Entry Regulations:
All Canadian citizens require a Canadian passport valid for at least six months beyond the date of your entry into the country. Canadians citizens do not require a visa for stay of up to six months and American citizens A visa is not required for stays of up to 30 days. Visitors must be in possession of a return or on-ward ticket and may be asked for proof of sufficient funds for your stay.
Please check with your country’s Foreign Affairs office to find out about entry requirements for non-Canadians and Americans.
Climate:
Thailand is generally very hot, particularly between March and May. The monsoon season runs from June to October, when the climate is still hot and humid with torrential rains. The best time for traveling is November to February (cool season), although the southern islands are best from June to September.
Currency:
The Thai Bhat (THB) is the basic unit of currency. At present, the rate of exchange is THB31.27 for C$1 and THB29.88 to US$1. As exchange rates fluctuate each day, please check the current exchange rate near your date of travel.
Electricity:
The current used in Thailand is the 220V, 50-cycle system.
Tip: This system may differ from the one you use at home. If it is different, please purchase an adaptor from a travel store near you, to take advantage of the power ports in your hotel room.
Language:
The official language is Thai. English is widely spoken, especially in establishments catering for tourists.
Health Requirement:
Vaccination certificates are not required of Canadian or American tourists unless they have visited a country where an infection/disease is endemic. If you are from another part of the world, please check with a travel medicine professional for more information on possible requirements.
Airport Facilities and Tax:
The international airport in Bangkok is Suvarnabhumi International Airport. Other airports are in Chiang Mai, Phuket and Koh Samui; The departure tax is formulated into your airline ticket.
Shopping:
Thailand is one of the best places in Asia for bargain hunting and visitors will be spoilt for choice with the huge, glitzy shopping malls, department stores, small shops and bustling street markets. Both Bangkok and Chiang Mai have excellent night markets. Good buys include Thai silks and cottons, leather goods, batiks, silver and gold, precious and semiprecious stones (in particular rubies and sapphires are indigenous to Thailand), pearls, dolls, masks, painted umbrellas, lacquer ware, pewter ware, bamboo and wood artifacts and bronze ware. The weekend market at Chatuchuk in Bangkok is a regular cornucopia with hundreds of stalls stocking items ranging from genuine antiques to fighting fish. Tailor-made clothes are also good value and can be made in a matter of days, yet the standard is very high.
Cuisine:
Thai cuisine is distinctive, thanks to liberal use of spicy ingredients. It combines the best of Chinese and Indian culinary traditions while retaining its own very special character. International food in restaurants and food-shops are abundant.
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