Bangkok at Night

After sunset, and especially during the festive season, Bangkok offers some splendid views of its well lighted most important monuments and buildings.
The Royal Palace and Wat Phrakaew are visible at night all year round, while some of the other buildings are only lighted for about a month starting in early december up untill New Year.

Besides the monuments, which are further described on the 'daylight' pages, we also have included some pictures of Khao San Road at night. It is highly recommended you include this street, close to Sanaam Luang (and the Royal Palace) into your evening stroll. You can have a quiet drink (cheaper than at most places) or meal, and observe the crowd of young people around, giving the place a lively and pleasant atmosphere.

http://www.thaitravel.info

vimanmek Mansion - Abhisek Dusit Throne Hall (Dusit Palace grounds)

Wimanmek Mansion was built in 1900 under the reign of King Chulalongkorn (Rama V). King Rama V moved from the Grand Palace and stayed at Wimanmek Mansion till 1906. The mansion was not uninhabited for long periods during the ensuing years. However, in 1982 it was renovated for use as a museum to commemorate King Rama V. Wimanmek Mansion is the world's largest golden teakwood mansion with an architectural style reflecting Western influence. It houses photographs, personal art and handicrafts of King Rama V area.
Abhisek Dusit Throne Hall (1903) is a one-storey building and served as a throne hall for the Dusit Palace. The wooden building is decorated with intricate floral designs.
The Dusit Palace garden grounds contain many more renovated buildings and various museums. The compound is large, and the environment makes for pleasurable walks.
Exhibits include : Photography by King Bhumibol (Rama IX), Ancient Clocks, Antique Textiles, Ban Chiang Pottery, Royal Paraphernalia.
Direction : Take BTS to Victory Monument. From there you take various buses to Wimanmek Mansion and Dusit Palace ground.

Customs Regulations

Coming into Thailand:
Customs Regulations in Thailand are strict and enforced. Those in violation of regulations are subject to fines, and in extreme cases, imprisonment. Here is a brief synopsis of regulations as they stand:

Duty-Free Items:
You are entitled to bring no more than 200 cigarettes or cigars into the country without paying duty. In addition, tobacco up to a weight not exceeding 250 grams is duty exempt. One litre of wine or spirits may be brought into the country on a duty free basis, and you are entitled to bring in a ‘stills’ or ‘movie’ camera, five rolls of still film or three rolls of 8 to 16mm movie camera film for personal use.

Prohibited items:
All manner of narcotics (hemp, marijuana, opium, cocaine, morphine, heroin) and other drugs (amphetamine, LSD, ‘Ecstasy’) are considered banned substances, whether they have been prescribed by a doctor or not. Obscene literature and pornographic pictures will not be allowed into Thailand. In general, no firearms or ammunition can be brought into the country except in cases where a permit has been received from the Police Department of the Local Registration Office.

Personal effects:
Clothing for personal use, toiletries and music instruments for personal or professional use are all exempt of duty.

Household items:
An owner relocating to Thailand will not be charged duty on household items brought into the country.

Plants and animals:
Given the regularly changing conditions regarding bringing plants and animals into Thailand, you should check on current regulations first before bringing either into the country.

Contact:
The Agricultural Regulatory Division
Bangkhen
Bangkok
Tel: 0-2579-1581, 0-2579-3576.

If entering Thailand by sea, make enquiries about bringing animals into the county by contacting:

The Department of Livestock Development
Bangkok
Tel: 0-2251-5136, 0-2252-6944

Vaccination certificates are required for all animals entering Thailand.
For further information or queries contact the website of the Customs Department of the Kingdom of Thailand.

http://www.discoverythailand.com

Thai Embassies

The following is a list of Thai Embassies and their contact details around the world:

Australia
Royal Thai Embassy
111 Empire Circuit
YARRALUMLA ACT 2600
Tel (02) 6273-1149, 6273-2937
Fax (02) 6273-1618
http://www.thai-embassy.org.au/

Austria
Royal Thai Embassy
Cottaggasse 48, A-1180 Vienna
Tel. (43-1) 478-3335
Fax. (43-1) 478-2907,479-0588
Email : thaibxl@thaiembassy.be
http://www.thaiembassy.be/portal/

