planting season. Predictions are made about weather and harvests for the coming year on the basis of which of the selected foods the sacred cows choose.

June - Nationwide
Thailand Grand Sales at participating shopping malls, hotels, restaurants, tourist sites nationwide) A wide range of products at discount prices.
Thai handicrafts, Thai silks, electrical appliances, sports products, brand name products and local textiles.

August
Birthday of Her Majesty the Queen - Nationwide.
Also marking Mother's Day in Thailand, the 12th of August see the towns and villages of the country festively decorated with lights and portraits of the Queen.

November - Loy Krathong - Nationwide
The most beautiful of the Thai festivals, when all waterways, canals, rivers, coastal areas are illuminated by thousands of candles placed on floating kratongs. Held on full moon night each November, Wan Loy Kratong, in total contrast to Songkran, it's a very gentle festival.

The Kratongs or boats, created from the trunk of a banana tree and decorated with flowers candles and incense, are made in advance, ready to float upon the water. Prayers are said so that the krathong will float away, taking all bad spirits, bad luck and sins along with it. Many hotels in throughout the country often host a special evening so that guests can join in.

The most beautiful sights are at the Bang Sai Arts & Crafts Centre near Ayutthaya, and in the ruins of Sukhothai, the first Thai capital, where the festival is supposed to have originated.

River Kwai Bridge Week
The River Kwai bridge, in Kanchanaburi, is the setting for this week-long festival featuring spectacular sound and light performances on the bridge, archaeological and historical exhibitions, and vintage train rides. (November 21 to December)

December - Birthday of His Majesty the King - Nationwide
Flags, lights and portraits of His Majesty the King adorn the streets and building of every town and village on the 5th and the occasion is marked by a huge and spectacular fireworks display near the Grand Palace.

Money Matters

Official Currency: Bath (Currency converter) - Official notes shown below:

ATM machines: Available at most banks and shopping centres throughout the city. Thai Baht only. ATM’s generally have Thai and English language displays and will accept most internationally recognized foreign cards.
Many ATM's will also accept cards under the CIRRUS, Maestro, VISA or Master card system.

Travellers Cheques / Credit Cards: Most traveller cheques can be cashed at banks. Take your passport or ID. Master card and VISA are widely accepted by major banks, restaurants and shops. AMEX, Diners and tend to be accepted only at upmarket venues.

Banks: Open Mon. - Fri. from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm, except public and bank holidays. Currency exchange centres operate in most tourist areas from 7.00 am to 9.00 pm, everyday, including holidays.

VAT Refunds: Value Added Tax (VAT) is payable on a range of goods and services at 7%. If you're visiting for less than 180 days in a calendar year, not an airline crew member, and leaving Thailand by plane, you can claim VAT refund (Non-Thais only). Tel: (66) 2 272 6576/79 (fax (66)2 617 3559.

Be aware of the following please!

Communications:

Tipping:

Tip porters and hotel staff if you've been given good personal service - the amount varies with the kind of hotel. In restaurants around a 10 % - 15% tip is usually the norm, but you don't need to tip in small roadside eating places. Taxi fares should be rounded up to the nearest 5 or 10 Baht, especially meter-taxis who don't earn a lot, are pretty knowledgeable and incredibly patient in the Bangkok traffic.

On The Arrival day:

Airport - Taxis. If you are arriving from a long flight, try to arrange with your hotel for transfer on arrival at the airport. If not, you can book an airport taxi or limousine from inside the arrivals hall. Fares are around 500-600 Baht. 
If you want a meter taxi (less luxurious, less expensive) join the (usually short) queue outside the arrivals building and get a taxi voucher from the ticket booth outside. Tell them your hotel. You pay the taxi driver on arrival at your destination.
Fares vary depending on the time/distance from around 200 Baht upwards. A small tip is always appreciated.

Depending on your hotel location, the driver may ask if you want to take the tollway. There two main toll roads into central Bangkok which cost 30-40 baht. This is an extra separate charge from the fare and optional. 
You should pay the driver direct as you go through the tollway.
 It can be much quicker to take the toll roads in standard "rush hour" periods.

Transit Tours Arriving passengers with between 5-12 hours transit time, can take a Bangkok Transit Tour jointly offered by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (T.A.T.) and the Association of Thai Travel Agents. 
Contact the counters located near the transfer desks in terminals 1 & 2. Tours

Airport Tax Payable on departure to an international destination. 500 Baht. Domestic flights are also liable, from 50 - 150 Baht depending on the local airport. 
This is often included in the price of the airline ticket so check first.

Language:

English is fairly widely understood and spoken in most tourist areas of Bangkok. German, Swiss Italian, and increasingly Japanese and Russian are also spoken in most hotels. Bilingual Thai / English road signs are found on almost all road signs, Skytrain stations and some local buses.

Tourist Police / Emergency:

Time Zone:

Internet Access:

Electricity:

For more information: