Practical Information of Hua-Hin and Cha-Am Thailand

Tourists can call:
1672, (02) 134 4077 or (02) 356 0650 hotline
for assistance any time of the day or night.

• Police:
  Hua-Hin Phone: 032-511027 
  Cha-Am Phone: 032-471323

• New phone hotline for auto theft: tel.:  1599
  www.lostcar.go.th

   

   

• Tourist Police: Hua-Hin & Cha-Am: Phone: 032-515995    

• Post Office: Phone
  Hua-Hin: 032-511350 
  Cha-Am: 032-471252

• Railway Station
  Hua-Hin: Phone: 032-511073
  Cha-Am Phone: 032-471159

Airport     Look More
Bangkok International Airport is 22 km (14 miles) north of the city (travel time--40 to 60 minutes). Chiang Mai International Airport is 15 km (9 miles) from the city (travel time--20 minutes).
Phuket International Airport is 35 km (22 miles) northwest of Phuket.
Hat Yai International has recently been opened; so far it is only used for flights to Asian destinations and domestic flights. Nearest town is Songkhla (approximately 20 km/12.5 miles).

Banks       Look More
Banks open Monday to Friday 9.30 a.m. to 3.30 p.m. in Bangkok (from 8.30 a.m. in the rest of the country). After hours, you can change money at hotels or in shops displaying a sign, in English, “Money Changer”. Normally the exchange rate at banks is the most favourable.


Climate  Look More
Generally hot, particularly between mid-February and June. The monsoon season runs from May to October, when the climate is still hot with torrential rains. The best time for travelling is November to February (cool season).

Clothing
Lightweights and rainwear are advised.

Credit Cards
Major hotels, restaurants and shops are accustomed to the well-known international charge cards. Banks and money-changers change traveller’s cheques providing you show your passport for identification. Eurocheques are not widely accepted. While many currencies are accepted, the US dollar is the surest value at the Thai exchanges.

Customs Allowance 
The following goods may be imported into Thailand without incurring customs duty: 200 cigarettes or 250 g of tobacco or equal weight of cigars; one litre of wine or spirits; one still camera with five rolls of film or one movie camera with three rolls of 8 or 16 mm film. There are restrictions on the export of items of archaeological interest or historical value without a certificate of authorisation from the Department of Fine Arts in Thailand. The export of images of Buddha and other religious artefacts is also subject to this ruling.

Driving
There is a reasonable road network comprising many highways and 52,000 km (32,300 miles) of national and provincial roads. All major roads are paved. Traffic drives on the left.

Electricity
220 volts AC, 50 Hz. American- and European-style 2-pin plugs are in use.

Health
Health facilities, hygiene and disease risk vary worldwide. You should take health advice about your specific needs as early as possible through either your general practitioner or a specialist clinic. Cholera is a risk in this country and precautions are essential. Malaria risk exists throughout the year in rural areas throughout the country, and especially in forested and hilly areas. There is minimal risk in cities and the main tourist resorts, e.g. Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Pattaya and Phuket.

	Petcharat Hospital
	Phetchaburi

 

 

Suvarnabhumi International Airport, Bangkok Thailand

 

Holidays    Look More
The following days are public holidays: January 1, Feb/Mar (Magha Puja), April 6 (Chakri Day), April 12-14 (Songkran), May 5 (Coronation Day), May/June (Visaka Puja), July (Asalha Puja), August 12 (Queen’s Birthday), October 23 (Chulalongkorn Day), December 5 (King’s Birthday), December 10 (Constitution Day), December 31 (New Year’s Eve). The religious festivals are determined by the Buddhist lunar calendar and are therefore variable.

Practical Information of Hua-Hin and Cha-Am Thailand

Language
Thai is the official language. English is widely spoken, especially in establishments catering for tourists.

Media
English-language dailies are the Bangkok Post and The Nation.

Passport    Look More
Requirements should be checked with the nearest relevant embassy. Passports must be valid for six months beyond length of stay. For a visit of more than 30 days, a visa is required.

Photography
You will find in all the big cities the same film you have at the usual photo shops. It is preferable to not leave film in the sun or hot temperatures during the warm season, but to conserve it in the refrigerator of your hotel room in a plastic bag. If you don’t have one, you can ask for one at hotel reception. Avoid shooting photos when the sun is too high (at noon). The morning and evening light is best.

Safety
Leave all jewellery and valuables in your hotel safe. Beware of pickpockets and over-friendly strangers. Visitors should be aware that there are severe penalties for all drug offences.

Shops
Department stores are open daily 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. (10 p.m. in Bangkok). Small shops open early in the morning and stay in business until as late as 9 p.m., often seven days a week. Bangkok’s main post office is open Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.; weekends and holidays 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Branch post offices Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.; weekends and holidays 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Telephone
To call the DK dial 001 45 then the area code minus the initial zero and the local number. The country code for Thailand is 66.

Time
Thailand is at GMT + 7.

Tipping
The Thais do not give tips, so why should visitors? Most hotels will add 10% service charge and 11% government tax to the bill.

Tourist Information
The Tourism Authority of Thailand is headquartered on 372 Bamrung Muang Road in Bangkok.

Transport     Look More
Taxis are metered and non-metered. With the latter, you must haggle over the fare before you enter the cab. Once agreed, the price is a matter of honour; no tip is expected. For fewer frustrations, have someone write your destination in Thai; foreigners’ pronunciation of street or place names is rarely understood. Air-conditioned hotel taxis have posted fares, usually at least double the public taxi tariff. Other hotel taxis have set fares that are paid direct to the hotel desk, who give a voucher for the trip. Local buses, some air-conditioned, the 3-wheeled tuk-tuk, the hair-raising motorcycle-taxi and the water-taxi are other Bangkok options.

Water
Stick to bottled or boiled water and avoid drinks with ice cubes without hole.

Driving license
 If you want to rent a car or moped required international driving license

Practical Information of Hua-Hin and Cha-Am Thailand