Bangladesh
Royal Thai Embassy, Dhaka
House No.14, Road
No.11 Baridhara, Dhaka 1212
Tel. (88-02) 881-2795-6, 881-3260-1
Fax. (88-02) 885-4280
E-mail : thaidac@mfa.go.th
http://www.thaidac.com/

Belgium
Royal Thai Embassy
Mission of Thailand to the European Communities:
2 Square du Val de la Cambre, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
Tel. (32-2) 640.68.10, Fax. (32-2) 648.30.66
E-mail : thaibxl@pophost.eunet.be
http://www.thaiembassy.be/portal/

Brazil
Royal Thai Embassy
SEN - Av. Das Nacoes - Lote 10
Brasilia-DF, - CEP. 70433-900
Brasilia
Tel. (55-61) 224-6089, 224-6849, 224-6943
Fax. (55-61) 321-2994, 223-7502
Email. thaiemb@linkexpress.com.br
http://www.mfa.go.th/web/1298.php?depid=184

Canada
Royal Thai Embassy
Ottawa, Canada
180 Island Park Drive
Ottawa, Ontario
K1Y OA2
Tel : (613) 722-4444
Fax : (613) 722-6624
thaiott@magma.ca
http://www.magma.ca/~thaiott/mainpage.htm

China
Royal Thai Embassy
40 Guang Hua Lu, Bejing
Tel. (10) 65321749
Fax (10) 65321748
Email: thaibej@eastnet.com.cn
http://203.150.20.1/rtebej/

China (Hong Kong)
Royal Thai Consulate-General
Fairmont House, 8th floor
8 Cotton Tree Drive, Central
Hong Kong
Tel: (552)2521648-5
Fax: (552)25218629
Email: thaicghk@thai-consulate.org.hk
http://www.thai-consulate.org.hk/2About_Royal_Thai_Consulate-General_HK.htm

China (Shanghai)
7 Zhongshan Rd., East 1, Shanghai 200002,
People's Republic of China.
Telephone:(8621) 6323-4095, (86 21) 6321-9371 and (86 21) 6321-9406
Fax: (86 21) 6323-4140.
Email: http://www.thaishanghai.com/

Germany
Royal Thai Embassy
Lepsiusstrasse 64/66,
12163 Berlin
Tel. (+49 30) 79 48 10
Fax. (+49 30) 79 48 15 11
Email. general@thaiembassy.de
http://www.thaiembassy.de/

Germany
Royal Thai Consulate-General
Kennedyallee 109,
60596 Frankfurt am Main
GERMANY
Tel. (49) (69) 69 86 82 05
Fax. (49) (69) 69 86 82 28
Email. thaifra@mfa.go.th
http://www.mfa.go.th/web/1981.php?depid=201

India
Royal Thai Embassy
56N Nyaya Marg Chanakyapuri
New Delhi, India.
Telephone: (91-11) 26118103, 26118104
Fax: (91-11) 26872029
http://www.thaiemb.org.in/

Iraq
Royal Thai Embassy
P.O. Box. 6062
Al-Mansour, 12605 BAGHDAD, Iraq.
Tel : (9641) 541-7541, 543-0843
Royal Thai Embassy (temporary office in Amman)
No. 33, Al - Hashemeen Street,
Abdoun - Dirghebar, AMMAN.
P.O. BOX. 144329, AMMAN 11814, JORDAN.
Tel : (9626) 592-3300 , 592-1694
Fax : (9626) 592-3311
Email. thaibgw@mfa.go.th , thaibgw@batelco.jo
http://www.mfa.go.th/web/1314.php?depid=209

Cambodia
Royal Thai Embassy
No.196 Preah Norodom Boulevard,
Sangkat Tonle Bassac,
Khan Chamcar Mon,
Phnom Penh
Tel. (855) 023 726 306 - 10 (Auto Line)
Fax. (66) 0-2575-0509
(855) 023 726 303
Email. thaipnp@mfa.go.th,thaipnp@mail.camshin.net
http://www.mfa.go.th/web/1300.php?depid=186

