Thailand

SAFETY: good
The country is considered safe within the tourist circuits and in the seaside resorts. Some southern regions on the border with Malaysia (Yala, Pattani, Narathiwat) and the provinces of Satun and Songkhla are, however, at risk owing to separatist movements and Islamist terrorist groups.

TRANSPORT: good
Bangkok is the most important international hub in South-East Asia and is therefore very well connected with every continent. The country can also be reached overland through the border crossings with Malaysia or by train from Kuala Lumpur and Singapore; other crossings lie along the borders with Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia, but not all of them are safe and legal. Foreigners may also cross the Mekong River by boat between Thailand and Laos. The country offers domestic airlines, bus services and reasonably efficient railway lines.

International airports: Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Phuket, Hat Yai.
Domestic airports: Koh Samui, Trat, Krabi, Mae Hong Son, Surat Thani.
Main ports: Bangkok, Laem Chabang, Prachuap Port, Si Racha.

HOSPITALITY: very good
The country has an extensive network of services of every kind, standard and price. The restaurant scene is good too

COUNTRY FACTS: Full name: Kingdom of Thailand – Location: South-East Asia. Borders: Myanmar and Laos to the north, Laos and Cambodia to the east, Cambodia, the South China Sea and Malaysia to the south, the Andaman Sea and Myanmar to the west - Time zone: UTC +7, 6 hours ahead of Italy, 5 hours ahead during daylight saving time – Area: 514,000 km² – Capital: Bangkok – Population: 65,068,000 – Religion: 94% Buddhist, 4% Muslim, 2% other – Languages: Thai (official language); English is understood within the tourist circuit - Measures: metric system.

CURRENCY: Thai baht (THB). There are no currency restrictions – Credit cards: the major cards are accepted in the main cities and large retail outlets; elsewhere, local currency - Exchange: bring euros; exchange is easy.

ELECTRICITY: 220 V and 50 Hz (as in Italy) – Sockets: types A and C (bring an adapter).

DOCUMENTS: passport with at least 6 months' remaining validity from the date of entry; no visa is required for tourism (max 30 days) - Driving: international driving permit – Car: local third-party motor insurance

COMMUNICATIONS AND TELEPHONES: International dialling code: 0066 – Code for Italy: 001 39 - GSM: four mobile telephone systems operate in Thailand: GSM 900, GSM 1800, GSM 1900 and WCDMA 2100, along with the 3G and 4G data networks, with good reception in urban centres and across much of the countryside.- Internet: fairly widespread service – Web domain: .in. Emergency numbers: roadside assistance 02 9395770, emergency 191, tourist police 1155, tourist services 1672.

RULES, LAWS AND CONDUCT: very severe criminal penalties, including imprisonment, apply to offences involving the use or trafficking of narcotics, prostitution and crimes against minors. Homosexuality is legal from the age of 18; the country is generally tolerant and Bangkok has a number of LGBT venues, although public displays of affection are best avoided.

HEALTH: no vaccinations are compulsory, but malaria prophylaxis is recommended for the humid regions of the far north and north-east. The risk of sexually transmitted diseases and AIDS is very high throughout the country. As regards avian flu, 25 cases have been recorded in Thailand since 2004, particularly in the northern provinces of Phichit and Nakhon Phanom; you are therefore advised to eat only well-cooked meat and eggs and to avoid contact with chickens and other birds. Public healthcare facilities generally do not offer standards comparable with those in Europe. The private clinics in the main cities are very good, but expensive.

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS: 1 January, New Year's Day; February, Magha Puja; January/February, Chinese New Year; 6 April, Chakri Day; 13 April, Songkran; 1 May, Labour Day; 5 May, Coronation Day; May, Visakha Puja; July, Asalha Puja; 12 August, the Queen's Birthday; 23 October, Chulalongkorn Day; November, Loy Krathong; 5 December, the King's Birthday; 10 December, Constitution Day; 31 December, New Year's Eve.

OPENING HOURS: Post offices: Mon-Fri 08:00-16:00. Banks: Mon-Fri 08:30-15:30. Shops: Mon-Fri 10:00-19:00

CLIMATE: tropical, governed by the monsoons, which on the mainland give rise to three alternating seasons: wet from June to November; cool once the rains stop with the reversal of the monsoon, lasting until February; and finally hot. The south is affected by monsoons that change direction with the season: from April to October they blow mainly from the south-west and are laden with moisture; for the rest of the year they blow from the north-east. Temperatures are high except in the mountain areas and coastal zones, where it is cooler. The north (Chiang Mai and Phitsanulok) is influenced by altitude; from November to February the nights are cold and the days hot; the dry season can last six to seven months (from November to May). Most of Thailand, except for the mountains in the north-east, is very humid, with average humidity of between 66% and 82% depending on the season and the time of day.

Monthly min/max temperatures (in °C)

Rainy days (at least 1 mm of rain)/mm of rainfall

USEFUL ADDRESSES IN ITALY
Embassy of Thailand
Via Nomentana, 132
00162 Rome
Tel. 06/8622051
web: www.thaiembassy.org/roma - e-mail: romaemb@yahoo.com

Tourism Authority of Thailand
Via Barberini, 68
00187 Rome
Tel. 06 42014422/0642014426
Fax 06 4873500
web: www.tourismthailand.org - e-mail: info@turismothailandese.it

USEFUL ADDRESSES IN THAILAND
Italian Embassy
CRC Tower, All Seasons Place
40th floor (Consular Section on the 27th floor)
87 Wireless Road
Lumphini, Pathumwan
Bangkok 10330
Dialling code from Italy 0066
Tel. (0)2 250 4970 Switchboard
Fax: (0)2 250 4988 Consular Office
Mobile, active only for out-of-hours emergencies: 0066 (0) 818256103
E-mail: ambasciata.bangkok@esteri.it
consolare.bangkok@esteri.it
Home page : ambbangkok.esteri.it

CONSULAR OFFICES
Honorary Consulate General in PHUKET (also responsible for the island of Samui)
Hon. Consul General Dr Francesco PENSATO
12/514 Chaofa West Road, Moo 3, T. Vichit, A. Mueang
Phuket 83000
Tel: +66 (0) 76 263923
Fax: +66 (0) 76 367153
Mobile: +66 (0)88 7612637
E-mail: consolare.phuket@gmail.com; phuket.onorario@esteri.it

Honorary Consulate in CHIANG MAI
Hon. Consul Dr Vichit LEELAMANIT
19 Soi 9 Sirimungkalajarn Road
Suthep, Muang District
Chiangmai 50200
Tel: +66 (0) 53-212925
Fax: +66 (0) 53-224832
Mobile: +66 (0) 81-8825252
E-mail: chiangmai.onorario@esteri.it

Consular Correspondent for the provinces of Chumphon and Prachuap Khiri Khan
Dr Devis BONETTO
85, Moo 5, T. Nacha Ang, M. Chumpon 86000
Mobile: +66(0)852654231
E-mail: devis.bonetto@gmail.com