THAILAND
Business/social hints
Appointments: should be made in advance. Punctuality is appreciated.
Attire for business meetings: men should wear a lightweight or tropical suit. Women should dress conventionally in a lightweight suit or equivalent.
Etiquette: the conventional greeting or ‘wai’ is made by placing palms or hands together in a prayer-like position at chest level and bowing slightly.
Language: the business community generally speak English.
Laws: the minimum drinking age is 18 years.
Invitations: a service charge is normally included at restaurants.
Local time: GMT +7.
Capital:Bangkok.
Language:Thai, Chinese and English
Electricity: 220V AC 50Hz.
Int. direct dialling code: 66.
Driving:on the left. International driving permit required.
Currency: Baht (THB 1 = 100 Stanag)
Notes: THB: 20, 50, 100, 500, 1000
Coins:THB: 1, 5, 10. Satang: 25, 50.
Business hours
Banks: 8.30am-3.30pm Monday-Friday.
Offices: 8am-3pm Monday-Friday.
Shops: 10am-9pm and 8am-10pm (department stores).
Emergency Services
Police: 191, 123.
Fire: 199.
Ambulance: 252 2171/5 (Bangkok).
Health
Compulsory vaccinations: yellow fever certificate if arriving from infected areas. Infants under one year. Exempt.
Weather
The extreme south of the country has an equatorial climate and the centre and north have a tropical and monsoon climate. Rainfall is abundant throughout the country and mainly falls between June and October when it is warm, humid and cloudy. November-April is much drier with rain falling on a few days. The hottest months are April and May.
Bangkok Temp C Humidity % Rain
Max Min am pm (mm)
January 35 22 91 53 8
February 33 22 91 55 20
March 34 24 92 56 36
April 35 25 90 58 58
May 34 25 91 64 198
June 33 24 90 67 160
July 35 27 91 66 160
August 32 24 92 66 174
September 32 24 94 70 306
October 31 24 93 70 206
November 31 22 92 65 65
December 31 20 91 56 5
Bangkok International BKK
Postal address: 171 Vibhavadi Rangsit Road, Bangkok 10210.
Telephone: +66 2 535515/5351332.
Fax: +66 2 5351065/5315559.
Location: 16mls/24kms north of Bangkok
Transportation to city centre: bus service every 15-20 mins operating 24 hours, fare THB 16. Airport bus: fare THB 70, journey time 60 mins. Train: fare THB 5, journey time 30-45 mins. Limousine: fare THB 50, journey time 40-60 mins. Taxi: fare THB 200-400, journey time 40-60 mins.
Flight information: tel 5351254/5351123 (departures) available 24 hours.
Airline lounges/travel clubs: airport CIP lounges. Lounges also available with most airlines.
Business facilities: tel 5353710, available 24 hours
Baggage facilities: left luggage available 24 hours throughout terminals, THB 40 per item per day.
Passport and visas
Required.
Customs
Import allowances: 200 cigarettes or 250 grammes of cigars or tobacco. One litre of spirits and one litre of wine. Goods up to the value of THB 300
Bangkok International BKK
Postal address: 171 Vibhavadi Rangsit Road, Bangkok 10210.
Telephone: +66 2 535515/5351332.
Fax: +66 2 5351065/5315559.
Location: 16mls/24kms north of Bangkok
Transportation to city centre: bus service every 15-20 mins operating 24 hours, fare THB 16. Airport bus: fare THB 70, journey time 60 mins. Train: fare THB 5, journey time 30-45 mins. Limousine: fare THB 50, journey time 40-60 mins. Taxi: fare THB 200-400, journey time 40-60 mins.
Flight information: tel 5351254/5351123 (departures) available 24 hours.
Airline lounges/travel clubs: airport CIP lounges. Lounges also available with most airlines.
Business facilities: tel 5353710, available 24 hours
Baggage facilities: left luggage available 24 hours throughout terminals, THB 40 per item per day.
Passport and visas
Required.
Customs
Import allowances: 200 cigarettes or 250 grammes of cigars or tobacco. One litre of spirits and one litre of wine. Goods up to the value of THB 300