Chile
Royal Thai Embassy
Av. Americo Vespucio Sur 100, Piso 15
Las Condes, Santiago
Tel. (56-2) 263-0710
Fax. (56-2) 263-0803
Email. thaichil@ctcreuna.cl
http://www.mfa.go.th/web/1302.php?depid=189

Nairobi(Kenya)
Royal Thai Embassy
Rose Avenue,
off Denis Pritt Rd,
P.O. Box 58349
Nairobi
Tel. (254-2) 715243, 715800, 715796, 714276
Fax. (254-2) 715801, 715802
Email. thainbi@form-net.com
http://www.mfa.go.th/web/1317.php?depid=215

Iran
Royal Thai Embassy
No.4,Esteghlal Alley,Baharestan St.,
Tel: +98-21-7531433 & +98-21-7537708
Working hours : 8:30' to 16:00
Working Days : Sunday through Thursday
info@thaiembassy-tehran.org
http://www.thaiembassy-tehran.org/index.htm

Israel(Tel Aviv)
Royal Thai Embassy
21 Shaul Hamelech Blvd.
Tel Aviv 64367
Tel. (972-3) 695-8980, 695-8984
Fax. (972-3) 695-8991
Email. thaisr@netvision.co.il,kasivat@hotmail.com
http://www.mfa.go.th/web/1315.php?depid=210

Japan
Royal Thai Embassy
3-14-6, Kami-Osaki, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo 141-0021
Consular Section Tel: (03) 3441-1386
Visa # 263 Passport #233
Fax: (03) 3441-2597
Other Sections Tel: (03) 3447-2247
Fax: (03) 3442-6750, 3442-6828
http://www.thaiembassy.jp/index/e-index/e-index.htm

Korea
Royal Thai Embassy Consular Section
653-7 Hannam-dong,
Yongsan-kuSeoul 140-210
Tel. (02) 7953098, 7950095
Fax. (02) 7983448
e-mail: rteseoul@kornet.net
http://www.thaiembassy.or.kr/eng.htm

New Zealand
Thai Royal Embassy
2 Cook Street
Karori, Wellington
New Zealand
P.O. Box 17-226, Karori
Wellington New Zealand
Tel: (64-4) 476-8616 – 9
Email: thaiembassynz@xtra.co.nz
http://www.thaiembassynz.org.nz/

Pakistan
Royal Thai Embassy
House No. 23, Street 25,
F-8/2 Islamabad, Pakistan
Tel (051)2280909,2280586
Fax (051)2256730
http://www.thaiisb.org/

Pakistan
Royal Thai Consulate-General
23/A/II Main Khayaban-e-Shansheer
Phase-V, Defence Housing Authority,
Karachi
Tel. (92-21) 587-4417, 583-0706
Fax. (92-21) 587-4555
Email. thaicon@go4b.net
http://www.mfa.go.th/web/1805.php?depid=232

Switzerland
Royal Thai Embassy
Kirchstrasse 56,
3097 Liebefeld-Berne
Tel. (41-31) 970-3030-34, 9703038-39
Fax. (41-31) 970-3035
Email. thai.bern@bluewin.ch
http://www.mfa.go.th/web/1342.php?depid=246

Saudi Arabia
Royal Thai Consulate General
Jeddah
2 Safwan Ibn Wahb Street 29
Behind Jeddah Dome, off Palestine Street,
Sharafia District.
P.O.Box 2224, Jeddah 21451,
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Tel. (966 2) 665-5317, 283-1078
Fax. (966 2) 665-5318
E-mail: thaicongen@sps.net.sa
http://203.150.20.1/rtcjed/

Sri Lanka
Royal Thai Embassy
9th Floor, Green lanka Towers,
46/46 Nawam Mawatha,
Colombo 2 Sri Lanka
Tel. (9411) 230-2500-3, 230-4514, 230-2482
Mobile (882)167000507
Fax. (9411) 230-4511-2
Email. thaicmb@sltnet.lk
http://www.mfa.go.th/web/1340.php?depid=244

