Travel Information for Thailand

Passports

All visitors entering Thailand must have a valid passport.

Visas; Immigration Information

Temporary visitors to Thailand for the purpose of pleasure who are exempted from applying for entry visas, and who can stay for a maximum of 30 days in Thailand, must be of the nationality of and holding valid passports or travelling documents issued by:

Americas

Argentina Canada U. S. A. Brazil Mexico

Africa

Algeria Egypt Mauritania Senegal Tunisia Djibouti Kenya Morocco South Africa

Asia

Bahrain Indonesia Japan Malaysia Philippines Republic of Korea Saudi Arabia The Union of Myanmar United Arab Emirates Brunei Israel Kuwait Oman Qatar Republic of Yemen Singapore Turkey

Europe

Austria Denmark France Greece (Helenic Republic) Iceland Italy Netherlands Portugal Spain Switzerland Belgium Finland Germany Ireland Luxemburg Norway Slovenia Sweden U. K.

Pacific

Australia New Zealand Vanuatu Fiji Papua New Guinea Western Samoa

They must enter the kingdom by passenger transports such as aircraft or sea-going vessels of 500 registered tons and up-, or through channels of immigration check- points or border check-points on the Malaysian boundary-, or enter by means of passenger aircraft, sea-going vessel, rail, bus, taxi, touring coach or hired motor-cycle and having:-

1. Fully paid ticket or other document belonging to the vehicle owner or to the operator of the vehicle which is to be used for leaving the kingdom within the period specified, or

2. Documentary evidence of the owner or operator of the vehicle showing fully paid reservation for the departure from the kingdom within the period specified.

Exempted are Malaysian nationals entering the kingdom by means of bus, hired car, touring coach or hired motor- cycle through immigration check- points or border check-points bordering on Malaysian territory, who need not have travelling ticket or documents mentioned under Items 1and 2.

Persons mentioned in the above conditions are exempted from visas and are permitted to remain in the kingdom for a period not exceeding fifteen days from the day of entry. They are not allowed to extend their stay for more than fifteen days, unless under unforeseen circumstances such as illness or delay of aircraft departure. Visitors wishing to stay in the kingdom for more than fifteen days are advised to apply to missions in their countries. In the event there are no Thai diplomatic missions, they may apply to missions in neighbouring countries, or forward their request and supporting evidence to the Immigration Division, Soi Suan Phlu, Sathon Tai Rd., Bangkok 10120, Thailand. Tel: 2873101-10

Visitors to Thailand may Obtain Visas Arrival at

1. The Bangkok International Airport

2. The Chiang Mai International Airport

3. The Phuket International Airport

 4. The Hat Yai International Airport

They must also have a fully paid ticket which enables them to travel out of the kingdom within the stipulated time.

The application for a visa must be accompanied by a photograph as well as the necessary fee.

Validity of Visas

Every kind of visa is valid for a 90- day from the date of issue.

Length of Stay Transit Visa 30 days Tourist Visa 60 days Non-immigrant Visa 90 days

Note: Please check the period of stay stamped in your passport by the Immigration officer. Visitors who overstay their visa will, at the time of their departure, be fined 100 baht for each excess day.

Visa Extensions

Apply for extensions of stay at the Immigration Office. Fee 500 baht.

Re-Entry

Application fee for re-entry permit I 500 baht.

Exit Visa

Not required.

Health Regulations No inoculations or vaccinations are required unless you are coming from or passing through contaminated areas, Yellow fever certificates are required for those who are coming from 14 following countries; Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Peru, Angola, Barkina Faso, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Mauritania, Mali, Nigeria, Sudan and Zaire.

Note: Please check the latest regulations with your local Health Office.

Customs Regulations; Prohibited Items

All kinds of narcotics (hemp, opium, cocaine, morphine, heroin), obscene literature, pictures or articles.

Fire Arms: Importation of firearms and ammunition can be done only after a permit has been obtained from The Police Department or local Registration Office.

Personal Effects: A reasonable amount of clothing for personal use, toilet articles, and professional instruments may be brought in free of duty.

Cameras: One still-camera or one movie camera can be brought in without duty. Five rolls of still-camera film or three rolls of 8 or 16 M.M. movie- camera film may be brought in free of duty.

