Tips for vacationers in Thailand. Finding accommodation in Thailand. Medical care in Thailand

Hundreds of thousands visit Thailand every year Russian tourists. Many people go to this country not for the first time. But there are always those for whom this is not only the first trip to Thailand, but also the first trip abroad.

There are several options for visiting the Kingdom of a Million Smiles, as Thailand is commonly called. You can go on an independent trip or use the services of a travel agency. What's better? It all depends on the preparedness of the traveler.

Holidays in Thailand: on your own, on a tour. Where to stay

One of the conditions for independent travel- knowledge of English. However, in resort areas countries can do without it. In hotels in Thailand, where Russian tourists usually stay, the staff speaks at least a little Russian. Often, many Thais associated with the tourism business know a few necessary Russian words. But still, if the trip is the first, it is better not to rely on own forces and knowledge. This is usually what they do, choosing the simplest option - a trip on a tourist package.

The most popular resort areas in Thailand are the city and the island. Which one to choose? It depends on the interests of the traveler. If he prefers a beach holiday in Thailand, then an island is chosen. Distinctive features Phuket - clear sea, great beaches, excursions, the main purpose of which is exciting vacation in Thailand.

A beach holiday in Thailand is also possible in Pattaya. True, most of the beaches in the city are narrow strips of sand. Yes and sea water the coast is not clean. But having chosen a city, it is easier to get acquainted with the peculiarities of the country. Along with excursions similar to those in Phuket, there are many that are educational in nature. Moreover, getting to interesting places from Pattaya is easier and faster. Concerning beach holiday, then near the city there is good beaches. You can easily get to them. A trip to the island of Koh Lan, which is also in close proximity, is also possible.

Quite often, Russian tourists, going to Thailand and choosing the resort town of Pattaya, stop in its southern part. The fact is that it is here that Thais working in the tourist industry are better prepared to communicate with Russians. Going on your first trip, it is better to choose a hotel located on the first line. In the southern part of the city (Jomtien district), only a street separates such hotels from the sea. To be on the beach, just cross the roadway.

Another convenience - here along the beach is constantly moving public transport. Thai minibuses, called Tuk Tuks, are quite comfortable. They stop on demand. The fare in the southern part of the city is ten baht. When traveling to the center after the overpass (it is the only one in the city), the cost is twenty baht.

What currency to travel with

Get ready for the road experienced travelers not difficult. Sometimes going on vacation in Thailand is not the first time just waiting for the last days before departure. Usually at this time, travel agencies reduce prices. In addition, there may be "hot trips". The cost of the ticket is also reduced for early bookings.

The vast majority of tourists go abroad together. In this case, the costs for each are significantly reduced. If the tourist is alone, then he tries to find a fellow traveler. It is not difficult to do this if you take care of it in advance. Going on your first trip, if possible, it is better to choose someone who has already been to Thailand as a travel companion.

Sometimes, going on the road, beginners try to take more clothes with them. You don't have to do that. According to the rules, if available return ticket, an air passenger can carry twenty kilograms of cargo in baggage free of charge and five kilograms in hand luggage. Outerwear, ladies' and men's handbags, cameras, laptops are not weighed.

Extra items of clothing taken to Tai will not be needed. They are just additional, albeit insignificant, weight. But you always want to bring home as many fruits and souvenirs as possible. And you never know what else you want to buy in Thailand.

A few more words about luggage. A large beautiful suitcase is, of course, good. But his own weight can be five kilograms. That is, the payload (souvenirs, fruits, something else) is only fifteen kilograms. Instead of suitcases, many tourists use large bags or suitcases. The latter, having a large capacity, are equipped with wheels and a retractable handle. The weight of such bags does not exceed two kilograms. Of course, a gain of three kilograms can be called insignificant, but it allows you to bring home more cargo.

As for the currency, opinions about it are different. Of course, getting more than three thousand baht for a hundred dollar bill in a Thai street exchange is much better than (at today's exchange rate) having less than five hundred baht for a thousand rubles. But before buying dollars in Russia, it is advisable to make simple calculations. As a result, it turns out that exchanging rubles for baht in Thailand is a little more profitable than making a double exchange: ruble - dollar - baht. In addition, if dollars are not bought in advance, visiting a bank to purchase them is additional expenses time.