Sweden
Royal Thai Embassy Royal Thai Consulate (Gothenburg)
Floragatan 3, NCC Huset
100 40 Stockholm Gullbergs Strandgata 2
405 14 Göteborg,
Tel. +46(0)8 7917340
Fax: +46(0)8 7917351 Tel. +46 (31) 7715004
Fax: +46 (31) 31153240
E-mail : thaiduto@algonet.se
http://www.thaiembassy.se/

Taiwan
Thailand Trade and Economic Office
No. 168, 12th Floor, Sung Chiang Road,
Chungshan District, Taipei 104
Tel. (88-62) 2581-1979
Executive Director Tel. (88-62) 2581-9379
Fax. (88-62) 2581-8707
Fax.OC (88-62) 2581-7384
Email. tteo@ms22.hinet.net
http://www.mfa.go.th/web/1157.php?depid=195

United Kingdom
Royal Thai Embassy
29-30 Queen’s Gate, London SW7 5JB.
Tel: 020 7589 2944
Fax: 0207 823 9695
Consular Section:
Tel: 020 7589 2944
http://www.thaiembassyuk.org.uk/thaiembassy.html

United States of America
The Royal Thai Embassy, Washington, DC
1024 Wisconsin Avenue, N.W., Suite 401
Washington, D.C. 20007
Tel : (202) 944-3600
Fax : (202) 944-3611
E-mail : thai.wsn@thaiembdc.org
http://www.thaiembdc.org

United States of America
Royal Thai Consulate-General, Chicago
700 North Rush Street,
Chicago, IL 60611-2504
Telephone: (1-312) 664-3129
Facsimile: (1-312) 664-3230
E-mail: thaichicago@ameritech.net
http://www.thaichicago.net/

United States of America
Royal Thai Consulate General
611 N. Larchmont Blvd., 2nd Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90004 USA
Telephone: (323) 962-9574 through 962-9577
Fax: (323) 962-2128
E-Mail: thai-la@mindspring.com
http://www.thai-la.net

United States of America
Royal Thai Consulate-General
351 East 52nd Street
New York, NY. 10022
Tel: (212) 754-1770, (212) 754-1896
Fax: (212) 754-1907
Email:info@thaiconsulnewyork.com
http://www.thaiconsulnewyork.com/

Vietnam
Royal Thai Consulate-General
77 Tran Quoc Thao Street District 3, Ho Chi Minh City
Tel. (848) 932-7637-8
Fax. (848) 932-6002
Email. thaconho@hcm.vnn.vn
http://www.mfa.go.th/web/1488.php?depid=258

Best Time to Visit

Where? When?

Wherever you travel in the world, it is important to get the timing right. Not knowing about a country’s seasons and possible weather conditions can turn your holiday into a nightmare. Likewise, gathering some basic details about what to expect will help you make the right decisions about where and when to go.

As far as Thailand is concerned, the best time of year for a visit is between November and February. Generally, the weather is cooler during this period and there is certainly less rain than at other times in the year. However, Thailand is a big country with a diverse landscape. There is somewhere to visit whatever time of the year you visit the kingdom.

Thailand’s Seasons

Thailand’s seasons are reasonably uniform through the country, but there are some regional differences. What follows is a summary of the seasons as they impact the kingdom’s various regions:

Central Thailand and the East

In central Thailand and the eastern provinces, the really hot summer weather starts around March and goes on to around November. During this time extreme temperatures can go up to the 45 degrees centigrade mark. The winter months are November to February. There may really be only a few days of genuinely cold weather during these months, but the period leading up to the New Year are a welcome respite from the heat throughout the rest of the year. Aside from these days, visitors from Europe still may feel the temperatures as being a bit warm during Thailand’s winter, although not uncomfortably so. The rainy season kicks in around the end of May and goes on until October. The rain is frequent and sometimes fierce. Usually though rainstorms go on for around 30 minutes or so, and after a storm the weather is significantly cooler.

Northern Thailand and the Northeast

Northern Thailand and the Northeast have the same basic seasons as those in the central and eastern regions. The winters are though significantly cooler. Mountainous regions can get particularly cold, on some occasions down to 0 degrees centigrade. In these parts of Thailand’s winter starts in November and goes on to January. Without doubt these are the best months for a visit to the North and Northeast – flowers are in bloom, it is dry and cool, and in the mountains mists and fogs often form making what is already wonderful scenery exquisite.

