Reminder for tourists in Thailand. Reminder for tourists in Thailand Hotel accommodation
When you are planning a trip to Thailand, you need to plan ahead all possible problems and obstacles related to departure. Therefore, we decided to write Reminder for tourists in Thailand, in which we have selected the most important information for you.
Thailand has its own characteristics and nuances for tourists, which it would be useful for you to learn about in the article “”, although this country is considered quite harmless compared to ours.
Air tickets and boarding
Be prepared for certain requirements associated with your purchase or check-in. Sometimes he asks for a certain amount of money. These requirements do not apply to those flying as part of a group of tourists. However, if you are planning a trip to Asian countries, or want to stay in Thailand longer, then having a return ticket is easy necessary. It is acceptable to present a printed electronic ticket when booking via the Internet. They especially find fault with young single girls.
Traveling with a child
It is believed that when a child is taken abroad by one of the parents, the consent of the other is required, and certified by a notary. But going to Thailand does not apply here. You must have with you either your child's birth certificate or passport.
Copies of documents
Don’t forget to make a copy of your passport at home and, or do all this immediately upon arrival . Place the original documents in the hotel safe. Always have copies of these documents with you. Sometimes situations arise when they are needed, and at a completely unexpected moment. For example, you want to purchase goods in one of the shopping centers, you will be asked to sign, then you will be returned a certain percentage of the cost of the items. By the way, we discussed that.
Thai sun
Never forget about aggressive sun of thailand. Never go to the beach without protective equipment, here, even in the absence of sun, in a few hours you will burn so much that peeling skin will be a blessing, and it may well end up in hospitalization. And you will have to pay for the treatment yourself in full, since this is not covered by health insurance. Therefore, take care of this in advance.
Tales
Although Thailand, as already mentioned, is considered a safe country, it is by no means uncommon for purses to be snatched by criminals on bikes. Therefore, do not carry valuables in your purses, much less a large amount of money.
By the way, if you want to take it, they may require you to leave your international passport as collateral. Do not agree to this for anything, do not pawn your ID to anyone or anywhere!
Drugs
Sex services
Tourists visiting bars should beware of offers. They can unobtrusively lead you to this, praising, in a friendly manner, this or that beauty. Be sure that you cheated out of a large sum of money. If you are alone with this girl, the police will immediately appear, since the girl turns out to be a minor. Instead of excursions around this beautiful country, you will be taken on an excursion to until you pay a tidy sum.
Buying cheap goods
They are often scammed to buy very cheap copies of famous brands of watches or mobile phones. Many fall for the bait of purchasing a copy, which in Russia costs five times more. Everyone thinks - why overpay for the same thing. But you take a big risk, because no guarantees are issued on copies. A malfunction or defect can be detected already in the homeland. Even if they are discovered during your stay in Thailand and you take the item back, the seller will not be at all embarrassed, will take the item supposedly for repair and politely offer to come back tomorrow. The next day, he will greet you with a welcoming smile and invite you to come again tomorrow, since the repairs are not finished yet. This will continue until you fly home.
Phone calls
Make calls to your homeland only from a local SIM card, since the cost of a minute of Russian communication in roaming will be more expensive than the Thai one.
Insult to the King
Do not even think about mocking the King of Thailand or members of his family, even as a joke. The royal family is inviolable in the country. Even the most harmless joke in your opinion can turn into a prison sentence. Remember this firmly - firmly and do not remember the name of the King at all. Know that even with banknotes you need to be extremely polite here, because on each one there is an image of the King.
I hope our guide to tourists in Thailand will help you avoid possible misunderstandings. If we missed something, you can add it in the comments.
Check that you have the documents required for your trip:
- International passport;
- a photocopy of international passports (may be useful in case of loss of a foreign passport and in case of other unforeseen circumstances);
- air tickets or itinerary/electronic ticket receipts;
- voucher;
- medical insurance policy.
Packing your luggage
- We recommend that you put all valuables, documents and money in your hand luggage and take them with you on the plane.
- All metal sharp and cutting objects (manicure scissors, nail files, penknife, etc.), as well as any liquids, gels and aerosols (except, if necessary, baby food and medicines) should be packed in your luggage.
