|
 Health
Regulations
|
Buddha images, Bodhisattva images, or fragments
there of are forbidden to be taken from Thailand.
No inoculations or vaccinations are required unless the foreign
national is coming from or passing through a contaminated area.
Yellow fever certificates are required for those who are coming
from the following countries: Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Peru, Angola,
Burkina Faso, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Mauritania, Mali, Nigeria,
Sudan, Democratic Republic of Congo, Benin, Burundi,Central African
Republic, Chad, Congo, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Equatorial Guinea, Euthiopia,
Gabon, Guinea Bissau, Guyana, Kenya, Liberia, Niger, Panama, Rwanda,
Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Suriname,
Togo, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda and Venezuela.
Note : Please check current regulations with your local
health office.
|
Customs
Regulations
|
Prohibited Items: All narcotics and obscene literature, which includes
pictures and written articles, are prohibited. Narcotic offenders
shall face severe penalties including a possible death sentence
for possession, consumption and/or the manufacture of illegal drugs.
Firearms: Importation of firearms and ammunition can be done only
after a permit has been obtained from the Police Department or Registration
Office. Website: http://home.touristpolice.net
Personal Affects: A reasonable amount of clothing for personal
use, toiletries, and professional instruments may be brought into
the Kingdom of Thailand free of
duty.
Tobacco and Alcohol: Cigarettes, cigars, or smoking tobacco each
or in total must not exceed 250 grammes in weight. But cigarettes
must not exceed 200 in quantity One litre each of wine or spirits
may be brought in duty free. Personal items may not exceed 10,000
Baht.
Plants and Animals: Certain species of fruits, vegetables and plants
are prohibited. Contact the Agricultural Regulatory Division, Department
of Agriculture, Bang Khen, Bangkok.
Tel. 66 2579 0151-7 or Website: www.doa.go.th
Permission for entry of animals arriving by air can be obtained
at the airport. If arriving by sea, an application must be made
at the Department for Livestock Development in Bangkok.
Tel. 66 2653 4444. Vaccination certificates are required, www.dld.go.th
for further information.
|
Export
of Antiques and Art Objects from the Kingdom of Thailand
|
1. Buddha images, Bodhisattva images, or fragments there of are
forbidden to be taken from Thailand
(with the exception of items being used for worship by Buddhists,
for cultural exchange or study purposes).
2. A license must be obtained from the Fine Arts Department in order
for such objects of antiquity or objects of art, irrespective of
whether they are original or reproductions, to be taken out of the
country.
3. Procedure for license application:
a) Photograph the frontal view of all objects and make two postcard-size
prints (not more than five pieces in one photograph).
b) Make a photocopy of the applicant’s passport.
c) The objects, together with the photographs and applicant’s
passport and photocopy, must be taken to:
The National Museum Division, Bangkok,
or the Chiang Mai National Museum,
Chiang Mai, or the Songkhla National
Museum, Songkhla.This must be done at least four to seven days before
the date of shipment or departure of the applicant in order to process
the application and for inspection. For further information contact
the Bangkok National Museum at
Tel. 66 2226 1661.
|
Currency
and Exchange Service
|
 The
Thai unit of currency, the Baht, is not fixed to any other currency,
but rather fluctuates with world market rates.
The Baht is divided into 100 satang. Copper-coloured coins are
valued at 25 and 50 satang. Silver-coloured coins are available
in 1 and 5 Baht denominations. Silver and copper colour coins represent
10 Baht denominations. Banknotes are valued at 20 Baht, 50 Baht,
100 Baht, 500 Baht and 1,000 Baht.
Traveller’s Cheques / Cheques / Credit Cards / Banks
US-dollar traveller’s cheques can be cashed at provincial banks
and authorised moneychangers. Traveller’s cheques are best
redeemed in Bangkok where the rates
are the best. Generally, hotel rates are lower than those offered
by banks and authorised moneychangers.
Major credit cards (American Express, Diners Club, JCB, Master
Card and VISA) as well as traveller’s cheques in principle
currencies, are generally accepted in leading hotels, restaurants,
department stores and several large stores. Travellers’ cheques
and foreign currency notes of all major currencies may be exchanged
at any commercial banks, most hotels and foreign exchange counters.
Thai and foreign banks provide a standard service nationwide. office
hours are 9.30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except
on bank and public holidays.
Major banks such as Bangkok Bank,
Bank of Ayudhya, Kasikorn Bank, Krung Thai Bank and Siam Commercial
Bank have ATM machines open 24 hrs. which accept all major credit
cards. Many first-class hotels provide 24-hour money exchange services,
but only for major currencies such as American, British, German
and Swiss. Traveller’s cheques are generally accepted at all
hotels.
|
Exchange
Controls
|
 |
1. Foreign tourists may freely bring to the Kingdom of Thailand
foreign banknotes or other types of foreign exchange. Upon leaving
Thailand, the tourist may freely
take with them the foreign currencies they brought in, with the
exception that foreign notes or coins do not exceed the equivalent
of US$10,000, or the amount declared in writing to customs upon
arrival. Taking a foreign currency that exceeds US$10,000 into or
out of Thailand must be declared
at the Customs office upon arrival or departure. Failure to do so
may lead to arrest, confiscation of the excess amount involved and/
or prosecution.
2. Travellers can take a maximum of 50,000 Baht per person out of
the country without authorisation. Thai currency up to 500,000 Baht
can be taken to neighbouring countries without authorisation. These
countries are: Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam.
3. Foreign visitors may bring personal effects and other goods that
are not prohibited by current customs regulations. Other than personal
effects, visitors are also allowed to take out merchandise bought
from duty free shops, including precious stones, gold and platinum
ornaments.
4. Non-residents are allowed to open foreign currency accounts with
any commercial bank in Thailand.
As a special gesture to non-residents, no restrictions are imposed
on the maintenance of and withdrawal from the account, as long as
the funds originate from abroad.
5. Foreign visitors may convert Thai Baht into foreign currency
for the purposes of outbound travel so long as they present evidence
such as a currency exchange receipt, a valid airline ticket and
their passport to any major bank.
Note: As of June 29, 2007 the currency exchange rate is:
USD $1 = 34.34 Baht. Please check any currency exchange counter
or Thai bank for the current exchange rate.
|
All
visitors are requied to posses a valid passport and to obtain appropriate
visas before entering 
Visa
Application for Temporary Residents under the “O-A” Code
2.4
A copy of a bank statement showing a deposit of no less than 800,000
Baht, or an income certificate (an original copy) with a monthly
salary of no less than 65,000 Baht, or a deposit account plus a
monthly income that totals no less than 800,000 Baht a year.
