Thailand tours providing custom package tours of Thailand

The official Thai calendar is calculated from the beginning of the Buddhist Era in 543 BC. The year 2000 AD is therefore 2543 BE. The year is subdivided into 12 months, the same as the Roman calendar.

Thailand Standard Time is 7 hours ahead of Universal Time or Greenwich Mean Time (London). At noon in Bangkok the time is 5.00 a.m. in London, midnight in New York (except during Daylight Savings Time), 9.00 p.m. the previous day in Los Angeles (except during Daylight Savings Time), 3.00 p.m. in Sydney and 5.00 p.m. in Auckland.

Be careful when asking a Thai the time. Sometimes they use a six-hour clock system when measuring the time. Seven in the evening becomes one o’clock, 11.00 p.m. becomes five o’clock, etc. The system is mainly used in conversation.

In Thailand, Saturdays and Sundays are holidays but most shops throughout the country including the major department stores and shopping complexes stay open.

The standard electricity supply in Thailand is 220V, 50 cycles. Electricity sockets are usually of the flat or round two-pin type but there is a trend towards earthed three-pin outlets in many modern buildings.

Adapters and voltage converters for any international plug type are available at hardware stores and most department stores.

The Thai monetary unit is the baht (often seen mis-spelled as ‘bath’), which is subdivided into 100 satang. Sometimes, 25 satang is called one ‘saleng’ but this term is rapidly disappearing as the value of the baht diminishes.

Coins are used in denominations of 25 satang (brass), 50 satang (brass), 1 baht (silver), 5 baht (silver with a copper rim), and 10 baht (brass with a silver margin). Bank note denominations comprise 10 baht (brown), 20 baht (green), 50 baht (blue), 100 baht (red), 500 baht (purple) and 1,000 baht (gray). Both coins and banknotes have western and Thai numerals on them. Try not to tender 500 or 1,000 baht notes on local buses or when buying a 10 baht bowl of noodles as change probably won’t be available. All banks will change high denomination notes.

Most banks in Thailand open from 9.00 am to 3.30 pm, Monday to Friday (except national holidays). The main Thai commercial banks (Bangkok Bank, Thai Farmers Bank, Siam Commercial Bank, Krung Thai Bank) have branches throughout the country. Foreign banks also offer commercial banking services. See list of bank head offices.

Most banks in Thailand have a nationwide network of ATM machines that dispense Thai baht only. The ATMs usually have Thai and English language displays and will accept the cards of other Thai banks, and foreign cards that use internationally recognized electronic banking systems. Many teller machines will also accept VISA or MasterCard (the logos will be prominently displayed)

Both public and private hospitals are available in Thailand. Queues and waits are generally longer in the public hospitals. For travelers, medical insurance is advisable.

In Bangkok and the major towns, hospitals are clean, modern and offer a good standard of treatment and service. The doctors are generally able to speak English and many are overseas educated. Smaller towns may only have a single provincial hospital, and villages a local clinic, which cannot handle serious medical treatments.

It’s best to seek care for dental, optical and cosmetic treatments in Bangkok. Major operations should also be conducted in Bangkok, if possible. Most major hospitals in Bangkok have a 24-hour service.

The following emergency numbers are free of charge. Please note: English-speaking operators may not be available at certain times.

Tipping is not commonly or traditionally practiced in Thailand although it is becoming more widespread as a result of foreign influence. Tips are sometimes expected in the more expensive restaurants, hairdressers and for hotel porters. Don’t add a tip in hotel restaurants (where a service charge is added to the bill anyway) or in street restaurants. Taxi fares should be rounded up to the nearest 5 or 10 baht.

When it rains and floods in Bangkok, don’t bother putting on a heavy raincoat. Slip on something light and cool, a pair of plastic shoes and take your umbrella, just like the Thais.

The temperature in Bangkok sometimes gets up to 40 degrees with high humidity. If you’re sightseeing, take along plenty of bottled water to avoid dehydrating. Sunglasses and sunscreen are a must at all times.