- Do not forget to collect and take with you a first aid kit, which will help you with minor ailments, save your time searching for medicines and eliminate the problems of communicating in a foreign language.
Customs. Crossing the border of Thailand.
The import and export of foreign currency is not limited; a declaration is required for an amount of 10,000 USD or more. Export of national currency - no more than 50,000 THB, above this amount - only with special permission. You are allowed to import duty-free 200 cigarettes or 250 grams of tobacco, a liter of wine or strong alcohol, one photo, video or movie camera (with a camera - up to 5 films, with a video camera - up to three cassettes). The export of platinum jewelry, uncut precious stones, gold bars, images of Buddha (except neck medallions), ivory and any products made from the skin or bone of protected animals, as well as stamps and antiques, is prohibited without permission from the Department of Fine Arts. The import of drugs, weapons (without police permission) and pornography is prohibited. If a medicinal product imported into the country contains narcotic substances, you must have a doctor’s prescription for its use. To export jewelry, you must obtain a certificate from the store. People caught with drugs are sentenced to death in Thailand. Those wishing to export the ingredients of “Thai pills” may well be detained for drug smuggling.
Rules of behavior in places of worship.
You should dress neatly and modestly. It is not allowed to appear in the temple without a shirt, shorts, cropped trousers, miniskirts or other overly revealing clothing.
You can walk outside the temples in shoes. But as soon as you are about to go inside the temple where the main Buddha statue is located, please take off your shoes. Don't worry about hygiene - the floors in these places are usually very clean.
Buddhist monks are forbidden to touch a woman or accept anything from her hands. If a woman wishes to make an offering to a monk, she must first give the gift to the man, and he will then give it to the minister.
All Buddha statues - large and small, dilapidated and new - are considered sacred. Do not do anything that could be construed as disrespecting sacred things.
Smoking is prohibited in public places in Bangkok and the fine is high.
Time. The time difference with Irkutsk is minus 2 hours.
Currency unit: Thai baht (1 THB = 100 satang), exchange rate against the dollar 1 USD ≅ 29.7, i.e. 1 baht is almost equal to 1 ruble.
Bank opening hours from 08.00 to 15.30 on weekdays, they offer the most favorable rates. There is a network of exchange offices; they are open from 08.30 to 20.00. In large cities and tourist areas, major credit cards are accepted: Visa, American Express, Master Card and others.
Transport
Resort selection
The most popular beach resorts in Thailand are Pattaya and the islands of Koh Samui and Phuket. Among the cities with interesting sights, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai and Krabi stand out. And the capital of Bangkok remains the center of nightlife, although tourists usually stay here only for a few days for sightseeing.
Buddha, Thailand
Brief information about the country
Thailand is located in southeast Asia on the Indochina Peninsula, washed by the Gulf of Thailand and the Andamant Sea.
Time in Thailand is three hours ahead of Moscow.
The capital of the country is Bangkok. Other large cities are Hat Yai, Chiang Mai, Phuket and a number of other cities that are not very popular with tourists.
The official language in the country is Thai, although most residents speak English comfortably.
The main religion of Thailand is Buddhism. Muslims, Christians and Hindus can be found.
From October to February there is a cool season in Thailand with air temperatures up to +26 °C. From March to May is the hot season. The rest of the time it rains in Thailand.
Holiday seasons
· November – early May – high season. At this time it is not too hot here, and it is no longer possible to relax in European resorts. There is also almost no rain during this period;
· From May to October – low season. Prices for tours are falling, but at this time it rains here;
· The beach season in Thailand lasts all year round;
· December to March is the best time for excursions due to cool and dry weather.
Preparing for the trip
Thailand is a comfortable country for tourists, so if you bought a package tour, then you don’t have to find out anything additional before the trip. It is not necessary to know English, but it is better to purchase a phrasebook and learn simple words such as “hotel”, “food”, etc.
There is no need for special vaccinations to enter the country - there are no serious viruses spreading around the country. However, you should still not drink tap water or eat unwashed fruit. It is better to take medicine with you for stomach pain - the body may react poorly to exotic food. Also be sure to take sunscreen with you.
You shouldn’t take a lot of clothes with you, especially if you are traveling during the warmest time of the year. But it is recommended to take a regular fountain pen with you - this will help you fill out all the necessary documents faster.
