Entering Thailand

Most people arrive in Thailand via Bangkok's Don Muang International Airport, situated approximately 20 kilometres north of the city centre. There are two international terminals at Don Muang Airport.

Arrival terminals are dependent on the airline flown. Currency exchange counters and ATMs are located in the Arrival Hall. A second international airport is currently under construction in the south of Bangkok and is due to open in 2003.

Visas

Foreign visitors from 57 countries can enter Thailand without a visa for a period not ,exceeding 30 days; or geT a Tourist Visa on Arrival for a period not exceeding 15 days.

Transit Visas allow up to 30 days of travel in the kingdom with proof of an onward ticket. Tourist Visas permit a stay of up to 60 days and can be extended once by 30 days. NonImmigrant Visas allow a stay of up to 90 days.

Retirement Visas, aimed at encouraging foreigners aged 55 years and over to stay longer in Thailand, can be applied for at Royal Thai embassies or consulates.

For more information, contact the Immigration Department located at Soi Suan Piu, South Sathon Road, Bangkok. Tel: 022873101.

Immigration

Arriving passengers are required to fill out a No. 6 (T.M. 6) immigration card. Passengers without entry visas from 90 plus countries can obtain visas on arrival at International Passenger Terminal 1. A fee of 300 baht is charged and two 1" passport pictures are required (Express Photo Service fee, 120 baht for 4 photos). Permitted length of stay is 15 days, including arrival day.

Passengers departing Thailand must have their passport checked by an Immigration officer. The boarding pass and a completed No. 6 (TM. 6) immigration card must also be presented.

Customs

All kinds of narcotics (hemp, opium, cocaine, morphine, heroin), obscene literature, pictures and articles are prohibited.

Cigarettes, cigars, or smoking tobacco, each or in total, must not exceed 250 grammes in weight. Cigarettes must not exceed 200 in quantity.

One litre each of wine or spirits may be brought in duty free.

Certain species of fruits, vegetables and plants are prohibited. Please contact the Agricultural Regulatory Division, Bang Khen, Bangkok, Tel: 0 2579 1581, 0 2579 3576. Entry permission for animals arriving by air can be obtained at the airport. If arriving by sea, application for entry must be made at the Department of Livestock Development, Bangkok. Tel: 0 2251 5136, 0 2252 6944. Vaccination certificates are required.

As in most countries, vaccination certificates are not required for people unless coming from or passing through a designated"contaminated" area. Some border areas of Thailand are malarial and appropriate precautions should be taken if visiting there. Bangkok, major cities and resorts have excellent medical facilities and most hotels have doctors on 24-hour call.

Thailand has altogether 455 private hospitals - 121 in Bangkok, 165 in the Central region and East Coast, 62 in the North, 57 in the Northeast, and 50 in the South. Visitors can be assured of round-the-clock international standard medical services.

Exchange control

Any amount of foreign currency may be brought into the country. Visitors may take foreign currency out of Thailand, but no more than the amount stated in the customs declaration made on arrival. Travellers leaving Thailand may take out no more than 50,000 baht per person in Thai currency.

Baggage clearance

Arriving passengers are required to complete a Customs Declaration Form before passing through Customs. Passenger with nothing to declare should proceed to the Green Channel. Those with articles to declare should proceed to the Red Channel with a completed Declaration Form. Failure to declare dutiable, restricted or prohibited articles may result in their confiscation and a fine amounting to four times their value.

Airports

Thailand currently has six international airports, at Bangkok (Don Muang Airport), Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Hat Yai, Ko Samui and Phuket.

Airport tax for international passengers is 500 baht/person.

Domestic airports are at Mae Hong Son, Nan, Lampang, Phrae, Mae Sot, Phitsanulok, Udon Thani, Sakhon Nakhon, Nakhon Phanom, Phetchabun, Khon Kaen, Ubon Ratchathani, Buri Ram, Nakhon Ratchasima, Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Krabi, Trang and Narathiwat.

VAT refunds

Visitors entering the Kingdom on tourist visas are entitled to refunds of the 7% value-added tax (VAT) paid on goods purchased at shops, department stores and other retail outlets displaying"VAT Refund for Tourists" signs, where tax refund application forms are available. Prior to airport departure, visitors must present a completed VAT refund form, plus passport information and purchase receipts, to a customs officer. Certain luxury goods must be shown to an excise official. Refunds may be in bank draft form or credited to a credit card.

For more information, please contact the VAT Refund for Tourists Office, Tel: 022729388 or VAT Refund Office at Bangkok International Airport, Tel: 0 2535 6576-79.