Weather, tipping and shopping – check out our useful guide to Thailand.

THAILAND FACTFILE

Flying time
11.5 hours

Capital
Bangkok

GMT
+ 7 hours

Weather
Thailand has a tropical climate with three distinct seasons: warm from November to February (less humid), hot from March until May (humid) and rainy from April to October. The average annual temperature is 29°C (88°F).

Language
Thailand’s official language is Thai. Like Chinese, it is a tonal language, difficult for foreigners to imitate. English is widely spoken in Bangkok and at the beach resorts.

Currency
The Thai currency is the Baht (written B or THB). The current rate of exchange is approximately THB 53 = UK £1 (January 2010).

Immigration
You need a full EU 10-year passport. We recommend that the expiry date should be at least six months after your arrival back in the UK. If you are staying for less than 30 days (29 nights), you do not need a visa for Thailand. For stays longer than 30 days, a tourist visa must be obtained from the Thai Embassy.

Tipping
It is customary to tip porters and hotel personnel who have provided good service. A 10-15% tip is appreciated in restaurants, particularly where a service charge is not included.

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. Jackets and ties are required in certain restaurants.

Money
American Express, Visa and MasterCard are widely accepted in Bangkok and you can use them to withdraw money. In regions less visited by tourists, it is wise to take US dollars which can be exchanged in local hotels for Thai Baht.

Thai tastes
Thai cuisine combines the best of Chinese and Indian cuisine – noodles, curries, sweet and sour dishes, exotic spices and condiments – but retains its own distinctive flavours. Chinese food in Thailand is fantastic and European, Levantine, Asian and Oriental dishes are featured on the menus of gourmet restaurants in Bangkok. Western-style fast food shops, snack bars and ice-cream parlours are becoming increasingly popular.

Getting around Bangkok
Bangkok is an easy city to explore. It’s also a great city stopover before travelling to one of Thailand’s beautiful beach resorts. You can hop on the quick and reliable BTS SkyTrain – there are two routes, the Sukhumvit Line and the Silom Line, which cover most of the city. Trains run daily between 6am and midnight and fares are charged based on the distance travelled.

You can also head below street level and travel on the underground MRTA or catch an authentic tuk tuk – but be careful, you might visit a few family shops en route. A riverboat along the Chao Praya River is a good chance to admire the city skyline on the way to sights such as the Grand Palace, Chinatown and the flower market. The Chao Praya Express boat or the Tourist Boat will stop at the piers close to Bangkok’s interesting sights and this is a cheap way to travel.

Shopping
Bangkok is a shopping paradise. There are malls such as Siam Paragon if you’re looking for upmarket designer labels and night markets such as Chatuchak, one of the world’s largest weekend markets. You can also jump off the metro at Lumpini station and visit the Suan Lum Night Bazaar with its thousands of stalls, food stalls and restaurants. While in Thailand, look out for Thai silks, traditional jewellery and silverware. You can also visit one of the 24-hour tailors or dressmakers who will make you a suit or beautiful outfit.

Find Thailand holidays
Find Bangkok holidays

Article added 05 February 20010.