Southern Thailand

Southern Thailand’s seasons are less distinct and really there are only two proper seasons - summer and the rainy season. The Gulf of Thailand lies to the east of the Thai peninsula while the Andaman Sea lies to the west. Visiting areas west of the peninsula (Phuket, Phang Nga, Krabi) is best done between November and April to avoid the monsoons that occur during other months – monsoons obviously make visiting islands by boat difficult and sometimes dangerous. Clearly they are best to be avoided. Areas east of the peninsula (Koh Samui, Hat Yai) are best visited between May and October. If you are planning to visit both sides of the coast during your stay in Thailand, March to April would be the best months.
http://www.discoverythailand.com

Info Thailand

An overview

Thailand… as rich in geographic diversity as it is rich in history and culture. There are few places on earth that offer the visitor so much… jungles and mountains, rivers and countryside, islands and beaches, temples and palaces, cities and technology… Thailand has everything a visitor could ask for - and substantially more besides. But most tourists and potential visitors would know these fundamental facts – but what about the REAL Thailand? What does the first time visitor know about Thailand? Here are some details…

Thailand was for centuries known as ‘Siam’, the official title changing to ‘Muang Thai’ (‘home of the free’) in 1939. The country is located in Southeast Asia and borders Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia and Malaysia. It has a population of nearly 65 million in a country roughly the same size as France and has 3,219 kilometres of coastline.

Thailand is a constitutional monarchy with a long democratic tradition – political parties and elections. The current monarch is his majesty of the King Bhumibol Adulyadej – the world’s longest reigning monarch. He is revered within Thailand and thoroughly respected throughout the world. His solid guidance has seen his kingdom through some of the country’s more tumultuous episodes.

Thailand is a modern country with a thriving economy. Exports include computers, office machine parts, transistors, rubber, motor vehicles, plastic, seafood and rice. Annual exports total around $75.99 billion. Although Thailand is recognized globally as a tourist destination, tourism accounts for only 3.6% of GDP.

95% of Thais are Buddhist with a smaller Muslim minority (3.8%) predominantly living in Thailand’s southern regions. Aside from this Thailand has a small number of Christians (0.5%) and a few Hindus (0.1%). Thailand prides itself on religious freedom and newer religions (Jehovah’s Witness, etc.) are emerging.

Situated in the northern hemisphere but in the tropics, Thailand is a tropical country with often hot and rainy weather and annual monsoons. Thailand has a range of geographic regions - mountainous, plains and plateaus, as well as a number of beach areas.
http://www.discoverythailand.com

Dos and Don'ts in Thailand

One of the main reasons people travel is to explore other cultures and establish how other countries and cultures do things. It is then quite remarkable then to see people wandering around the kingdom imposing their cultural approach on the situations and events they encounter. Often these leads to confusion, worse, it sometimes leads to ugly scenes that are entirely avoidable with a modicum on insight on how things are done in Thailand. What follows then is a list of Dos and Don’ts for when you are in the kingdom:

The Monarchy

The monarchy is revered by all Thais and people will simply will not tolerate any lack respect towards any members of the royal family – past or present. If you come from a culture like that in the United Kingdom, where royals are often in the news and are sometimes subject to criticism, be especially careful. Criticism of the king and royal family is not just frowned upon in Thailand; it is against the law – a punishable offence that is taken very seriously. As an example to underscore the importance of this issue, in 2002 two journalists from the Far Eastern Economic Review published a short article about the relationship between, Thaksin Shinawatra, the country’s prime minister, and King Bumibol Adulyadej. As a result of the article, the journalists were threatened with expulsion for contravening Thailand’s tough lèse majesté laws.

Religion

Thailand’s national religion is Buddhism (although there are significant numbers of Muslims and a minority group of Christians) and it is very important to be respectful as far as the religion is concerned. Always dress ‘politely’ when entering a temple or religious shrine. As you are on holiday in a hot country, your perspective of polite dress might be coloured by the situation you are in. However, shorts, bikinis, tops that show your bare arms, skirts that show your legs, open-toed sandals and generally dirty or unkempt attire is considered inappropriate. In some of the larger temples like Wat Prakeaw guards will actually forbid you from entering if you are dressed inappropriately, and you may have to hire sarongs and strips of material to cover yourself up before being permitted to enter. At the smaller temples you are own your own – do the right thing!

