- According to the Interior Ministerial Announcements dated 1 October B.E. 2545 (2002), 20 December B.E. 2545 (2002), 18 October B.E. 2547 (2004) and 6 May B.E. 2548 (2005), passport holders from 41 countries and 1 special administrative region - Hong Kong SAR - are not required to obtain a visa when entering Thailand for tourism purposes and will be permitted to stay in the Kingdom for a period of not exceeding 30 days on each visit. If such foreigners enter the Kingdom at the immigration checkpoints which border neighboring countries, they will be allowed to stay for 15 days each time, except Malaysian nationals who cross the borderline from Malaysia whose granted period of stay will not exceed 30 days each time.
- Please note that Tourist Visa Exemption does not apply to foreigners holding Travel Document for Aliens issued by these countries. - Foreigners entering Thailand under the Tourist Visa Exemption category must possess adequate finances for the duration of stay in Thailand (i.e., cash 10,000 Baht per person and 20,000 Baht per family).
1. Australia : Commonwealth of Australia 2. Austria : Republic of Austria 3. Belgium : Kingdom of Belgium 4. Brazil : Federative Republic of Brazil (****) 5. Bahrain : State of Bahrain 6. Brunei Darussalam : Negara Brunei Darussalam 7. Canada 8. Denmark : Kingdom of Denmark 9. Finland : Republic of Finland 10. France : French Republic 11. Germany : Federal Republic of Germany 12. Greece : Hellenic Republic 13. Hong Kong : Hong Kong Special Administrative Region 14. Iceland : Republic of Iceland 15. Indonesia : Republic of Indonesia 16. Ireland : Republic of Ireland 17. Israel : State of Israel 18. Italy : Republic of Italy 19. Japan 20. Korea : Republic of Korea (****) 21. Kuwait : State of Kuwait 22. Luxembourg : Grand Duchy of Luxembourg 23. Malaysia 24. Monaco : Principality of Monaco 25. Netherlands : Kingdom of the Netherlands 26. New Zealand 27. Norway : Kingdom of Norway 28. Oman : Sultanate of Oman 29. Peru : Republic of Peru (****) 30. Philippines : Republic of the Philippines 31. Portugal : Republic of Portugal 32. Qatar : State of Qatar 33. Singapore : Republic of Singapore 34. Spain : Kingdom of Spain 35. South Africa : Republic of South Africa 36. Sweden : Kingdom of Sweden 37. Switzerland : Swiss Confederation 38. Turkey : Republic of Turkey 39. United Arab Emirates 40. United Kingdom : United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland 41. United States of America 42. Vietnam : Socialist Republic of Vietnam
Thailand is Buddhist country where Buddha images are held sacred.
Sacrilegious Acts are punishable by imprisonment even if committed by foreign visitors.
Thai people hold their King and Queen and the Royal Family in great reverence, and so won’t tolerate foreigners talking about them in disrespect.
Generally Thai women are conservative. So don’t touch them without their consent.
Dress properly when entering a Buddhist temple. Mini skirts and shorts are not allowed. Take your shoes off before going inside the hall of worship. Ladies must not on any account touch a Buddhist monk, give things direct to him or receive things direct from him.
Intimacies between man and woman should not be shown in public. Sunbathing in the nude is prohibited.
Call Thais their first names: use the title “Khun” for adults.
Thai people smile to express gladness and happiness, to thank for small services, to return the wai (a way of greeting) of children and inferior persons, and event to excuse small inconveniences.
Don’t touch a person’s head, nor ruffle his hair. The head is the noblest part of the body. A sincere apology should be offered immediately if you touch someone’s head unintentionally.
Avoid placing your feet on the table while sitting. Never use your foot to point things out or to touch any part of the body of anyone, which is considered rude.
Entering a Thai house, you’re expected to remove your shoes.
Exports of Buddha images (except small ones carried on person), antiques and genuine works of art require export license from the Fine Arts Department. The shop you deal with can provide such service for you.
Foreign tourists are allowed to take out gold ornaments free. But import and export of gold other than jewelry are subject to licensing; by the Ministry of Finance.
It is prohibited by law to bring any of the following items into Thailand:
Most Thai food is already cut into small pieces before serving or made soft enough to be cut with spoon or fork;’ thus, a knife is unnecessary.
Saltshakers are rarely found on Thai dinner tables, so add a little caramel-color fish-sauce (called nam-pla in Thai) instead, if you find your food not salty enough.
English is spoken in large restaurants in tourist provinces; and most establishments have menus in Thai and English, except street-side food stalls and some small restaurant.
Beckon waiters with a wave of a hand. Don’t clap, snap fingers or hiss.
Normally, a tip of 10-20 Baht or 5-10% of the bill should be left when dining in a middle or high-class restaurant.
Bargaining is an art long practiced in Asian countries including Thailand. So feel free to ask for a proper discount when shopping in places where prices are not marked.
Be careful in dealing with sidewalk vendors who may not offer genuine goods at fair prices.
Receipts should be obtained for the goods you buy. For jewelry you must get a certificate for guarantee as well.
Some shops can offer a money-back guarantee but you should clearly determine all conditions with the shopkeeper beforehand.
Indochina Bike Tours (INDOCY01) 21 Days Cycling from Bangkok to Rayong, Chanthaburi, Pailin, Battambang, Angkor, Phnom Penh, Kirirom, Sihanouk Ville, Kampot, Kep, Takeo, Chau Doc, Can Tho, Travinh, Saigon
Bangkok to Saigon (THCY01) 15 Days Bangkok-Rayong-Chantaburi-Pailin-Battambang-Angkor-Phnom Penh-Takeo-Mekong Delta-Saigon (TOUR PRICE: USD1,593 PER PERSON)
Bangkok to Vientiane (LAOSCY01) 12 Days Chiang Khong-Pak Beng-Oudomxai-Nong Khiaw-Luang Prabang-Kiew Ka Cham-Kasi-Vang Vieng-Vientiane
Bangkok to Angkor (CAMCY7) 8 Days Bangkok-Rayong-Chantaburi-Pailin-Battambang-Siem Reap (TOUR PRICE: USD899 PER PERSON)
Thailand Discovery (THI01) 15Days Bangkok, Kanchanaburi, Ayuttaya, Chiang Mai, Trekking, Khao Sok National Park, Krabi, Bangkok
Laos Tours Discovery (THI02) 14 Days Bangkok, Chiang Rai, Chiang Khong, Luang Namtha, Nong khiaw, Luang Prabang, Vientiane, Pakse, Tad Lo, Don Khong, Pakse
Thailand Beach Experiences (THIB03) 14 Days Bangkok, Surat Thani, Khao Sok National Park, Ko Samui, Koh Phangan, Koh Tao, Bangkok
Thailand Cambodia Tours (THI04) 12 Days Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Trekking, Khao Sok National Park, Bangkok, Siem Reap, Angkor, Trekking Kulen Mountain, Beng Mealea
Bangkok Eastern plains (THI05) 13 Days Bangkok, Kanchanaburi, Saiyoke National Park, Death Railway, Ayuttaya, khao Yai, Pottery Village, Phi Mai, Nakhon Ratchasima, Buriram, Aranyaphrathet, Chantaburi, koh kood
