Tourist information about Thailand

General information about Thailand

Taling Ngam

Thailand is the land of a thousand smiles! These are not just words. As soon as you get off the plane landing in Thailand for the first time, you will immediately feel it. Probably the Thais are the friendliest people on the planet.

The modern name of Thailand translates as "Land of the Free", and this is not accidental. Thailand is the only eastern country that did not know the "colonial slavery" of England or France, which was greatly facilitated by the friendship of Russian Emperor Nicholas II and Thai King Rama V (and before that Alexander III began to establish friendly relations with Thailand). That is why the birthday of any Siamese emperor (and especially Rama V) is celebrated here on a huge scale.

The Big Buddha of Phuket

Among Russian tourists, Thailand is one of the most popular holiday destinations. And this is felt not only by the large number of vouchers sold, but also by the fact that more and more often on the streets of resort towns in Thailand you can hear Russian speech from the mouths of Thais, see signs in Russian on the streets, in shops, hotels and restaurants, and in some places you can even exchange Russian rubles for baht. In addition, it is the most popular and fashionable vacation spot for show business stars not only from Russia, but also from all over the world.

For most Russian tourists, Thailand has long been a kind of starting point for exploring Southeast Asia, and for many it has remained a place of first love with travel. Well-developed tourist infrastructure, convenient inexpensive transport, low prices, and most importantly - friendly population, made the country the most convenient for independent travel. Therefore, if you are planning to go on an independent trip abroad for the first time without a permit, there is no better place than Tai. And to make it easier for you to organize and plan a trip, in this section we have collected all the necessary information for independent travel in Thailand.

Major cities and resorts of Thailand:

A little history of Thailand

Wat Phra Mahatat Temple

Kingdom of Thailand (before 1939 and in 1945-48 it was called Siam) is a state in Southeast Asia on the islands of Indochina and Malacca, washed by the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand of the South China Sea. The area is 514 thousand km2. The population is 62.4 million people (2000), about 3/4 — Tai peoples, about 1/5 — Lao. The urban population is about 22%. The official language is Thai (Siamese). The official religion is Buddhism. Administrative division: 73 changwats (provinces). The capital is Bangkok.

Thailand is a constitutional monarchy. The head of state is the king. The legislative body is the bicameral National Assembly (Senate and House of Representatives).

The climate of Thailand

Pattaya City Beach

Humid tropical and subtropical. This is due to the location of most of the country in tropical and subtropical zones and the influence of the southwest and northeast monsoons. The distance between the extreme northern and extreme southern points of Thailand is 1860 km, and the latitude difference is about 15. This length from north to south makes Thailand's climate one of the most diverse in Southeast Asia. The southwest monsoon brings rains and relative coolness in late May — mid-July. By November, the rains stop and the "cool dry" season begins, lasting until mid-February. At this time, the influence of the northeast monsoon is also affected, not directly affecting Northern, Northeast and Central Thailand, but bringing coolness. After the weakening of the monsoon, in February — May, there is a strong heat wave, and the humidity of the air gradually increases until the beginning of the new monsoon season, and then the cycle repeats again.

Rainy season. The duration of the rainy season is very difficult to determine. It usually starts in May — June and can last until November. In the center of the country and on the east coast, heavy rains occur in August — September. October is usually the last month of the wet season, when significant amounts of water have already accumulated in irrigation systems and urban drainage, as a result of which, with infrequent and not very heavy rains, quite severe floods occur. In particular, when the Chaopraya River overflows its banks, some parts of Bangkok are flooded, because about a third of the city is below sea level. The rainy season in Thailand is incomparable with the same time of year in other Southeast Asian countries. Of course, dirt roads become impassable, and clouds hang over tropical beaches part of the day, however, they let in enough ultraviolet rays to warm up the air, the sea and the sand of the beaches.

