Visas
Travelers are required to have on onward ticket to enter Thailand. Citizens of most nations can get a 30-day visa upon arrival. Two-week extensions can be obtained by going to the Immigration Department, located near the Silom business district (507 Suan Plu Road; Tel: 287-1740 or 287-3101) with a photocopy of your passport (every page), two photographs, and the extension fee of 500 baht. Agencies can facilitate this process, with pick up and delivery service to your hotel room.

Currency
Foreign currency changers are available at the airport and provide the same rates as in town and better rates than hotels. The baht is divided into 100 satangs. Paper denominations consist of 1,000- (gray), 500- (purple), 100- (red), 50- (blue), and 20- (green) baht notes. Coins consist of ten-, five-, one-baht disks, as well as 50- and 25-satang brass disks. Click here for currency conversion.

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Credit Cards
Major establishments readily accept American Express, Diners Club, Mastercard and Visa cards. Expect a 3-5 percent surcharge. Major Bangkok banks also recognize these credit cards.

Tipping
Tipping is not the usual practice in Thailand, but is becoming more common. Most hotels and restaurants add a 10 percent service charge to the bill. Taxi drivers do not require a tip but the gesture is appreciated. For more information on business and social etiquette.

Useful Numbers
Tourist Police: 1155
City police: 195
Local directory assistance: 100
International directory assistance: 100
International flight information: 535-1254 (departures)/ 535-1301 (arrivals)
Domestic flight information: 535-1253
Visa: 001-800-11-535-0660
Mastercard: 001-800-11-887-0663

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Electricity
Electrical outlets are 220 volts, 50 cycles and accept flat-pronged plugs.

Health Risks
Health standards in Thailand are relatively high for Southeast Asia, with many doctors trained in the U.S. Pollution in Bangkok is endemic. Chloroquine-resistant mosquitoes are rife in Thailand, so mosquito-repellent is recommended before dining al fresco. Major health risks include AIDS, cholera, dengue fever, Japanese encephalitis, malaria and rabies. Drink only bottled or boiled water. Avoid eating food from street vendors.

Time Zone
GMT +7, same as Vietnam

Business Hours
Government offices open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Monday to Friday. Business hours are from 8:00 or 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Monday to Friday and half day on Saturday from 8:30 to noon. Most department stores operate from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. all week, while some pharmacies open throughout the night. Restaurants serve from 7:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., though some open past midnight or 24 hours. For more information on doing business in Bangkok.

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Holidays
2008
1 Jan New Year's Day.
21 Feb Magha Bucha Day.
6 Apr Chakri Day.
13-15 Apr Songkran (Thai New Year).
1 May Labour Day.
5 May Coronation Day.
19 May Visakha Bucha.
1 Jul Mid Year Bank Holiday.
16 Aug Khao Phansa Day (Buddhist Lent).
12 Aug HM The Queen's Birthday.
23 Oct Chulalongkorn Day.
5 Dec HM The King's Birthday.
10 Dec Constitution Day.
31 Dec New Year's Eve.

2009
1 Jan New Year's Day.
Feb/Mar* Magha Bucha Day.
6 Apr Chakri Day.
13-15 Apr Songkran (Thai New Year).
1 May Labour Day.
5 May Coronation Day.
May/Jun* Visakha Bucha.
1 Jul Mid Year Bank Holiday.
Jul* Khao Phansa Day (Buddhist Lent).
12 Aug HM The Queen's Birthday.
23 Oct Chulalongkorn Day.
5 Dec HM The King's Birthday.
10 Dec Constitution Day.
31 Dec New Year's Eve.

Climate
Thailand has a tropical climate with three seasons: summer (hot and dry) from March through May, rainy (hot and wet) from June to October, and winter (cool and dry) from November through February. The average annual temperature is 28 degrees centigrade (83 degrees farenheit), with summer highs topping 37 degrees centigrade and winter lows reaching 20 degrees centigrade. Click here for 10-day weather forecast for Bangkok.

Clothing
Suits are worn for business and at many large hotels, but in general Thailand lacks the formality of Hong Kong or Tokyo. It's important to dress neatly. Women should avoid wearing anything sleeveless. For casual events, light and loose in natural fibers or blends are the best. Sunglasses and hats are essential as is an umbrella during rainy season. Do not wear shorts when visiting temples and mosques. Shoes must be removed before entering temple buildings.

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GDP Growth Rate
3.5 %

Inflation
2 %

Major Trading Partners
ASEAN, USA, European Union

Major Industries
Computers, garments, integrated circuits, gems, jewellery

Teledensity
12.1 persons per telephone

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Government
Democratic constitutional monarchy, with 76 provinces.

Geography
Located at 14 degrees N latitude, Bangkok is approximately 1,500 km2 (600 square miles). Bangkok is divided by the Chao Phraya River into two large cities, Bangkok and Thon Buri. There are several bridges that connect these two areas to each other, the Krungthon Bridge, the Phra Pinklao Bridge, and the Memorial Bridge are a few.
Thailand has an area of 513,115 square km with Malaysia in the south, Myanmar in the west and north, Laos in the north and east, and Cambodia in the southeast.

Population
Thailand: 64 million
Bangkok: 9.4 million

Ethnic Groups
Thai 75%, Chinese 14%, other (Malay, Khmer, Mons, various hill tribes, plus tens of thousands of refugees in border camps from the more troubled countries of Southeast Asia) 11%

Languages
Thai is the national language, although Lao and Chinese are also spoken by significant numbers of people. English is widely understood in the cities.

Literacy
91 percent

Religion
Buddhists represent about 93 percent, Muslims 5 percent, Christians 1.5 percent and other sects less than 1 percent.