Visa Requirements
Upon arrival in Thailand, foreign citizens must hold a valid passport with at least six months validity, a valid Thai visa, and proof on onward travel. However, visitor from ASEAN or Western countries, including most European, Commonwealth, and North American citizens, are not required to have a Thai visa for visits less than 30 days in Thailand. They will be granted access through Thailand immigration with a 30 Thai visa waiver, provided upon arrival. After such time, a Thai visa extension from an immigration office or a Thailand visa from an embassy or consulate outside of Thailand is required. Immigration policies are subject to change: check with a Thai Embassy or Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairshttp://www.mfa.go.th/main/en for the latest information.
Climate and Clothing
The weather in Thailand around the central, northern, and northeastern regions is mostly cool and dry between November and February, consequently these are the most popular months to visit Thailand. Considering its location in the topics however, the Thailand climate is quite warm most of the year and genuinely “cool” weather really only occurs in the northern mountains, while areas like Bangkok and Ayutthaya receive perhaps only two or three weeks of “cool” weather in late December or early January. The southern region of Thailand really has only two seasons – “rainy” and dry, not technically experiencing “cool” weather, per se, but featuring glorious sunshine without unbearable heat, beginning in late November and continuing onto April or May.
Smoking Restrictions
Smoking is not permitted in hospitals/clinics, airports, public lifts and toilets, air-conditioned restaurants, public transport, government premises, educational institutions, petrol stations, Internet cafes, shopping complexes and private office spaces with central airconditioning.
Local Time
Standard Thai time is seven hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT+7)
Business Hours
Shops are generally open between the hours of 10:00 – 22:00. Banking hours are between the hours of 09:30 – 15:30, though some Thai Bank branches, particularly those inside of shopping malls, are open on weekends. Government offices are closed on Saturdays and Sundays.
Currency
In Thailand we use “Baht” as a currency.
Emergency
In case of an emergency dial (the call is free within Chiang Mai):
Ambulance: 1669
Tourist Police: 1155
Police: 191
Fire: 199
Electricity
The electric current is 220 volts AC, 50 cycles per second thoughout the country and power plugs are twopin. On request, most hotels will make available 110 Volt transformers to visitors with electrical appliances of a different voltage. However, it is advisable to bring an adaptor and transformer for your electrical or electronic equipment using different voltage.
Gratuities
In Chiang Mai tipping is not necessary. The more expensive hotels and restaurants add a 10% service charge to their bills. While tipping is not expected, it is appreciated when there is no service charge, or where excellent service is encountered.
Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX)
Chiang Mai is a major gateway to Northern Thailand that is becoming an increasingly popular tourist destination and its international airport welcomes over 2 million visitors per year, receiving 130 flights a week from Bangkok as well as Singapore, China, Taiwan, Myanmar and Laos. The airport has a full range of facilities to offer to its visitors.
Located less than 10 minutes by taxi from the city center, Chiang Mai International Airport consists of domestic and international terminals in a single building.
There are travel agent offices at the airport and customer service desks for Thai Airways, Singapore Airlines, Bangkok Airways, AirAsia, Nok Air, and a number of other airlines. There are several exchange bureaus and ATMs in the terminal as well.
Chiang Mai Airport has several food outlets, including two coffee shops, a deli and a fast food outlet. There are also a number of shops selling silk, handicrafts, fresh produce and souvenirs.
Within the departure lounge there are additional food and merchandise shops.
Chiang Mai Airport Transportation
Transportation to and from the airport is available via the Super-Highway and Chiang Mai-Hod Road with public taxi service.
There are several kinds of transportation services provided for passengers, including limousine and car rental services. Transportation service counters are located on the 1st floor opposite domestic and international arrival lounges.
Chiang Mai Airport is located a short distance from the city center and songteaw and tuk-tuks are readily available to provide taxi services outside the terminal building. Expect to pay 120 baht for a taxi to most destinations in the city, while the return trip to the airport costs around 50 baht. Many hotels will arrange free transfer to and from the airport. Check with your hotel to see if they provide this service.
