ATM's or cash machines as they are otherwise known, can be found in all cities of Thailand. There is normally a handling fee of 1.5 percent for every withdrawal.
Note that some ATM machines do not accept credit cards. Look for the VISA and MASTERCARD signs. Try not to depend totally on these machines, as they sometimes run out of cash or go out of order.
 

Soap, toothpaste, shampoo or others can be bought everywhere in the country, on the other hand, the shaving cream is a bit more expensive in Thailand though.

Banking hours are Monday to Friday 8.30 am -15.30 pm, exchange kiosks are open until 19.00 pm and 22.00 pm in the major tourist area. Shops and stores usually open seven days a week from 10.00 am - 18.00 pm and 10.00 am - 23.00 pm in the major touris area. Office hours are usually Monday - Friday 9.00 am - 17.00 pm.

The price of film is similar to that in western countries, and can be purchased in most supermarkets around Thailand. Developing is far less expensive, very good quality and ready within a few hours. Film developing shops are located in most Thai towns and resorts.

Those possessing valid International Driving Licenses may prefer to hire automobiles. English- language road signs and maps are commonplace. The Bangkok Yellow Pages list local and international automobile rental companies. Visitors are advised to shop around since most companies offer different conditions. Self-drive and chauffeur-driven automobiles are widely available. International car hire companies such as Avis and Hertz also operate in Pattaya, Hat Yai, Phuket, Chiang Mai and Samui Island.

Christian churches are found in Bangkok and most provincial capitals. Services are mostly in
Thai, with certain services in English, French and German. Local English-language newspapers provide comprehensive listings of services in Bangkok.

Light, loose cotton clothing is best. Nylon should be avoided. Sweaters are needed during Cool Season evenings or if visiting mountainous areas and remote national parks. Jackets and ties are required in certain restaurants and night-clubs.

1 Baht (Bt) = 100 satang. Notes are in denominations of Bt1000 (grey), 500 (purple), 100 (red), 50 (blue) and 20 (green), 10 (brown). Coins are in denominations of Bt10, 5 and 1, and 50 and 25 satangs.

Visitor can bring without paying duty:
- 1 litre of spirituous liquor.
- 200 cigarettes or 250 grams of cigars or smoking tobacco.
- Reasonable quantity of personal belonging without.

The electric system is 220 Volt AC, 50Hz. American and European-style rounded and flat pin plugs can be used in sockets. Travellers with shavers, tape recorders and other appliances will require a plug-adapter kit and these can be bought in many supermarkets. Power failures are not uncommon, especially during the rainy season; so it's a good idea to keep a torch handy.

For those seeking email and internet services there will be no problem getting connected here in Thailand. Most hotels now offer this service, as well as many internet cafes and travel shops around Thailand. Most places charge 1 baht per minute and a small charge for printing out emails.

Some so countries maintain embassies, consulates or legations in Bangkok. Most are concentrated around the Sukhumwit, Phloenchit, Witthayu and Sathon Road areas. A complete list of such missions is featured in the Yellow Pages of the English edition of the Bangkok Telephone Directory

Central Emergency (Police, Ambulance, Fire) : 191

Tourist Police (English, French and German spoken) : 1155

You can convert major currencies to Baht at all banks and exchange booths. The rates are fairly similar at both types of locations. Always count the change you receive.

Thai cuisine is an exotic mix of the best ingredients and flavors that Asia has to offer. Fresh produce and seafood is plentiful, of good quality, and affordable. Thai food is renowned for being spicy and incorporates lots of garlic, chilies, lime, and lemon grass.

Thai is the national language. English is widely understood in Thailand however, it is useful to learn a few simple Thai phrases and Thai's will be delighted that you made the effort.

Nearly all hotels and resorts in Thailand offer a laundry services, as well as many small laundry businesses around in Thailand, it is low in cost and ready usually within 24 hours. Charge is either by item or by kilo and ironing is included in the price.

Thailand time is 7 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) and 6 hours ahead of British Summer Time (BST). It is 12 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time (EST) and 15 hours ahead of Pacific Standard Time (PST).

All tourism destinations and provincial capitals have hospitals and clinics staffed by well-trained doctors and nurses. In case of emergencies, ambulances can be summoned from any private hospital.

International Roaming Mobile Phone : A Subscriber Identity Module Card (SIM Card) is available for Thai and foreign customers who are travelling around for work. The SIM Card must be used in conjunction with a Digital GSM mobile phone within the 900-MHz range or a Digital PCN mobile phone within the 1800-MHz range.

There is no need to bring your mosquito net, in the tourist spots you won't really need it, and in any case, you could buy one here for an absurdly low price. You can find mosquito repellent sprays or creams also everywhere and they are very effective.

There are two daily English language newspapers - the Bangkok Post and the Nation. These are normally a day late outside Bangkok, except in a few top end hotels who have them flown in specially for their guests.
Foreign national newspapers, magazines and other publications (Time & Newsweek) can be purchased in some of the bigger supermarkets.