Road
The only way to get from Russia to Thailand is by plane. Most of the planes land in Bangkok, from where tourists themselves get to the resort they need. Direct flights to Bangkok are available from Moscow; there are also flights from Novosibirsk and a number of other large cities. There are several flights to popular tourist destination Phuket.
Getting to Thailand is sometimes much more convenient and cheaper with transfers in Europe. In addition, some European airports can be reached outside of Moscow, so you don’t have to spend money on a flight to the capital.
In flight
The flight time to Thailand on a direct flight from Moscow takes 10 hours. When flying with a transfer, this time, of course, increases. Most often, flights depart in the evenings, so most of the journey will be spent in your sleep. For a comfortable stay, you should take earplugs and a blindfold with you; it’s even better to get an inflatable pillow.
Since the flight is long, try to keep yourself occupied with something - take a book with you or, if your seat is equipped with a TV, watch movies or TV series. Typically, airplane film libraries contain many films in different languages and with subtitles.
Thailand airport
Customs and visa
A visa is not required to travel to Thailand - you only need a foreign passport, which will have a special stamp stamped at the entrance with the date of mandatory departure from the country. The validity period of such a seal is 30 days. If you want to extend your visa, you can leave the country on an excursion to Cambodia or Laos - then upon your return you will be stamped again. Tourists can stay in Thailand for no more than 90 days every six months.
You can freely import personal items, up to a liter of strong alcoholic beverages, up to 200 cigarettes, 1 camera or video camera, and household items into Thailand without duty. It is prohibited to import rare plants, some types of vegetables and fruits, pornographic videos and books, weapons and ammunition, as well as American Staffordshire Terrier dogs into Thailand.
It is strictly forbidden to transport drugs and psychotropic substances into Thailand; the country carries the death penalty for this. That is why, under no circumstances should you agree to carry someone’s luggage; it is better not to even stay to guard someone’s bags - it will be impossible to prove your non-involvement in a crime.
Stay in Thailand
Accommodation
In Thailand, at any resort there are decent hotels of different star levels. In general, hotel rooms are usually not expensive, but for a room in a hotel on the coast you will have to pay an order of magnitude more. You can also rent a room or apartment in Thailand - it’s much cheaper, and doing this with the help of special Internet resources is not at all difficult.
The most luxurious hotels are located in Bangkok. Among them are Anantara Bangkok Riverside Resort & Spa 5* and Marriott Royal Garden Riverside 5*. There are also good hotels in Phuket and Pattaya. In small towns it is difficult to find five-star hotels, but even in less prestigious hotels the level of service will be high.
Safety
In terms of crime, Thailand is a safe country, but there are incidents that most often affect foreign tourists.
Theft in Thailand is quite common. You should not leave jewelry and valuables unattended, especially on the beach. It is always better to carry a minimum amount of money with you, leaving the rest at the hotel. You should not walk with strangers on the beach late at night, this especially applies to women. There is no need to wear too expensive jewelry or show valuable equipment and objects on the streets. In hotels, valuables must be stored in safes - cases of theft there are becoming more and more frequent. When walking, it is better to keep your bag away from the road - often people on motorbikes tear their bags off their shoulders, and then it is not possible to find them.
Tourists often suffer from accidents on the roads, since Thailand is an unsafe country in terms of road accidents. Here it is better not to rent a car at all, much less a motorbike - the traffic is too chaotic, the traffic rules are unusual, and unscrupulous lessors often rent out faulty vehicles to tourists. Tourists on motorbikes are often attacked at night by gangs of Thai teenagers.
Guests to Thailand often suffer from food poisoning. All it takes is overeating unfamiliar food, a sudden allergy to an unfamiliar fruit, or simply poor hygiene. All fruits and vegetables should be washed thoroughly, water should only be drunk from bottles, and unfamiliar foods should be tried very carefully.
Nutrition
Restaurants in Thailand are divided into Thai and tourist. Most often, tourists end up in a tourist restaurant - there are no regular customers here, and the quality of food often leaves much to be desired. The food they serve there may not be very fresh, which is why tourists suffer more from poisoning. Typically these restaurants serve more European cuisine, although there are a few Thai dishes as well.