It should also be said about the air temperature — the closer you are to the equator, the smaller the temperature difference. So in the coolest months (from December to February, when the average temperature ranges from +20 to +27), the night air temperature can drop to zero in the mountains in the north, while during the day it reaches +25. In the mornings in Chiang Mai (the capital of Northern Thailand) at this time there is about +10 heat, and in other areas above +20. The highest temperature is observed in April and May — then it is above + 35 (the norm), but sometimes up to + 40 in the shade.

Weather and tourist seasons in Thailand

Despite the fact that there is no special period of the tourist season in Thailand, especially for Russians, nevertheless it is considered that the best time to travel is from November to the end of March. This is the so-called "non-rainy season", and it is not very hot at this time. In addition, most of the holidays and festivals in Thailand take place at this time. Also, tourists prefer to visit Thailand in July and August.

If you are planning to spend time in the northern part of Thailand, the hot season (from March to May) and the beginning of the rainy season (from June to July) is also a good time.

The northeastern and central part of Thailand is undesirable to visit in the period from March to May due to high temperatures, sometimes reaching up to 40 ° C and forest fires. During these periods, it is better to choose a place to visit in the southern part of the country.

If you want to avoid the influx of tourists, buy a ticket, air tickets or book a hotel at a lower price, go to Thailand from April to June or from September to October.

Despite the fact that in the rainy season (from July to October), as is commonly believed, rest is not so comfortable, in fact there are advantages of rest during this period: the temperature is slightly lower and more comfortable, prices are also lower, there are fewer tourists. There is no need to be afraid of rains during this period: it doesn't rain every day, and although they are abundant, they are quite short-lived. Literally an hour after heavy torrential rain, there is no trace of it. Even if the sky is overcast, you still have a great chance to get a great tan, the sun is so active.

Seasons in the resorts of Thailand*

Time in Thailand

The time difference in Thailand and Moscow is +4 hours in winter and summer.

Electricity in Thailand

Electricity in Thailand is the same as in Russia - 220 V, 50 Hz. Local electrical outlets are made for three-pin plugs with flat pins. But sockets are almost always made universal, and an adapter for standard Russian and Euro plugs is not required.

Language in Thailand

The official language of Thailand is Thai. It is also quite common to find the languages of the small nationalities of Thailand. The Thai language is very complex and it takes a very good ear to master it, but if you learn a few basic phrases in Thai, you will get a lot of respect from Thais. They are well aware of how complex their language is, and they are very proud of it. You can learn the basics of the language via the Internet on special sites, and you can study at language courses, which are offered in large numbers in tourist places.

In tourist places, you will not have any problems communicating in English. All Thais, at least somehow connected with tourism, speak excellent English. The names are duplicated almost everywhere in English. The exception is taxi drivers, who sometimes do not understand a word in English, and there are such even in Bangkok. In more remote, non-tourist areas of Thailand, not everyone knows English, but you can almost always find a local resident within sight who understands English and will be happy to help you as an interpreter.

In large ones resort areas of Thailand (Phuket, Pattaya, Koh Samui) in many hotels, restaurants and shops, the inscriptions are duplicated in Russian, and the staff may know the basic phrases.

The State structure of Thailand

The Kingdom of Thailand is a constitutional monarchy. The head of state is the king. The King and his family members enjoy unquestionable authority and respect in the country. Disrespectful attitude towards them in any form is very severely punishable by law.

There is a close relationship between the King and the government: the kings of Thailand exercise their legislative power through the National Assembly, executive power through the Cabinet of Ministers headed by the Prime Minister, and judicial power through the courts.

The Supreme Ruler of Thailand is His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Bhumibol Adulyadej / Rama IX). Administrative division: The country is divided into 72 provinces (Tiangwat).

