Information about Thailand

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Time zone:
GMT + 7. This means that in winter they are 6 hours in front of Denmark, but only 5 hours in the summer.

Area:
514.000 Km²

Number of inhabitants:
Ca. 69 million (2020). The growth has stagnated a little since the mid 80's

Ethnicity:
Thai (80%), Chinese people (10%), Malaysian (7%), Other minorities (7%)

Religion:
Buddhism (95%), Muslims (4%), others (1%)

Capital:
Bangkok (Krung Thep)

Curency:
Bath (Thb) and Krone is in 2021 almost 5 Thb. Throughout 2014, Bath has been strengthened vis-à-vis the Crown.

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Vaccination

There are no compulsory vaccinations on entry to Thailand, but depending on where the journey is, it is recommended for certain persons to be vaccinated. Ask your own doctor. If you come from e.g. In Africa, you have to count on health checks

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Visa

The visa rules are changed regularly, so it is recommended that you check the Embassy's website.

Normally, a person with a Danish passport can stay in the country without a visa for max. 30 days, upon entry from e.g. Denmark. If you travel in from a neighboring country, however, this is only 14 days. It costs a fine of 500 Thb for every day you stay in the country beyond what is allowed, and in the event of major exceedances, you may risk being unwanted in the country for many years.

It is always recommended to apply for a visa from home.

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Covid-19

Thailand has per 1 October 2022 downgraded Covid-19 to just a communicable disease. All restrictions have been lifted, but you still have to wear a mask in public transport, cinemas and other places where there are many people in a small place, e.g. a market.

However, many Thais have continued to wear masks.

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Foreign Ministry

It is always recommended that you read the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website before departure so that you are updated on the security situation in the country. After the end of the country, the coup of the military has been quiet down there, but it can change quickly.

Danes traveling to or staying in Thailand are invited regardless of the duration of the stay to register on the Danish List, which is the Ministry of Foreign Affairs's offer to Danes who are staying abroad for contact in case of crisis situations. Partly, something can happen in Denmark that requires the authorities to get hold of you, but there may also be something in Thailand where the authorities will only know if everything is well. We saw that for example. In 2004, when a tsunami ravaged south of Phuket.

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Legitimation

You must always have an ID so that you can identify with the police. A copy of passport is usually enough. In 2014, there are several examples of people attending the police station as they did not have an ID.

When changing money and lodging at a hotel, passports must always be displayed, so keep in mind that it is always a good idea. But, beware, it will not be stolen and never transfer it to 3rd party. NEVER!

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Tipmoney

Employees at the hotel and restaurants are usually poorly paid, so think about whether you will give them some tips. At a restaurant, bill will always be in a cover, and exchanges or credit cards will be returned in the same cover. The gratuities left in the cover are shared, so if you want to give them to the waiter, then it's always something you go directly.

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Customs

The list of customs and usage is long, but I mention here 10 important ones.

1) Never criticize the king or his family, not even in public. It is an insult to majesty and the punishment is imprisonment for many years
2) Images and statues of the Buddha are considered sacred and should therefore be treated with the highest form of respect
3) Don't pat people on the head
4) As holy as the head, so unholy are the feet. Feet are considered dirty and must be on the floor. Therefore, never use your feet to point with or place them on chairs or tables.
5) Never enter a house or business with shoes on. Not to mention temples or holy places. It will be taken VERY badly. Look for shoes in front of a business or house.
6) Do not point directly at people. You can point at things - but not at people.
7) Don't show emotions in public. Even holding hands is not well seen. Not to mention kisses or hugs.
8) Thais are very shy about nudity of any kind. They bathe e.g. usually with all the clothes on.
9) Show respect to authorities. Especially police. They don't discuss. They decide.
10) Watch your language.... Many words can be confused, so a word you have learned means something else if you use the wrong intonation.