Opening hours of the Postal Offices are from 9.00 am - 16.00 pm, Monday - Saturday.
The Thai postal service is very reliable and Airmail takes around 7 days to reach Europe and US. A postcard stamp costs 14 baht and goes by airmail, stamps can be purchased in most hotels or supermakets. Parcels can be sent by surface mail (cheapest) but take about 3 months, or by air-mail parcel service which is almost 3 times as expensive and takes around a week.

Radio is heavily commercial, there are over 200 stations nation-wide, and appeals to popular taste. FM radio offers popular music, classical music, jazz, English-language news broad- casts and the original soundtracks of certain imported filmshows shown on local television's five channels. Most hotels have televisions in each room, offering either DVD features, satellite and / or cable television or tourism-related English- language programmes.

In Thailand almost everybody wears sandals or slippers, really practicals because the feet are in open air and quickly removed when you will visit a temple or before to enter a house.

Thailand is well known for its fabulous shopping for ceramics, lacquer ware, silverware, wood carvings and jewelry. Many travelers also have clothes tailored due to the low prices. A few guidelines to follow when shopping:

• Except in department stores, bargaining is the norm. To get the best price you will have to haggle hard.
• Export of certain antiques and religious images (eg. Buddha images) is not permitted. Make sure you are aware of these regulations before purchasing.
• Fake reproductions are common. Make sure you know what you are buying, especially in the case of antiques.

IDD (International Direct Dialing) is available from most hotels and travel agents around the island. The outgoing international code is 001 followed by the relevent country code. The cheapest way is to phone from a post office or to buy an international phonecard. These cards can be used at public cardphones - usually located outside a supermarket where you can buy the cards.

You are not obliged to tip in Thailand. But, if you are treated well a tip is appreciated. As a general rule if you hand 20 Baht to the porter, bus driver and waiters at normal restaurants you are right. At high class hotels and restaurants the average tip can double or triple. Room maids at hotels, receptionists and tour guides you can tip once a week or on departure. Many hotels have a common box for tips to make sure that the technique staff is not forgotten. Taxi drivers are not tipped.

Tourist information is available at the Tourism Authority of Thailand head office in Bangkok, local offices in 22 major cities (listed in the back cover) and the TAT information counter in Bangkok Airport and at every airport where there is a TAT local office. They provide maps, brochures and useful information on tours, shopping, dining and accommodation. All TAT information offices are open seven days a week from 8.30 AM. to 4.30 PM.

The Tourist Police was set up to coordinate with the Tourism Authority of Thailand in providing safety for tourists. Its responsibilities are receiving and acknowledging claims and complaints; to conduct investigations and acting as co-ordinator of tourist security protection. In case of emergency, contact the Tourist Police Centre Unicohouse Building Soi Lang Suan Ploenchit Rd., Bangkok Tel: 6521721

Train tickets of all classes may be purchased 90 days in advance at principal stations and at the Advance Booking Office (in Bangkok Railway Station) during 08.30 AM. – 06.00 PM. on weekdays and 08.30 AM. - 12.00 AM. on Saturdays, Sundays and official holidays. Some major travel agents in Bangkok also provide train reservation services.

There is a good airline network connecting the most important cities and the tourist resorts on the sea. Travelling by train can be a nice experience, especially travelling to the north on the night trains. The bus transportation is also very good: buses always have air conditioning, television and comfortable seats. 

As when travelling anywhere in the world a good travel insurance policy is a very wise idea. Please carry the insurance policies and contact numbers of your insurance company's office with you.

Travellers' cheques are the safest way to carry your money. Better rates are offered for cheques than for cash, there is normally a charge of 13 baht commission and duty per cheque. Travellers' cheques can be changed at most locations. Your passport will be required for identification.

Many exchange booths accept credit cards. These cards will be displayed in their windows. Note that businesses accepting credit cards for goods and services, often take VISA and Mastercard only. Expect a surcharge of up to 5 percent on every transaction.
In the case of lost or stolen credit cards telephone:
American Express - (02) 273 0020
Mastercard / Visa - (02) 299 1990

For stays of up to 30 days, most foreign passport holders automatically get a free non-extendable transit visa, providing they show proof of a confirmed date return ticket by air, sea or any other means of transport via the Thai/Malaysian border.

If you are planning to stay longer than 30 days, you can apply for a tourist visa for up to 60 days at a Thai embassy or consulate outside of Thailand. This visa can be extended up to a further 30 days at the discretion of officals; extentions cost 1900 baht and are issued at the immigration office.

If you overstay your visa you will be fined 200 baht per extra day when you depart Thailand.

Note: A passport valid for 6 months beyond intended length of stay is required by all.

Drink only bottled water, most hotels will supply at least one or two bottles daily inside your room. Bottled water is on sale in various sizes in all supermarkets. Nearly all restaurants use clean factory-made ice cubes.