Visas & General Information

Visas

Citizens holding a valid passport from a country on Thailand’s approved list may enter the Kingdom for thirty days without a visa. Those wishing to stay longer must apply for a 60 day tourist visa, available at any Royal Thai embassy or consulate. Visas are not available once you are in Thailand so make sure to make arrangements before you leave your home country. Within Thailand it is possible to apply for a ten day extension of your stay at any immigration checkpoint. Note that it is not possible to receive this extension after your thirty days are up.

Please be aware that visa regulations are subject to change. It is always a good idea to make yourself familiar with the latest changes to immigration laws before you enter the kingdom.

Voltage

Voltage in Thailand is 220-240AC, 50 Hertz. Plug types are not standard but round or flat two prong styles are the most common. Adapters are common and can be purchased prior to your visit or in any population centre. Electricity is 24 hour, but short blackouts do occur, especially during the rainy season.

Currency

Thailand uses the baht as its currency which can be readily exchanged in most countries of the world. Coins come in 1, 5 and 10 baht denominations. There are also smaller coins, called satang, in .25 and .50 denominations. However, satang are generally not accepted in most places. As a rule they usually end up as souvenirs. Bank notes come in 20, 50, 100, 500, and 1,000 baht denominations. Important Note: Each bank note bears a portrait of the King and thus should be treated with respect. Keep your bills in a neat and orderly manner and do not rip or deface them in any way. Above all, remember not to step on a bill that is being blown away by the wind. Better to lose the money than commit a grave faux pas by treading on the Royal Portrait.

Banking Hours

Banks in Chiang Mai are open Monday to Friday from 08:30 to 15:30 and are closed on Saturday and Sunday, as well as on national holidays.

ATMs

ATM machines are widespread in Thailand and can be found even in very rural areas. All of them offer instructions in English and most are connected to international networks. Many people find it convenient to simply leave their money in a bank account at home and withdraw cash from the ATMs in Chiang Mai. It's a good idea to check with your bank to make sure that they don't charge exorbitant fees for this. The maximum withdrawal amount is 20, 000 baht per day. Although the ATMs theoretically work 24 hours, they usually shut down for an hour or two from 00:00 to 02:00 or so as they reset for the next day.

Changing Money

Businesses in Chiang Mai certainly don't want to put any stumbling blocks between you and your cash so changing money is a fairly simple process. All banks can readily exchange most forms of currency. They all have their own rates (inclusive of their commission) but the difference is only a few satang, which you probably can't spend anyway. The exceptions to this rule are airports and luxury resorts. Their exchange rates are usually very unfavourable and it is advisable to avoid dealing with them unless out of necessity. Those exchanging traveller's cheques will be charged an additional fee of three to five percent. Most Thai banks offer money changing windows which are usually open seven days a week from 10:00 to 22:00. A passport is required ID for all money changing transactions.

Vaccinations

There are no vaccinations required to enter the Kingdom of Thailand and very little to fear from disease. STDs are somewhat of a concern but condoms are readily available. Occasional malaria cases are reported, most often affecting people trekking in the jungle, but there are numerous over the counter medications you can take to deal with the problem.

National Holidays

Thailand has 15 national holidays, most of which are celebrated on the same day each year. A few, such as Songkran (the New Year and water festival) are based on the lunar calendar and the exact dates change slightly from year to year. All banks and most businesses are closed on public holidays and the sale of alcohol is prohibited on a few (like the King's Birthday).

Thailand Public Holidays

• January 1 - New Year's Day
• February 13 - Makha Bucha Day
• April 6 - Chakri Memorial
• April 13 - 15 - Songkran
• May 1 - Labour Day
• May 5 - Coronation Day
• May 12 - Visakha Bucha Day
• July 11 - Buddhist Lent Day
• August 12 - H.M. The Queen's Birthday
• October 23 - Chulalongkorn (Rama V) Memorial Day
• December 5 - H.M. The King's Birthday
• December 10 - Constitution Day
• December 31 - New Year's Eve

Important phone numbers

Note: Phone numbers are listed in the following format: +66 (0)1 777 7777. This means that from outside Thailand you would dial 66 1 777 7777 but within the Kingdom you would dial 01 777 7777.

