Thailand

Public Transport

The modes of transport in Thailand include buses, tuk-tuks, taxis, trains and rentals. Although metro and train commutes are available, buses, air-conditioned buses to minibuses, are inexpensive and widespread. Tuk-tuks are the locally preferred means of travelling, accounting to the famous Bangkok traffic. There are also trolleybuses, great for city tours, that are present all over the country.

Taxi & Airport transfer

Taxi service in Thailand is, to put it simply, colourful. Unless it is a metered-taxi, taxis are not as preferred as, say, motorbike taxis or tuk-tuks, because of the scams that drivers pull. Although taxis are readily available from major tourist spots, it is better to prebook a taxi from the airport and back to ensure fair fares. Tuk-tuks are uniquely Thailand-based but they, and motorbike taxis, are not as convenient as taxis.

Transport & city passes

Free passes are not available for city tours or transportation but the train and bus tickets fares are feasible.

Driving & Car rental

With an extraordinary traffic scenario, best way to get around Thailand is by renting cars, bikes or scooters. Having the freedom to explore the land at your own pace is made easy with rental agencies like Expert, Hertz, Bangkok Scooter Rental, Big Bike Rental Bangkok and Go Bangkok Tours. The fares may differ but the option to hire a chauffeur to drive you around in the rented vehicle should make the deal better.

Culture & Etiquette
Thailand is known as the ‘Land of smiles’ because of it’s extremely hospitable people. The people there are very particular about maintaining face in public and consider it rude when people fail to do the same. It is only appropriate to return the greeting, called Wai, by pressing your hands together and bowing in respect. Thai people hold hierarchy and religious culture holy, so ensure to never disrespect the monarch or the monks and follow temple rules, like dressing modest, removing shoes before entering temples and avoid displaying the sole of your feet.

Major events & Public holidays
The Songkran festival symbolizes the Thai New Year spanning for 3 days or more, April 13th-15th, splashing fun with the insane water-fights that happen all over the country. Another such festival is the Loy Krathong, the Festival of Light taking place every November, that the Thai people celebrate religiously by floating baskets and releasing paper lanterns into the air believing to rid themselves of their sins.

Road rules and driving license
Thailand follows left-side driving. It is required of tourists to have an International Drivers’ License on them when driving and it can be used upto 6 months. Although the traffic in Thailand is no joke, keeping your anger in check is appreciated but it might be difficult for foreigners. While renting vehicles, ensure that the vehicle is insured and to follow rules like wearing seatbelts and helmet. It is better to hire a chauffeur as to drive you to places.

Know Your Thai

Thai or Siamese is the native language of Thailand and it is the most used language. Owing to the economic boom because of tourism, English is also fairly common. Broken or perfect, there will be close to no language barrier, but it is useful to know a few basic sentences in Thai.

Welcome - Yin di ton rap

Hello - Sawadee

Sorry - Khor thoad

Thank You - khop khun

How its going? - Sa bai dee mai

See you again - La gorn

Fragrance, the heat, the flavour: these three things best describe the Thai food. The aroma wafting out of the street shops or nearby restaurants found in Thailand will stay with you for a long time. A trip to Bangkok or Pattaya is never complete without gorging on a bowl of Thai-delicious. Thai food is predominantly spicy including locally sourced seafood and meat with the influence of Vietnamese seasoning.

Tom Yum Goong: This refreshing spicy soup is prepared with herbs, chilli and prawns and pays homage to its Thailand flavour.

Gaeng Daeng: This mouthwatering bowl of curry spices its way to your heart by its tender meat and richly prepared gravy.

Khao Pad: A customisable fried rice prepared with eggs, herbs and known for its simplicity.

Kuay Tiew: This staple noodle dish is prepared with vegetables and meat. Although the flavour differs from place to place, it still is delicious.

Som Tum: This intense flavoured green mango salad is an acquired taste with the inclusion of peanuts, or dry shrimp or salted crab.

Pad Thai: A world renowned Thai noodle dish is fun to eat with the sides and the condiments that come along with it.

Pad Krapow Moo Saap: A sweet and spicy wholesome pork and basil dish that is served with rice, suitable for lunch and dinner.

Banana Pancakes: The name might be ambigious in regards with regular pancakes but these Thailand special pancakes are served with Vanilla sauce and are a crowd favourite.

Electricity

• The power sockets in Thailand are of the type A and C.
• The voltage here is 220 volts at 50 Hz and it is the same as that we have in India.
• Indian appliances will need an adapter to connect to the plug points over here.
• You can get your universal adapters in any electrical appliances shop or can order it on Amazon.

Sim & Data Roaming

• When traveling to Thailand, it is best suggested to bring an unlocked phone which is not bound to a single carrier.
• There are three cell networks in Thailand, operated by dtac, AIS and TrueMove.
• We'd however recommend Tsim sim card since it has a good network coverage.
• The basic plan for Tsim starts from 800 Rs ~ 8 days of for voice + data.

Cash & Cards

• The only acceptable currency in Thailand is the Thai Baht.
• The average cost of one meal/person is 60 THB which is close to 132 Rs
• The expenditure in Thailand for a day per person will be around 150 THB which is about Rs 450 which includes your meal & other personal expenses.
• We’d advise you to carry USDs while travelling to Thailand. On reaching Thailand, you can have these USDs exchanged to Thai Baht.

Health & Insurance

• Although Insurance is not mandatory for Thailand, it is advisable to carry one.
• Public hospitals are present all over the country and are as efficient as the private ones, while being cost-effective.
• Over-the-counter medicine purchase is available in almost all the pharmacies, with or without prescription for basic antiobiotics, allergy and birth control pills.
• It is recommended you carry sunblock, wide brimmed hats and shades while stepping out in the sun. If you want to avoid the sun, avoid the beaches between 10 am and 2 pm - it is hottest then.
• The land of Thailand is full of people, all the time, and is a traffic zone, so it is possible to be exposed to a lot of mosquitos and ensure that you are protected by carrying a mosquito repellent.
• If you are bringing a sizeable amount of medicines, carry a doctor's certificate to avoid problems with the Customs.

Emergency contacts

Embassy of India in Thailand

Embassy of India, Ocean Tower 2, 75/120-121, 42nd Floor [75/32-33, 20th Floor for Consular, Passport and Visa Services], Soi Sukhumvit 19, Bangkok-10110

Ph no: 02-2580300-6, Email: enquiries.bangkok@mea.gov.in

Police: 191, Ambulance: 1554, Fire department: 199