Page 112 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Bangkok

110 ❯❯ Streetsmart

Practical Information

Passports and Visas and the Australian theft-proof. Violent inci-
Department of Foreign dents are rare and usually
All visitors to Thailand Affairs and Trade. linked to too much alcohol,
must be in possession as are assaults on women.
of a passport valid for at Travel Insurance Contact the Tourist Police
least six months from the if you have a problem. It is
date of entry. People from Travel insurance is strongly wise to avoid political
most Western countries recommended, particularly demonstrations here.
are given a 30-day tourist as healthcare can be
visa on arrival at the air- costly. Be sure to double Banking
port. For longer visits, check that your policy
apply at the nearest Thai covers Thailand, along Thailand’s currency is the
embassy for a 60-day with theft and accidental baht (B), divided into 100
visa, which must be used loss, before traveling. satang. There are B1, B2,
within three months of B5, and B10 coins; notes
issue. Non-immigrant Health are available for B20
90-day visas are available (green), B50 (blue), B100
if there is a good reason Healthcare is good and (red), B500 (purple), and
for an extended stay, such affordable, and the B1,000 (brown).
as education or business. country is a popular medi- Most banks, including
For a fee, 30- and 60-day cal tourism destina tion. Bangkok Bank and Thai
visas can be extended by Bumrungrad Hospital Military Bank, are open
30 days at the Immigration and Bangkok Nursing 8:30am–3:30pm Monday–
Office. If you overstay your Home (BNH) Hospital are Friday, but branches in
visa, there is a B500 fine good for serious issues airports and department
per day. These regulations and sur gery. In an emer- stores often stay open
are subject to change, so gency, call the Medical later and on weekends.
check the Thai Ministry of Hotline. For minor ail- Big branches have a
Foreign Affairs website. ments, local clinics are foreign-exchange counter,
Numerous countries, also hygienic and reliable, can arrange inter national
including Australia, the and staff speak essential transfers, and offer the
UK, and the US, have English. Pharmacies are best exchange rate.
consular repre sentation generally well stocked. ATMs can be found
in the city. Prescriptions are not outside bank branches,
necessary for antibiotics. mini-marts, and depart-
Customs Dental care at places like ment stores. All offer an
Regulations the Dental Hospital is English-language option
inexpensive and good. No and accept major credit
The duty-free allowance vaccinations are required and debit cards, but a
for passengers arriving in for entering the country. service charge is applied.
Thailand is 200 cigarettes Tropical diseases such as VISA and MasterCard
or 9 oz (250 g) of tobacco malaria don’t exist here, credit and debit cards are
and a liter of wines or but sexu ally transmitted accepted by major banks,
spirits. E-cigarettes and diseases are a problem so travel agents, department
pornography are banned. protec tion is suggested. stores, hotels, and most
Inspection of incoming restau rants. American
tourists is cursory at best. Personal Security Express and Diners Club
are not widely accepted.
Travel Safety Advice Bangkok is fairly safe, but
it is wise to store cash in Postal Services
Get up-to-date travel your hotel safe. Avoid
safety information from wearing expensive jewelry Post office hours are
the UK Foreign and in public and watch out for normally 8:30am–4:30pm
Commonwealth Office, pickpockets in crowded Monday–Friday and 9am–
the US State Department, areas and ensure bags are noon on Saturday. Letters

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