Consulates

Australia
165 Siri Mangkhlachan Rd
Tel: +66 (0)5 321 9726, +66 (0)5 340 0232; Fax: +66 (0)5 321 9726

Austria
15 moo 1 Huay Kaew Rd
Tel: +66 (0)5 340 0232, +66 (0)5 322 1002; Fax: +66 (0)5 340 0231

Canada
151 Chiang Mai - Lamphun Rd
Tel: +66 (0)5 385 0147

China
111 Chang Lo Rd
Phone: +66 (0)5 320 0424; Fax: +66 (0)5 327 4614

Finland
104-112 Tha Phae Road
Phone: +66 (0)5 323 4777

France
138 Charoen Phrathet Rd
Tel: +66 (0)5 328 1466, +66 (0)5 327 5277; Fax: +66 (0)5 382 1039

Germany
199/163 Moo 3, Baan Nai Fun 2, Kan Klong Chonpretan Rd
Tel & Fax: +66 (0)5 383 8735
Email: dekonsul@ loxinfo.co.th

Great Britain
198 Bamrung Rat Road
Tel: +66 (0)5 326 3015; Fax: +66 (0)5 326 3016
Email: ukconsul@loxinfo.co.th

India
344 Charoen Phrathet Rd
Tel: +66 (0)5 324 3066; Fax: +66 (0)5 324 7879

Japan
8 Wat Khet Rd
Tel: +66 (0)5 330 2042, +66 (0)5 330 2043; Fax: +66 (0)5 320 3368

South Africa
2nd Floor Chiang Inn Hotel, 100 Chang Khlan Rd
Tel: +66 (0)5 327 0070; Fax: +66 (0)5 327 4299
Email: Swaeng@loxinfo.co.th

USA
387 Wichayanon Rd
Tel: +66 (0)5 325 2629; Fax: +66 (0)5 325 2663
Website: http://usa.or.th/consulcm/consulcm.htm

Hospitals

Chang Phuak Hospital
1/7 Chang Phuak Rd Soi 2
Tel: +66 (0)5 322 0022 Fax: +66 (0)5 321 8120
Email: info@changpuek.com

Chiang Mai Central Memorial Hospital
186/2 Chang Khlan Rd
Tel: +66 (0)5 327 7090; Fax: +66 (0)5 3271624

Chiang Mai Dental Hospital
1/42 Moo 3, Chiang Mai-Lampang Superhighway
Tel: +66 (0)5 341 1150 Fax: +66 (0)5 321 8867
Email: chiangmaidental@cmnet.co.th

Chiang Mai Ram 2 Hospital
99 Moo 5 Chiang Mai-Lampang Superhighway
Tel: +66 (0)5 385 2590 Ext 3600; Fax: +66 (0)5 385 2999

Chiang Mai Ram Hospital
8 Bunruangrit Rd
Tel: +66 (0)5 322 4851; Fax: +66 (0)5 322 4880
Email: cmram1@chmai.loxinfo.co.th

Chinda Hospital
14 Charoenrat Rd
Tel: +66 (0)5 324 4140, +66 (0)5 324 1712; Fax: +66 (0)5 324 3673

Dr. Wong Hospital
11/10 Charoen Muang Rd Soi 3
Tel: +66 (0)5 324 7519; Fax: +66 (0)5 324 362

Lanna Hospital
1 Sukkasem Rd
Tel: +66 (0)5 335 7234, +66 (0)5 335-7235; Fax: +66 (0)5 321 8402

