Thailand Travel Information
Medical Services
All tourism destinations and provincial capitals have hospitals and clinics staffed by well-trained doctors and nurse. In the case of an emergency, an ambulance can be summoned from any private hospital.
Vaccinations
As in most other countries, visitors do not require vaccinations unless coming from or passing through a designated contaminated area.
International and Domestic Travel
Flying is the most convenient mode of transportation for most visitors traveling to Thailand. Domestic flights are also easy and convenient, cutting down on journey time.
A number of domestic carriers service a majority of large provincial cities dotting generously across the country. Travel to neighboring countries is cheaper when booked within Thailand. Train services connect Bangkok to all regions of the country at reasonable prices. A regular rail service also runs between Bangkok and Singapore via Malaysia. Long distance coaches, both air-conditioned and open-aired, connect all major cities.
At the local level, diverse forms of transportation are provided: provincial buses, city buses, songthaews, tuk-tuks, rickshaws, boats, and even rental cars.
International Travel
Air : With Bangkok serving as the international travel hub of SE Asia, the capital serves as the landing port for numerous international airlines, most with direct flights from their destinations. Some chartered and regional flights may land at one of the other international airports within Thailand, consisting of Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Hat Yai, Phuket, and Ubon Ratchatani. Thecountry’s national airline is Thai Airways. Airport departure taxes for international departures costs 700 baht/person. The check-in counters open 2 hours and close half an hour prior departure time.
International flights information
(662) 535-1254 (departures)
(662) 535-1301 (arrivals)Those traveling from neighboring countries may enter Thailand via road, rail, ships, or ferries.
Domestic Travel
Domestic travel during public holidays and on weekends, particularly to popular destinations, should be booked well in advance for all modes of transportation. Booking is particularly difficult during the Songkran Holiday and New Year’s Holiday.
Air : Local carriers Thai Airways(TG) and Bangkok Airways (PG) fly to most major provincial airports beyond 250 km distance from Bangkok. Thai Airways’ 2 most popular routes are Chiang Mai and Phuket. Services to Koh Samui and Sukhothai are only provided by Bangkok Airways. Other smaller local carriers include Angel Air (mainly servicing Phuket) and PB Air which flies to fewer destinations. Air Andaman services is limited to the Southern cities only.
Another carrier is SGA scenic airline of Thailand which flies to Hua Hin everyday, and also provides air charter service in the region.
The domestic terminal is located at the southern end of the Bangkok International Airport. Normally, check-ins for domestic flight is one hour prior to departure time and closes half an hour before flight time. Departure tax has already been added to your ticket fare.
Domestic flights Information
(662) 535-1192 (departures)
(662) 535-1253 (arrivals)
Reservation / Ticket
Bangkok Airways Tel. (662) 265-5555 , Nok Air Tel. (662) 900-9955 PB Air Tel. (662) 261-0220-5 , SGA Tel. (662) 664-6099 , Thai Airways Tel. (662) 628-2000
Tickets can be purchased through travel agencies (cheaper for international flights, same for domestic flights) or by booking with the airlines themselves, either via phone, internet, or e-ticketing kiosks (Thai Airways only).
Buses : Inter-city bus services offer a fast means of transport to all corners of the country. Air-conditioned buses service many provincial areas and bookings for both regular and tour coaches (private companies) can be made through major hotels and travel agents, or at the following bus terminals:
-
Northern Bus Terminal :
Kampaengphet 2 Rd, Bangkok
Tel: 0-2936-2852-66 ext. 614 0-2936-3670 -
Eastern Bus Terminal :
Sukhumvit Rd, Bangkok.
Tel: 0-2391-6846, 0-2391-2504 -
Northeastern Bus Terminal :
Kampaengphet 2 Rd, Bangkok
Tel: 0-2936-2841-48 ext.605 , 448
0-2936-0657 -
Southern Bus Terminal :
Boromratchchonnani Rd, Bangkok
Tel: 0-2435-1200, 0-2435-1199 -
Central Bus Terminal :
Kampaengphet 2 Rd, Bangkok
Tel: 0-2936-1972.
The government bus company, called Bor Kor Sor (BKS), provides the cheapest mode for getting around Thailand. Being frequent and reliable, no advance booking is necessary. Both air-conditioned ones and open-aired ones stop almost everywhere along their route, with the latter being the cheapest and slowest.
Trains : The State Railway of Thailand runs an efficient rail service linking Bangkok (Hua Lam Phong is the central train station) to the rest of the country at very reasonable prices for express, fast and ordinary trains. Limited western and southern routes out of Bangkok also operate from the Thon Buri Station, traveling to destinations as far as Kanchanaburi province in the west and Chumporn province in southern Thailand.
On express trains, sleepers are available in three classes: first and second class (air-conditioned), and second class (non air-conditioned, but with fans).