By the way, in Pattaya there are wonderful restaurants with Russian cuisine - they are also tourist, but the above does not apply to them. In addition, at this resort you can often find waiters who understand Russian in other restaurants.
If you want to eat cheaper and safer, then you should look for restaurants away from tourist areas. On city streets far from hotels you can find good places where you can taste authentic Thai cuisine at very low prices.
It is worth remembering that the cuisine in Thailand is exotic, so you need to eat more carefully. Very spicy food is often served in Thailand, although telling the waiter “mai phet”, which means “not spicy”, can avoid this. There is no need to worry that Thai restaurants do not have menus in Russian - having learned a few words for food, you can easily place an order, since the Thais are already accustomed to tourists.
Street food in Thailand
Leisure
Thailand has truly a lot of entertainment for tourists. In large cities and popular beach resorts there are always a lot of nightclubs and other night entertainment. Pattaya, popular with tourists, is especially famous for this with its famous Walking Street.
Sports lovers will love the stadiums and sports facilities, and for cultural recreation in Thailand there are concert halls, galleries and cinemas.
In Thailand, English-language newspapers are published, where you can see a list of theater events, films and exhibitions - such newspapers are sold at bookstores.
One of the main types of entertainment in Thailand is diving, which can be practiced at almost any beach resort. Other extreme sports are also widespread here.
Excursions
The capital of Thailand is richest in attractions. Excursions to various architectural attractions are organized here, with the Royal Palace and city temples being the most popular.
A popular resort like Pattaya offers trips to the Crocodile Farm, various tropical gardens and other interesting attractions.
Also interesting in terms of architecture are the cities of Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai.
Shopping
Thailand is an inexpensive country, so you can give yourself free reign when it comes to shopping. Most of the shops and shopping centers are located in the capital. Of these, it is worth highlighting the largest Chatuchak market in the country, where absolutely everything is sold. For more “elite” shopping, it is worth visiting the Siam Paragon shopping center. Also worth noting is the MVK Center, the largest shopping center in Thailand.
In Pattaya, it is best to buy souvenirs and locally produced goods. Here and in Phuket you can buy good fabrics and silks, as well as batik.
You should definitely bring jewelry from Thailand, but you need to buy it with some caution. You can buy some exotic fruits, but not all of them can withstand a long journey. Thai leather goods are also always relevant.
Sales in Thailand usually happen before the New Year, and you can always bargain.
Things to do in Thailand
· Visit a transvestite show - you won’t see this anywhere else in the world;
· Feed a crocodile from a fishing rod or even take a photo with a reptile;
· Try the “king of fruits” duridan;
· Enjoy a Thai massage;
· Sports fans should watch real Muay Thai;
· You definitely need to live in a bungalow by the sea.
Transvestite show
Health
Medicine in Thailand is at a decent level; special vaccinations are not required to enter the country. Hospitals and clinics are well equipped. The likelihood of getting sick with something serious is minimal; the maximum you can suffer from is a food poisoning. Medical services are inexpensive, and free medical care is provided under an international policy. Most medications are sold without prescriptions.
There is also traditional medicine in Thailand, but it should be treated with caution.
What to do in case of emergency
If you have been robbed or become a victim of a crime, you should immediately contact the tourist police - they will definitely help you, if necessary, redirecting your request to the appropriate authorities. In case of an emergency, you can consult with the hotel staff.
How to call
If you want to save on communications, you can buy a SIM card in Thailand.
To call Russia from Thailand you need to dial 009-7-(operator or city code) - (telephone number). The operator code is the first three digits after the seven in the mobile number.
To call Thailand from Russia on a mobile phone, you need to dial 66 and the Thai phone number without zero, since they all start with it. For example, to call from a cell phone to the number 0123 456 789 you need to dial 66 123 456 789. To call a landline phone you need to dial 8-10-66-(area code)-(telephone number).
Official contacts
· Tourist police – 1155;
· Police – 191;
· Fire department – 199;
· Consular Section – (66 2) 234 20 12.
Currency
The official currency of Thailand is the baht. 1 baht = 100 satang. The baht is approximately equal to the ruble.
