Practicalities and health
MONEY
The basic unit of Thai currency is the baht and the UK exchange rate in January 2009 is approximately 50 THB to 1 GBP. Thai currency is easily obtained from the ubiquitous ATMs using a card affiliated with Maestro, Cirrus or Plus or as a Visa or Mastercard cash advance.
Practicalities
ELECTRICITY
Thai mains electricity is 220 volts, 50 cycles. Most electrical sockets take the round 2-prong (European) plugs though a few only take the flat 2-prong type. Most take both.
TIME
Thailand is seven hours ahead of GMC/UTC and does not use daylight saving.
INTERNET
The internet is widely available in internet cafés and most large hotels have wireless access.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Most visitors, including British nationals, arriving by air may enter Thailand for up to thirty days without obtaining a visa in advance of arrival. However, those arriving at overland crossings will only be given visa-free entry valid for fifteen days. If you intend to stay longer than thirty days, a sixty day tourist visa can be obtained for approximately £25.
VACCINATIONS
You should consult your GP for advice on any vaccinations you may need for travel to Thailand. However, you will usually be advised to ensure your vaccinations against diphtheria, tetanus, poliomyelitis, and hepatitis A are up to date.
Health
MALARIA
There is no risk of malaria in cities (eg. Bangkok, Chiangmai city, Pattaya), Koh Samui and the main tourist resort of Phuket. The WHO states that Hua Hin has been free of malaria for years. However, there is a high risk of malaria at the forested borders with Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia as well as very low risk at Kanchanaburi (Kwai Bridge) and Chiang Rai.
For further information on travel health in Thailand please visit the National Travel Health Network and Centre at www.nathnac.org
USEFUL WEBSITES
The official website for tourism in Thailand
One of many excellent websites for visitors to Hua Hin
Travel advice from the British Foreign & Commonwealth Office
