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Africa Guides

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Asia Guides

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Caribbean Guides

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Central America

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Europe Guides

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Middle East Guides

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North America

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Pacific Guides

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South America

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Thailand welcomes more than 10 million visitors a year, making it Southeast Asia’s most popular tourist destination. It’s also one of the easiest countries to travel in on account of famous Thai hospitality and friendliness. There are few safety concerns or visa and vaccination requirements, and the tourist infrastructure is very comfortable and reasonably efficient.

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On the other hand incidents of pick pocketing are mild and limited to crowded tourist spots. There is a serious threat of terrorist insurgency activities in the seldom visited southern three provinces of Yala, Narathiwat and Pattani, and of course the memory of the Tsunami remains fresh in people’s minds.

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Money: the Thai baht is the standard currency, offering good value for those converting from Euros, Sterling, US dollars and other currencies of developed economies. The rate remains fairly stable, and money is easily exchanged at numerous exchange bureaux found in tourist areas and selected banks. Central Bank rates are usually quoted with a two per cent commission included.

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However, all citizens will speak and understand the central Thai dialect which is used extensively in a well developed media that includes TV, movies, music, books, websites and other material for a population of 74 million making it one of the world’s largest languages in use. With its own unique script, Thai is part of the Thai-Kadai language group, including Lao and dialects stretching from Burma to Vietnam and Southern China.

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Recommended hospitals:
Bangkok - Bumrungrad Hospital (66 2) 667 1000
Chiang Mai - Chiang Mai Ram (66 53) 224 861
Phuket - Phuket International Hospital (66 76) 249 400
Samui - Samui-Bangkok Hospital (66 77) 429 500

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Typical business hours:

Government departments: 09:00 to 12:00, 13:00 to 16:30 (may vary slightly), Monday to Friday.
Retail: 10:00 to 18:00 (up to 21:00 in malls), every day - some traditional shops close on Sundays. Night Market are common and close at 23:00.
Banking: 09:30 to 15:30, Monday to Friday (and until 11:30 on Saturdays in selected branches).

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