Maharaj Hospital
110 Suthep Rd
Tel: +66 (0)5 322 1122; Fax: +66 (0)5 321 7144

McCormick Hospital
133 Kaew Nawarat Rd
Tel: +66 (0)5 326 2200; Fax: +66 (0)5 324 1177
Email: mohosp@payap.ac.th

Nakornping
159 Moo 4 Chotana Rd
Tel: +66 (0)5 389 0755; Fax: +66 (0)5 322 2152 Ext 158

Rajavej Chiang Mai Hospital
316/1 Chiang Mai-Lamphun Rd
Tel: +66 (0)5 380 1999; Fax: +66 (0)5 380 1440

Ruam Padh Hospital Chiang Mai
21 Nantaram Rd
Tel: +66 (0)5 327 3576, +66 (0)5 327 0144; Fax: +66 (0)5 327 9256
Email: rhuampah@chmai.loxinfo.co.th

St Peter Eye Hospital
150 Chiang Mai-Lampang Superhighway Rd
Tel: +66 (0)5 322 5011; Fax: +66 (0)5 322 5016

Travel and Airlines

Chiang Mai Railway Station
473 Charoen Muang Rd
Tel: +66 (0)5 324 5363, +66 (0)5 324 4795, +66 (0)5 324 2094; Fax: +66 (0)5 324 5363

Arcade Bus Station
Chiang Mai-Lampang Rd
Tel: +66 (0)5 324 2664

Chiang Mai International Airport
60 Moo 3 Airport Rd
Tel: +66 (0)5 327 0222; Fax: +66 (0)5 327 7284

Air Mandalay Ltd.
Doi Ping Mansion, 148 Charoen Phrathet Rd
Tel: +66 (0)5 381 8049; Fax: +66 (0)5 381 8051
Email: amlpa@chmai.loxinfo.co.th

Angel Airlines
2nd Floor, Airport Terminal 60 Moo 3 Airport Rd
Tel: +66 (0)5 392 2295; Fax: +66 (0)5 392 2297
www.angelairlines.com

Bangkok Airways
60 Moo 3Airport Rd
Tel: +66 (0)5 328 1519, +66 (0)5 399 2257; Fax: +66 (0)5 328 1520
Email: reservation@bangkokair.co.th

Malaysia Airlines
Imperial Mae Ping Hotel 153 Sri Donchai Rd
Tel: +66 (0)5 327 6523, +66 (0)5 327 6538, +66 (0)5 376 766; Fax: +66 (0)5 327 6753
Email: tariffin@cmnet.co.th

Mandarin Airlines
4th floor, Standard Air Services Co, Ltd 414/20-21 Chang Khlan Rd
Tel: +66 (0)5 320 5185; Fax: +66 (0)5 320 5184, +66 (0)5 320 5188

Silk Air Singapore Private Limited
Imperial Mae Ping Hotel 153 Sri Donchai Rd
Tel: +66 (0)5 327 6647; Fax: +66 (0)5 327 6549

Thai Airways International
240 Phra Pokklao Rd
Tel: +66 (0)5 321 0210, +66 (0)5 321 1044; Fax: +66 (0)5 321 0042

Law Enforcement

Chiang Mai Main Police Station
169 Ratchadamnoen Rd
Tel: +66 (0)5 381 4313; Fax: +66 (0)5 327 7477

Chiang Mai Traffic Police
28 Prisanee Rd
Tel: +66 (0)5 325 2787, +66 (0)5 323 4051, +66 (0)5 323 3890; Fax: +66 (0)5 323 4051

Highway Police
1/1 Moo 4 T. Tha Sala
Tel: +66 (0)5 324 2441; Fax: +66 (0)5 324 0289

Chiang Mai Tourist Police
Chiang Mai-Lamphun Rd.,
Tel: +66 (0)5 324 8130, +66 (0)5 324 8974; Fax: +66 (0)5 324 8974

Tourist Police: Airport Office
60 Moo 3 Airport Rd
Tel: +66 (0)5 392 2191, +66 (0)5 327 0222 Ext 191