Advance tickets are available at all principal stations or the Bangkok Railway Advance Booking Office at Tel : 0-2220-4444
The ways of practices before boarding the aircraft
Before boarding the aircraft, you are requested to...
- Coperate with security officers at screening checkpoints.
- Separate carry-on items for X-ray screening as follows;
- carry-on baggage
- jacket, overcoat
- notebook/laptop
- cell phones
- liquids, aerosols, gels and other liquidlike items of not exceeding 100 ml. each with a total weight of not exceeding 1 litre packed in a transparent resealable plastic bag.
- Liquids purchased from duty-free shops must be packed in transparent plastic bag together with purchasing evidences of not over 24 hrs.
- Recheck over your belongings before leaving the screening checkpoints.
- Remove sharp objects, weapons, dangerous items or liquids with the amount exceeding the restrictions from the carry-on baggage (they should be packed in checked baggage). If found, they would be taken away by security officers.
GENERAL INFORMATION VISA & CUSTOMS
As a general rule, any foreigner seeking entry into the Kingdom of Thailand for business, investment, study, medical treatment, mass media, religion, employment and other purposes is required to apply for a visa from a Thai Embassy or Consulate-General. To do so, a foreigner must possess a valid passport or travel document that is recognized by the Royal Thai Government and comply with the conditions set forth in the Immigration Act B.E.2522 (1979) and its related provisions.
Foreigners who fall into any of the following categories are prohibited to enter the Kingdom.
- Having no genuine and valid passport or document used in lieu of passport; or having a genuine and valid passport or document used in lieu of passport without visaing by the Royal Thai Embassies or Consulates in foreign countries; or from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, except if a visa is not required for certain types of aliens in special instances. Visaing and visa exemption will be under the terms and conditions as provided in the Ministerial Regulations.
- Having no appropriate means of living following entrance into the Kingdom.
- Having entered into the Kingdom to take occupation as a labourer, or to take employment by using physical energy without skills or training , or to work in violation of the Alien Work Permit Law.
- Being mentally unstable or having any of the diseases as prescribed in the Ministerial Regulations.
- Having not yet been vaccinated against smallpox or inoculated or undergone any other medical treatment for protection against disease and having refused to have such vaccinations administered by the Immigration Doctor.
- Having been imprisoned by the judgement of the Thai Court; or by a lawful injunction; or by the judgement of the Court of foreign country, except when the penalty is for petty offense or negligence or is provided for as an exception in the Ministerial Regulations.
- Having behavior which would indicate possible danger to the Public or likelihood of being nuisance or constituting any violence to the peace or safety of the public or to the security of the public or to the security of the nation, or being under warrant of arrest by competent officials of foreign governments.
- Reason to believe that entrance into the Kingdom was for the purpose of being involved in prostitution, the trading of women of children, drug smuggling, or other types of smuggling which are contrary to the public morality.
- Having no money or bond as prescribed by the Minister under Section 14 of the Immigration Act B.E. 2522 .
- Being a person prohibited by the Minister under Section 16 of the Immigration Act B.E. 2522.
- Being deported by either the Government of Thailand that of or other foreign countries; or the right of stay in the Kingdom or in foreign countries having been revoked; or having been sent out of the Kingdom by competent officials at the expense of the Government of Thailand unless the Minister shall consider exemption on an individual special case basis.
The examination and diagnosis of disease of a physical or mental nature, including protective operations as against disease, shall be conducted by the Immigration Doctor.
Information on location and contact number of the Thai Embassy and Consulate-General abroad could be obtained from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Department of Consular Affairs, Visas and Travel Documents Division, 123 Chaengwattana Road, Bangkok 10210, Tel. (662) 981-7171 ext. 3201-2, 3204-5 or direct line 575-1062-4, Fax. (662) 575-1066 , E-mail : div1303@mfa.go.th
Note: Please check the period of stay stamped in your passport by the immigration officer. Visitors who overstay their visa will, at the time of their departure, be fined 500 baht for each excess day. More information >>
CUSTOMS
Duty Free Allowance
The duty free allowance will be applied to accompanied personal effects up to Bath 10,000 worth if i) the items are intended for your own personal or professional uses; ii) the quantity are reasonable; and iii) the items are not subject to prohibition or restriction.
However, there are limits on the amount of alcoholic beverages, cigarettes, cigars and smoking tobacco to which you may include in your duty free personal exemption as follows:
- 200 cigarettes or 250 grams of cigars or smoking tobacco
- 1 litre of spirituous liquor.
Personal effects do not include motor vehicles and motor vehicle parts regardless of the length of time used and owned.
