Thailand in General
Geography
Thailand lies in the heart of Southeast Asia. The country is bordered by Malaysia, Burma, Laos, and Cambodia. Thailand is geographically divided into 6 regions: the North, Central, South, East, West, and Northeast, with distinctive natural features, cultures in each region.
Climate
The local climate in Thailand is tropical, with 3 seasons:
- Summer spanning March – May. The weather is hot and dry with temperatures ranging between 82-91°F (28-33°C)
- Rainy Season spanning June – October. There are rainfalls throughout the country with temperatures ranging between 80-86°F (27-30°C)
- Cold Season spanning November – February. The weather is cold with good sunlight and temperatures ranging between 75-80°F (24-27°C)
Medical tourists may want to avoid the heat of the Summer during March – June.
Population and Ethnicity
Thailand has the population of 67.2 million (as of 2010), ethnically with 75% Thai, 14% Chinese descend, and 11% Malaysian, Laotian, and Indian descends.
Language
The official language is Thai. English is generally spoken especially in the cities and is used in road signs. Tourists rarely have problems communicating.
Drinking Water
Tap water is clean but not recommended for consumption. Bottled water is recommended.
What to Wear
Cotton clothing is most suitable for Thailand’s tropical climate. Please bring light jackets if you plan to visit the North or national parks during the cold season. Please do not wear shorts to religious places. Visitors are expected to remove their shoes before entering churches or Thai houses.
Electricity
Electricity in Thailand is 220 VAC. Travelers should bring power adapters if they plan to use their own electrical appliances in Thailand.
Transportation – Bangkok
- Buses : an inexpensive and widely available way to get around.
- Taxis : a plentiful and convenient mode of transportation. Taxi fare starts at 35 Baht for the first 3 KMs, and 5 Baht for each subsequent kilometer. Passengers pay for expressway tolls (if any).
- BTS : fast and convenient, BTS has two lines, the Sukhumvit and Silom lines. The service open 6am – midnight, with fares between 15-40 baht per trip.
- MRT : a good choice to get around Bangkok. The service open 6am – midnight, with fares between 16-41 Baht per trip. There are 3 interchanges with the BTS lines.
Bank
Banks open 8:30am – 3:30pm weekdays. Most bank branches are closed on bank holidays and public holidays. Bank branches in major shopping malls may open up to 8pm daily. There are 24-hour self-service ATMs.
Postal Services
Post offices open 8am – 5pm weekdays, 8am – noon on Saturdays. Major hotels may provide basic postal services.
Shops
Most shopping malls open around 10am – 10pm daily. Most private companies open 8am – 5pm, and government offices open 8:30am – 4:30pm (with noon-1am lunch break) on weekdays, except public holidays.
Internet
Internet connections are available in hotels, through mobile phone, and in internet cafés.
Health
Thai people enjoy the average lifespan similar to that of the western countries: 67.9 for Thai men, and 75 for Thai women. The Ministry of Public Health has launched a campaign of 5 Ways toward Good Health to promote exercise, weight control, mental development, disease prevention, and overall wellness.
Health Security in Thailand
The Thai government provides a comprehensive health security program, called 30-Baht for All Diseases for Thai people.
Things to Do
- Great dining spots in Bangkok
- Yaowarat is the place for various tasty Chinese dishes, especially in the evening.
- Sukhumvit (Soi 55) is a center for international cuisines.
- Silom, the business district, has cafés and international food.
- Lansuan is an emerging dining area
- Banglampoo – Klongsaan are the places for hip hangouts and budget dining
- Pahurat is the dining area for Indian and Pashtun cuisines.
- Shopping
Many shopping malls in Bangkok are accessible via BTS. Visitors will enjoy the wide selections of designer products there. For those who enjoy bargains, Chatuchak weekend market awaits you every Saturday and Sunday.
- Tourist Attractions
The Grand Palace and The Temple of the Emerald Buddha are a must. Wat Arunratchawararam (Wat Chaeng), Wat Benchamabophit, and Wat Po, which is the center for Thai massage, are also highly recommended.
- The Beaches in Phuket
Medical tourists may enjoy the tranquility of many beaches on Phuket island, plus the vibrant night life at Patong beach.