Thailand FAQ

• Do I need a Visa to enter Thailand?
• Where is the best information about getting a visa in Thailand? Thailand’s Embassy in USA, UK, AUS, CA.
• Public forum for visa info? www.ThaiVisa.com

Money & Currency

• What is the currency of Thailand? Thai Baht.
• Credit cards/ATM cards in Thailand?
• What is the rate of exchange? Usually it’s between 25 baht and
  40 baht to the dollar. Currently in December, 2008 it is at 35 baht to the dollar. Update – 4-24-10 it’s at 32 THB/Dollar.

Cautions to be Aware Of:

• Here are some ThaiPulse articles about specific cautions to be aware of in Thailand. Here are some blogs at Thaipulse about
  things you should be aware of in Thailand.
• Are there any poisonous/dangerous animals in Thailand?
  Many snakes, centipedes. You’re not likely to see any unless you’re sleeping outside.
• Is it safe to drink the water? Probably in most places, but don’t. Always drink bottled water with a seal. If using ice – make sure the ice is round, not chips. Round ice at restaurants is almost always safe.
• Is it safe to walk the streets at night? If you’re in a crowd – yes. If you’re alone – maybe. If you’re drunk, no.
• Do’s and Don’ts
• Do I need innoculations? None are compulsory for entering
  Thailand, however there is Dengue fever, Malaria and Encephalitis all passed by mosquitoes here.
• Crime in Thailand? You betcha… the link to left is about crimes I’ve blogged about.
• Don’t miss Mike Fook’s “Thai Black Book,” a Thailand guide to staying safe. Essential reading if you’re visiting or staying long-term in Thailand.

Thailand in General

• What’s the climate like? Hot, humid, rains often. Never snows.
• What is the word for hello in Thai? Sawasdee (pronounced sa wad dee)
• What is the biggest island? Phuket
• Where was “The Beach” with Leonardo Di Caprio filmed?
  Maya Bay, off Phi Phi
• When is the best time to visit Thailand For weather: December to May. For low season and few people: June to November.
• What is the voltage of electricity supply? Do I need to take a converter? 220. Check your electronics before you come.
• What is the capital of Thailand Bangkok. Thais’ call it, “Groong Tep.”
• Are there any international schools in Thailand? Many in Bangkok, Phuket, Chiang Mai, Pattaya. Even one in Krabi now.
• What languages are spoken in Thailand? Thai and in the tourist areas – English. English is not spoken well outside tourist areas, and sometimes there are few signs in English in the Northeast
  especially.
• Where are the foreign embassies? Bangkok.
• What should I read about Living in Thailand?
• Should I tip? Maybe. If you are on vacation and you can afford it
  - then tip. If you are on vacation and you spent your last $1000 to make it to Thailand, then I wouldn’t worry about it. If you feel great about the service you can offer a tip. Sometimes I tip at two different restaurants I like. Usually, I don’t tip.
• What side of the road do Thais drive on? Opposite from USA, same
  as UK (England).
• What is the predominant religion? Buddhist – about 99%. Some
  muslims in south near Malaysian border.
• Thai Politics – what’s going on? Some recent (late 2008) posts about political crisis and more.
• Where can I learn about Buddhism and meditation retreats in Thailand?
• Is there a site dedicated to Wat Suan Mokkh meditation retreats at the International Dhamma Hermitage in Chaiya? Yes, click this link.
• Is there good information about Suan Mokkh on the Thai side? Yes, click that link.

Food and Dining

• What is the food like? Amazing. Read this blog to get an idea:
  Joy’s Thai Food!
• Key phrase: “My Pet” – means, less spicy. It may still be spicy,
  but not overwhelming I hope.

Accommodation

• What types of accommodation are available in Thailand?
  Everything from 5-star hotels to bamboo bungalows on Ko Tao island. Oh, and tents in Krabi at the Ko Phi Phi National park.

Entertainment

• What kind of night-life is available in Thailand? Outrageous and insane (Pattaya, Patong Beach, Patpong in Bangkok)
• Where are the Thai Boxing stadiums?
  Bangkok, Patong Beach, Pattaya, Krabi, most big cities have them. Many smaller cities have them.
• Do they have festivals in Thailand? Yes, many festivals – be sure to check out this link to see what’s coming.

Beaches

• Are the beaches clean? In Pattaya – no. In Ko Lanta during off-season, no. Most other beaches I’ve been to around Thailand have clean beaches.

Technology

Where can I find out about technology in Thailand?
ThaiPulse Blog’s Technology Category >

Adventures

• “Living in Thailand” by Mike Fook – free ebook
• Where can I learn about Live Aboard Boats and Diving?
• Is there a Thailand backpacking FAQ? Yes, that link goes to Pass Planet’s FAQ for backpackers.
• Thailand Kitesurfing FAQ >
• Full Moon Party (Ko Phangnan) FAQ >
• Thailand adventures I’ve blogged about at ThaiPulse
• Here is a Skydiving Thailand FAQ
• Here’s a Motorbiking (motorcycling) Thailand FAQ

Travel Times

• Bangkok to Hua Hin – approx. 2/3 hours by road
• BKK to Pattaya – approx. 2 hours by road
• BKK to Phuket – approx. 1 hour by air
• BKK to Samui – approx. 1 hour by air
• BKK to Chiang Mai – approx. 1 hour by air
• BKK to Surat Thani by train – overnight sleeper 10 hours.
• BKK to Ubon Ratchathani in northeast – overnight sleeper train,
  10-12 hours
• Surat Thani to Ko Samui – overnight by ferry 7 hours.
• Surat Thani to Phuket by van – 2.5 to 3 hours.

Health

• Hospitals in Thailand
  If you’re anywhere near Bangkok you’ll want to go there for anything major. If you’re in the south of Thailand then Phuket has a nice International hospital that’s about $300 per night, but they speak great English and will make you feel like they know what they’re doing. For bang up jobs or serious injuries that can’t wait – try the emergency room at the biggest local hospital you can find. They have a LOT of experience treating motorbike accident wounds.
• Another perspective on Thailand hospitals >
• Chikungunya – a debilitating, mosquito born virus – FAQ.

Videos of Thailand

• Many videos of Thailand, scroll down there are many pages with links.

Photos of Thailand

• Thailand photos category at ThaiPulse blog >

Thailand EBooks – many ebooks here >

• Meditation without Religion, a 22 day program. 75 pages, illustrated.
• Living in Thailand, An expat going from USA to Thailand. 77 pages, many photos.
• Thai Black Book – the ultimate survival guide for Thailand visitors or expats.
• The Ultimate Guide to Teaching English in Thailand
• Learn the Thai Alphabet in 24 hours
• Joy’s Thai Food Cookbook – 50 recipes!
• Joy’s Top 20 Thai Desserts Cookbook
• Spicy Thai Diet – coming

Ultimate Thailand Guide

• Thai Black Book – Thailand guide for visitors looking to stay safe and have the best vacation possible.

Miscellaneous

• How do I go about adopting a child from Thailand? That link goes to a FAQ at World Association for Children and Parents (WACAP).
• What is it like “Livingin Thailand?“
• What is there to know about Teaching in Thailand? (Ajarn.com)
• Stickman’s article (50K words) about teaching in Thailand
• How do I go about finding a good Thai wife to marry?