John Forsyth and Aileen Collins welcome you to their world of unique travel ideas.

Thailand...
"What to know before you go"
"The Land of Smiles"... Thailand - a vibrant country with a happy and carefree people who are always ready to greet visitors with warm smiles. A divers country with bustling cities, beautiful beaches, stunning mountain resorts and a range and style of cuisine to tempt all taste buds.

Passport Requirements
Visitors entering Thailand must be in possession of a valid passport. Transit passengers staying in Thailand not longer than 30 days (29 nights) do not generally require a visa but need an air ticket with confirmed onward reservation. Visae are required for visits to Myanmar (Burma), Laos and Cambodia.

Airport Tax (Subject to Change)
International - Baht 500
Domestic - Baht 50

Climate
Hot Season: March - May
Rainy Season: June - October
Cool Season: November - February

The average temperature in Bangkok ranges from 17°C in December to 36°C in April.

Clothing
The emphasis is on casual, with only top hotel restaurants occasionally demanding a jacket and tie. But outside the resorts, skimpy and/or scruffy clothes will attract disapproval and you should not dress in such a way if visiting public buildings or temples.

Currency
One Thai Baht, divided into 100 santangs.
Notes - Baht 20, 50, 100, 500 & 1000
Coins - Baht 1, 5 & 10 and Santangs 25 & 50
Click here for an estimate of current exchange rates.

Credit Cards
Most credit cards are accepted at all leading hotels, restaurants and department stores, entertainment, local and tourist oriented shops. Credit cards accepted at most facilities are American Express, VISA, Diners Club and Mastercard. Use of credit cards in smaller towns and outlaying may be restricted.

Customs at Airport
200 cigarettes, 250 grams of tobacco or cigars,
1 litre of wine or spirits, 1 still or movie/video camera, 5 rolls of 8mm or 16mm film. The penalties for drug carrying are severe.

Electricity
220 volts, 50 cycles. Adaptors will be required for Australian appliances.

Health
No actual vaccinations are presently required but people suffering from leprosy, trachoma, tuberculosis, AIDS and the plague are forbidden entry into Thailand.

Language
Thai is the official language spoken throughout the country but English is widely understood and spoken in the major tourist areas.

Tipping
Tipping is welcomed but is not compulsory in hotels or places of entertainment. No tipping is necessary if a service charge is added to the bill.

Royalty
The King of Thailand, His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej, is much loved by the Thai people and held in great respect. it is a criminal offence to refer to the King or members of the royal family in derogatory terms and to deface anything including currency, which bears the image of His Majesty.

Greetings
The Thai greeting, or wai, is accomplished by placing the palms and the fingers together and bringing the hands to neck level, with the head slightly bowed. Thais greet each other in this manner, with the word Sawadee, ending in kha for women and khrap for men.