As for the amount that you should take with you, it all depends on your own capabilities. With some savings, 20-25 thousand rubles per person will be enough. In this case, the main part will be spent on excursions.

Arrival in Thailand and check-in at the hotel

Planes with Russian tourists traveling to Pattaya land either in capital airport Suvarnabhumi or much closer to resort town At Tapao. In the first case, the trip to the resort takes about two hours, in the second, forty minutes.

The capital airport in terms of passenger comfort is significantly superior to U Tapao. There are almost no delays at the points passport control. Although the terminal building is simply huge, it is difficult to get lost in it. In addition, those who have flown here for the first time have a reliable reference point - fellow travelers who know where to go.

The disadvantage of this airport is that quite often you have to wait a long time for luggage. It happens that he appears on the conveyor only an hour after passing through passport control.

As for the duration of the trip from Bangkok to Pattaya, in two hours tourists receive more than full information. In addition, there are stops along the way.

If the plane lands in U Tapao, then passengers usually get out of the terminal building faster. Although passport control and other procedures are slower here, luggage appears on the conveyor almost without delay.

Each bus that brings travelers to the city has two guides - a Russian and a Thai. However, the latter usually only counts passengers, since he does not know the Russian language to the proper extent.

It happens that almost all the tourists on the bus go to different hotels. In this case, some travelers are transferred to a minivan, and then they are accompanied by a Thai guide.

Guides are also involved in paperwork when checking into hotels. So there are no difficulties for Russian tourists who came to Thailand for the first time. The only inconvenience is the check-in time. It is good if travelers get to the hotel after twelve o'clock. If this happens in the morning, then they have to wait. True, many people prefer to spend this time with benefit. Leaving the luggage in the place indicated by the hotel staff, they go either to the nearest cafe or to the sea.

