Advanced Search

฿ 0 to ฿ 1,500,000

We found 0 results. View results
Your search results

Important Information for Thailand

Posted by Vadmin on June 4, 2009
0

Etiquette in Thailand

Learning the basics of etiquette in Thailand will be very important, especially if you are considering moving here. It is a very intricate culture which places tremendous importance on pride (known in Thailand as face). Making someone lose face is a big no no whatever the reason. Patience and understanding will be of great importance here.

Thai people rarely address each other with their first names (unless on official business), as nicknames are used in most cases. Surnames are almost never used. The word “Khun” is prefixed to the first or nick name, when addressing a person (meaning something like Mr or Mrs).

Thai people do not shake hands when greeting each other (unless they are westernised). Instead of a handshake, the palms of the hands are raised above the breast touching each other, forming an inverted V, accompanied with a slight bow or nod of the head. This sign of welcome and goodbye is called “Wai”.

Other important factors to remember about etiquette in Thailand include:

  • Never touch a Thai on the head since this is considered to be the seat of the soul and as such, the most sacred part of the body.
  • Before entering the interior of a temple or a private house, it is custom to take the shoes off.
  • At a visit of the Grand Palace, Wat Phra Kaeo and other religious places, appropriate clothing and respectful behaviour is always expected. These are not the places to visit in beachwear.
  • Buddhist monks, statues of Buddha and other religious symbols should not be touched and be treated with respect.
  • Women should avoid touching a monk.
  • Thai people are a very polite, reserved and friendly nation. Never show your anger in obvious manner and always remain calm and polite, even in case of possible quarrels.
  • Avoid any remarks against the royal family.

Never point with the soles of your feet against any person.

{timg title:=”Etiquette in Thailand” thumb:=”images/stories/srv/location/thailand/usefulinformation/small/usefulinfo2.jpg” img:=”images/stories/srv/location/thailand/usefulinformation/big/usefulinfo2.jpg” gal:=”gallery-content”} {timg title:=”Useful Information for Thailand” thumb:=”images/stories/srv/location/thailand/usefulinformation/small/usefulinfo1.jpg” img:=”images/stories/srv/location/thailand/usefulinformation/big/usefulinfo1.jpg” gal:=”gallery-content”}

 

Tourist Police

Visas

Apart from the regular police, all major tourist centres have a special Tourist Police force. They are English speaking and responsible for helping tourists that have problems of any kind.

{timg title:=”The Thailand Tourist Police were established to help foreigners” thumb:=”images/stories/srv/location/thailand/usefulinformation/small/usefulinfo3.jpg” img:=”images/stories/srv/location/thailand/usefulinformation/big/usefulinfo3.jpg” gal:=”gallery-content”}

A “Visa on arrival” is granted automatically on entry into Thailand (at the airport, sea port) to visitors from most Western and Asian countries. A passport has to be valid for at least 6 months after the entry date and children have to travel with their own passport (child entries in parent’s passports are not considered valid).

Long stay or Business Travellers need a non-immigrant visa, which is valid for 60 to 90 days. Such non-immigrant visas have to be applied for with the Thai Embassy or Consulate abroad. These non-immigrant Visas can be converted to one-year visas with the local immigration authority in Thailand, if requirements are met. The one-year visas can be extended year on year, provided the requirements are met. Foreigners must report to the immigration office every 90 days, confirming the address of residence.

Valid reasons for long-stay visa extensions are: retirement (persons over 50 years of age), employment by a Thai company, business or investment related reasons, education by an accredited school, marriage with a Thai spouse and a variety of special purpose visas.

After five years of consecutive one-year permits, a permanent residence status can be applied for.

Useful links for Visa questions:

Thai embassies worldwide.
Foreign embassies in Thailand
Visa information

Driving License

Identification Card

A Western driving license is valid in Thailand for one year after arriving in Thailand. Car rentals will accept foreign driving licenses without problems. However, when staying long time in Thailand, a national Thai driving license needs to be obtained. The Western driving license can be converted at the local motorcar inspection authority for a small fee and a short and very easy test of reaction ability.

At first, a Thai driving license is issued for one year. After this, a five-year licence can be obtained.

All people in Thailand (including Thai nationals) are required to carry an Identification Card or passport with them at all times. However, police will accept a photocopy of passports as well, as long as the actual passport is kept safe at home or the hotel room. A Thai driving license is accepted without any problem in lieu of an ID card or passport.

  • Contact us for more information and special prices

  • Our Listings

Compare Listings

× How can I help you?