Be wary of the ice in cold drinks. Ice often comes from unhygienic sources and is best avoided. The ice cubes with holes through them are generally OK.

When you’re eating out in the evenings, watch out for mosquitoes. Ask the waiter to put a mosquito coil under the table to discourage them. Wearing pale colored slacks and mosquito repellant will also keep them at bay.

Sightseeing in the heat all day can be exhausting, physically and mentally. Rejuvenate yourself with a traditional Thai massage at one of the many shops around town or at your hotel. A two-hour massage costs less than 10 dollars at one of the massage parlors in Bangkok’s Surawong Plaza. Upcountry it costs even less.

A good way to escape from the heat for a while is to go in a barbers shop and get a haircut. Most places will include a soothing shampoo and scalp massage. The cost? About 5 dollars.

If someone approaches you on the street offering to sell you something such as gems or jewelry, just smile and walk away. Go in a shop and buy them instead. They’re more likely to be genuine and you’ll probably get a better price.

Bangkok has a reputation for wild and rowdy nightlife. In fact, 'sanook' or 'fun' would be a better description. The city's nightlife is relaxed, safe and very enjoyable. You don't need to dress up, and you won't break the bank. The city's nightlife goes way beyond the over-worn naughty image from the Vietnam days. And it really does go on around the clock.

For tourists, the main centers for evening entertainment are concentrated around Silom Road (Patpong, Thaniya, Silom Soi 2 and 4), Sukhumvit (Soi Nana, Soi Cowboy, Soi 33) and most recently Khao San Road.

First-class hotels are often good centers for nightclubs and discotheques, which are generally quite cheap and of very good standard. Pubs and bars can be found all over the city, many specializing in live music and usually offering food as well.

Immigration Office
Soi Suanphlu, Sathorn Tai Road, Bangkok 10120
Tel. +66 (0)2 287 3101

Tourist Information Counter
372 Bamrung Muang Road, Bangkok 10100
Tel. +66 (0)2 226 0060, 226 0072

Tourist Assistance Center
Ratchadamnoen Nok Road, Bangkok
Tel. +66 (0)2 281 5051

Tourist Police
Unico House, Soi Lang Suan, Ploenchit Road, Bangkok
Tel. 1699 or +66 (0)2 652 1721

Bangkok International Airport
Phahonyothin Road, Bangkok
Tel. +66 (0)2 535 1111

Bangkok Railway Station (Hua Lamphong)
Rama IV Road, Bangkok 10500
Tel. +66 (0)2 223 7010, 223 7020

Northern & North eastern Bus Terminal
Phahonyothin Road, Bangkok
Tel. +66 (0)2 272 0299

Southern Bus Terminal
Boromrat Chonnani Road, Bangkok 10700
Tel. +66 (0)2 435 1199, 434 5558

Eastern Bus Terminal
Sukhumvit Road (Ekamai), Bangkok 10110
Tel. +66 (0)2 391 2504, 392 2521

The Thai Government prohibits the import of illegal narcotics (including hemp, opium, cocaine, morphine and heroin) and obscene literature, pictures or articles. Smuggling of hard drugs such as heroin may be punishable by death. Import of firearms and ammunition must be registered in advance with the Police Department or local Registration Office.

A reasonable amount of clothing for personal use, toiletries, professional instruments, one still camera, one movie camera, five rolls of still camera film and three rolls of 8 or 16 mm movie-camera film are allowed in duty-free. Cigarettes, cigars or smoking tobacco not exceeding 250 grams in weight, or 200 cigarettes, and one liter each of wine or spirits may be brought in free of duty.

For any visitor wishing to get a quick feel for the Thai people and culture, there's no better place to go than a temple. The temple or monastery, colloquially known as 'wat' is where much of Thailand's traditional culture originated. It's still the best place to go to see typical Thai Buddhist traditions.

Temples can be spotted everywhere in Thailand. They have a distinctive architectural style, quite unlike residential buildings. Particularly unique are the roof structures, decorated with hornlike projections called 'cho fa' on the roof ridge and tooth-like ridges on the sloping edges of the gables, which also glitter with gold. The large compound of a wat is made up of several such buildings, which serve particular purposes (see below).