Fore other related information about custorms please click here
Instruction on Import and Export of Goods
1. Currencies
Foreign Currency
- Passengers are allowed to bring in and take out unlimited amount of foreign currency. However, if the amount of foreign currency is equal to or exceeds 20,000 USD, Foreign currency Declaration Form shell be completed and submitted to Customs while procession through Customs offices.
Thai Currency
- Inbound passengers are allowed to bring in unlimited amount of Thai currency.
- Outbound passengers travelling to Lao PDR, Myanmar, Cambodia, Malaysia and Vietnam are allowed to take out Thai currency not exceeding 500,000 Baht, but those traveling to other countries are permitted to take out not exceeding 50,000 Baht.
2. Buddha Images
- Buddha images, Bodhisattva images or related fragments, part of ancient monument and prehistoric objects, are forbidden to be taken out of the Kingdom. Newly cast Buddha images in complete condition can be exported for worship, cultural exchange or educational purposes with licenses issued by the Fine Arts Department. Not more than 5 pieces per person shall be allowed. (More information contact to 0 2628 5033)
Questions & Answers on Thai Visa
Q: I would like to go to Thailand for vacation for 2 weeks. I hold American passport. Do I need a visa?
A: Nationals of the United States of America and 41 other countries are eligible to travel to Thailand, for tourism purpose, with the exemption of visa and are permitted to stay in the Kingdom for a period of not exceeding 30 days. Therefore, you do not need a visa.
However, please make sure that you are in possession of a passport valid for at least 6 months, a round-trip air ticket, and adequate finances equivalent to at least 10,000 Baht per person or 20,000 Baht per family. Otherwise, you may be inconvenienced upon entry into the country.
Furthermore, foreigners who enter the Kingdom under this Tourist Visa Exemption Scheme may re-enter and stay in Thailand for a cumulative duration of stay of not exceeding 90 days within any 6-month period from the date of first entry.
The list of the 42 countries could be found at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand’s website (www.mfa.go.th).
Q: As an Australian businessman, I need to travel a lot. I have to go to Thailand very frequently on business. Is there any facility for frequent business travelers like me?
A: You can apply for a 1-year or 3-year multiple-entry business visa which would allow you to travel to Thailand as frequently as you want while the visa remains valid, and you would be permitted to stay for a period of not exceeding 90 days on each visit.
You can find more information on the basic requirements for visa application at www.mfa.go.th. To ensure that your application will be conveniently processed, kindly check with the Royal Thai Embassy or Consulate-General at which you are to submit the application for more details.
Besides, since Thailand and Australia are both members of APEC and participating in APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC) scheme, you may be eligible to apply for an ABTC which serves as a multiple-entry business visa allowing entry into 17 other APEC economies in one card. For more information, you may contact the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (Australia) which is Australia’s focal authority for this scheme.
Currently, APEC Economies which participate in the ABTC scheme are Australia, Brunei, Chile, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Korea (ROK), Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Philippines, Papua New Guinea, Singapore, Thailand, Chinese Taipei, and Viet Nam
Q: I want to work in Thailand. I am a Malaysian, living in K.L. How should I go about getting necessary visa?
A: In order to work in Thailand, there are 2 important elements:
(1) Non-Immigrant “B” Visa and (2) Work Permit
First of all, you need to have a prospective employer in Thailand. Then you may apply for a Non-Immigrant Visa category “B” (business) at the Royal Thai Embassy in K.L. using the basic required documents and recommendation letter from your employer along with your company’s business certifications as suggested in the website (www.mfa.go.th).
Once you have obtained such visa, you can enter the Kingdom and therefore apply for a Work Permit from the Department of Employment, Ministry of Labour.
In order to expedite visa issuance, your employer may, on your behalf, apply for the Work Permit in advance (with the form called Tor Thor 3). The Department of Employment will then issue a pre-approved certificate to be used in your visa application. In such case, please make sure to obtain the Work Permit (Tor Thor 2) once you arrive in Thailand.
Q: I am a Lithuanian. I want to go to Thailand for sightseeing for just a week. I understand that Lithuanian nationals have to apply for visa before entering Thailand. But there is no Thai Embassy in my country. Can you please give me some advice?
A: You have three options:
(1) Lithuanian nationals are eligible to apply for visa on arrival (VOA) at any of 24 designated checkpoints in Thailand, including, of course, all international airports.
Currently nationals of 20 countries are eligible under this scheme. You can see the list of such countries in the website (www.mfa.go.th).
With the Visa on Arrival, you would be granted a stay of a period of not exceeding 15 days. But you must have a passport valid for at least 6 months, a round-trip air ticket where date of departure from Thailand is within 15 days of the date of entry, and adequate finances equivalent to at least 10,000 Baht per person.
(2) There is a Royal Thai Honorary Consulate-General in Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania. You may apply for a Thai tourist visa there. In such case, you would be permitted to stay in Thailand for 30 days.