Holidays in Thailand

Learn more about holidays in Thailand are here

• January 1 is a New Year.
• January 10 is Children's Day.
• January 16 is Teachers' Day.
• February - Makha Puja - Full Moon Day. The national holiday is associated with one of the central events in the history of Buddhism, when 1250 followers of the Buddha gathered to listen to his sermon. During this day, prayers alternate with treats, birds and fish are released from cages and aquariums. After sunset, Buddhist monks lead worshippers around temples throughout the kingdom, lighting the way with triple candles. Each person silently carries flowers, burning incense and burning candles in honor of the Buddha, his teachings and followers.
April 6 is the Day of the Chakri dynasty. An official holiday in honor of King Rama I, the founder of the dynasty of Thai kings, who is still on the throne.
• April 12-14 – Songkran - Thai New Year. One of the most important holidays of Thais. Many tourists and travelers are eager to visit Thailand at this time. Hotels and plane tickets for this period are booked several months in advance, and prices are rising. On the days of this holiday, on April 13-15, the Songkran Festival is held – the festival of water. It is especially stormy in Chiang Mai. Thanks to several weekends, the fun lasts 3-4 days. At this time it is necessary to do good deeds, make pilgrimages to shrines, hold festive parades and performances, and also... pour water on each other.
• May 1 is Labor Day.
• May 5 is Coronation Day. In 1946, the current king was crowned on this day.
• May 11 is the Day of the First Furrow. This date marks the beginning of the season of growing rice and other crops.
• May - Full Moon Day - Visakha Puja. One of the most sacred days in Buddhism: at the same time the Birthday, Enlightenment and Death of the Buddha.
• July - Full Moon Day - Asanaha Puja.
July 19 - Khao Phansa. One of the Buddhist religious holidays. July 28 is the prince's birthday. August 12 is the birthday of Her Majesty the Queen. Nationwide celebrations are concentrated in Bangkok. State buildings on this day are decorated with colorful illuminations. In addition to Queen Sikirit's birthday, this day is also Mothers' Day. October 23 is Chulalongkorn Day. This is a holiday in honor of King Rama V, who can be considered the most significant reformer in the history of Thailand. He banned slavery, created a ministerial system, founded the post office and telegraph.
• November - Loi Krathong is a lantern festival held on the full moon of the 12th lunar month.
December 5 is the birthday of His Majesty the King. The holiday begins on December 3, when at a colorful and exciting ceremony at the Royal Plaza in Bangkok, the elite units of the Royal Guard solemnly confirm their oath to His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej. All government buildings and many other structures are festively decorated. At night, Bangkok in the area of the Grand Royal Palace and Ratchadamnoen Avenue turns into a fairyland of colorful lights. In addition, this holiday is also Fathers' Day.
• December 10 is Constitution Day.

Useful information

• Identity card. According to Thai law, even tourists should always carry an ID card with them. If you don't want to carry your passport with you all the time, at least carry a photocopy.
• Tourist information in Russian. In Bangkok Suvarnabhumi International Airport you can get tourist information in Russian. The tourist center, which provides information in ten languages, including Russian, is located on the first floor of the passenger terminal.
• Chronology in Thailand. Official chronology in Thailand is conducted according to the Buddhist calendar. This means that all dates in official documents, tickets, dates of manufacture of products, etc., are indicated according to the Buddhist calendar, although in many cases for foreigners, the year of the birth of Christ is placed for compatibility, i.e. like ours.
• What is the current year in Thailand? The Thai chronology is ahead of ours by 543 years, i.e. the year 2013 corresponds to the year 2556 according to the Buddhist calendar, the year 2014 to the year 2557, the year 2015 to the year 2558, etc.
• Cigarettes in Thailand. If you are an avid smoker, it is better to bring cigarettes with you or buy them at the dry-free shops at the airport. Cigarettes in tae are very expensive and of poor quality (as smokers say, "Just straw"). You can import 200 cigarettes without duty.
• Where to leave warm clothes on arrival. All Bangkok airports have luggage storage rooms where you can leave warm clothes and other luggage for an average of 100 baht per day. It is much cheaper to store things in the storage rooms of tourist areas: for example, on Khao San Road in Bangkok, you can leave things for storage in hotels or guest houses for 16 baht per day.