The temple is a sacred religious place important to the Thai Buddhist, in a similar way that churches are important to Christians. Every community needs to have at least one temple. Since ancient times, the temple has played a significant role as a social, educational and spiritual center for community members. Currently, there are more than 30,000 Buddhist temples all over Thailand. They are home to more than 300,000 monks.

Amidst the vast changes taking place in modern society today, the temple remains important as a spiritual center for Thai people from all walks of life. Important religious ceremonies such as funeral rites are still conducted at the temples. In addition, on Buddhist holy days, temples are crowded with people making merit and paying respect to the Buddha images.

However, the temple's role in education has gradually diminished since the western-style educational system was introduced to Thailand. But we can still see that some temples are attached to schools bearing the same name as the temple. In more remote provinces, where the modern educational system has not yet reached the community, the temple still retains its role in education.

More recently, the temple has adopted a new role in tourism. Thailand's temples showcase much of the country's artistic and cultural prowess. Whether you are interested in architecture, sculpture, paintings, decorative arts or even crafts, you will be amazed at the wealth of culture to be found in the temple.

The most frequented and best-known temples that now play a vital role in tourism include Wat Phra Kaeo (Temple of the Emerald Buddha), Wat Phra Chutupon or Wat Pho, Wat Arun, Wat Sutat and Wat Benchamabophit, to name but a few. These temples showcase the cream of Thailand's fine arts, and are masterpieces in their own right. You won't find such masterful work in every temple.

Visiting a Buddhist Temple
Usually, there are two types of Thai Buddhist temple, defined by function: those for religious ceremonies, and those that serve only as residential quarters for monks (monasteries).

Temples can also be categorized as royal or common temples. Royal temples are registered under royal patronage. Members of other social groups support common temples.

Royal temples are further sub-divided into first, second and third class, and are usually identified by the prefixes: Racha or Vora. The temples in each class are further graded by yet another ranking order based on a hierarchical system.

Currently, about 180-200 temples are under royal patronage. However, for the highest grade of the first-class royal temples, there are only six temples. Four in Bangkok include Wat Phra Chetupon, Wat Mahathat, Wat Sutat, and Wat Arun. The two in the provinces include Wat Phra Pathom Chedi in Nakhon Pathom province and Wat Phra Phutthabat in Saraburi.

Whatever the classification, most temples conform to a similar layout. In general, the temple compound is divided into two segments: the 'Phutthawat' area and the 'Sangkhawat' area.

Phuttawat is the area where sacred Buddhist buildings are located. They include the 'bot' (ordination hall), 'viharn' (assembly hall), 'chedi' (pagoda) or 'prang' and other buildings such as gallery (cloister), 'sala karn parian' (a study hall), 'ho trai' (a library used to house the Tripitaka) and belfry.

Sanghawat area, on the other hand, is the living quarters of the monastic community. Some temples restrict the entry of women in this area.

As a tourist, you are allowed to tour only around the 'Phutthawat' area of the temple. Dress properly when visiting Buddhist temples: wear long trousers or sarongs, and remove your shoes when entering the temple buildings.

Not every temple is of similar structure and architecture, but on a whole, they share many similarities. The ornate decoration around the temple contains many symbolic Buddhist meanings

To make your temple visit more meaningful, it helps if you know where to concentrate your attention. Many Thai art forms are showcased in the temple. Architecture, sculpture, decorative arts and mural paintings are the most important art forms that will impress and amaze the visitor to Thailand.

Thailand has a very long and magnificent history. Proof of this can be seen in the countless historical sites spread throughout all regions of the kingdom. With two Unesco-listed historical World Heritage Sites and many more potential candidates, Thailand has made great contributions to the international cultural heritage.

Every region of Thailand, be it in the north, south, central or northeast, has revealed a long legacy of civilization. Evidence of this rich cultural heritage can still be seen today.

