Bangkok
Airport
Bangkok International Airport (BKK) is 22 km (14 miles) north of the city. There is a 24-hour bus service the centre (travel time 40 minutes to an hour). Trains also link the airport to the centre (travel time 30-34 minutes), and there are limousines and taxis. Most of the airport facilities are open 24 hours a day.
Climate
The best period is from November to February, when the temperatures hover around 30deg.C (86deg.F) and the air is less humid than the rest of the year. The monsoon lasts from June to October, with heavy showers in the afternoon or evening.
Credit cards
Major hotels, restaurants and shops are accustomed to the well-known international charge cards. Banks and money-changers change travellers cheques providing you show your passport for identification. While many currencies are accepted, the US dollar is the surest value at the Thai exchanges.
Customs Allowance
Each passport-holder, irrespective of age, may import, duty-free, 200 cigarettes or 250 g cigars or 250 g tobacco, and 1 litre spirits. You can import up to 50,000 Bt per person or 100,000 Bt per family; there are no restrictions on foreign currency.
Electricity
220 volts AC, 50 Hz. Two-pin plugs are used.
Holidays
January 1: New Year
April 6: Chakri Day
May 1: Labour Day
May 5: Coronation Day
May: Royal Ploughing Ceremony (first Friday)
August 12: Queen's Birthday
October 23: Chulalongkorn Day
December 5: King's Birthday
December: Constitution Day (second Monday)
December 31: New Year's Eve
Many religious festivals are determined by the lunar calendar and are therefore moveable: Chinese New Year, Makha Bucha, Visakha Bucha, Asahala Bucha, Khao Phansa (Buddhist Lent), Songkran.
Media
Bangkok publishes five daily newspapers in English: Bangkok Post, The Nation, Thailand Times, Business Day and Asia Times. The big English and American dailies are sold in large hotels and newspaper kiosks. Hotels often have satellite TV.
Post office
Bangkok's main post office is open Monday to Friday 8 a.m.-8 p.m.; weekends and holidays 8 a.m.-1 p.m.
Shops
Department stores are open daily 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Small shops open early in the morning and stay in business until as late as 9 p.m., often seven days a week.
Time
GMT +7 all year round.
Tourist Information
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has an information desk in the arrivals hall of Bangkok airport. Tel. (02) 694 1222, fax (02) 694 1326.
www.tat.or.th
www.tourismthailand.org
Water
Bottled water is recommended.