Transport
In Thailand, especially in small cities, there are often simply no buses, trolleybuses or trams. For example, in Chiang Mai the main public transport means is a taxi. There are several rather exotic types of public transport, such as a three-wheeled steerable bicycle with a basket for passengers. It is worth remembering that in Phuket it is better not to take a taxi - the prices there are incredibly inflated. Rail transport in Thailand is not very common, but by bus you can get to anywhere in the country.
In Thailand, it is better not to rent a car. Left-hand traffic, strange traffic regulations and their non-compliance by local residents - all this causes frequent accidents. If you wish, to rent a car you only need an international license, and gasoline is quite cheap. Motorbikes should be rented with caution; a license is also required to drive them.
Tips
Taxi drivers usually do not expect tips from tourists, although they will not refuse money. In hotels you can leave 20 baht with the concierge or bellman. In restaurants, tips are usually included in the bill, although it is customary to leave 10% of the order price.
You can greatly offend Thais by leaving them a tip of 1-5 baht - by local standards this is just pennies.
Cloth
In Thailand, you can easily walk around everywhere in shorts, T-shirts and flip-flops. Only to visit temples you need long and closed clothing. Thais have no prejudices about the colors of their clothes.
Some restaurants may not allow you to wear shorts and T-shirts; more formal clothing is required.
Code of Conduct
Thailand is a country of very friendly and welcoming people, but you can anger them too. In Thailand, it is not customary to discuss the government or condemn the monarchy, since the royal family is sacred to Thais.
Thais do not understand aggressive behavior, anger, or open expression of hostility. You should be polite both to the Thais themselves and to their shrines. In temples you must behave respectfully, you cannot touch Buddha statues with your hands, you cannot shout or make noise either.
Otherwise, Thais are calm about any behavior of tourists.
Return
Customs
It is strictly forbidden to export unprocessed corals, any items made from the bones and skin of protected animals and elephants, and images of Buddha from the country. The export of drugs is also strictly prohibited - a person caught with drugs is sentenced to death. You cannot export components of Thai medicines from Thailand - you could end up in jail for doing so.
To take out jewelry, you need to get a certificate from the store. An export license is required to export antiques. The same goes for some native plants.
WITH 02.12.2010 a minimum amount of funds has been introduced for entry into Thailand (arrival at any port in the country).
Each tourist must have and, upon request, present to customs officers 700 US dollars or 600 euros per person or 1,500 US dollars or 1,400 euros per family. If the funds are on a bank card, it must be international; If the border service requests an account statement, it is obligatory to present it; however, the border service has the right to require the presentation of cash.
When applying for a visa, citizens of the Republic of Belarus at the Consular Section of the Thai Embassy must also provide financial guarantees (bank statement or travel checks) in the amount of 700 US dollars or 600 euros per person or 1,500 US dollars or 1,400 euros per family.
Money
The monetary unit of Thailand is the Thai baht. One baht is divided into 100 satang. 1$ is approximately equal to 33 baht (rate ranges from 31 to 34 baht per 1 dollar). Banknotes in circulation are 10, 20, 50, 100, 500 and 1000 baht.
In Thailand, only local currency is accepted for payment. Banks offer the most favorable exchange rates. Banks are open on weekdays from 8.30 to 15.30. There is a network of exchange offices with the sign “EXCHANGE”. They are open from 8.30 to 20.00. The exchange rate at the airport is unfavorable. Here, if necessary, it is better to exchange the minimum amount.
The shops
Shops are open from 8.00 to 20.00. In the country's markets you can buy food and industrial goods at the lowest prices. It's common to bargain here. In Thailand, there is a system of small department stores called “Seven-Eleven”. They work around the clock on weekdays and holidays.
Souvenirs and shopping
Thai silk and cotton, silver and bronze items, teak wood, precious stones and jewelry with precious and semi-precious stones, crocodile leather items, ceramics, and handicrafts will be a pleasant souvenir and an unforgettable gift.
High-quality ready-made clothing for sports and leisure is inexpensive.
Restaurants
Restaurants in Thailand offer a variety of cuisines from around the world (Thai, Chinese, Italian, Indian, etc.). In Bangkok, Pattaya, and Phuket there are fast food restaurants such as McDonald's. Most hotels offer American, English and continental breakfasts. Drinks at breakfast are free, at lunch or dinner - for an additional fee.
