Visiting Thailand

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Thailand draws more visitors than any other country in Southeast Asia and is renowned for its hospitality and food. Thailand is situated in the heart of the Southeast Asian mainland, covering an area of 513,115 km, and is bordered by Laos and Myanmar to the north, Cambodia to the east, and Malaysia to the south.

Country Information

Full country name: Kingdom of Thailand
Area: 517,000 sq km
Population: 62 million
Capital City: Bangkok
People: 75% Thai, 11% Chinese, 3.5% Malay; also Mon, Khmer, Phuan and Karen minorities

Language

Thai is the official language of Thailand, but English is also commonly understood, particularly in large, commercial centres like Bangkok.

Government

Government: Constitutional Monarchy
Head of State: King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX)
Head of Government: Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra

Religion

Buddhist: 95%
Muslim: 4%

Buddhism is the dominant religion in Thailand, and orange-robed monks and statues of various Buddhas are common sights throughout the country. The prevalent form of Buddhism practiced in Thailand is the Theravada school, which emphasizes the potential of the individual to attain Nirvana without the help of saints.

Currency

Thai currency: baht (1 US dollar = 41 baht). You can exchange currency at the airport, at banks, at most major hotels, and at various exchange places throughout the city. Bank machines are also common, and major credit cards such as Visa are accepted in many stores and other commercial centres.

Business Hours

Most Bangkok business operate on a five-day business week, Monday to Friday, from 8 am to 5 pm. Many stores, however, are open seven days a week from 10 am to 10 pm. Banks are open Monday to Friday from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm, except on public holidays.

Visas

Most foreign nationals visiting Thailand require a visa to enter. For more information about visas, visit the Visas and Embassies page of this website, or visit the website of Thailand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs at www.mfa.go.th.

Weather

Thailand is a warm and rather humid tropical country with monsoonal climate. Average temperatures at the end of October are around 31 degrees Celsius.

Hospitals

Bangkok has numerous clinics and hospitals equipped with the latest medical technology and internationally qualified specialists. Almost all pharmaceuticals are widely available.

Tap Water

Drinking of tap water in Thailand is to be avoided. Official Forum and satellite hotels will provide complimentary bottled water for AWID delegates.

Airport Transfers

AWID will have a welcome desk at the airport, with information about transfers to your hotels and staff to assist you.

Local Transportation

Local transport includes the sky train, which runs through most of central Bangkok and connects to some of the canal boats, and the new subway system. Many of the Forum hotels, including the Shangri-la, are easily accessible by sky train. For more information on the bus, subway and train systems, visit www.bts.co.th/en for route and fare information.

Taxis, tuk-tuks (motorized rickshaws), samlors (bicycle rickshaws) and Songthaews (small pick-ups) are other modes of transport. When travelling by road, however, keep in mind that traffic in Bangkok is extremely congested and even going a short distance can take a considerable amount of time. Many taxi and tuk-tuk drivers speak a little English, but most are not fluent.

If travelling by taxi, we recommend that you take a metered taxi and avoid unmetered taxis if possible. If travelling in a unmetered taxi, make sure to settle the fare before departure.

Cuisine

Thai cuisine is pungent and spicy, seasoned with heaps of garlic and chilies and a characteristic mix of lime juice, lemon grass and fresh coriander. Main dishes include hot and sour fish ragout, green and red curries, various soups and noodle dishes. Thai food is served with a variety of condiments and dipping sauces. Snacks and appetizers include fried peanuts, chicken, chopped ginger, peppers and slices of lime. Thailand also boasts an incredible variety of fruit.

Safety

While violent crimes in Bangkok are rare, women travelling alone are advised to be prudent. Carry only essential items, and keep your bags and belongings close to you at all times. Whenever possible, travel with friends.

Wheelchair Accessibility

All of the meeting rooms, washrooms, and restaurants at the Shangri-la, as well as several of the hotel rooms, are fully wheelchair accessible. Bangkok itself, however, is not, as the sidewalks have steep curbs that cannot be navigated by wheelchair without assistance.

Other helpful facts & information

Time Zone: GMT/UTC +7
Dialing Code: 66 (+area code + number)
Electricity: 220V, 50Hz
Weights & measures: Metric