Usefull information in and around bkk
Thai Currency
The currency unit in Thailand is
the Thai Baht
35 Baht is approx .US$1
47 Baht is approx. 1 Euro
100 Satangs = 1 Baht
Banknotes come in 20 Baht (green), 50 (blue), 100 (red), 500 (purple) and
1,000 Baht (grey) bills
Major credit cards are widely accepted
Currency exchange for cash and traveller's cheque is available at banks,
hotels and foreign exchange booths located in commercial and tourist areas.
Banks Open Monday - Friday from 09:30 to 15:30.. Currency exchange boots can be found in all tourist areas.
Thailand Public Holidays
Jan 1 New Year's Day
Mar 5 In lieu of Makha Bucha Day
Apr 6 Chakri Memorial Day
Apr 13-15 Songkran Day
May 1 National Labour Day
May 7 In lieu of Coronation Day
May 31 Visakha Bucha Day
Jul 29 Asalha Bucha Day
Jul 11 Buddhist Lent Day
Aug 13 In lieu of H.M. The Queen's Birthday
Oct 23 Chulalongkorn Day
Dec 5 The King's Birthday
Dec 10 Constitution Day
Dec 31 Year's End Day
Transportation in Bangkok
Bus
Public buses are plentiful , you can get to most destinations within
bangkok for a minimum fare of 6 baht. Air-conditioned buses have
minimum and maximum fares of 10 and 22 baht. Air-conditioned
micro-buses charge a fare of 25 baht for all routes. Visit
www.bmta.co.th for more information
public bus services in Bangkok.
Taxi
Taxis in city streets charge by meter. They charge a minimum of 35 baht
for the first 3 kilometres, and about 5 baht per kilometre thereafter. If
the taxi driver doesn't want to use the meter politly say you want to look
for another taxi since you wont get the best price if the meter is off.
Passengers must pay tolls in the case of using an expressway.
Tuk-Tuk
A fun way of exploring Bangkok but becarefull as it can often be a tourist
trap, Bargain your fare in advance. These open-air motorised taxis are
popular for short journeys. Short trips should cost about 30 baht.
BTS Sky Train
BTS sky trains is an easy and fast way to get you somewhere in the main
Sukhumvit, Silom and Phahonyothin roads . The
BTS will be extremly usefull during rush hours when traffic isnt moving at
all at streat level. routes connect Bangkoks leading hotels and major shopping areas . The fare
ranges from 10-40 baht according to the distance. For more information, visit
www.bts.co.th
Subway
For information about Bangkok's subways system please visit
www.bangkokmetro.co.th
.
Most tourist attractions can be reached with the subway Fares range
from 14 to 36 baht.
Electricity
220 volts is used in all thailand. Adapters can be bought at most local electronics stores
Climate
The best time to visit Bangkok would be from November till April, the rain season will just have stopped and the temperature will go down a bit. In this period the average temperature will be 27,4 celcius and an average of 26,3mm rain will fall. In the rain season ( May - October ) you will see increasing rainfalls averaging 197,8mm a day.
Important Telephone numbers
Emergency Police 191, 123
Fire Brigades 199
Tourism Police 1155
Tourist Assistant Center 02-250-5686
Tourist Service Center 1672
TAT Information Center 02-250-5500
Immigration Office 02- 287 3101 to 10
American Express 02-273-5544
Diner Club 02-238-3660
Master Card 02-260-8572 to3
Visa - 02-256-7326 to 7
Lost Travellers Checks
American Express 02 273 5296, 02 273 0022
Visa 001 800 11 342 0662 (Toll Free)
Hospitals
Bangkok Hospital Tel. 02-310-3000
Pakkred
Vejchakarn General Hospital
Tel: 960-9655 ñ9
Bumrungrad
Hospital Tel : (662) 667-1000
Chulalongkorn University Hospital Tel: 252-8181
Thonburi Hospital Tel: 12-0020 -7
Pakkred Vejchakarn General Hospital Tel: 960-9655
Dental Hospital Tel 260-5000
Nonthavej Hospital Tel 589-5489 -91
Police Hospital
Tel: 252-8111 to 25
Bangkok Christian
Hospital
Tel: 264-0560 -79, 634-0453 -64