The type of dinner is provided at the discretion of the hotel administration: buffet or a la carte (order from the menu).
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| Famous tom yum kung - spicy shrimp soup |
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Bangkok is a true paradise for foodies. Thai cuisine offers you a huge variety of fresh seafood dishes. Fish, crabs, lobsters and tiger shrimps can be prepared either in a spicy (Thai) version or adapted to the tastes of European cuisine. In addition to Thai and European food, you can quite easily find many restaurants offering foreign cuisine to suit every taste. Fast food outlets can always be found in large shopping centers. There are also open-air restaurants with a varied menu, excellent service and reasonable prices.
Tips
It is customary to tip hotel staff ($1-2), waiters, and those employees who serve you well. In restaurants, tips are usually 10% of the bill.
Shopping centers and markets in Bangkok
Not far from the Pratunam area, at the intersection of Ploenchit and Ratchadamri streets, there are Gaysorn Plaza and Central World Plaza shopping centers. Nearby, following the Skytrain line, you will find Siam PARAGON - the newest store in Bangkok, which also houses Asia's largest aquarium.
Not far from it, on the opposite side of the street, at the intersection is Mah Boon Krong (Ma Boon Krong) - a trading empire with hundreds of shops and shops, part of which is the Tokyu Department Store, popular among the youth of Thailand.
Take the Skytrain to Phrom Phong Station and you'll find yourself at the Emporium, which sells the latest brands in women's, men's and children's clothing. Shopping center opening hours are from 10:30 to 21:00 without a lunch break.
If you are interested in purchasing computer or digital equipment, then you need to visit the Panthip Plaza computer shopping center.
In addition to comfortable shopping centers, you can visit colorful city markets that offer goods at low prices. Next to the Indra Regent Hotel is the Pratunam Market, where the local population sells textiles. The same market is located near the Prince Palace hotel - Bobey Market. The most famous bazaar in the city is undoubtedly the Chatuchak market, although most of it is open only on weekends. You can get to it via the above-ground metro. All bazaars in Bangkok are usually open from early morning until sunset.
Fixed prices for goods in Bangkok only in large shopping centers. However, even there, helpful sellers often give a 5 percent discount on large purchases. It is customary to bargain in shops and markets. There are no clear rules on how to bargain; it all depends on the individual abilities of the buyer and seller. In most cases, the price can be reduced to at least 30% of the original price. You should always remember that Thais like good manners and a sense of humor, and you should not lose your patience or raise your voice. Then the bargaining process will be pleasant.
Transport
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| Knock Knock |
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Thailand has an extensive network of intercity buses. This is a relatively cheap form of transport. Passenger trains move slower, but their low speed is compensated by the fact that along the way you can see this beautiful country. When traveling long distances, overnight passenger trains are recommended.
Getting around the city (Bangkok)
First of all, we advise you to get a map of the city. You can find it at the accommodation desk in almost every hotel or from the guide. Be sure to grab your hotel card before heading out into town. It is better to leave passports and other valuable documents at the hotel, in a safe; it is enough to have a photocopy of your passport with you.
Taxi
In Bangkok, all officially operating taxis have a sign with the inscription “TAXI-METER”. Payment in such taxis is carried out according to a meter, on the board of which 35 baht is displayed immediately after boarding, and then 3-5 baht are added for every 1 kilometer of travel. Typically a trip within the central part of the city costs 60-150 baht. Tipping in taxis is not provided.
"Knock Knock" or three-wheeled taxi is very popular among tourists for short trips around Bangkok. The cost of the trip is negotiated with the driver in advance. Payment for 1 trip within the city ranges from 80 to 300 baht. The cheapest and most unusual is the river minibus, but to use its services, you need to know the city well.
BTS Skytrain
The Sky Train system runs through the entire central part of Bangkok, and the trains offer views of the city. Open from 6 am to 12 midnight. Trains move at intervals of 3-6 minutes (2 minutes during rush hour). The subway entrance is marked with the letters BTS. The stations are two-level: on the first level there are machines and ticket offices for purchasing tickets, a kiosk for changing money and access machines. On the second floor there are platforms for boarding/disembarking passengers. The cost of one journey depends on the distance of the trip (zonal system, as in Russian commuter trains) and varies from 15 to 42 baht. You MUST keep your ticket until the end of the trip, it serves as a pass to enter the city.
