Thailand Travel Tips

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Every year Thailand receives approximately 14 million tourists and countless expatriates are choosing to live in the country every day. While Thailand is for the most part an extremely friendly and welcoming nation, there are some things that any visitor should be aware of before traveling to the country.

• Travel to Thailand's southern provinces of Pattani, Yala, Songkhla, and Narathiwat is advised against due to a high incidence of bombings and civil unrest. The threat of terrorism throughout southern Thailand is high and visitors should stay alert and follow any government instructions that they receive. All but essential travel to these provinces is strongly discouraged.
• Citizens of Australia, New Zealand, America, Britain, Hong Kong, Ireland, UAE, Canada, and Israel do not require a visa to stay in Thailand for up to 30 days. Other nationalities may have additional entry requirements. It is advisable to contact the nearest representative of the Thai government to find out what restrictions may apply in your particular case.
• Thai nationals are fiercely patriotic and extremely proud of their royal family. It is a serious offence to make derogatory statements about the Thai King or his family. Derogatory statements are not limited to verbal denunciations but can include graffiti and written attacks. The penalty for this offence may include a prison term or, the case of expatriates, deportation.
• Drugs are illegal in Thailand. There have been cases of foreign nationals imprisoned for up to 30 years on drug charges. Possession of class A substances can lead to the death penalty. Do not become involved with drugs of any kind while in Thailand. Watch over your belongings and make sure your luggage has not been tampered with when leaving the country.
• There are a significant number of Dengue Fever cases in Thailand every year. The peak season for Dengue is from May until October. You should take precautions to avoid insect bites; mosquitoes in particular are the main transmission vector for this disease. Wear long sleeves and trousers, use plenty of insect repellant and avoid going outdoors in the early morning and at dusk.

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