thailand guide

8/12/2019 Thailand Guide

1/6

THAILAND

With travellers hitting the shores of Thailand from around the planet all year long, life in Thailand seems like one never-ending party. And

somehow it never tires, never closes its gates and stays cool and hospitable and smiles as herds of people come, laze around its exotic beaches,

go visiting its Buddhist temples, experience exotic wildlife and jive to its electrifying nightlife scene. What proves the above statement - the

peaceful civil war that the nation recently went through. Whatever may be the emergency, Thailand makes sure it entertains because thats its

souls core. Food, fine dining, spa treatments, water sports, sightseeing and shopping - This is Thailand at its best! Enjoy

The peak season is November to late March,

with secondary peak months in July and

August. If you want to avoid crowds and

to take advantage of discounted rooms and

low-season rates, April-June and September-

October are the best times.

Tasty, delicious, clean, spicy and varied - most

of all, Thai food is cheap! Many of the wayside

kiosks serve great meals starting at only a few

bahts. Then, of course, there are 5 star hotels,

which will serve you multi-course meals for

nothing less than a few 100 dollars. Rest

assured that food itself is going to get you

to Thailand, the second time around.

Some of the most popular Thai dishes

to check out:

FOOD BEST TIME

TO VISIT

AIR

Thailand's national carrier is Thai Airways

International (THAI), which operates many

domestic air routes from Bangkok to provincial

capitals. Several other air carriers such as

Bangkok Airways, PB Air, Phuket Air, Angel

Air, etc. fly to about 26 cities throughout

Thailand. Reservations may be secured

through airline offices, hotels or travel

agencies from overseas or upon arrival

in Thailand.

GETTING

THERE

Time Zone

GMT +7

(Does not observe day light saving)

Calling code

+66

Currency

Baht (THB)

Language

Thai, English

Electricity

220V - 240V/50 Hz

01

Khanom chin namya- round boiled rice noodles

topped with a fish based sauce and eaten with

fresh leaves and vegetables.

Khao Khluk Kapi - rice stir-fried with shrimp

paste, served with sweetened pork and

vegetables.

Khao Man Kai - rice steamed with garlic,

with boiled chicken, chicken stock and

a dipping sauce.

Khao Phat - one of the most common dishes inThailand, fried rice, Thai style. Usually with

chicken, beef, shrimp, pork, crab or coconut or

pineapple, or vegetarian (che (Thai: ).

Khao Phat Kai - fried rice with chicken.

Why go to Thailand.


2/6

BUSES

Phenomenally fast, well serviced and

air-conditioned public buses ply the city. Fare:

1222 baht. The red and grey air-conditioned

microbuses are for longer urban journeys.

Call 184 for bus route information. Else maps

are available at most hotels and bookshops.

TAXIS & TUK TUKS

Metered taxis can be hailed from anywhere

in Bangkok. Make sure that the meter is

switched on before you start. Startup fare is set

at 35 bahts for the first 3 kms, with 5 bahts for

each kilometre of the journey. Local transportincludes taxis, tuk-tuks (motorised rickshaws),

saamlaw(bicycle rickshaws) and sawngthaew

(small pick-ups), all of them cheap and reliable

for short trips.

CARS

Cars, jeeps or vans can be rented in Bangkok

and large provincial capitals. However,

be aware that driving in cities like Bangkok is

a menace.

BICYCLE

Cheap, nonpolluting and slow enough to allow

you to see everything. Favoured touring routes

include the two-lane roads along the Mekong

River in the north and northeast - the terrain

is largely flat and the river scenery is inspiring.

MOTORCYCLE TAXIES

The fastest way to plod through Thailand's

traffic. Look for the driver with the coloured

vest. Fares are negotiated before departure.

Hold on tight for a fast joyride.

TRAIN

Rail journeys in Thailand are efficient,

inexpensive, comfortable and punctual but

slow. The State Railway of Thailand organises

one and two-day economy tours to variousdestinations on weekends and holidays.

Schedules can be obtained from Bangkok's

main railway station at Hualamphong.

LOCALTRANSPORT

We recommend lots of beachwear. While shorts,

sleeveless T-shirts and sandals are perfect for

strolling inside city markets, a pair of smart

casuals with appropriate shoes (no sneakers) will

work fine if you planning to visit smart diners.

