Neighboring countries: Myanmar and Laos to the north, Myanmar to the west, Laos and Cambodia to the east and Malaysia to the south.
Area: 514,000 sq km (200,000 sq miles)
Population: 69,267,747 (2019)
Capital: Bangkok

Time Zone: GMT+7 hours
Religion: Buddhism (93.58%), Islam (4.94%), Christianity (1.20%), Hinduism (0.06%), other religions (0.11%)
Language: Thai
Currency: Thai Bath – THB ($1 = 30.364 Thai Baht – Jan 2020)

Visa Exemption Rule
The rule allows tourists from 55 countries to enter Thailand without a visa. They are granted to stay a maximum of 30 days if they are entering Thailand via an international airport or entering through a land border checkpoint from neighboring countries.

• Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea, Kuwait, Laos, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Macau, Malaysia, Monaco, Mongolia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Russia, Singapore, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Vietnam.

Under the new provisions of the VISA EXEMPTION RULE and BILATERAL AGREEMENT effective December 31, 2016, passport holders of 55 countries are entitled to enter Thailand under this rule provided that they meet the following criteria:
1. The visit is strictly for tourism purposes.
2. They must have a confirmed return ticket to show that they are flying out of Thailand within 30 days of entry, as appropriate. Open tickets do not qualify. Traveling over land out of Thailand by train, bus, etc to Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia (including en route to Singapore), Myanmar, etc may be accepted as proof of exiting Thailand.You may be asked to show your flight ticket on entering Thailand. If you do not possess a flight ticket to show you will be exiting Thailand within 30 days of entry you will be most likely refused entry.
3. It will also be necessary to prove that you have funds of at least 10,000 THB per person during your stay in Thailand.

Visa On Arrival
List of countries whose nationals may apply for a visa at the Immigration Checkpoints for touristic purpose only and for a period not exceeding 15 days:

• Andorra, Bulgaria, Bhutan, China, Cyprus, Ethiopia, Fiji, India, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Maldives, Malta, Mauritius, Papua New Guinea, Romania, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan.

By Air
Almost 70 foreign airlines have licenses from Thai authorities to serve the country and are respecting international standards. It includes Aeroflot, Air France, Cathay Pacific, Emirates, Lufthansa, United Airlines or Swiss Air. Thai Airways, which is one of the most consider airline in the world, is offering the most destinations and the best services to and from Thailand.
Suvarnabhumi Airport of Bangkok is the most important international airport of the country, many flights to Thailand are leading to there. However, many flights from Asia are landing in other international airport of the country such as Chiang Mai, Phuket or Hat Yai.

By Land
Thailand / Lao borders

• Huay Xai/Chiang Khong
• Muang Ngeun/Huay Kon
• Nam Hueng/Tha Li
• Vientiane/Nong Khai
• Paksan/Bueng Kan
• Tha Khaek/Nakhon Phanom
• Savannakhet/Mukdahan
• Vang Tao/Chong Mek

Thailand / Cambodia borders

• Aranyaprathet, Thailand/Poipet
• Hat Lek, Thailand/Koh Kong, Cambodia
• Chong Jom, Thailand/O’Smach, Oddar Meanchey, Cambodia
• Chong Sa Ngam, Thailand/Anlong Veng, Oddar Meanchey, Cambodia.
• Ban Pakard, Chantaburi, Thailand/Phsar Prom Pailin, Cambodia (Prom Checkpoint)
• Ban Laem, Chantaburi, Thailand/Daung Lem, Battambang, Cambodia (Daung Checkpoint)

Thailand / Malaysia borders

• Ban Ta Ba
• Sungai Kolok
• Betong
• Sadao
• Pedang Besar
• Wang Prajan
• Kuala Perlis

Border crossings are only daylight hours open, except for Sadao and Pedang Besar. Boat crossing is usual between Thailand and Malaysia, the most popular crossing border are Kuala Perlis, Pedang Besar, Sadao and Sungai Kolok.
Thailand / Myanmar borders

• Mai Sai – Tachilek
• Mae Sot – Myawaddy
• Phunaron – Htee Kee
• Ranong – Kawthoung
• Sangkhla Buri – Payathonzu – the Three Pagodas Pas

Local currency: Thai Baht (THB)
The money in Thailand is the Thai Baht (THB). 1 Baht has 100 Satang.
You can find banknotes of 10 (brown), 20 (green), 50 (blue), 100 (red), 500 (purple) and 1,000 (grey or brown) Thai baht. Coins: 25 and 50 Satang; 1, 2, 5 and 10 baht.
ATM or bank cash machines are widely available throughout the country.
Banks and authorized money changers are allowed to change money and accept major currencies. The best exchange rate is from US Dollar to Bath, but cheques have an even better rate.
Hotels, restaurants, travel agent, tourist shops or department stores accept most common credit cards such as Visa, Master Card, Amex or Diners.

First of all, make sure you are up-to-date on routine vaccines before every trip. These vaccines include measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccine, varicella (chickenpox) vaccine, polio vaccine, and your yearly flu shot.
World Health Organization recommends vaccinations against: Hepatitis A and Typhoid that you risk to get through contaminated food or water, especially if you are an adventurous eater, Hepatitis B, Japanese Encephalitis, if you plan to visit rural areas in Thailand or will be spending a lot of time outdoors.
Malaria and Dengue fever are diseases that can be transmitted by mosquitoes, especially during the rainy season. Travelers should protect themselves regularly with repellent by smearing themselves and their clothes with it. The most efficient repellents are composed with DEET.
The sale of medicines is less regulated than in Europe, counterfeit products are common in Thailand and pharmacies are selling drugs without medical prescriptions. We advise you to see a doctor before buying any medications and to buy them in licensed pharmacies and hospital outlets.

Mobile Police 191
Fire Brigades 199
Tourist Police 1155
Police General Hospital 0 2207 6000

Tourist Service Centre 1672

Highway Police 1193, 0 2354 6007″

Pre-departure Tasks
Your passport must be valid for minimum 6 months before the expiry date. Don’t ignore trip, baggage and medical insurance. For vaccinations and medicines visit your doctor before your travel.

Clothes

• Clothing should be lightweight and of the drip dry variety. You will be in the sun a lot so long sleeves and a wide hat would be more suitable.
• Underwear should be synthetic and easily washable.
• Sleepwear.
• Shirts should be long sleeved and lightweight with lots of closed pockets.
• T-shirts, short sleeved and again with pockets.
• Cool evenings necessitate the need for pullovers or a lightweight jacket.
• Long trousers made from a lightweight, quick drying fabric should have multi pockets for day trips. Long trousers that turn into shorts are ideal.
• For trekking lightweight long shorts (for modesty purposes) are acceptable.
• Bathing suit should be modest so as not to offend the locals.
• Hat for protection from the sun. Should have a wide brim and a strap.
• A sturdy poncho or parka will help to keep your gear dry in case of rain or waterfall spray.
• Footwear: You will need some sturdy comfortable boots for trekking or just walking around. They will need to support your ankles as well as having a non slip sole.
• Water proof sandals for those short trips and boating.
• Some smart casual clothes for the evenings and visiting restaurants.