Useful tips for visitors to Thailand
Thailand is not only an exotic paradise, but also a country in which a peculiar culture operates. This also applies to Phuket. As for the culture of behavior in Thailand, there is a significant difference from the norms to which Russian citizens are accustomed. However, every tourist must clearly understand that the attitude towards local traditions only respectful is possible, otherwise various troubles may arise on this basis. Therefore, when going to Thailand, you need to familiarize yourself with the basic rules of conduct, as well as read the advice given by tourists who have been to this area more than once.
Tip 1. If necessary, you need to avoid various kinds of touches, which can be regarded as an insult to a person.
Tip 2. Raising your voice when clarifying everyday problems is also a sign of ignorance and will not bring the desired result. It will be most effective to address the problem to people in high positions. Raising your voice is a consequence of something serious and may entail the involvement of the police.
Tip 3. To contact the police, it is better to opt for a representative of the "tourist police". He speaks English, he comes from even greater goodwill than when communicating with his colleague from the ordinary police.
Tip 4. Thailand is characterized by freedom of morals, but attempts to preach nudism can result in a fine.
Advice 5. The exchange of dollars must be carried out in banks, airports and hotels are not a suitable place for this because of the unfavorable rate. Try to use only local money, as the exchange outside the bank building is comparable to a real robbery.
Advice 6. Photocopies of all documents, including a ticket back home, will be the guarantor of your salvation in case the documents are lost.
Tip 7. When you go for a walk, try to take a business card of the hotel where you are staying with you. Thailand is one of those countries where it is very easy to get lost. Listening to the name you said will be difficult. This is what a business card is for.
Tip 8. Do not make calls to Russia while in a hotel room. A call from a street machine will cost you several times cheaper, or even better, buy or take a SIM card from any mobile operator for free - the cost of a minute is 1-2 rubles.
Tip 9. Before you get into a taxi, you need to agree on a price. It is also worth remembering that the fixed fare is much higher than the metered fare.
Here are the main useful tips when visiting Phuket or another province of Thailand.
Tips for vacationers in Phuket
We will try to give some advice for everyone who is going to go and have a good rest in Phuket.
Diving shops located on the territory of the island offer modern equipment for rent, for beginners there is the possibility of taking lessons.
The cost of one day of scuba diving is approximately 3,000 baht, but five-day excursions to distant islands are the most popular. An example of such islands is the Similan Islands, which are famous for the purity and transparency of their water, as well as its high temperature, due to which it is possible to do without a special suit.
Tipping is usually done for porters, taxi drivers and those hotel workers who provide top-notch service. Restaurants in which the cost of services is not included in the total bill suggest a tip of 10-15% of the paid meal.
National transport Thais is a tuk-tuk, it does not provide for a meter, but the fare on it is several times cheaper than a taxi. However, for long distances such transport is unlikely to be suitable.
The work of souvenir shops in Thailand, and any other, is usually carried out within 12 hours. There are opportunities for tourists to purchase souvenirs for relatives and friends. It is also worth remembering that in Thailand there is a ban on the export of ivory and figurines with the image of the Buddha.
From clothes it is worth giving preference to loose, sewn from cotton. A suit and tie is required only if you visit a certain restaurant.
You can take photos everywhere, but using a video camera is not so free. It is not allowed to make video filming without a specific permission in the building of the Grand Royal Palace and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha.
Most of dishes prepared in Thailand are distinguished by their characteristic spiciness.
Most of the restaurants can offer menus not only in Thai, but also in English and Russian.
Salt, as a rule, is not present in dishes; so to speak, fish or soy sauce acts as a substitute for it.
Drinking tap water is not recommended to avoid infectious bowel diseases. It's better to order pure water directly to the hotel room.
Holidays in Thailand are associated with an abundance of fruits, which can also be dangerous for the intestines. Therefore, washing them every time before eating will eliminate this possibility to a minimum.
What dangers lie in wait for us on vacation
Marine life.
Meeting with jellyfish in Thailand can happen anywhere. Phuket's coastal waters are home to a huge variety of jellyfish species. On popular resorts there is no such danger, but still, it will not be superfluous to have knowledge of what the danger of meeting with a jellyfish might be. Jellyfish can sting, but there are no toxic substances in their venom and the possibility of death from their bite is zero. But there are also such jellyfish, from the bite of which you can really die. For the most part, their location is the coastal waters of Hua Hin.
Some species of fish that live in coral thickets are also dangerous. Therefore, snorkeling is dangerous, as it can lead to a meeting with poisonous fish that cause injuries incompatible with life. All this gives reason to follow implicitly the safety rules when in the water.
snakes.
On the territory of Thailand, there are also snakes, of which there are several hundred species. Some are not dangerous, and from some such nobility is not to be expected. An encounter with a snake can happen both when you are in the countryside and in the very center big city. Those places where there is grass, greenery, may endanger the encounter with the snake. For some snakes, their characteristic feature is passivity, while some, on the contrary, are overly active. It is worth being afraid of snake bites, as they can cause death. In the event of a bite, immediate medical attention should be sought. But the doctor will need to know which snake bit in order to prescribe the right drugs. As a piece of advice, we can recommend avoiding communication with any snakes, as some are simply indistinguishable from each other.