If you plan to make several trips in one day, you can buy a DAILY PASS ticket. It gives you unlimited travel in one day and costs 130 baht (just over $3).
MRTA underground subway
The Bangkok metro opened in 2004. Air-conditioned subway trains can take you to many remote areas of the city. At the station, unlike the elevated BTS, tokens are purchased from the cashier, not magnetic cards. They must also be saved until the end of the trip. The cost of the trip depends on the distance and ranges from 16 to 40 baht.
Trains run from 6 am to midnight with intervals of less than five minutes during rush hour (6.00 - 9.00 and 16.30 - 19.30) and less than 10 minutes at other times.
Car rental
Traffic on the roads is chaotic, drivers do not follow traffic rules. Driving alone is not recommended; it is better to rent a car with a driver.
Etiquette
Remain calm and smile when dealing with Thais. Anger here is an expression of rudeness and bad manners. It is unacceptable to express even the slightest disdain for the Thai monarchy or royal family. When visiting the Royal Palace, you should not wear clothes that are too revealing (with bare shoulders, knees, heels). Before entering temples where Buddha images are kept, or if you enter a Thai's private home, you must remove your shoes. It is not customary here to publicly express feelings between a man and a woman. You should not touch a Thai's head even with the best intentions.
Medical service
If you have an accident, call the insurance company's customer service at the numbers specified in the insurance policy and report your insured event. Then see your doctor. Keep receipts after paying for medical services for reimbursement by the insurance company.
Health
We do not recommend drinking tap water without boiling and washing fruits with this water. Use purified bottled water, which is provided free of charge at almost all hotels. It is advisable not to buy food from street and beach vendors, because... Possible food poisoning.
Be careful when drinking very cold drinks (especially ice) on very hot days. Colds are possible. Pay attention to the quality of ice used for drinks. It is better to refuse to use it, because... it may have been made from tap water.
Try not to expose your skin to sunburn. Even when in the sun for short periods, always use sunscreen and hats.
First aid kit
Before your trip, prepare and take with you a first aid kit, which will help you with minor ailments, save you time searching for medicines and eliminate the problems of communicating in a foreign language; in addition, many medicines may have different names in different countries.
- painkillers and cardiovascular drugs;
- indigestion remedies;
- choleretic;
- drugs against motion sickness in transport;
- remedies for insect bites;
- dressing;
- waterproof adhesive plaster;
- barrier contraceptives;
- eye drops;
- sunscreens.
Visa
Citizens of the Russian Federation do not require a visa to visit Thailand for up to 30 days.
Time
The time is 4 hours ahead of Moscow.
Mains voltage
Throughout the country, a 220V power supply network is used. Most hotels have “Euro” electrical sockets (flat plugs from Russian-made electrical appliances fit into them, but do not hold well; round plugs without grooves on the sides do not fit at all). A Euro-Asia adapter may come in handy (Russian and Euro plugs cannot be inserted into an Asia-type socket).
Hotels
Hotels in the 4-5* category require a deposit for the use of the minibar and hotel services during your stay. Payment of the deposit is accepted by credit card or cash (equivalent to $100 per day).
If there is a note “newlyweds” on the voucher, the hotel may ask to see a marriage registration certificate.
Religion
Buddhists - 95%, Muslims - 4%, Christians, Hindus.
Customs
Prohibited for import
All types of drugs (marijuana, opium, cocaine, morphine, heroin), obscene literature, photographs and objects. Trafficking in drugs carries the death penalty, with a minimum penalty of life imprisonment.
Import restrictions
Firearms. The import of firearms and ammunition can only be carried out with a permit issued by the Police Department or local registration authorities.
Personal items
Foreign guests have the right to import personal belongings and other goods that are not prohibited by current customs regulations. You are allowed to import duty-free a reasonable amount of clothing and items for personal use, toiletries, and professional tools.
Photo and video equipment
Duty-free import of one photo or video camera is allowed. You are also allowed to import five films for a camera and three cassettes for an 8 mm or 16 mm video camera duty-free.
