Tips
Do not listen to the touts (airport or shopping). They will either overcharge you or take you somewhere that gives them a commission.
Use taxi meters (all have lights on top of the car). If they say the meter has broken, get another taxi or establish the price first – never once you have reached your destination.
Shopping - go to our section, or ask at your hotel. They will generally not
get a commission and will know some good places.
Never speak badly about the royal family or religion. You may be put in prison for a long time for being disrespectful about the King in public.
Always respect the Thai nation. This is a very “Thai love Thai” society.
When going to a temple (wat) always dress respectfully - shirts (not sleeveless) and long trousers (leave your shoes at the door). Don’t point your feet at or touch the head of a Buddhist monk or even a statue of Buddha. The head is the highest point of the body and the feet the lowest and therefore highly disrespectful.
Nudity (including
going topless on the beaches) is illegal.
much more in the book
Thailand Info:
Chief of State: King
Phumiphon Adunyadet (since June 1946), the longest reigning monarch in the
world
Prime Minister: Surayut Chulanon
Independence: 1238 (traditional founding date)
Population (2004E): 64.9 million
Location/Size: Southeast Asia/514,000 square km (198,455 square miles)
Capital City: Bangkok
Language: Thai, English, ethnic and regional dialects
Ethnic Groups: Thai (75%), Chinese (14%), other (11%)
Religions: Buddhism, 95%; Muslim, 4%; Other, 1%
Currency: Baht (Bt)
Exchange Rate (approx): 100Bt – GB1.40 / US 2
Author:
James Ann
Editor and proof reader:
Dr James Pruess
Artwork: Apple
Dedicated to
The victims and survivors of the Asian tsunami
Chapters
Country Overview.- Saving face and money.- Introduction. - Getting Started. - Airport. - Transport. - Hotel. - Numbers. - Days of the week. - Months. - Seasons. - Food and Drink. - The basics. - Basic food. - Snacks. - Insects. - Alcohol. - Friends and relationships. - Problems. - Shopping. - Travel Some of the Islands. - NE (Gulf of Thailand) - SE (Gulf of Thailand) - SW (Andaman Sea) - Problems at sea or on the beach. - Bars and bar/go-go girls. - Top 10 Misunderstandings. - Some useful tips. - Things you should take on Island trips. - Simple Phrases.
Over 130 pages and over 350 phrases. Set out as you need them ie Airport - Taxi - Hotel