Tobacco, Alcoholic Beverages: Cigarettes, cigars, or smoking tobacco each or in total must not exceed 250 grams in weight but cigarettes not exceeding 200 in quantity. One litre each of wine or spirits may be brought in free of duty.

Household Effects: A reasonable amount of used household effects, accompanied by the owner on change of domicile are also free of duty.

Plants and Animals: Certain species of fruits, vegetables and plants are prohibited. Please contact the Agricultural Regulatory Division, Bangkhen, Bangkok, Tel : 5791581, 5793576 for details. A permission of Entry for animals coming in by air can be obtained at the airport. If by sea, application must be made at the Department of Livestock Development, Bangkok, Tel: 2515136, 2526944. Vaccination certificates are required.

Export of Antiques, Objects of Art from The Kingdom of Thailand:

1. Buddha images, Bodhisattva images or fragments thereof are forbidden to be taken out of Thailand. (With the exceptions only for worshipping by Buddhists; or cultural exchanges; or studying purposes. A license must be obtained from the Department of Fine Arts).

2. A license must be obtained from the Department of Fine Arts in order that such objects of antiquity or objects of art, irrespective of whether they are original, or reproductions, may be taken out of the country.

3. Procedure for license application: a) Photograph the front view of objects and make two postcard-size prints (not more than 5 pieces in one photograph) b) The passport of the applicant must be photocopied c) Objects together with photographs and applicant's passport with photocopy must be taken to:

1) The National Museums Division, Bangkok or 2) The Chiang Mai National Museum, Chiang Mai or 3) The SongkhIa National Museum, Songkhla at least four to seven days before the date of shipment or departure of the applicant in order to process the application and for inspection. For further information, telephone the Bangkok National Museum at 2261661.

Currency and Exchange Services; Thai Currency

The Thai unit of currency is the baht which is worth a little less than 4 US cents. One US dollar = approximately 37 baht.

The baht is divided into 100 satang. "Copper" coins are valued at 25 and 50 satang. "Silver" coins are in denominations of 1' 2 and 5 baht. A 10 baht coin is composed of both "silver" and "copper". Banknotes are valued at 10 baht (brown), 20 baht (green), 50 baht (blue), 100 baht (red), 500 baht (purple) and 1,000 baht (khaki).

Traveler's Cheque/Cheque/ Credit Cards

US dollar traveler cheque can be conveniently cashed at all provincial banks and authorized money changers. Traveler cheque in other currencies is best changed in Bangkok where better rates prevail. Generally, hotel exchange rates are lower then those offered by banks and authorized money changers.

Major international credit cards, such as American Express, Diners, Carte Blanche, Master Card and VISA are accepted by major banks, restaurants, hotels and shops.

Thai and foreign banks provide standard services nationwide, Monday through Friday, except public and bank holidays, between 9.30 AM and 3.30 PM.

Major banks such as Bangkok Bank, Thai Danu Bank, Thai Farmers Bank and Siam Commercial Bank operate currency exchange centres in most tourist areas from 7.00 AM to 9.00 PM, seven days a week, including holidays.

Many first-class hotels provide 24-hour money exchange services, but only for major currencies such as American dollars, British pounds, German marks and Swiss francs. Traveller’s cheque are generally accepted only from bona fide hotel guests.

Exchange Control

1. Foreign tourists may freely bring in foreign banknotes or other types of foreign exchange. Upon leaving Thailand, a foreign

tourist may freely take out foreign means of payments which he brought in with him, with the exception that foreign notes or coins are limited to a maximum equivalent of US$ 10,000 or the amount declared in writing to Customs upon arrival. Failure to do so may lead to arrest, confiscation of the excess amount involved and/or prosecution.

2. For travellers leaving Thailand, the maximum amount permitted to take out without prior authorization is 50,000 baht per person

3. Foreign visitors may bring in personal effects and other goods which are not prohibited by current customs regulation. Other than personal effects, departing visitors are also allowed to take out merchandise bought from duty free shops, precious stones, gold and platinum ornaments.

4. Foreign visitors are welcome to open a foreign currency account with any commercial bank in Thailand. As a special gesture to non-residents, no restrictions are imposed on the maintenance of and withdrawal from the account, as long as the funds originate from abroad.

For additional information concerning foreign exchange regulations, please contact any authorized banks.

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