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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: |
| Metered taxis are available 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:
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| 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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