The two most prominent 'must-see' historical sites in Thailand are Sukhothai Historical Park and Ayutthaya Historical Park. Both places are designated as world heritage sites and both attract millions of admirers annually, who come to see the evidence of Siam's former glory.

Sukhothai and Ayutthaya are considered the two most significant ancient kingdoms in Thai history, since Siam was united as a nation some 750 years ago. Both kingdoms had well-structured Buddhist communities, with advanced artistic and cultural development.

In Sukhothai, visitors can see well-restored ruins of the royal palaces, Buddhist temples, the city gates, walls, moats, dams, ditches, ponds, canals and the water dyke control system, which represented the magical and spiritual center of the kingdom.

The Fine Arts Department has jointly cooperated with Unesco in a concerted effort to preserve this valuable historical site. Not only with a view to fostering Thailand's national identity, but also to safeguard this fine example of mankind's cultural heritage.

For travelers with more limited time who don't want to travel too far from Bangkok, the Ayutthaya Historical Park is a perfect choice. Just 76 km north of Bangkok, this site reveals the glory of the Ayutthaya empire, which held sway in the region for more than 400 years. The Ayutthaya historical park contains the ruins of ancient Buddhist temples and royal palaces in a well-organized city structure.

Ayutthaya was the capital of Thailand from 1350 until it was ruthlessly sacked by the Burmese in 1767. Although a shadow of its former glory, the magnificent ruins of the old city can still be admired. Attractions include the ruins of the former Royal Palace and many ancient temples, which form a complex spread over the vast area of the historical park.

Before or after touring Ayutthaya Historical Park, don't forget to visit Bangkok's own historical center. The city's Rattanakosin Island is rich in historical sites from the early Bangkok period. Here, you can get a glimpse of how Ayutthaya might have looked. At the time of constructing Bangkok, the goal of the architects was to continue the cultural heritage of Ayutthaya. The art and architecture of the temples and palaces therefore followed the style of Ayutthaya quite closely. The most obvious indications of this can be seen in the Golden Mount at Wat Saket, the Grand Place, the royal temples and Wat Arun, which imitated the artistic designs of Ayutthaya.

Today, if you look at Rattanakosin, the original island of Bangkok, you will see a city tucked into a bend in the river in the same way that Ayutthaya was. Its principal structures are also aligned in similar fashion.

Apart from the historical remains of the true Thai kingdoms, you can see the historical arts of the Khmer empire, which ruled over the region during the 10th to the 14th centuries AD.

Anyone familiar with the magnificent Angkor Wat in Cambodia's Siem Riep may be surprised to learn that the Khmer empire once embraced the area of modern-day Thailand as well. Historic artifacts of the Khmer civilization have been found mainly in the lower part of the northeastern region of Thailand.

Major Khmer complexes include the Phimai Sandstone Sanctuary in Nakhon Ratchasima, Phanom Rung and Muang Tham Sanctuary in Buriram and Khao Phra Viharn Sanctuary in Sisaket province.

Like Angkor Wat itself, these temples were all originally constructed as Hindu temples dedicated to Vishnu and Shiva. It was under Jayavaraman VI that Buddhism replaced Hinduism and thus the Hindu temples were converted to 'wat'.

Their significance to Thai Buddhists remained strong even with the decline of the Khmer empire. The Khmer style heavily influenced the styles of the later Sukhothai and Ayutthaya periods, most apparent in the architectural style of the Prang in Buddhist temples.

Phanom Rung Historical Park in Buriram province is probably the most impressive Khmer complex in Thailand. After 17 years of restoration, the temple complex is the best restored of all the Khmer monuments in Thailand. The beauty of the main prang of Phanom Rung lies not only in its plan but in the vibrant stone carvings which cover large parts of the temple. Many lintels and pediments depict episodes from Indian texts such as the Ramayana.

In Nakhon Ratchasima, Phimai sandstone sanctuary has been magnificently restored and renovated and has been preserved as a national historical park. Built in the shape of a rectangle, 665 meters wide and 1,030 meter long, it is the largest sandstone sanctuary in Thailand.

