Thailand's Information
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Visas
Foreign nationals wishing to enter Thailand must obtain a visa from the Thai Embassy/ Consulate in their country of residence. However,nationals of 41 countries plus Hong Kong do not require visas and will be permitted to stay for up to 30 days. In addition, passport holders of 21countries may apply for a visa on arrival in Thailand and will be permitted to stay for up to 15 days. Check: www.mfa.go.th for list of countries and requirements for visa applications.
Foreigners who wish to work or conduct business in Thailand must apply for a nonimmigrant visa. However, they must apply for and be granted a work permit after entering the country before they are permitted to work.
www.doe.go.th/workpermit/index.html -
Customs
Arriving passengers must complete a Customs Declaration Form. Duty Free allowances include: 200 cigarettes and 1 litre of alcoholic beverage. Prohibited items are all forms of narcotics, obscene literature & articles , guns ,ammunition and explosive devices. Check: www.customs.go.th/traveller/travel/jsp
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VAT
Value Added Tax (VAT) is 7%. International visitors may claim VAT refunds in the airport departure hall on goods in excess of 5,000 baht.This applies only to goods purchased at retail outlets displaying the “VAT Refund for Tourists”sign, where visitors will obtain and complete the necessary refund application forms. Check: www.rd.go.th/vrt/engindex.html
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Transportation
Airplane
National carrier Thai Airways(www.thaiair.com) and Bangkok Airways(www.bangkokair.com) operate regular daily services from Bangkok’s Suvanabhumi Airport to 26 destinations within Thailand, all little more than one hour’s flight. Besides Suvarnabhumi Airport, Thailand has 6 international airports at Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Hat Yai, Krabi, Phuket and Samui.Airport Express Bus
Buses run every 30 minutes along four city routes from 05.00-midnight: to Silom Road; to Khao San Road in Bang Lampoo; to Central World via Sukhumvit Road; to Hua Lamphong train station via Victory Monument. Fixed cost is 150 baht.Limousines
Airports of Thailand operates chauffeur-driven limousine services around the clock, with limousine counters on the 2nd floor Arrivals level.Taxis
Metered taxis are available on the 2nd floor Arrivals level. The official Taxi Counter is clearly signposted and located at Exit Gate 3 .Please ignore the touts who claim to offer taxi services. Passengers must pay a 50 baht surcharge plus any expressway fees in addition to the meter fare.
Airport Rail Link
This high-speed train will come into operation in August 2009,linking the airport to the City Air Terminal at Makkasan in central Bangkok. Passengers can take the Express non-stop service, taking 15 minutes, or the stopping Commuter service, taking 27 minutes.Mass Transit
Air-conditioned trains operate from 6am to midnight everyday on two connecting systems, with frequencies of every three to six minutes depending on the time of day.BTS Sky train
is an elevated rail system running along two connecting routes, the Sukhumvit Line and the Silom Line. www.bts.co.th/en/index.asp.MRT Subway
is an underground system running from Bang Sue Station to Hua Lamphong railway station. www.mrta.co.th/eng/index.htm
