Arrival into Thailand - Visa and money matters

Visa

When you arrive into Thailand by Air or via a land border you will receive a free standard 30-day visa, as long as your passport is valid for six months after your intended departure date. If you want to stay longer than 30 days, you should contact the Thai embassy in London.

Landing forms will be handed out on the flight if arriving by air, it's useful to complete this before disembarking, as this can save a lot of time at the customs desk.

After Customs you collect your baggage and pass through the "nothing to declare" door, coming into the public area of the arrivals hall. You will see lots of people holding up boards, one of these boards should have your name on it, if you've arranged an airport transfer with us. If you want to get some Thai currency immediately, there are cash machines (ATM's) in this area to. You’ll be taken to a minibus that will transport you to your hotel in Bangkok. At the hotel, you can start to recover from a long flight and your jet lag.
"Jetlag" is when your biological clock is screwed up, primarily the sleeping and waking rhythms, caused by flying through three time zones. The body has to adjust to the new biorhythm for the first few days after your flight, during which time you can feel tired and irritable.

Overcoming jetlag: We advise that during the flight you drink very limited amounts of coffee or alcohol, and, upon arrival don't demand too much of your body for the first couple of days. It's also handy to get into the new sleeping rhythm as quickly as possible. We recommend an hours sleep after arrival, and then stay awake until you go to bed (but have an early night). Another good method of combating jet lag is to take a Thai massage. We recommend the School of Massage at Wat Po.
Thai Bank Notes
Money

The Thai currency is the Baht (pronounced Bart). £1 (GBP) is worth about 65 Baht (March 2008) but it fluctuates a little (usually no more than 5 Baht either way). Remember to make sure you have 700 Baht ready at the end of your holiday for the airport departure tax that you have to pay when you leave Thailand.

Cash machines are the best way to get cash whilst in Thailand. More and more cash machines are appearing and you can usually get cash out with any normal bankcard. Cash machines are readily available in Bangkok. In the area of Khao San Road alone we found at least three. You can find cash machines in other large towns and tourist areas. Some large stores, banks, railway stations and airports also have them.

It's handy to carry some UK cash with you in case the ATM network crashes. The UK pound is accepted in almost every money exchange office, and currently offers a better exchange rate than the US dollar. You can also change money in the smaller currency exchange shops and hotels when the banks are closed. Visa, MasterCard and to some extent American Express credit cards are widely accepted in larger establishments.

Money, passports and travellers' cheques are best left in the hotel safe. Almost all the hotels we use have a safe. Never leave valuables or money in your hotel room. The cleaning staff always have a key to your room. We also advise you to avoid going out in the evening carrying all your worldly possessions.

When you're travelling, it's handy to put all your valuables in a money belt. If you tuck your T-shirt over your money belt you make a less tempting target for theft. Stealing is completely contrary to the Thai culture, but there are destitute and desperate people, who see a passing money belt as an opportunity. Such people will seek out touristy spots. Be extra vigilant at airports, stations and other places where tourists gather.

When you go river rafting only take the essential valuables with you, leave everything else behind in the hotel safe. Papers that you do have to take are best wrapped in plastic, and then put into your money belt.

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