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About Thailand

Geography and climate

Located in southeast Asia, Thailand shares borders with Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia and Malaysia, and coastlines facing onto the Andaman Sea, Indian Ocean and the Gulf of Thailand.

Thailand offers a great variety of landscapes, including jungle and forest covered mountains, fertile plains, spectacular coastlines and many tropical islands rising from clear blue waters.

Thailand has a tropical monsoonal climate, with seasonal weather patterns varying according to specific region of the country, with southern peninsular Thailand being dominated by northeast and southwest monsoons. However, the one constant is sunshine, regardless of the time of year or region of the country, there's always plenty of sun, even during the wet season.

Cool Season

The cool season for Thailand rins from late November—February, and is generally considered to be the high season for tourism.

The north, central and western (Phuket) coastline will see cloudless skies and little if any rainfall, while the east coast (Koh Samui) will see a mixture of brief rain showers and sunny periods.

Temperatures at this time of year lie in the comfort zone of mid-20s to lower-30s (degrees Centigrade), although are lower at night and can fall into msingle figures in the north and on high ground.

Hot (dry) Season

The hot season (March—June) can be very uncomfortable for those not accustomed to it, especially in the cities and on the northeastern plateau. The period corresponds to low season for tourism and hotel rates are generally lower, so it can be a good time to visit as long as you don’t mind the heat.

The Songkhran (Thai New Year) Festival falls during this period, the water that is such an essential part offering welcome respite from the daytime temperatures.

Wet season

July—October is the time when the southwest monsoon exerts its influence on the weather, bringing periods of torrential rain to much of the country, with peak rainfall occuring in September. For Koh Samui however this period corresponds to the dry season, experiencing clear blue skies and calm seas, while on the opposite coast Phuket will be seeing heavy downpours and stormy seas that can cause some beaches to close.

Festivals and holidays

Many of Thailand’s festivals derive from Buddhism and, being based on the lunar cycles, the actual calendar dates will vary slightly from one year to the next.

National holidays

Makha Bucha—February full moon
This important Buddhist holy day, typified by merit-making ceremonies at temples all over Thailand, celebrates the occasion when 1,250 disciples assembled spontaneously to hear the Lord Buddha preach.
Chakri (Coronation) Day (6th April)
Celebrates the founding of the Chakri Dynasty, of which King Bhumipol Adulyadej is the ninth, and current monarch.
Songkran (Thai New Year)—April 13-15
Probably the biggest festival of the Thai year, and sinonymous with merit-making, parties... and water. Songkran Day iteslf marks the transition of the sun from Pisces to Aries, and falls on April 13th every year. Visitors can expect to get a liberal dousing if they visit busy areas.
Visakha Bucha—May full moon
The holiest of Buddhist religious days of the year, Visakha Bucha marks the birth, enlightenment, and death of the Lord Buddha. People gather at temples throughout the country, making merit, listening to sermons and joining evening processions of candles around the main temple buildings.
H. M. the Queens birthday—August 12
The whole country will be decorated in honour of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit on the occasion of her birthday, with some of the most spectacular being in Bangkok close to the royal palaces on Rajdamnoen Avenue and around the Grand Palace.
Asanha Bucha (Khao Pansa)—July full moon
Marks the occasion of the Lord Buddha's first sermon, and the beginning of Buddhist Lent, a period of three months during which monks remain in their temples and strictly observe their religious duties. It is also the most common time for Thai men to enter the monkhood for a short period of their lives.
Chulalongkorn Day—23 October
Marks the death of King Rama V
H. M. The King’s Birthday—December 5
The whole country dresses up to celebrate H. M. King Bhumipol’s birthday, with particularly elaborate decorations around the Grand Palace and Sanam Luang, and foreworks displays into the night.
Constitution Day—December 10
Annual commemoration of the establishment of the Constitutional Monarchy in Thailand.

Regional holidays

Flower festival Chiang Mai—1st weekend of February
Pattaya Festival—April
Bun Bang Fai (Yasothon Rocket Festival)— 2nd week of May
Candle Festival - Ubon Ratchathani—July full moon
Phichit Boat Races—September
Phuket Vegetarian Festival—Early October
Chonburi Buffaloe Races—October
Surin Elephant Round-up— 3rd week of November
River Kwai Bridge Week - Kanchanaburi—end November–early December)
Ayuthaya Festival—December

General information

Restaurants and hotels

It is easy to see why Thailand has become known as 'The food Capital of the World'. Bangkok is on a par with any other city in the world for its range and quality of restaurants serving cuisine that originates from pretty much anywhere in the world, with other tourist centres also well served with good restaurants to suit any taste.