Scorpions.
An encounter with a scorpion in Thailand can happen with the same probability as an encounter with a snake. In most of them there is no danger to the human body, except perhaps a strong enough sting, from which the probability of death is very small. In the event of a bite, a visit to the doctor must occur without fail to treat the wound.
Anything can become a meeting place with a dangerous animal, even a hotel room. When going out for a walk, you should not touch unfamiliar animals in order to avoid undesirable consequences. Even centipedes can be dangerous.
Features of Thailand
Thais are pronounced individualists, distinguished by amazing tolerance. Following the Buddhist traditions became for them a teaching to overcome and maximally mitigate conflicts and disputes, without bringing them to a state of flare-up. Thus, speaking in a simple and understandable language, if some acts are committed that are related to only one person, then no one has the right to interfere in them, but if the public is affected, then everything that is done is subject to strict regulations.
Thais are characterized by neatness in clothes. You can hardly meet anyone here in ripped jeans and worn T-shirts. It is acceptable to wear shorts on the beach or while staying at the hotel. At the entrance of every house necessary condition is the removal of shoes, the same applies to temples.
In Thailand, you must avoid stroking someone's head, whether Small child or an old man. And in the foot-to-foot position, you can’t direct your feet towards people, as well as at the statues of Buddha and the king. The royal house cannot be mentioned even in passing in a conversation. This topic is taboo.
There is no wrong place for politeness. The rules of courtesy are no different from the rules in force in other countries. But here it is important to have information on some cultural features, in case of violation of which you can hear insults addressed to you. Expressing anger outwardly is considered rude and ill-mannered in Thailand. For calm and smiling guests, all doors will be open here.
There is no public display of affection between a man and a woman. Modern couples are allowed to walk hand in hand, but if they receive approval from society. For a young guy and a girl holding hands, such behavior is unacceptable and speaks of a violation of morality.
The traditional greeting is "wai", which requires you to fold your palms together and attach them to your head or chest. Significant persons are welcomed with such a gesture longer than anyone else. Although in Everyday life quite everyone manages with a banal nod of the head.
As national characteristics it is worth highlighting the sacredness of all images of the Buddha, the punishment of all those who decide to somehow desecrate Buddhist shrines, respect and reverence for the royal family, removing shoes before entering the temple. In addition, touching the head or showing the bottom of the feet are unacceptable. When visiting a cinema, you need to know that before the start of the session, the royal anthem will be played, which you will have to listen to, as well as everyone else, while standing.
10 useful tips for tourists
1. No need to take with you a large number of of things. There are frequent cases when payment is required at the airport due to excess baggage. Take only the essentials with you on the road.
2. Do not choose a direction that is too high in cost. Many cities deliberately inflate the price, thereby leaving tourists without money by the end of the holiday.
3. Most tourists do not look at the weather forecast for the period of the trip, which leads to unplanned purchases of warm or summer clothes.
4. A lot of travelers go broke on calls from mobile phone due to the high cost of roaming. Therefore, before the trip, you need to make inquiries about the tariffs of your mobile operator and connect the tariff that will be most beneficial in the country's conditions. In addition, it would be advisable to clarify the availability of Wi-Fi adapters in the hotel. As a rule, Wi-Fi in hotels is provided free of charge, which will significantly reduce the cost of calls to your homeland. It is typical for some local operators to provide a tariff for calls to their homeland on favorable terms. You should also ask your guide about this in advance.
5. Before the trip, it is necessary to analyze all the necessary things, including those regarding electronic devices: laptops, mobile phones.
6. Making a trip in the high season will not add to the experience, on the contrary, it is likely that you will encounter too high prices. Travel agencies are advised to come to Phuket in Thailand from March to April.
7. It is also worth counting on the fact that a considerable amount of money will be spent on tips for hotel and restaurant staff during the trip. Knowing the places where tips are taken and their amount will help you avoid unexpected expenses during your trip.
8. You should not save on buying insurance, because in which case you will have to pay medical services independently, and it costs a lot of money abroad.
9. Using a taxi service is expensive and may not be affordable for everyone. Despite the provided speed and comfort during the trip. So in Phuket, the taxi fare (minimum) is 300 baht, and this amount does not depend on the distance that needs to be overcome. Therefore, before the trip, it is useful to familiarize yourself with the urban ground transport scheme and the metro scheme.
10. A significant part of hotels and airlines use a system of accumulative points and discounts in their work. Therefore, do not delay with the design of special credit cards and earnings bonus points, through which booking a room in a good hotel or buying a plane ticket can be done quickly and for less money.

