Thailand Travel Tips

Custom
One litre of alcoholic beverage and 200 cigarettes, plus reasonable personal effects (such as one still camera, one movie or video camera,
personal jewellery etc) may be brought in duty free and taken out on departure. Narcotics, drugs, pornographic material and firearms are
strictly prohibited. Visit our Thailand Duty Free Shop Unlimited foreign currency, traveller's cheques, money orders etc may be brought into
the country, but any amount over US$10,000 must be declared on entry. Amount taken out of the country may never exceed that declared
upon entry.

Visas
Most nationalities do not require a visa for a stay of up to 30 days provided they have a ticket for onward travel. Longer visits require a visa
obtainable from Thai embassies and consulates. Tourists visas permit stays up to 90 days. For full details, contact your nearest Thai embassy
or consulate.

Do I need a visa?
Temporary visitors who are exempted from applying for entry visa must be of the nationality of and holding valid passport or traveling
documents issued by :

Americas : Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Mexico, U.S.A.
Asia : Bahrain, Brunei, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Kuwait, Malaysia,
Myanmar, Oman, Philippines, Qatar, *Republic of Korea,
Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Turkey, United Arab Emirates
Pacific : Australia, Fiji, *New Zealand, Papua New Guinea,
Vanuatu, Western Samoa.
Africa : Algeria, Djibouti, Egypt, Kenya, Mauritania, Morocco,
Senegal, South Africa, Tunisia, Yemen.
Europe : Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany,
Greece, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway,
Portugal, Slovene, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, U.K.

Persons meeting the above conditions are exempted from visa and are permitted to remain in the Kingdom for a period not exceeding 30
days, except for the nationals of the Republic of Korea and New Zealand, who are permitted to stay in Thailand for maximum 90 days from
the days of entry.

Note : Please check the period of stay stamped in your passport upon entry into the kingdom
For more details contact :
The Immigration Division, Soi Suan Phlu, Sathon Tai Rd., Bangkok 10120
Tel : (662) 287-3101 to 10 Fax : (662) 287-1740

Airport tax
Outgoing passengers on international flights from Bangkok's Don Muang airport must pay 500 baht. 30 baht per person is collected for
Domestic flight except Samui flight, at baht 400 per person is collected at Samui Airport.

Health regulations
No inoculations or vaccinations are required unless you are coming from or passing through contaminated areas.

Travel to Thailand
Most visitors arrive through Bangkok's Don Muang International Airport which is connected by daily flights to Europe, North America, Asia
and Australia. Flights, from Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Hong Kong, land on a regular basis at Chiangmai, Koh Samui, Phuket
and Hat Yai. Charter flights sometimes land in Bangkok, Phuket, and at U-Taphao for Pattaya.

Regular rail services link Singapore and Bangkok intermediary stops include Kuala Lumpur, Butterworth, Penang and major southern Thai
towns.

Overland entry to Thailand is restricted to three road crossings on the Thai- Malaysian border, and the bridge spanning the Mekong River
between Laos and Thailand at Nong Kai.

There are no regular steamship connection with Thailand. Cargo ships calling at Bangkok's Khlong Toei port sometimes have passenger
cabin facilities. Cruise ships, such as Cunard's Queen Elizabeth II, periodically visit Pattaya.

Travel within Thailand
Thai Airways International (THAI) operates a wide domestic network with daily flights linking virtually all major towns with Bangkok. Ground
transportation is extremely comprehensive and comparatively inexpensive. There are convenient rail connections with the North, Northeast
and South, while air conditioned coach and government bus services are operated from Bangkok to all town throughout the country. Rental
cars are also readily available.

Banks
Banks provide standard services nationwide, Monday through Friday, except public and bank holidays, between 10.00 AM. and 3.30 PM.
Bank currency exchange centres operate from 7.00 AM. to 9.00 PM, seven days a week including holidays.

Business hours
Most commercial concerns in Bangkok operate on a five-day week. Government offices are generally open between 8.30 AM and 4.30 PM
with a noon to 1.00 PM lunch break, Monday through Friday, except on public holidays Private businesses maintain much the same hours
-perhaps 8.00 AM to 5.00 PM with certain exceptions. Many stores open 12 hours a day, seven day a week.
There are also efficient business centre available if you are in business in Thailand for a few days.