However, cover yourself well before visiting

temples, monasteries and other places

of religious interests, most of which might deny

you entry if your dress sense seems inappropriate.

Also carry a hat, a good sunscreen and a light

jacket to guard you from cool winter evenings.

You'll need it especially when you move up to

Chiang Mai or Chiang Rai Hills.

RECOMMENDED

CLOTHING

02

Purchase tickets in advance at main s tations and

at the Advance Booking Office at

Hualamphong.

BOAT

Thai river transport is the Reua Haang Yao

(cigarette long-tail boat), so-called because the

propeller is mounted at the end of a long drive

shaft extending from the engine. These boats

travel very fast and are available for tours of the

city's huge canal system.

A 2-hour private tour will cost you about

500 baht.


3/6

CUSTOMSREGULATIONS

(FAST FACT)

Beach revelries, rave nights, plethora

of enjoyment fun and frolic, Thailand is typically

known for the superior quality of its nightlife. The

kingdom has some of the best clubs playing the

latest music, and while not all of them are in the

capital, most of Thailands islands are host

to world class music concerts and events. Film

goers are going to have a ball of a time. Tickets

are way cheaper than in many other parts of the

world. Besides world class shows and cabarets,

the worlds top performing artists grace

Thailands shores on a regular basis! A dialogue

on Thailands nightlife wouldnt be complete

without a mention of its world famous Go-Go

scene, with Bangkok and Pattaya being the hubs.

NIGHTLIFE

MUST SEE

03

Customs Regulations in Thailand are strictly

enforced. Those in violation of regulations are

subject to fines and in extreme cases,

imprisonment. Here is a brief synopsis

of regulations as they stand:

DUTY-FREE ITEMS

You are entitled to bring no more than 200

cigarettes or cigars into the country without

paying duty. In addition, tobacco up to a weight

not exceeding 250 grams is duty exempt. One

litre of wine or spirits may be brought into the

country on a duty free basis, and you are

entitled to bring in a stills or movie camera,

five rolls of still film or three rolls of 8 to 16mm

movie camera film for personal use.

PROHIBITED ITEMS

Narcotics like marijuana, opium, cocaine,

morphine, heroin and other mood-altering drugs

(amphetamine, LSD, Ecstasy) are banned,

whether they have been prescribed by a doctor

or not. So are obscene literature and

pornographic materials and firearms

& ammunition.

PERSONAL EFFECTS

Clothing for personal use, toiletries and music

instruments for personal or professional use are

all exempt of duty.

Cabaret Shows in Thailand

Thailands nightlife includes excellent cabaret

shows some of the finest in the region.

ALCAZAR CABARET

CHONBURI

Alcazar Cabaret has become a tourist attraction

with its own might. At Alcazar its a straight

forward theme men dressed as women, or as

they are known in the trade, female imperson-

ation artists. Known in Thai as Katoeys, the

performers are almost invariably transsexuals

who have had gender reassignment.

TIFFANY'S SHOW

CHONBURI

The Tiffany's Show is Southeast Asias first truly

transvestite cabaret show. The past three

decades have witnessed it become a mighty

tourist attraction. The cabaret is performed

by men who bear indistinguishable

resemblances to women, many of which are

more beautiful than real women. The 1,000-seat

capacity theatre hosts the most modern light and

sound stage equipment to support over 100

professional performers. This is a huge show,

very well done, and well worth a visit.

ROYAL CITY AREA

(THE ENTERTAINMENT ZONE)

The least known of all, Royal City Avenue

(or just RCA as it is known by locals) is one

of the biggest entertainment areas in Bangkok.

RCA is a long road hosting a multitude

of different types of bar and clubs. Very much

a Thai scene, RCA is frequented by Bangkoks

young crowd, mainly university students.

The music scene is hot. Places to eat

& drink are many.


4/6

Thailand offers a wonderful experience for the

ardent shopper, with a tremendous variety

of goods on offer. From multi-storied Malls

offering the best of designer stuff to handicrafts

and knick-knacks from old marketplaces, theres

a lot to shop for in Thailand.

Department stores open by around 10:00 am

and do not close until 9:00 pm. Markets vary in

their timings with produce markets opening

before dawn, general markets staying open

during daylight hours, but in many areas there

are night markets where you can sit in the open

and eat while browsing the stalls.