Khmer influence can be seen as far away as Lopburi and Kanchanaburi. Evidence can be seen in the Khmer-style Phra Prang Sam Yot in the central city of Lopburi and the remains of the Prasat Muang Singh in Kanchanaburi, major attractions in their respective provinces.

Thailand is the perfect hub for onward journeys into Indochina. Bangkok itself has an extensive transportation network which links all corners of the globe to the wealth of historic and cultural treasures in Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam.

Nong Bua Lamphu became the 76^th province of Thailand in 1993. It has an area of 3,859,626 square kilometers. Situated on the northeastern plateau, it is surrounded by Udonthani province to the north and east, by Khon Kaen province to the south, and by Loei province to the west.

History:
The city of Nong Bua Lamphu has a long and interesting history dating back 900 years. The area was first known as Nong Bua Lamphu Kabkaewbuaban and was a protectorate territory of Krungsrisatana (present-day Laos).

In 1574 the Thai King Maha-dharmaracha and his son (later to become King Naresuan) led a military expedition to invade Lan Chang (now Laos). Along the way, King Naresuan chose the area around Nongbua Reservoir as a place to rest his troops and prepare for the invasion of Laos. It was here that King Naresuan fell ill from small pox and had to return to Ayutthaya. A shrine was built in his honor at Nongbua Reservoir to commemorate the campaign and it has become an historical site.

In 1767, two brothers named Phra Woa and Phra Ta, who lived in Vien Tiane, Laos, gathered their followers and fled the country. They came to Thailand and established a fort at Nong Bua Lamphu which became known as 'Phra Woa-Phra Ta Camp'. Shortly thereafter, troops from Vien Tiane invade Nong Bua Lamphu remained uninhabited for years. However, remnants of the stone wall surrounding Phra War Phra Ta Camp remain and can still be seen today.

In 1895, during the reign of King Rama III of Ratanakosin, the governor of Nong Khai Province appointed Phrawichay adomkamutaket to rebuild and resettle Nakhonkhuenkhan Kabkaewbuaban and the city's name was changed to "Munag Kamutsaiburiram"

In 1906, King Rama V appointed Phra Wicharnkamutkit to the governorship of the new city and changed its name to "Muang Nong Bua Lamphu". In 1907 Nong Bua Lamphu became a district of Udon Thani province.

Udon Thani was a large province with a population of over one million people. In accordance with the federal government's decentralization policy to promote better public service through more localization of government, the province of Udon Thani was separated into two provinces. Sriboonreung and Suwan Khuha Districts merged to form the new province of Nong Bua Lamphu on December 1, 1993.

Attractions:
King Naresuan the Great Statue, situated in the town, is erected to commemorate the time in 1574 when the King and his army stopped over here on the way to assist a Burmese force attacking Vientiane.

Wat Tham Suwannakhuha commonly called Wat Tham was constructed in 1572 by a King of Vientiane. The temple is located in Amphoe Suwannakhuha about 50 kilometers from Nong Bua Lam Phu.

Wat Tham Klong Phen, located at the foot of the Phu Phan mountain chain 13 kilometers from Nong Bua Lam Phu, is peaceful and ideal place for those who seek mental tranquility. The temple used to be the meditation place for Phra Achan Luang Pu Khao Analayo who is revered by Thais nationwide. In the temple grounds there are a cave housing an ancient two faced drum, a stone engraved Buddha image and the Luang Pu Khao Museum where collection of his utensils and a statue of Luang Pu Kao are displayed for Buddhists to see and worship.

Erawan Cave is a large cave in Amphoe Na Klang. Its entrance is very much higher than ground level and curving stairway of 107 steps ascends from the base of the hill to the mouth of the cave. The interior resembles a large hall, capable of accommodating hundreds of people. Stalagmites and stalactites create an exotic beauty. This cave has an opening onto a high cliff overlooking the picturesque fields below.

Noen Wat Pa an ancient place of worship at Amphoe Non Sang, is believed to have been built during the time when the Khmer people dominated the region.