Car hire
The Bangkok Yellow Pages lists local and international automobile rental companies Self-drive and chauffeur-driven automobiles are
widely available. Car hire companies also operate in Pattaya, Hat Yai, Phuket and Chiang Mai. Those possessing valid International Driver
Licenses may prefer to hire automobiles.

Thai currency
The baht is divided into 100 satang. "Yellow " coins are valued at 25 and 50 satang. Silver coins are in denominations of 1, 5 and 10 baht.
Banknotes are valued at 10 baht (brown), 20 baht (green), 50 baht (blue), 100 bath (red). 500 baht (purple) and 1000 baht (khaki)

Travellers cheques / credit cards
US dollar travellers cheques can be conveniently cashed at all provincial banks and authorized money changers. Travellers cheques in
other currencies are best changed in Bangkok where better rates prevail.

Major international credit cards, such as American Express, Diners Club and VISA are accepted by major banks, restaurants, hotels and
shops.

Currency exchange
Exchange facilities for cash and traveller' cheque are available in banks, hotels, and foreign exchange booths located in tourists areas.

Clothing
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.

Electricity
Thailand operates exclusively on 220 volt, 50 cycle AC power

Postal services
To send letters or packages to any desired destinations is very convenient for visitors to Thailand. Post offices as well as most hotels offer
good postal services.

Taxis
Hotel taxis have fixed tariffs. Taxis cruising the streets of Bangkok have meters.

Telephone & Fax
In Thailand, you can contact virtually any city in the world without difficulty International phone calls, telegraph, telex, and bureau fax
services are available at International Telecommunication Services Center, near Bangkok's Central Post Central as well as in most hotels.

Tipping
It is customary to tip hotel personnel who have given good personal service. A 10% tip is appreciated in restaurants, particularly where
service charge is waived.

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VAT REFUND FOR TOURISTS

Who can claim VAT refunds?
A VAT refund can be claimed by any non-Thai visitor who.......
- Has not been in Thailand for more than 180 days in a calendar year
- Is not a crew member of an airline
- Departs Thailand by air carrier from an international airport.

How to Claim a VAT refund?
VAT refund only applies to goods taken out of Thailand within 60 days from the date of purchase.
The goods must be purchased from stores displaying the "VAT REFUND FOR TOURISTS" sign.
On any day, goods purchased at a participating store must not be less than baht 2,000 and the total amount of goods purchased, including
VAT, must not be less than baht 5,000.
At each store ask the sales assistant to complete 2 VAT refund forms (P.P.10) and attach the original tax invoice to the forms.
Before departure, present your purchase to Customs and Revenue officers for inspection in order to obtain VAT refund at the departure
lounge after check-in and Passport control.
In case the VAT refund exceeds baht 10,000, you can either present your claim to the Customs and Revenue officers at the VAT Refund Office
of drop it in the box at the Refund Counter or mail it from your home back to the Revenue Department of Thailand

How will to refund be paid ?
You can choose to receive your refund by
Refund Amount not exceeding 10,000 baht exceeding 10,000 baht
Refund Method cash in Thai baht

Draft
credit to credit card account draft
credit to credit card account

Note : you must specify the method of receiving the refund on your form (P.P.10)

The following fees apply to refund requests
- For Cash refund, a fee of 100 baht
- For draft refund, a fee of 100 baht plus draft issuing fee at the rate charged by banks and postage fees.
-For credit to credit card account refund, a fee of 100 baht plus money transfer fee at the rate charged by banks.
Important to Note
You cannot claim VAT refunds for the following goods :
- Prohibited items
- Firearms, explosives or any any similar items
- Gem stones
Some hints
Allow yourself adequate time at the airport for the refund process. In case your request for refund by draft or credit card account receives no
reply within an appropriate period of time, please contact at VAT Refund Office at Bangkok International Airport, Tel 535-6576-79 or the VAT
Refund Center, Revenue Department, Phaholyothin Road, Bangkok 10400, Thailand, Tel. 272-9376-87, Fax. 272-9388

Further information can be obtained from the participating stores or at the Revenue Department.

Warning
The Purchases for which you are claiming VAT refunds are subject to inspection by Customs and Revenue officers before departure at the
VAT Refund Office inside the departure lounge.