Denis

Thailand is fraught with its own special culture, not observing which, you can: at best, look like a fool in the eyes of the Thais, and at worst - get in the face. Therefore, we decided to give a few simple travel tips in thailand. In these recommendations you will find a lot of new and interesting things for yourself.

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Subtleties of the climate

There are three seasons in Thailand:

Hot, lasting from March to May, is characterized by the highest air and water temperature, aridity.
Last minute tours to Thailand in rain season often scare away tourists - and in vain. The rains do not pour around the clock, but only in the early morning or at night - then it is restored sunny weather.
Chill, the most popular season among tourists, lasts from November to February. Prices are usually higher at this time and the crowds are at their highest.

Flight and currency

If your trip to Thailand lasts less than a month, you will not need a visa. To stay longer, it is enough just to symbolically cross the border with a neighboring country, and then return to Thailand again. Direct flights are carried out by Aeroflot, Rossiya Airlines, Thai Airways, S7 Airlines. Many other companies offer connecting flights. The flight from Moscow to Bangkok lasts 9.5 hours.

There are many exchange offices in Thailand, in crowded places they are found literally at every step. Upon arrival, you can cash out some money right at the airport. However, it is not worth changing the entire available amount there - the course in cities and resorts is often more profitable. You may need a passport to exchange. The largest banks in the country are Bangkok Bank, Siam Commercial Bank, Kasikorn Bank.

Major international airports:

Bangkok Suvarnabhumi (BKK) is the largest international Airport. From the terminal to the city center there is a direct surface metro City Line. You can take a taxi, which will cost 300-500 baht. It is not necessary to call, just follow the "Public Taxi" sign in the airport building. From Bangkok, you can buy cheap flights to anywhere else in the country.
Phuket Airport (HKT). You can get to the hotel by minivan (100-180 baht), bus with a fixed route (100 baht), or by taxi (from 1000 to 3000 baht depending on the beach of interest).

Nutrition issues in Thailand

Like in many Asian countries, there is a cult of food in Thailand. True, the dishes are predictably spicy, but the local waiters are accustomed to tourists and their taste preferences. To explain that you don't want to "swallow fire", just say "middle spicy" or "no spicy" and you'll be understood.

The buffet in the hotels of the country is rarely practiced, and there is a reason for that. Food in Thailand is affordable and inexpensive, and there are a lot of cafes or street food outlets around. To limit yourself to state-owned food with such a platter is simply a sin. One of the brightest national "chips" of the country is the so-called moccasins. With this word, Russian tourists refer to transportable kitchens, for which Thais sell freshly prepared food.

Thailand has its own food supermarket chains. Among Russians, Big C, Tesco Lotus and Macro are the most popular - the prices here are quite affordable. Supermarkets often have their own bakeries and food courts. Payment is made by deposit: first you need to purchase a card, then put money on it, and then go with it to choose dishes. Prices depend on the particular institution, the average price for a seafood lunch is 50-100 baht.

Thailand Hotels

The country's hotels are truly diverse: here you can find an option for any wallet. The following networks can boast the best combination of price and good location:

Ibis (Phuket);
Absolute Resorts & Hotels (Pattaya, Phuket, Samui);
13 Coins Hotels & Resorts (Bangkok, Nonthaburi);
Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas.

Fans of creativity should pay attention to unusual hotels countries:

Reflections (Bangkok). Each room has its own original design and painting, which involved local prominent artists;
Kaeng Krachan Boathouse Paradise. The hotel is located in a beautiful national park Kaeng Krachan by the lake. The rooms delight with decoration in the national style, and if desired, guests can settle in a bungalow.
The hotels accept both cash and cards. In most cases, in addition to payment, a deposit is required, which is returned upon departure.

Five places to visit

Royal residence in Bangkok. The palace consists of many buildings, includes majestic halls, temples, libraries. Please note that only visitors in closed clothes are allowed into the territory.
Similan Islands. The archipelago is covered with virgin jungle and has white sandy beaches. This place is considered one of the best for diving not only in Thailand but throughout the world.
Wat Rong Khun. The temple is not ancient, it was built at the end of the 20th century. However, the sophisticated snow-white complex is worth seeing and immersing yourself in a fairy tale.
127-meter Buddha statue in Nathompathom. It is the largest Buddha image in the world.
Samphran Elephant Sanctuary. Here you can not only admire the living symbols of the country, but also ride them.

Traditions and holidays

The Thais are a fun people, and if you catch a charter to coincide with one of their festivals, you will get a lot of impressions. New Year in the country, one might say, it is celebrated three times: according to the European calendar, Chinese, and on the national holiday Songkran. The latter is celebrated in April, during the heat season. The main tradition of the holiday is connected with this: residents pour water on each other, and this is often done on elephants.

Those who come in early February should see the flower festival in Chiang Mai. Girls bring mountains of flowers to the parade, sew luxurious outfits for themselves and compete in beauty. Another visual delight is Loi Krathong, a celebration of the goddess of water that takes place during the rainy season. Residents launch home-made or purchased boats with a candle on the water. The Vegetarian Festival in Phuket is not so much a holiday as a spiritual act, where residents indulge in eccentric rituals.