All major hotel operators are represented in Thailand, where some of the world’s finest hotels are to be found. Standard of service is excellent, often at prices that are cheap when compared to accommodation of similar quality in other locations around the world.

Tipping is not expected, although appreciated if you do. Simply rounding a bill up to the nearest 10 Baht is enough of a gesture and it is common for Thais to leave their loose change behind when settling a bill at a restaurant or in a taxi.

Safety

Thailand is a very safe country to visit, although the usual rules of common sense apply, as they do anywhere. Thailand has an efficient and helpful Tourist Police Service, whose officers, readily identified from their distinctive badge, will be evident in most areas that visitors might be expected to go.

Health

Being in the tropics means that visitors need to take appropriate measures against sunburn and dehydration. Most locals keep out of the sun and cover their skin if having to work outside and it is as well to follow their example.

The most common problems for visitors are encountered as a result of eating or drinking something that disagrees with you, and the best precaution is to be careful about where and what you eat or drink. Thai food has a reputation for being particularly spicy, which if not used to it can cause unsettled stomach and associated effects.

Mosquito bites are common concern for visitors, but risks are easily reduced by covering up and using repellants. Malaria is not commonly encountered outside jungle or forested areas, but Dengue Fever can be found anywhere there is stagnant fresh water.

Thailand has many species of snakes, quite a few of which are dangerous to humans. Avoid touching them, and if travelling in natural areas take the advice of local guides. If you should get bitten then you should seek medical attention immediately.

Rabies is endemic to southeast Asia and stray dogs, semi-wild monkeys are a common sight in many urban and rural settings. In the event of getting bitten then treatment should be sought immediately, and you will find that medical facilities are well setup to handle this type of emergency.

Medical facilities in general are excellent throughout the country, but especially so in the larger population centres and the areas with a high frequency of foreign visitors. So much so that Thailand has a growing reputation in the area of Medical Tourism, offering first rate treatment at prices significantly lower than in industrialised countries.

Travel insurance is essential when travelling in Thailand. Those needing prescription drugs, should bring renewal prescriptions if considered necessary.

Electricity

The electrical supply for Thailand rins at 220 Volt AC, 50 cycles and plugs are generally two-pin (flat or rounded) or three-pin (US-style). As a general rule power supplies will not be earthed, so some sort of surge protector, especially for computer equipment, would be advisable.

Internet

Thailand has generally good internet connectivity, with many internet cafes providing broadband access, especially in large urban centres. Things become slower if travelling up-country, where access will be more difficult to find, and generally slower when you do find it.

Currency

Thailand’s currency is the Thai Baht, available as 1, 5 and 10 Baht coins, or in notes of 10, 20, 50, 100, 500 and 1,000 Baht. There are also 25 and 50 Satang coins (one quarter and one half Baht respectively) and these are yellow in colour and rarely encountered.

Etiquette

Thai people are generally very friendly, hospitable and tolerant. Thais will try to avoid all forms of confrontation since it is considered rude. If you are lighthearted and smile a lot then your time in Thailand will be an equally happy and enjoyable one.

The Royal Family

All Thais hold the Thai Royal Family in very high regard. Any comments or actions that are seen as derogatory or critical towards members of the Royal Family are taken very seriously indeed, considered to be lese-majeste and carry a potential prison sentence if convicted.

Many things carry an image of the King, and his picture can be seen everywhere, including on the currency, so care needs to be taken even when handling money.

The national anthem is played every day at 8am and 6pm, and many Thais will stand to attention. It is also played in cinemas just before the main feature, where it is expected that the entire audience will rise as a mark of respect for its duration.

Monks

Bhuddhist monks comes just below the Royal Family in social hierarchy and afforded similar respect by Thai people.

Suitable dress

It is important to dress appropriately with legs and shoulders covered, when visiting temples in Thailand. It is also common practice to remove shoes when entering a buliding, just check to see if shoes are left outside as a clue to what is expected.

Head and feet

To Thais the head of a person is considered sacred and should not be touched by others. Conversely, the feet are considered dirty since they are the lowest part of the body and it is considered highly disrespectful to point at people with your feet. In temples care needs to be taken that the soles of the feet are directed away from monks and Bhuddha images, and the safest way to ensure this is to sit with feet tucked up underneath you.

Pacific Horizon Travel