THAILAND USEFUL INFORMATION
   
  Thailand Political Map
Thailand Physical Map
Thailand Fact Book & Statistics
(courtesy of www.maps.com)
   
 

Thailand Fast Facts
  GEOGRAPHY
  Thailand is located in Southeast Asia with a territory covering an area of some 513,115 square kilometers (roughly the size of France). Thailand borders the Laos and Myanmar to the north, Cambodia and the Gulf of Thailand to the east, Myanmar and the Indian Ocean to the West, and Malaysia to the south. Population is 63 million.
   
  RELIGION & CUSTOMS
  Thailand's majority of population are Buddhists while the south of Thailand see large population of Muslims.
   
  CURRENCY
  The currency unit is Thai Baht One Baht is equivalent to 100 Satang "Copper" coins are valued at 25 and 50 Satang "Silver" coins are in 1, 5 and 10 Baht denominations.
Banknotes come in 20 Baht (green), 50 (blue), 100 (red), 500 (purple) and 1,000 Baht (grey) bills.
(USD 1 = 45 Baht) Currency exchange for cash and traveler's cheque is available at banks, hotels and foreign exchange booths located in tourist areas.

Currency Converter by OANDA, Inc.
   
  PASSPORT & VISA
  Visitors entering the Kingdom are required to carry a visa if the period of stay is longer than 30 days (29 nights). Transit passengers staying in Thailand not longer than 30 days generally do not need a visa, but must have a confirmed return or onward ticket. An entry visa can be obtained at Bangkok International Airport if necessary.

Visa for Thailand
   
  AIRPORT TAX
  International Passenger = Baht 500.- per person
Domestic Passenger has already been added on to domestic ticket price
International & Domestic Passenger from Samui Airport = Baht 400.- per person
   
  FILM & PHOTOGRAPHY
  Taking still pictures is permitted in most places, except in restricted sections of the National Museum. While permission must be obtained from the proper authorities to shoot video movies in the Shrine of the Emerald Buddha at the Grand Palace.
Major international film manufacturers maintain excellent photo labs throughout Thailand, instant film can be developed within one hour.
   
  CLIMATE & TEMPERATURES
  Hot Season: March to May
Rainy Season: June to October
Cool Season: November to February
Average temperature: 17 to 36 degree Centigrade (60 to 97 degree Fahrenheit)
   
 
Month-temperatures (c)°/ City Bangkok
(min/max)		 Chiang Mai
(min/max)		 Phuket
(min/max)		 SongKhla
(min/max)
January 21/32 14/29 23/32 24/30
February 23/33 15/32  24/33 24/30
March 25/34 18/35  24/34 24/31
April 26/35 22/36  25/33 25/33
May 27/33 23/34  25/32 25/33
June 25/33 24/32  25/32 24/33
July 25/33 24/32  24/31 24/33
August 25/32 26/79  24/31 24/33
September 25/32 23/31  24/31 24/32
October 24/32 22/31  24/31 24/31
November 23/31 19/30  24/31 24/30
December 21/28 15/28  24/31 24/29
   
  PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
   
 
DATE HOLIDAY
 Jan. 1  New Year's Day
 Feb. 26  Makha Bucha Day
 Apr. 6  Chakri Day
 Apr. 13 - 15  Songkran Day
 May 1  Labor Day
 May 5  Coronation Day
 May 26  Wisakha Bucha Day
 July 24  Asalha Bucha Day
 July 25  Buddhist Lent Day
 Aug. 12  H.M. The Queen's Birthday
 Oct. 23  Chulalongkorn Day
 Dec. 5  H.M. The King's Birthday
 Dec. 10  Constitution Day
 Dec. 31  New Year's Eve
   
  TIME ZONE
  Thailand's time zone is GMT + 7. There is no daylight saving time here.
09:00 in Tokyo is 11:00 in Bangkok on the same day.
09:00 in London is 16:00 in Bangkok on the same day.
09:00 in Bangkok is 20:00 in New York on the previous day.

World Time Zone
   
  WEIGHTS & MEASURES
  The metric system is in use here. Weights are in kilograms, distances in kilometers. Gasoline is measured in litres.
   
  ELECTRICITY
  220V 50Hz and sockets have no ground. Larger hotels also offer 110V sockets for shavers only.
   
  BUSINESS HOURS
  Companies usually open from 08:00 - 17:00 and Banks are open from 10:00 - 15:00 Monday through Friday.
Shops & Department Stores are open from 10:00 onwards, usually seven days a week.