Country Information

Thia_01

Location: Southeast Asia
Capital: Bangkok
Population: 68 million
Currency: Thai Baht
Language: Thai
Religion: Buddhism

Hello: Sawadi
Thank you: Kop kun

Dates in the country

March 2017

Climate

Thailand’s climate is tropical with a mean annual temperature of 28°C and high humidity. There are three distinct seasons – the hot season from March to May, the cool season from November to February and the rainy season from about June to October.

Public Holidays


  • January 1st New Years Day
  • April 6th Chakri Day
  • April 13th – 17th Songkran
  • May 1st Labour Day
  • May 5th Coronation Day
  • June 30th Mid year bank holiday


VISA


  • UK 30 days visa-free at any border including land border
  • Australian requires a visa when entering at a land border otherwise only given 15 days entry
  • Apply in Malaysia Penang/Bangkok
  • Tourist visa 30 days
  • 2 passport photos
  • Application form at embassy
  • If you’re using the 30 day visa exemption you can only enter Thailand through a land border twice per the calendar year.


Proof of onward travel and funds

Immigration officials in Thailand may ask you for proof of onward travel (e.g. a return or onward air ticket). You should make all reservations before leaving for Thailand. Some airlines have refused to board passengers without evidence of onward travel.

Immigration officials may also ask for evidence of adequate finances equivalent to 10,000 baht per person, or 20,000 baht per family (for on-arrival-visa visitors). Other visa types may have different requirements: you should check with the Thai Immigration Authority before travelling.

More information: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/thailand/entry-requirements

Medical

Vaccines advised:

  • Tetanus
  • Rabies
  • Hepatitis A
  • typhoid
  • Japanese Encephalitis
  • Malaria: Extra precautions as we cross border into Cambodia


Rules of the road



Thailand has a good network between all cities. Roads range from tiny lanes to freeways; in provinces, as a rule, roads have four lanes. Most of the roads and highways are well constructed with traffic signs in both Thai and English languages. Motorways are around the Bangkok area.

Driving around resort areas, around Phuket Island, and outside Bangkok are safe and enjoyable. Most drivers in Thailand are polite, they don’t usually display anger. But, traffic in Bangkok is hectic and overcrowded, so for foreigners, driving there is difficult; especially, at peak times: 7:00 – 10:00 and 16:00 – 19:00. Foreign visitors should also know that traffic directions and entry/exit locations change during the day. These changes are generally advised by signs in Thai, but not in English.

Driving in Thailand at night is not recommended because it is hazardous, especially on holidays and weekends. A good map of Thailand roads can be useful.

International driver license is required in Thailand, you should obtain your International driver license before you leave your home county and carry it with your valid National driving permit and passport at all times when driving. Any visitor may drive in Thailand with his/her International driver license for three months. After this period of time, foreign drivers must obtain a Thailand driver license.

Traffic rules and regulations in Thailand:

  • Driving is on the left side of the road.
  • Distances and speed limits are measured in kilometers and kilometers per hour.
  • Maximum speed limits in urban areas are between 50 km/h and 60 km/h; on expressways, vary from 90 km/h to 120 km/h.
  • Minimum driving age for cars is 18 years.
  • Wearing seatbelts is mandatory in the front seats of the car.
  • Blood-alcohol limit is 0.5 mg. If a driver exceeds the legal alcohol limit, all insurance is invalid.
  • Using cell phones without hand-free system is forbidden.
  • Vehicles on the main road have right of way over cars coming from smaller roads to cross it.
  • The third party insurance, Compulsory Motor Insurance, is required. It can be bought from the local Department of Land Transport Office or car insurance companies; for this, a vehicle registration document is only necessary.
  • Vehicles must have tax stickers from the local Department of Land Transport Office.
  • It is forbidden to drive for vehicles with red registration plates.
  • Vehicles older than seven years and motorbikes older than five years must have a safety inspection annually.
  • Parking rules and marked on signs; in tourist areas are in English too. Red and white markings mean “no parking zone”; vehicles may not park there at any time. Yellow and white markings mean “short-term parking space”; vehicles may stay there no more than five minutes. Yellow and white markings also indicate bus stops; parking there is illegal. A white rectangle on the road means “space for designated vehicles”. Many diagonal white lines mean “parking spaces for motorcycles”; cars cannot park there.
  • In cities, avoid the left hand lanes; usually, they are used for parking. When opening the car doors, check for motorbikes; they can move between the road and pavement.
  • Tolls are depended on the distance and charged for each section of the motorway.
  • New regulation to bring foreign car into Thailand as of June 2016.
  • Tour company apply at least 30 days before
  • Tour fee approx. 5000 baht $200 AUD – includes 3rd party insurance
  • International driving permit
  • Plan of route and entry and exit points – must declare which border points


Places to Visit


  • Chang Mai
  • Krabi
  • Ko Samui
  • Plodd stop

Route

A detailed route showing where we went overlanding and exploring. We jotted down the routes we travelled on a physical map which travelled with us from Australia to the UK, then transferred this to a digital form using Google Maps (KML and GeoRSS Layers)

These are exact appropriations, maps differ between brands and converting from paper to digital may lose some details in translation. This should still show in great detail our route.