SHOPPING

TIPPING& ETIQUETTE

Tipping

There is no mandatory tipping policy in Thailand.

However, leaving small tips is a nice gesture.

IN TAXIS: All public taxis in Bangkok are

equipped with a meter to calculate fares based

on distance and time. Both Thai and local

expatriates alike will commonly round-up the final

fare to an even number. Tip if you feel like.

IN RESTAURANTS: Most mid-range restaurants

and nearly all hotel-restaurants will automatically

include a 10% service charge on all bills. This

surcharge acts as your gratuity. These funds are

combined and shared among all employees

at the end of the month in addition to their basic

monthly wage. At mid and lower-end restaurants,

when paying cash, it is customary to simply

leave any coins received as change for the staff

as gratuity.

THE 1 BAHT () INSULT

Leaving 1 as a tip is a deliberate insult and

is best avoided unless you are intent

on causing offence.

04


5/605

Activities related to well-being are becoming

commonplace and are no longer limited

to the privileged.

Thailand is perfectly positioned to caterto people who want more out of a holiday than

just a suntan. The countrys spas offer

an unparalleled level of elegance, luxury and

pampering with the help of massages using

traditional medicines (both Thai and Chinese).

Meditation is a core component of everyday

religious activity and was emphasised over

by Buddha over and over again. Thailand

brings it to its guests in its truest form.

As you can see now, a trip to Thailand could

indeed do you a world of good!

WELL-BEING


6/6

THAI PHRASES

Note:

At the end of each sentence it is considered polite to add krap

(for males) and Kaa for females. eg. Mai ao kaa.

How much? -

I don't have much money

Can you discount a little?

Too expensiveYou must be joking

I want it cheaper

Tho rai or Kee Baht?

Mee nguen mai maak

Lot rakka dai mai

Paeng Pai.Poot len naw

ow thuuk

06

GENERAL

Yes

No

Thank you

No, thank you

Hello

How are you?

I'm fine

Excuse me

Please

When?

Today

Tomorrow

I do not understand

How old are you?

I like you!

I cannot speak Thai

Can speak a little Thai

No smoking/don't smoke

Chi

Mi chi

Khp khun

Mi ao khp khun

Sawt dii

Sabai dee rue?

Sabay dee

Khw thht

Karuna

Mu-arai?

Wan ni

Phrng ni

Mi Kho jai

Ah yoo thao rai?

Phom chawp koon

Poot passat Thai mai dai

Poot passat Thai nit noy

Haam soop buree.

ENGLISH THAI

HEALTH

ENGLISH THAI

Mai sabai

Ow maw mae tenee

Pai rong paiapbahn

Jep thong

Jep khor

Oo-aak

cheet yah

yah

maaw saat

I'm not feeling well

Get me a doctor

Go to a hospital

Sore stomach

Sore neck

Vomit

Injection

Pill

Veterinarian

BARGAINING

ENGLISH THAI

Have you eaten yet?

Are you hungry?

What have/are you

Eaten?

I don't like that.

I don't drink alcohol

I am drunk

I don't eat meat

I can't eat hot spicy food

Not spicy or hot

Water

Beer

Orange juice

Lemon juice

Tea - hot - iced

Coffee

Gin khao liang?

Hue mai? (also very common)

Gin arai?

Mai chawp

Mai duem lao

Mow laew

Mai gin nua, paak yang

deeo.

Gin ahaan phet mai dai

Mai ow prik

naam

be-ah

naam som

naam manao

cha - lawn - yen

kafaeEATIN

G

&DRINKING

ENGLISH THAI

DIRECTIONS

ENGLISH THAI

Sathanee rot-fai yoo tenee?

sanaam-bin ......

Sathanee rot-bus ......

pai-sanee ......

Roon Raem dee ......

long ahann Thai dee ......

Pai Nai?

Mai Pai

Pai Teeo or Pai ell (nor thern)

Where is the train station?

Airport?

Bus station?

Post Office?

A good hotel?

Good Thai restaurant

Where are you going?

I'm not going anywhere

Going travelling

NUMBERSA

NDCOUNTING

ENGLISH THAI

neung

song

saam

see

ha

hok

jet

paet

gow

sip

sip et

sip song .......

yee sip or sow (northern)

saam sip

loy

phan

muen

saen

laan

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

20

30

100

1,000

10,000

100,000

1,000,000

thailand guide

Documents