Phu Kao and Phu Phan Kham National Park was set up in 1985 covering an area of 322 square Kilometres. The park's office is located by the lake shore, a part of Ubolratana Dam by Phu Kham in Amphoe Non Sang. Phu Phan Kham is a mountain chain stretching from north to south, that is from Nong Bua Lam Phu to Ubolratana Dam. The Lake also serves as a fish breeding ground and is a popular fishing area. Tourists may stay in the camping area or in the National Park's bungalows.

Phu Kao consist of nine mountains. They are rich in flora and fauna. There are waterfalls, caves and stone terraces. Another tourist destination is Wat Phra Buddha Bat Phu Kao where human and canine footprints related to the local folklore and engraved on stone.

How to get there:
By Car
1. Take Highway #1 Bangkok - Saraburi then Highway #2 Saraburi - Korat - Khon Kaen - Udon Thani, take Highway #210 Udon Thani - Nongworsor - Nong Bua Lamphu. 608 kms.

2. Take Highway #1 Bangkok - Saraburi then Highway #2 Saraburi - Korat - Khon Kaen - Udon Thani, take Highway #2109 Khon Kaen - Ubonrat Dam - Non Sang - Nong Bua Lamphu. 559 kms.

3. Take Highway #1 Bangkok - Saraburi then Highway #2 Saraburi - Korat - Bua Yai, take Highway #202 Bua Yai - Chaiyapoom - Phu Kaew - Chumpae - Sri Boon Reung, take Highway 228 to Nong Bua Lamphu. 584 kms.

By Bus
Take a bus, Bangkok - Udon Thani at Bangkok's Northern bus Terminal Tel. (02) 2710101-5 and then Udon Thani - Nong Bua Lamphu.

By Train
Take a train, Bangkok - Udon Thani at Bangkok Railway Station Tel. (02) 2237010, 2237020 and take a bus to Nong Bua Lamphu.

By Plane
A plane from Bangkok to Udon Thani is available every day, contact Thai Airways International Ltd TG-Bangkok, Tel (02) 2800070,2800080 and TG-Udon Thani Tel. (042) 243222,246697. Transportation in the city and to the districts Mini bus service in the city and bus service to the districts are available.

In general, Thailand is a safer country to be than most countries in the West, crimes against visitors are relatively unusual in Thailand, but like anywhere in the planet crime is present and occasionally tourists are victims. A traveler must observe the same commonsense precautions that he would in any other place.

There are certain areas that should be approached with caution (example: Thailand’s borders with both Cambodia and Myanmar (Burma)

Most common crimes are pick-pocketing, scams, credit card fraud and bag snatching so it is wise not to walk around with too much cash or valuables.

Women should not visit isolated areas (example: beaches) alone or during night times, visit pubs and nightclubs in a group and take general precautions to ensure that they are secure.

Bangkok is probably as safe as any big city gets, tourists can feel completely safe walking around the city, even in the early hours of the morning.

Thai people are extremely welcoming and most tourist areas such as beaches, temples, spas, resorts, shops, museums, medical centers, and hotels are remarkably safe.

In Thai society respect is very important, if you are respectful, you will be treated with respect (Hotheads are considered dangerous). Never ever get into a physical fight with Thai people.

If you frequent some of the sordid parts of Thailand, such as live-sex-shows and gambling dens you are unnecessarily exposed to all dangers and trappings inherent in such environments.

Thai Police are helpful and will readily assist visitors; they have a respectable level of dealing with crime and law enforcement. The Kingdom has a special Tourist Police force whose elements have good English skills especially in the larger towns. Although there are numerous excellent and honest policemen in Thailand others are recognized to be behind illegal activities such as drug dealing, gambling, gun running, prostitution and trafficking in people.

Protect Thai women and kids is a national priority of the Government of Thailand, prostitution is illegal in Thailand and sexual contact with a minor is a criminal offense and punishable by imprisonment, the existence of child prostitution is a repulsive act to the Thai people; the Thai culture is based on close family ties and religious conviction which are in direct conflict with the unnatural abuse of individuals, particular children. Continue>>