Practical Information for Bangkok
Police: 191
Fire: 199
Ambulance: 255 1333-6
Local Time: GMT + 7 hours
Thai Year: The Thai year is based on the birthdate of Buddha in 543 BC. To calculate the Roman date, subtract 543 from the Thai date (eg: BE 2495 - 543 = AD 1952.)
Country Code: 66
International Line: 001
Business Hours: Most offices open from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, except on public holidays. General banking hours are Monday to Friday 9.30am to 3.30pm. Many stores open 12 hours a day, seven days a week.
Electricity: The electrical system is 220 Volt AC (50 cycles). There are various plugs and sockets in use. Travellers with shavers, tape recorders and other appliances should carry a plug adapter kit.
Climate: Thailand enjoys a tropical climate with 3 distinct seasons:
- hot: March to May
- wet: June to September (humid, hot and muggy)
- cool: October to February
The average annual temperature is 28°C (83°F), ranging in Bangkok from 30°C in April to 25°C in December.
Clothing: Light, loose-fitting cotton clothing is best. Nylon and other synthetics should be avoided. Jacket and tie is required in a few restaurants and nightclubs. Neat clothes are required for entering temples or palaces.
Visa Issues: Most visa issues and extensions can be dealt with at the Immigration Bureau in Soi Suan Plu, Sathorn Tai.
Land Measurement: land in Thailand is measured in Rai, Ngan and Talang Wah:
1 Wah = 4 m2
1 Ngan = 100 Wah or 400 m2
4 Ngan = 1 Rai or 1600 m2
In comparison to Western Standards:
2.50 Rai = 1 Acre
6.25 Rai = 1 Hectare
Currency: The basic unit of Thai currency is the baht (THB, Bt or B), divided into 100 satang. Most foreign currencies and traveller's cheques are easily changed at banks, hotels or moneychangers. All major credit cards are widely accepted. ATMs (automatic teller machines or cash machines) are everywhere and accept virtually all cards.
Notes:
- 1000 baht (gray)
- 500 baht (purple)
- 100 baht (red)
- 50 baht (blue)
- 20 baht (green)
- 10 baht (khaki)
Coins:
- 10 baht
- 5 baht
- 1 baht
- 50 satang
- 25 satang
(Very) approximate exchange rates:
- 1 GBP (£) = 60 THB
- 1 USD ($) = 40 THB
- 1 EUR = 40 THB
- 1 THB = 3 JPY
Note: one finger means B10, not B1! So if a shopkeeper puts up four fingers, the price is B40.
