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GENERAL
INFORMATIONS |
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Location: |
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The Kingdom of
Thailand, covering an area of 514,000 square kilometers, lies
in the heart of Southeast Asia, roughly equidistant between
India and China. It shares borders with Myanmar to the west
and north, Lao P.D.R. to the north and northeast, Cambodia to
the east and Malaysia to the south. |
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Topography:
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Thailand is divided
into four distinct areas: the mountainous North, the fertile
Central Plains, the semi-arid plateau of the Northeast, and
the peninsula south, distinguished by its many beautiful tropical
beaches and offshore islands. |
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Climate: |
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Thailand lies
within the humid tropics and remains hot throughout the year.
Average temperatures are about 29oC, ranging in Bangkok from
35oC in April to 17oC in December. There are three seasons:
the cool season (November to February), the hot season (April
to May), and the rainy season (June to October), though downpours
rarely last more than a couple of hours. |
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Drinking Water:
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The water quality in
Bangkok is good so you can drink coffee and tea, take ice cubes and
brush your teeth, without any concerns. Drinking bottled water however
is a common practice. In your hotel/hospital, if you want to avoid
high mini bar prices we recommend buying from a near by supermarket
or convenient store. Most hotels/hospitals provide complimentary mineral
water. |
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What to Wear: |
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Light, loose cotton clothing
is best. Nylon should be avoided. Sweaters are needed during the cool
season evenings or if visiting mountainous areas or national parks.
Jackets and ties are required in a few restaurants and nightclubs.
Neat clothes are required for entering temples or palaces. |
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Population: |
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Thailand has a population
of about 60 million. Ethnic Thais form the majority, though the area
has historically been a migratory crossroads, and thus strains of
Mon, Khmer, Burmese, Lao, Malay, Indian and most strongly, Chinese
stock produce a degree of ethnic diversity. Even thru, culturally
and socially there is enormous unity. |
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Get
to know Thai food: |
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Thai food is internationally
famous. Whether chili-hot or comparatively bland, harmony is
the guiding principle behind each dish. Thai cuisine is essentially
a marriage of centuries-old Eastern and Western influences harmoniously
combined into something uniquely Thai. The characteristics of
Thai food depend on who cooks it, for which it is cooked, for
what occasion, and where it is cooked to suit all palates. Originally,
Thai cooking reflected the characteristics of a waterborne lifestyle.
Aquatic animals, plants and herbs were major ingredients. Large
chunks of meat were eschewed. Subsequent influences introduced
the use of sizeable chunks to Thai cooking. |
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Thai Food: |
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Food can be as simple
as a bowl of tom yum kung soup (lemon grass shrimp soup) prepared
before you at a floating market, or as ceremonious and complex as
a five-course French meal at one of the city's many exclusive restaurants.
There is also a wide array of sumptuous international cuisine for
you. |
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Local Time:
+7 GMT |
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Currency: |
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There are 100 satangs
in 1 baht. (B=baht) Notes are issued in denominations of B1000 (gray),
B500 (purple), B100 (red), B50 (blue), B20 (green), and B10 (brown).
There are 10, 5 and 1 baht coin, and 50 and 25 satang. Most foreign
currencies and traveler cheques are easily changed at banks, hotels
or moneychangers. All major credit cards are widely accepted throughout
the kingdom. |
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BTS
Sky Trains:
One of the most advanced
types of urban railway, the Bangkok Transit System (BTS), an
elevated heavy rail system running above the business district
of Bangkok. With the new millennium, BTS will offer its passengers
speed and reliability and prove to be a very attractive alternative
to road travel. The Sukhumvit and the Silom lines will ensure
that Bangkok can breathe again.
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| Tuk-Tuk:
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| Three-wheeled open-air, Tuk-tuk
offer an 'interesting' ride for shorter trips during off- peak
hours. Settle the fare before proceeding. It should cost less
than the price of a comparable journey by taxi meter. Minimum
fares, for journeys of up to 3 kilometers, are approximately
30 baht. |
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| Taxis meter:
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in Bangkok. Passengers must pay tolls in the case of using an
expressway. If taxis do not have meters, fares must be agreed
upon before starting. The amount will vary depending on the
distance, traffic, weather (if it is raining the fare will rise)
and the negotiating skills of the hirer. Average fares in Bangkok
are between 50-200 baht. |
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| Buses: |
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| The Bangkok Mass
Transit Authority operates across the city from 05.00-23.00
daily. |
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ENJOYS
IN BANGKOK AND PROVINCE |
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Shopping: |
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Bangkok is not limited
to one or two major streets, and there are many areas throughout the
city affording ample choice and easy access. In addition, we like
to recommend you for two main areas in downtown Bangkok, which have
many specialist shops, shopping plazas and department stores. Those
shops are located close to together and easy to walk, it is called
Siam-Square and Ploenchit. |
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| Patpong:
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| The commercial heart of Bangkok.
Patpong road have dozens of specialist shops, boutiques and
shopping plaza representing all the major buys. Patpong’s famous
night market includes t-shirts, dresses, jeans, handicrafts,
Thai silk and many others. Patpong is opened from 6 pm-2.30
am daily. It is within walking distance from BNH hospital. |
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| Siam Square,
Ploenchit-Ratchadamri: |
| Many department stores and
shopping malls are here including the World Trade Center with
variety of shops, restaurants and the Siam Center, which contains
many fashionable boutiques; reach able by BTS Station only 200
meters from BNH hospital. |
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Shopping Advice:
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Fixed prices are the
norm in department stores and a number of shops in Bangkok, but at
most other places’ negotiating is acceptable. Generally, shopping
in Thailand is easy, fun and very rewarding, but the following advice
is useful especially when making gem and jewelry purchases. Therefore,
you may obtain a final figure between 10-35% lower than the original
price. Remember, when you bargain price, Thais appreciate good manners
and a sense of humor. For example, a broad smile then you will not
only get a better price but also you will enjoy shopping as an art. |
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Bangkok
Sight Seeing: |
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The Must see attractions include Wat Phra Kaew and the Grand
Palace, Wat Pho and Wat Traimit, home to the impressive 3m
tall, 5 1/2-tonne solid-gold Buddha image. So, don't forget
to snap the beautiful photos as a remembrance, especially
the Wat Sai floating market in Thonburi, an ultimate spot
that is not simply found from other parts of the world.
Another well worth a visit
spot is Bang Pa In, 37 miles north of Bangkok, the former
summer residence of the royal family in the 17th century,
which is a collection of buildings reflecting oriental and
European influences. Whether visiting palaces or temples,
it is important to dress respectfully. Entry can and will
be refused if this rule is not followed. |
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Royal Grand Palace:
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This is the perfect introduction
to Thailand, the Buddhist faith, regal splendor and tradition. Though
no longer the royal residence, it remains symbol of the Kingdom. |
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Canal Tour: |
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River and canal have
been played an important role in Thais. Trip will start by long tail
speedboat passing various canal and temples. |
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Ayutthaya: |
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Visit the summr place
of Thai monarchs since the 17th century. Bangpa-in has a charming
collection of pavilion in a varieties of Thai, Chinese, Italian and
Victorian architectural styles surrounded by beautiful gardens and
pond. |
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PS:
Please asks for more information at the PAI's counter. |
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