Arriving in Thailand

Getting to Thailand
Arriving in Thailand
Getting around Thailand

Most visitors arrive at Bangkok’s new international airport, Suvarnabhumi 25 kilometres east of the city. It is run by the Airports of Thailand Public Company Limited (AOT), which is also responsible for Thailand’s four other international airports: Chiang Mai, Hat Yai, Phuket and Chiang Rai.

Foreign nationals wishing to visit the Kingdom of Thailand need a valid passport and must obtain an appropriate visa from their nearest Thai Embassy or Consulate. The address and contact numbers of Thai embassies and consulates abroad can be obtained from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Department of Consular Affairs, Visas and Travel Documents Division, 123 Chaengwattana Road, Bangkok 10210, Tel: 0 2981 7171 ext 3201-2, 3204-5 or direct line 0 2575 1062-4, Fax: 0 2575 1066, E-mail: div1303@mfa.go.th.

Tourists from several countries do not require a visa to enter Thailand if their stay does not exceed 30 days. They must have minimum living expenses of 10,000 baht per person or 20,000 baht per family. For full details, contact your country’s Thai Embassy or Consulate.

Tourists from some countries can obtain visas on arrival in the Kingdom if their stay does not exceed 15 days. They must have minimum living expenses of 20,000 baht each or 40,000 baht per family. Applicants must also produce a fully paid air ticket valid up to 15 days from the date of entry.

Applicants must bring their passports, which should be valid for at least six months, and an application form with a recent visa size photograph (2.5 inches). The application fee is 1,000 baht. Visitors who enter the Kingdom with a visa on arrival cannot apply for an extension of stay except in cases of illness that prevents them from travelling.

Visitors who enter Thailand via immigration channels on the Thai- Malaysian border by air, train, bus, taxi, hired motorcycle or seagoing vessels of 500 tons and above, must possess either:

A paid ticket or supporting document from the owner of the vehicle which is to be used for leaving the Kingdom within the period specified, or documentary evidence from the owner of the vehicle showing a fully paid reservation for departure from the Kingdom within the period specified.

Malaysian nationals entering the Kingdom by bus, hired car, tour coach or hired motorcycle through immigration checkpoints or border checkpoints in Malaysia are exempt from this regulation and do not require the travel documents mentioned above. None of the above-mentioned cases requires an entry visa, and the visitors may remain in the Kingdom for a period of 30 to 90 days depending on their nationality. They are not permitted to extend their stay except in unforeseen circumstances such as illness. Visitors wishing to stay longer than 30 or 90 days in the Kingdom are advised to apply to Thai diplomatic missions in their home countries.

Where there are no Thai diplomatic missions, they may apply in neighbouring countries, or forward their request and supporting evidence to the office of the Immigration Bureau, Soi Suan Phlu, Sathon Tai Road, Bangkok 10120, Thailand, Tel: 0 2287 1740 or visit www.imm.police.go.th.

All visas are valid for up to 90 days from the date of issue.

• Transit Visa: 30 days
• Tourist Visa: 60 days
• Non-Immigrant Visa: 90 days

Application for a 15-day extension for any visa can be made at the Immigration
Bureau, Soi Suan Phlu, Sathon Tai Road, Bangkok 10120, Thailand, Tel: 0 2287
3101, 0 2287 3110. The fee is 1,000 baht.

Application fee for a single re-entry permit is 1,000 baht. A multiple reentry permit per visa is 3,800 baht.

Narcotics and obscene material are strictly prohibited. Narcotic offenders face severe penalties which may include the death sentence.

Firearms and ammunition may be brought into the country only with a permit obtained from the Police Department or Registration office. For details, visit www. tourist.police.go.th.

A reasonable amount of clothing for personal use, toiletries and professional instrument may be brought into the Kingdom free of duty. Tobacco, cigarettes or cigars should not exceed 250 grammes in weight, and cigarettes should number not more than 200. One litre each of wine or spirits may be brought in free of duty. Personal items may not exceed 10,000 baht in value.

Certain kinds of fruit, vegetables and plants are prohibited. For details, contact the Agricultural Regulatory Division, Bang Khen, Bangkok, Tel: 0 2579 1581, 0 2579 3576. Permission to bring in animals by air can be obtained at the airport. If entering by sea, the application must be made at the Department of Livestock Development, Bangkok, Tel: 0 2251 5136, 0 2252 6944. Vaccination certificates are required.

Visitors do not require vaccinations unless they are coming from or have passed through a designated contaminated area. Yellow fever certificates are required for arrivals from the following countries: Angola, Bolivia, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Colombia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Mali, Mauritania, Nigeria, Peru and Sudan. It is important to check the current regulations with your local health office.

• Tourists may bring foreign banknotes or other types of foreign exchange into Thailand. On leaving, they may take with them the foreign currency they brought in unless the amount exceeds either the equivalent of US$10,000 or the amount declared in writing to Customs on arrival. Foreign currency brought into or taken out of Thailand above the value of US$10,000 must be declared at the Customs office. Failing to make a declaration may lead to arrest, confiscation of the excess amount involved maybe prosecution.

• Travellers may 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 the neighbouring countries of Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam without authorisation.

• Foreign visitors may bring personal effects and other goods not prohibited by Customs regulations. As well as personal effects, visitors may take out goods including precious stones, gold and platinum ornaments purchased at duty free shops

• 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.

• Foreign visitors may convert Thai baht into foreign currency for outbound travel if they present evidence such as a currency exchange receipt and a valid airline ticket with their passport at any major bank.

Traveller’s cheques in US dollars can be cashed at provincial banks and authorised money changers, but the best rates can be obtained in Bangkok. Hotel rates are usually lower than those offered by banks and authorised money changers.

Major credit cards (American Express, Diners Club, JCB, Master Card and VISA) are accepted at all major banks, restaurants, hotels and shops.

Thai and foreign banks provide a standard service nationwide. Opening hours are from 9.30 a.m. to 3.30 p.m. Monday through Friday, except on bank holidays and public holidays. The currency exchange service of major banks such as Bangkok Bank, Kasikorn, Krungthai and Siam Commercial operate every day including holidays.

Many first-class hotels provide 24- hour money exchange services, but only for major currencies such as US dollar, pound sterling, German marks and Swiss francs. Traveller’s cheques are generally accepted at all hotels.