What to Pack
The best advice I can give is to travel as light as possible. The climate is basically hot and humid so it is best to wear loose or relaxed fitting clothing made from natural materials like cotton. During the cool season in the north it can get chilly in the evenings so a shawl or [...]
Money
The Thai currency is the Baht (abbreviated as B). 100 satang makes up 1 Baht, but you won’t need to worry about satang as most prices are rounded up to the nearest Baht. Coins come in values of B1, B5 and B10. Notes come in values of B10, B20, B50, B100, B500 and B1000. [...]
Inoculations - What Jabs Do I Need?
There are no compulsory inoculation requirements for visitors to Thailand coming from the West. Whilst not compulsory, I would recommend vaccinations for:
Hepatitis A (and possibly Hepatitis B)
Polio and Tetanus
Typhoid
For many people it may just be a case of checking to see if you need a booster jab. Check with your doctor or health care practitioner [...]
Banks & Exchanging Money
Banking hours are usually 08.30-15.30 Monday-Friday (excluding public holidays). Thailand is well served by a network of ATMs, particularly in the major towns and resorts. In addition, exchange kiosks with extended opening hours can be found in most of the main tourist areas. A better exchange rate is normally available inside Thailand than from your [...]
Buddhism and Merit-Making
Thailand is pre-dominantly Buddhist (over 90% of the population are Buddhists). I am far from being an expert on Buddhism, but living in Thailand it is impossible not to realize the impact it has on everyday life and the value placed on merit-making. There is a Thai saying which says that “if you do good [...]
Visas
If you meet certain criteria, most foreign visitors (including UK, US, Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand and South Africa) do not need to apply for a visa in advance. On arrival, Thai immigration will automatically stamp your passport granting you a 30 day stay in Thailand. If you know in advance of your visit that [...]