Buddha Images

Buddha images are sacred, whatever size or condition. Never climb on a Buddha image, and be very careful about taking photos – some images are so sacred photographs are forbidden. Abide by this rule or you may even be asked to leave. If you can’t cross your legs, don’t sit on the floor in front of temple’s Buddha image – in doing so you will point your feet at the Buddha which is an act of sacrilege (see Feet below). The 2004 film ‘Hollywood Buddha’ caused an uproar in Thailand and other Buddhist countries in the region when advertising posters for the film showed a central character sitting on the head of a Buddha image. Their reaction was most un-Thai like. Be warned.

Monks

Buddhist monks are not allowed to touch or be touched by a woman or accept anything a woman might offer. If a woman wants to give something to a monk it must first be given to a man, or put on a piece of cloth. The monk will then drag the cloth to him before picking the item up. Likewise a monk will not shake a man’s hand – that type of contact is forbidden. Monks travel on public transport and require the same respect there as they would receive at the temple. If a bus or train, etc. is crowded and a monk is likely to come into contact with people, do not hesitate to give the monk your seat. Often special seats are allocated for monks only – don’t sit in them!

Shoes

Do not wear shoes inside a temple where Buddha images are kept. Take your shoes off before entering someone’s home.

Greetings

Thais do not shake hands; they ‘wai’ – a gesture made by placing your hands together in front of your face a bowing a little. Generally, you should not wai to a child and a younger person should wai an older person first. However, these rules are possibly a little more flexible as far as a foreigner is concerned, the Thais you wai will generally very much appreciate you delving into the local custom and practice.

The Head

Whereas in the west a friendly pat on the head, especially the head of someone a bit younger than you, will be regarded as a friendly and supportive gesture, in Thailand any gesture towards the head will cause Thais to recoil and will be greeted with shock and possibly annoyance. Thais regard the head as the highest part of the body – the temple of the body as it were. As such touching someone’s head is entirely unacceptable.

The Feet

Whereas the head is the highest point of the body, the feet are the lowest. Do not point at things with your feet, and do not point the palms of your feet at anyone (see Buddha Images above).

Shouting and Shows of Annoyance

In Thailand shouting and shows of annoyance are entirely frowned upon, whatever the situation. There may be times when you face frustrations, do so quietly a calmly. Shouting and showing annoyance are signs of lack of discipline and in doing either you are in fact showing yourself up. This might lead to the Thai you are talking to trying to help you ‘save face’ by smiling and possibly even laughing to defuse the situation. For westerners in particular, there could probably not be a less appropriate reaction and often it serves to exasperate a situation. The results are often explosive. Rather than deal with the subtle intricacies of this aspect of culture, simply do not get angry – things will work themselves out much better if you can avoid it.

Drugs

Thailand takes drugs very seriously and is trying to eradicate unlawful drugs entirely. Don’t either partake or trade in illegal substances. Clubs and places of entertainment are sometimes raided and people made to put forward urine samples. If you test positive, penalties will be harsh. Trading in drugs will lead to the death penalty or likely decades in prison.

General

Kissing, cuddling and similar behaviour are frowned upon if in public – especially amongst older Thais. Younger Thais are unlikely to be as shocked, but to avoid their possible discomfort, avoid the behaviour.

Thais are generally shy people and few are likely to walk up to you and engage in conversation. If this happens, and the conversation moves towards the purchase of gems, gold, jewellery or other such items, beware. Every year people get caught up in purchases of items at entirely inflated prices that have little or no value because they are told they can sell these items at a profit in their home countries. Remember you are here on holiday – not here to make a fast buck. If something seems too good to be true – it is.

Smoking in the street is illegal – you can be fined 2,000 Baht.

Dropping litter in the street is illegal – the same fine applies.

Do not engage in purchase of wild animals whether protected or not. Aside from the moral issues, punishments are very harsh.

http://www.discoverythailand.com/