Thai Orchid Network - Exporters of high-quality wholesale orchids from Thailand.

Country:
Thailand is located in South East Asia, bordered by Malaysia (south), Myanmar (west & north), Laos (north & east) and Cambodia (south east). It's sea borders are formed by the Andaman Sea on the eastern side of the peninsular of southern Thailand and the Gulf of Thailand on the western side.

Largest Cities:
Bangkok (capital), Chiang Mai, Pattaya, Korat, Had Yai

Largest Islands:
Phuket, Koh Samui, Koh Chang

Highest Peaks:
Doi Inthanon (2,565 m.), Doi Luang (2,175 m.)

Climate:
Thailand enjoys a tropical climate with 3 distinct seasons - hot from March through May, rainy from June to September, and cool from October through February. The average annual temperature is 28^o C (83^o F), ranging from in Bangkok, for example, from 30^o C in April to 25^o C in December. Generally the cool season is the best season to visit Thailand.

What to Wear:
Light, loose cotton clothing is best. Nylon should be avoided. Sweaters are needed during the cool season evenings or if visiting mountainous areas or national parks. Neat clothes are required for entering temples or palaces.

Language:
Thai is a tonal language. The five tones are monotone, low, falling, high, and rising. It can be a rather complicated language for the visitor; however, English is quite widely understood, particularly in Bangkok where it is almost the major commercial language.

Local Time:
GMT + 7 hours.

Business Hours:
Most offices open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Friday, except on public holidays. General banking hours are Monday to Friday 9.30 a.m. to 3.30 p.m. Many stores open 12 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Shopping:
You have a wide range of good buys to choose from. They are beautiful because Thais are gifted artists and inexpensive because the labor costs are low.

Currency:
The Thai currency is the Thai Baht (THB). There are 100 Satang to 1 Baht.

Notes are issued in denominations of THB 1,000.- (gray), 500.- (purple), 100.- (red), 50.- (blue), 20.- (green) and 10.- (brown). There are coins worth THB 10.-, 5.- and 1.- as well as 50 and 25 Satang.

Most foreign currencies and traveller cheques are easily changed at banks, hotels or money changers. All major credit cards are widely accepted throughout the Kingdom of Thailand.

Foreign visitors may freely bring any foreign currency or Thai Baht into Thailand. Cheques or drafts brought in must be sold to a bank within 15 days of arrival. Upon leaving Thailand, you may take out any foreign exchange they brought into the country.

The amount of Thai Baht permitted to take out of Thailand without prior authorization is restricted for foreigners and Thai citizens alike to THB 50,000.- or to THB 500,000.- if travelling to a country bordering on Thailand.

Rate to the US$:
US$ 1.- = Thai Baht 31.-
(March 2008)

Electricity:
The electricity is set at 220 Volt AC (50 cycles). There are many kinds of plugs and sockets in use and travelers with shavers, tape recorders and other appliances should carry a plug-adapter kit.

Health:
There are no required vaccinations before entering Thailand, unless you are coming from an infected area. Yellow fever certificates are required for those who are coming from an infected area. Please check the latest regulations with your local health office.

Visas:
Nationals from 56 countries can stay in Thailand for up to 30 days without an entry visa. For citizens of another 76 countries, visas may be obtained at arrival at any international airport in Thailand.

Note: Please check the period of stay stamped in your passport upon entry into the Kingdom.

Customs regulations:

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

Firearms: Importation of firearms and ammunition can be done only after a permit has been obtained from the Police Department of the 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 mm 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. 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. (+66-2) 579-1581, 579-3576.
Permission of entry for animals entering by air can be obtained at the airport.
If entering by sea, the application must be made at the Department of Livestock Development, Bangkok, Tel. (+66-2) 251-5136, 252-6944. Vaccination certificates are required.

Export of antiques from Thailand: Buddha images, Bodhisattva images or fragments thereof are forbidden to be taken out of Thailand. 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 originals or reproductions, may be taken out of the country. For a license application, please contact the National Museum, Tel. (+66-2) 226-1661, 281-0433.

Things to Observe in Thailand:

Monarchy: Thai people have a deep reverence for the Royal Family and a visitor should be careful to show respect for the King, the Queen and the Royal Children.
Religion: Visitors should dress neatly in all religious shrines. They should never go topless, or in shorts, hot pants or other unsuitable attire.

It is acceptable to wear shoes when walking around the compound of a Buddhist temple, but not inside the chapel where the principal Buddha image is kept.

Each Buddha image, large or small, ruined or not, is regarded as a sacred object. Never climb onto one or do anything which might indicate a lack of respect.

Buddhist monks are forbidden to touch or be touched by a woman or to accept anything from the hand of one. If a woman has to give anything to a monk, she first hands it to a man, who then presents it.
Social norms: Thais don't shake hands when greeting each another, but instead press the palms of their hands together in a prayer-like gesture called a wai. Generally a younger person wais an older one, who returns it.

Thais regard the head as the highest part of the body. Therefore, avoid touching people on the head and try not to point your feet at people or an object as this is considered very rude.

Shoes should be removed when entering a Thai home.

Public displays of affection between men and women are frowned upon.

Temple guardian at Wat Phra Kheaw, Bangkok

Back