Thailand

1. You have heard of the much-acclaimed Thai cuisine. Try it this time. There are plenty of eat-outs and you will find them everywhere.

2. Check Foreign and Commonwealth Office Travel Advice before traveling.

3. Remember that the airport departure tax is not included in your ticket. Baht 500( may change) is payable on departure. No other currency is accepted.

4. Take care of your valuables at all times. Do not leave them out of sight or leave them unattended unless you are sure that they are safe.

5. Be on your guard against pickpockets and bag snatchers as you would be in any busy tourist resort.

6. Bring enough funds for your stay and your return. Bank transfers take time and if you miss your return flight, you may have to purchase another ticket to get home.

7. Ensure that your passport is stamped on arrival, especially if you cross over a land border. Enter next of kin details into the back of your passport. Reconfirm your return flight.

8. Take care if riding a motor cycle, as riding one in Thailand can be dangerous. The Thai law that safety helmets must be worn is widely ignored, and is a contributing factor in many tourist deaths each year. Remember that roads are not extremely safe.

9. Bear in mind local religious and cultural sensibilities - if in doubt take local advice.

10. Respect Thai customs. Buddha images are sacred and should be treated as such, even by foreigners. The Royal family is held in high esteem and the Thais will not tolerate foreigners being disrespectful to them.

11. Do not leave home without travel insurance, and ensure that it covers both medical treatment and unexpected losses/expenses (e.g. missing charter flight, losing passport, having cash and credit cards stolen).

12. Do not carry anything through customs for somebody else.

13. Do not use a guide who approaches you on the street, even if he appears to have genuine credentials. He will invariably be a tout. While arriving at Bangkok airport, use only use airport limousines or licensed taxis with yellow number plates from the official taxi rank. There is also a reliable airport bus service to the centre of Bangkok.

14. Take particular care when swimming off the coast of Phuket. Strong riptides have resulted in drowning many people. Take care during water sport activity.

15. No Drugs- the death penalty is common. Amphetamines are regarded as a Class A drug and possession/trafficking of it carries the same penalties as, for example, heroin.

16. Entry to Thailand is normally refused to visitors holding passports with less than six months validity. Overstaying visas without the proper authority is a serious matter and visitors can be held in detention until a fine is paid.

17. Medical treatment can be very expensive. Take particular care of your passport, as passport theft is common. Passports should not be given to third parties such as hotel owners, vehicle hire shops etc.

 

There has been an increase in recent months in sophisticated gem swindles involving foreign tourists. There are no government gem shops. Do not purchase gems or gold from other than well established jewelry shops.