Tourist cautions

Compared to many others Asian countries There are not many rules in Thailand. Residents are very supportive of tourists, smiling, trying to offer help. Existing prohibitions are mainly related to the topic of religion or etiquette. It is prohibited in the country:

Speak disrespectfully of the Buddha, the Royal Family, desecrate temples and religious buildings;
To export from the country images of the Buddha (except for medallions), items made of elephant skin, gold and jewelry. For the import or export of narcotic drugs, punishment up to the death penalty is due;
Joking with local women about the sex industry. There are very few real taikas among the workers in this sphere - mostly emigrants from neighboring countries;
Touching the head is considered a sign of disrespect. local residents. It is best to avoid physical contact altogether, especially with women;
Sunbathing completely naked;
Of the novelties, something that you don’t even have to think about, but in Thailand they give a prison term for the transportation of various vape devices, such as electronic cigarettes and hookahs;
Thais are very offended when a guest refuses a treat - it's better to at least try. It is also customary to share the ordered food for everyone.

For foreign drivers, the traffic rules here are quite strict: what is forgiven by one's own, a stranger will result in a fine. Movement in the country is left-handed. Driving while intoxicated or riding a motorcycle without a helmet is strictly prohibited. You should also be careful when parking - the local drivers do not look too closely around.

Before leaving for the airport

Check the availability of the following documents: a foreign passport (valid for at least 6 months from the date of return from a trip), air ticket, voucher, insurance policy, power of attorney from parents (if a minor child goes without them), birth certificate (if the child and parent different surnames). Check-in for the flight starts 3 hours before the time indicated on the ticket. If you are traveling with children, we advise you to arrive early in order to book seats that are convenient for you and your children.

In airplane

Approximately 10 hours later you arrive in Thailand. On the plane you will receive an immigration card (consists of 2 parts and a customs declaration. You fill them out on English language. For help filling out, please contact the flight attendant.

At the airport in Thailand

From February 1, 2007, entry into Thailand is visa-free for Russian citizens. Citizens of Ukraine and Kazakhstan can fly to Thailand without a visa previously issued at the Embassy and receive it at the airport of arrival. To do this, you must have 2 photos (3x4). Take the application form in the “Visa on Arrival“ window, fill it out in English. In Bangkok, exchange currency for Thai baht, pay for a visa. The cost of the visa on arrival is 1000 baht. Next, wait for a call to go through passport control. The immigration officer will take the right side of the card. Keep the left side of your immigration card until you leave Thailand (it will be pinned in your passport). Get your baggage. If you have nothing to declare, go through the "Green corridor" of customs, if there is - through the "Red corridor" (Customs declaration is filled in anyway). Luggage carts at the airport can be used free of charge.

Customs regulations

Duty-free transportation of one photo or video camera, 3 video cassettes, up to 200 cigarettes or 250 grams of tobacco, one liter of wine or alcohol is officially allowed. The export of antiques, ivory, Buddha figurines and any pottery from Banchiang, exotic animals and birds is prohibited.

We inform you that from May 13, 2014, Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 398 of April 29, 2014 "On the invalidation of clause 7 of the Government Decree Russian Federation dated December 31, 2005 No. 866 "On the labeling of alcoholic products with excise stamps". In this regard, the import of any alcoholic products into the territory of the Russian Federation from abroad is prohibited. The exception will be alcoholic products, purchased at airports in duty-free shops duty free.

airport tax

For tourists leaving Thailand 500 baht, on domestic lines (when departing from Koh Samui) - 400 baht per passenger.

Transport

If you need to take a taxi, use cars with the inscription "TAXI-METER" (make sure that you are being driven according to the meter), and you can also take a motorcycle taxi - the so-called "Tuk-Tuk" (payment by agreement).
If you miss a local flight, re-register your tickets for the next flight at the counter of the local airline (subject to availability). The service is free.

The monetary unit of Thailand is the Thai baht. One baht is subdivided into 100 satang. 1 $ is approximately equal to 40 baht. There are banknotes of 10,20,50,100,500 and 1000 baht in circulation. Dollars in Thailand are not accepted for payment, if they are accepted in a taxi or a store, then at a predatory low rate. If the amount of more than 10 thousand dollars in cash is imported into the country, it must be declared. It is better to change dollars in bikes and exchange offices. With hotels, the exchange rate is unfavorable, losses reach 20%.