(3) You may also apply for Thai tourist visa at the Royal Thai Embassy in Moscow or at the nearest Royal Thai Embassy in which would also permit you to stay for 60 days.
Q: I am an Indonesian national currently working for a Company in London. My company has assigned me to attend a training course in Thailand for 6 weeks. Should I apply for visa, and where can I do that?
A: You need to obtain a Non-Immigrant Visa before entering the Kingdom. You may apply for such visa at the Royal Thai Embassy in London. Basic documents include a recommendation letter from your company verifying your status and the assignment. You will also need documents certifying that you are legally employed in Britain and confirming that you will be able to re-enter Britain without any problems.
Q: I have obtained a tourist visa from the Honorary Thai Consulate-General in Rio de Janeiro. They forgot to include a date of expiry in the visa. I had trouble at the airport but fortunately the Immigration officer allowed me to enter. Now I want to extend my stay but the Immigration Office insisted that they cannot permit the extension unless the visa is fixed. What should I do?
A: In this case, please bring your passport to the Visa Division, Department of Consular Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs. on Chaengwattana Road in Bangkok. If the visa is genuine, you can obtain any corrections or amendments of visa there.
Q: I am an Italian national currently staying in Koh Samui on my vacation. I entered Thailand with a tourist visa and was granted a permission to stay for 60 days until the end of this month. However, I wish to stay longer. What should I do?
A: You may apply for an extension of stay at any Immigration Office in Thailand where you may be permitted to stay for another 30-day period. You must do so before your stay permits expires, otherwise you will be fined 500 Baht for each day you overstay in Thailand.
Q: I am an Indian and I just finished my study in Bangkok. Now I want to work with a company in Chiang Mai. Do I need to do anything?
A: You need to apply for a change of visa status, and apply for a Work Permit. You are therefore recommended to consult with the Immigration Office and the Department of Employment accordingly.
Q: An NGO in Thailand has invited me to go there and work for them as a volunteer for 45 days during my school break. I will not earn any money in Thailand. I am a Belgian college student in Brussels. I understand that I do not need a visa, do I?
A: Although you will work as a volunteer, you do need a Non-Immigrant visa as well as the Work Permit. The NGO must be legally registered with the Thai authority, and that you need a recommendation letter from the NGO for your visa application and the Work Permit.
Q: Please give me some advice. I am a bit confused. I am a Moroccan and going to visit Thailand for pleasure with my family. I already got a Thai tourist visa from the Honorary Consulate-General in Casablanca. I understand from what is written in the visa stamp that the visa is valid for 3 months. Does it mean that I can stay in Thailand for 3 months?
A: That is not a correct understanding. The validity of visa and the duration of stay are not the same. The 3-month validity of the visa means that you must use the visa within 3 months from the date of issue. The duration of stay is the period in which you are permitted to stay in the Kingdom granted by the Immigration Officer once you arrive in Thailand, that is, 60 days from the date of entry.
Q: I came to Thailand with a single-entry business visa, and I have been permitted to stay for 90 days until the end of next month. I was just asked by my boss to attend an urgent meeting in Singapore for several days starting from the day after tomorrow. I still have business to do in Thailand after that though. Do I need to get another visa?
A: Before you leave Thailand for Singapore, you may apply for a re-entry permit from the Immigration Office. You are able to do that at any International Airport too.
The re-entry permit will allow you to enter the Kingdom again before the end of next month. The permit will also enable you to stay until the end of next month, unless you get an extension of stay from the Immigration Office.
Q: I heard that Thailand is a nice place to stay after retirement. Is there any special kind of visa for retirees?
A: Yes, there is special visa called Non-immigrant “O-A” (Long Stay). Foreigners who are 50 years of age or older who wish to stay in Thailand for a long period and do not have any intention to work in the Kingdom may apply for such visa at the Royal Thai Embassy or Royal Thai Consulate-General in their respective country. The holder of “O-A” visa is allowed to stay in Thailand for 1 year from the date of first entry, and is also able to apply for an extension of stay afterwards. Please see the qualifications and requirements for application and relevant information in the website (www.mfa.go.th).
Q: I have been in Thailand since last week with a multiple-entry business visa. I happened to lose my passport yesterday. What should I do?
A: First, you need to go to a police station for a report of the loss. Then you need to go to your Embassy in Bangkok for an issuance of new passport or temporary travel document. Finally, you need to bring the new passport or travel document to the Immigration Office for an endorsement.
In case that your country does not have an Embassy in Bangkok, please go to the Visa and Travel Documents Division, Department of Consular Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on Chaengwattana Road in Bangkok, to apply for the Emergency Certificate (EC). You then need to bring the EC to the Immigration Office for endorsement before leaving the Kingdom.
You need to apply for a new visa on your new passport before coming to Thailand next time.
