Dream of Siam

Climate

Cool season : November - February
Hot season: March - May
Rainy season: June - October

Peak season is November to February.
The less busy season is July and August.

The average temperature in Bangkok is around 27C with temperatures peaking in April as high as 40C.

Temperatures vary depending on where you are. The North (Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai) is cooler.

Currency

Currency is the Thai Baht (THB). See this site for currency conversions: http://www.xe.com

Time difference

Bangkok is 7 hours ahead of GMT. You can set up your own personal world clock here: http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/personal.html

Airport

The brand new Suvarnhabhumi Airport. More info here: http://www.bangkokairportonline.com

The old international airport (Don Muang) is still open for certain internal flights.

Departure Tax

Since February 2007 this has been included in the cost of your ticket, so you shouldn't need to pay this on leaving Thailand.

Taxi fare

From new Airport to central Bangkok: should be 300-500 baht.

Mains electricity

220 V, 50 Hz
2 pin rounded plugs (adapter required from UK)

International dialling code

If calling Thailand from abroad the code is 66.

If calling UK from Thailand the code is 44.

A complete list of dialling codes can be found here: http://www.kropla.com/dialcode.htm

Immunization

None are legally required, although you will need Yellow Fever if coming from a country infected with it.

Based on my experience the following jabs are strongly recommended:

    * Tetanus
    * Polio
    * Typhoid
    * Hepatitis A

The following are also recommended if travelling to rural areas:

    * BCG (tuberculosis)
    * Hepatitis B
    * Rabies
    * Diptheria
    * Japanese Encephalitis

There is also a risk of Hepatitis C, but currently there is no vaccine for it.

Malaria can be a risk in the border lands of Thailand - you are advised to take anti-malarials in those areas. You can find out the locations from this map:

http://www.fitfortravel.scot.nhs.uk/destinations/malariamaps/thailand.htm

If in doubt on any medical issues consult your doctor.

Useful phone numbers

Tourist Assistance Centre - (02) 281 5051
Metropolitan Mobile Police - 191

Tourist Police Numbers:
Bangkok - 1155
Chiang Mai - (053) 248130
Koh Phuket - (076) 225361
Koh Samui - (076) 225361
Surat Thani - (076) 225361

Directory enquiries: 13 in Bangkok, 183 outside.

How to make a phone call

To make a call within a province just use the last 6 digits of the number (Bangkok has 7 digit numbers).
To call another province first use the area code. For example if calling Bangkok from a province use 02.
To phone out of Thailand use 001 then the country code. For example to call UK from Thailand dial 00144 first.