Local time in Thailand ahead of Moscow by 3 hours.

Hot (March-May), rainy (June-October), cool (November-February +30 degrees C)

Official language- Thai. In the cities, English, Chinese and Japanese are common.

Low. For small services, such as carrying things to the room, it is enough to give a bill of 20 baht, it is not polite to give coins. In a restaurant, on the contrary, you can leave coins from the change for the waiter, in case of a particularly pleasant service - a 20 baht bill. You can give a taxi driver. 20 baht on top, you can limit yourself to the agreed amount.

More than 90% of Thais practice Buddhism.

Electricity

220 volts, European sockets.

Do's and Don'ts in Thailand

Do: Keep your valuables, passports and money in safes specially designed for this purpose in the hotel (usually on the first floor of each hotel at the reception desk) FOR FREE!
Do: Have change with you to pay for a taxi, agree with the driver to pay before the trip, and not after (does not apply to Taxi-Meter in Bangkok).
Do: Swim in specially designated areas. As if being careful when handling a water scooter (if it breaks, you will have to pay a fine of $ 1,000!)
Do: Be careful when talking to strangers.
Do: Do not forget that in many places they can offer inflated bills for payment, before buying or ordering something, you need to familiarize yourself with the prices, in the restaurant - look at the menu.
Do: Do not forget about maintaining cleanliness and order in your places of rest. Remember that every tourist is an indicator of the culture of his country.
Need: When visiting religious shrines, open clothing is inappropriate: shorts, sleeveless T-shirts, revealing dresses. If you came to the temple in this form, find out where they can give out a special coverlet. If you are planning a trip to Royal Palace, You need clothes with sleeves that cover the shoulders, long trousers and skirts, shoes with straps on the heel.

Don't: Make fun of the King and the royal family or talk obscenely about them. The same applies to images of the Buddha or places associated with it. All banknotes in Thailand have the image of the king, in no case should you tear money, as this is punishable by imprisonment.
Don't: Walk at night along the beach and other dark places.
Don't: Give taxi drivers large bills, as they will never be able to give change.
Don't: Rent a motorbike or car if you don't know how to drive it well.
Don't: Drink alcohol on the beach or on the street.
Do not: Make rash decisions, know how to refuse dubious offers.
Do not: Buy, sell and use drugs in any form, this type of crime, according to the laws of Thailand, is sentenced to a minimum of life imprisonment, a maximum of the death penalty.
Don't: Import and use e-cigarettes in Thailand. Violation is punishable by a fine of up to $30,000 and/or imprisonment
Don't: Smoke on the beaches of Thailand. The maximum penalty for violating the ban will be a year in prison and/or a fine of up to 100,000 baht (nearly $3,000).

Brief information about the laws of Thailand

1. If you caused a road accident while driving any type of transport while intoxicated, you will always be the culprit of the accident. If at the same time you break the car, and cars in Thailand are unusually expensive due to very high import duties, your stay in this country may be delayed indefinitely and not a single diplomatic instance will be able to help you.
2. In case of street incidents, fights, etc. - in no case do not participate in them, especially using any weapons or objects in your hands. A person who gets into the police under these circumstances also becomes inaccessible to outside help.
3. Do not joke with the police under any circumstances, in many cases criminal acts (or their imitation!) are stopped by the use of weapons. The cause of any trouble with the official structures of Thailand can only be your own behavior.

Thai restaurants offer a variety of cuisines from around the world. (Thai, Chinese, Italian, Indian, etc.). There are Fast Food restaurants like McDonald's in Bangkok, Pattaya, Phuket. Most hotels offer American, English and continental breakfasts. Drinks at breakfast - free of charge, at lunch or dinner - for extra. fee.

The shops

They work 12 hours a day without days off and holidays from 8.30 to 20.30. In shops and most shops it is customary to bargain, in most cases the price can be reduced by up to 30% of the original price. The most popular is Sunday market Chatuchak Weekend Market near Sofitel Central Plaza. Everything that is produced in Thailand is sold here, including traditional Thai silk, black silver and bronze products, and handicrafts. The cheapest items are sold at the Indra Market. The city also has a Night Bazaar (Patpong), visiting which is more like entertainment.