Thailand Travel Guide

by | November 17, 2020

Thailand is a country located in Asia with name that begins with letter T. The highest peak in the Thailand , the 2,565 meter high Doi Inthanon, is located in the mountainous northern region, to which the Khorat plateau connects in the east. The fertile central region is shaped by the Chao Phraya river system, the east and south regions with rainforests and dream beaches are the centers of Thai tourism. The economically important teak tree plantations can also be found here.

Elephants, tigers, monkeys, tapirs, crocodiles – Thailand’s rich fauna is protected in more than 120 national parks with a total area larger than Austria.

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ENTRY AND VISA

For Austrian, German and Swiss citizens, a visa-free stay of up to 30 days is possible when entering by air or land. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months when you enter Thailand. Entry without a visa by land and sea has been limited to max. Limited to 2 times per calendar year. Entry via international airports is not affected by this rule.

Climate

The climate in Thailand is tropical, the rainy season lasts from June to October. During this time, several hours of precipitation can be expected every day. May is the hottest month with average temperatures of around 30 – 35 degrees. The most pleasant travel time is from November to March; Precipitation is rare during this time, the humidity is relatively low and the temperatures are mostly between 25 and 30 degrees.

In Thailand there is a tropical climate, which is characterized by the rainy season from June to September and the time in between, with little rainfall. Temperatures usually between 30 ° u. 35 °C. Heavy rainfall during the rainy season often leads to extensive flooding, which can affect the infrastructure. In the mountainous regions in the north of the country, temperatures are lower and can drop to + 10 °C between December and January and during the night.

Food and drink

Thai cuisine is considered to be one of the best in the world. The focus of the meal is almost always rice, with a wide variety of soups, stews and curries, which are prepared with a variety of spices and herbs: lemongrass, lime leaves, chilli, tamarind, basil and garlic are just as often used as coconut milk, shrimp paste or the famous “Nam Pla” seasoning sauce, which is made from fermented fish. You can also drink tea or diluted rice schnapps.

MEDICAL NOTES

All necessary medical facilities are available in Bangkok and other major cities. The doctors, especially in the renowned but expensive private hospitals in the capital and the tourist centers, have qualified medical training. No vaccinations are mandatory to enter Thailand. It is recommended that you contact your general practitioner or other suitable facility about 8 weeks before departure to find out about the recommended vaccinations.

CULTURAL FEATURES

The head is considered the seat of the soul, feet are considered unclean. So you should make sure that Thai people never reach the soles of their feet while sitting and not even stroke the head of small children.

SPECIAL PROVISIONS

Smoking is prohibited in all Thai restaurants. There is a risk of heavy fines for polluting the streets, for example by throwing away cigarette butts.

Caution is advised when talking about the royal family. Critical or even disparaging remarks are punished as an insult to majesty with long imprisonment.

All about money

Currency
Thai baht (THB)

General
Payment with credit cards is widespread. Withdrawals with credit and bank cards are possible at many appropriately marked ATMs. In addition to credit cards, it is still advisable to take euros or US dollars with you in cash, which can be exchanged for baht in Thailand – usually at a better rate than in Europe. Beware of counterfeit money in circulation. It is recommended that you only exchange money at authorized exchange offices.

Banks
Banks in Thailand are usually open Monday through Friday from 8: 30 am to 3: 30 pm. In the exchange offices (open from 7 a.m. to 12 p.m.) you can usually get a slightly better exchange rate.

Tip

Tipping is always welcome in Thailand and is common. In restaurants and bars, around 10% of the invoice amount is expected. Porters in hotels and airports should also receive a small tip.

It is common, but not mandatory, to tip the guide and driver at the end of a tour for good service. Appropriate payment for our local guides and partner agencies is part of our sustainability guidelines. So please be aware that tips do not replace wages. It is therefore not an absolute must, but an (expected) recognition for good service.

Other essential information

Time
difference Time difference to CET + 6.0 hours, time difference to CEST + 5.0 hours

Electricity

The voltage in Thailand is 220 volts / 50 Hertz. Different sockets are used, so it is advisable to take a travel plug set with you.

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