Travelling to and around Thailand: Tipping, Health, Visas, Key Facts, Time Zone, Dialling Codes, Public Holidays 2010

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Travelling to and around Thailand

Tipping

The majority of major hotels include a service charge and local taxes, however a tip of 10-15 percent for an appreciated service should be considered in restaurants. On the golf course it is both polite and generally expected to tip the caddie with an amount at least matching the caddie fee.

Health

No particular vaccinations or inoculations are officially required before you enter the country, unless you do so from an area where an infection is rife.

Check your route with your local consulate or embassy in case there are necessary inoculations. Ask to be protected against hepatitis A and B, tetanus, malaria and typhoid. Once in Thailand, do not drink tap water.

Venereal diseases – notably AIDS – are extremely prevalent so avoid casual liaisons. Rabies is likewise: If bitten by any animal, seek medical attention immediately.

The standard of medical services in Thailand is generally high – certainly in Bangkok and other big cities and in the major tourist centres. A note of warning: Even if you take antimalarial tablets before travelling, it's still possible to contract malaria, so if you feel feverish when you return home contact your doctor immediately and have a check-up, mentioning that you have been in Thailand.

Key facts

Electricity: The supply is 220v AC 50Hz. Two-pin plugs with either round or flat pins are used, so carry an adaptor.
Mean temperatures: Air, 30-40°C. Sea, 27-31°C
Time zone: GMT + 7hr
Clothing: Lightweight clothes are most suitable. Long trousers guard ankles from mosquito bites during the evenings and are strongly recommended, as are waterproofs. A number of golf clubs observe formal dress codes, (no jeans or T-shirts) but some restaurants require a jacket and tie.

Dialling codes

The IDD for Thailand is: +66
To dial IDD from within Thailand, use 001 (or+)
Local dialling codes within Thailand need to be added for all calls, even those made within the same area. When calling from outside Thailand omit the prefix ‘0’.

Major codes are:

Bangkok 02
Chiang Mai & Chiang Rai 053
Kanchanaburi 034
Hat Yai 074
Khao Yai 036
Phuket 076
Koh Samui 077
Hua Hin & Petchaburi 032
Pattaya 038

Public holidays 2011-12

Apr 6 Chakri Memorial Day
Apr 13-15 Songkran
May 1 (Sun) Labour Day
May 2 Labour Day (substitution)
May 5 Coronation Day
May 17 Visakha Bucha*
Jul 15 Asarnha Bucha*
Jul 16 Khao Phansa (Buddhist Lent)*
Aug 12 HM The Queen’s Birthday/Mother’s Day
Oct 23 (Sun) Chulalongkorn Day
Oct 24 Chulalongkorn Day (substitution)
Dec 5 HM The King’s Birthday/Father’s Day
Dec 10 (Sat) Constitution Day
Dec 12 Constitution Day (substitution)
Dec 31 New Year’s Eve
Jan 1 (Sun) New Year’s Day
Jan 2 New Year’s Day (substitution)
Mar 7 Makha Bucha
Day*Holidays marked * are governed by the phases of the moon. Check the dates.

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