Sawasdee and Welcome to the Land of Smiles!

Over the last few decades, Thailand's capital city, Bangkok, has changed into a modern, exciting and sophisticated city. It offers to visitors not only the cosmopolitan amenities they would expect from other big cities, but also a unique treasure trove of cultural attractions.

Thailand, in the heart of Southeast Asia, was never colonized and thus kept its unique culture and heritage intact. Bangkok offers visitors the opportunity to experience fascinating glimpse of Thailand's gentle culture amidst the bustle of a great and dynamic metropolis. This great city has had astounding success in combining the ancient and modern world.

Bangkok city is dotted with 400 glittering Buddhist temples of great beauty and fascination, magnificent palaces, classical dance extravaganzas, numerous shopping centers and traditional ways of life, especially along the "Venice of the East" timeless canals and the Chao Phraya River of the "River of Kings" winding through the city. It is worth taking a trip along its waters before exploring further into different canals to take a glimpse of old Bangkok.

History of Thailand

Throughout its 800-year history, Thailand can boast the distinction of being the only country in Southeast Asia never to have been colonized. Its history is divided into five major periods

Nanchao Period (650-1250 A.D.) The Thai people founded their kingdom in the southern part of China, which is Yunnan, Kwangsi and Canton today. A great number of people migrated south as far as the Chao Phraya Basin and settled down over the Central Plain under the sovereignty of the Khmer Empire, whose culture they probably accepted. The Thai people founded their independent state of Sukhothai around 1238 A.D., which marks the beginning of the Sukhothai Period

Location
The kingdom of Thailand lies in the heart of Southeast Asia, making it a natural gateway to Indochina, Myanmar and Southern China.

The country comprises 76 provinces that are further divided into districts, sub-districts and villages. Bangkok is the capital city and centre of political, commercial, industrial and cultural activities. It is also the seat of Thailand's revered Royal Family, with His Majesty the King recognised as Head of State, Head of the Armed Forces, Upholder of the Buddhist religion and Upholder of all religions.

Land Area
Thailand covers a land area of 513,115 square kilometers, from North from North 5° 30¨ to 21° and from East 97° 30¨ to 105° 30¨, and extends about 2,500 kilometers from north to south and 1,250 kilometers from east to west, with a coastline of approximately 1,840 kilometers on the Gulf of Thailand and 865 kilometers along the Indian Ocean.

Climate
Thailand can best be described as tropical and humid for the majority of the country during most of the year. The area of Thailand north of Bangkok has a climate determined by three seasons whilst the southern peninsular region of Thailand has only two. The three seasons: a) Hot from March to June b) Rainy from July to October c) Cool from November to February. Average low temperature is 20°c and high temperature is 37°c. The geographic and climatic conditions make the country suitable for the cultivation of a wide range of tropical and semi-tropical agricultural crops.

People
Thai (80%), Chinese (10%), Malay (3%), and the rest are minorities (Mons, Khmers, hill tribes) Ethnic Thais form the majority, though the area has historically been a migratory crossroads, and has thus produced a degree of ethnic diversity.

Population A large majority of over 67 million citizens of Thailand are ethic Thai, along with strong communities whose ethnic origins lie in China, India and elsewhere. About 7 million people reside in the capital city of Bangkok.

Religion Thailand is one of the most strongly Buddhist countries in the world. The national religion is Theravada Buddhism, a branch of Hinayana Buddhism, practiced by more than 90 % of all Thais. The remainder of the population adheres to Islam, Christianity, Hinduism and other faiths all of which are allowed full freedom of expression.

Language Spoken and written Thai is largely incomprehensible to the casual visitor. However, English is widely understood, particularly in Bangkok where it is almost the major commercial language.

Politics Thailand is a constitutional monarchy with His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej, or King Rama IX, the ninth king of the Chakri Dynasty, the present king. The King has reigned for more than half a century, making him the longest reigning Thai monarch.

The King of Thailand has little direct power under the constitution but is a symbol of national identity and unity. King Bhumibol, who has been on the throne since 1946, commands enormous popular respect and moral authority, which he has used on occasion to resolve political crises that have threatened national stability.

Abhisit Vejjajiva was formally endorsed by King Bhumibol Adulyadej as the 27th Prime Minister of Thailand on 17 December 2008.

Executive branch
Chief of state: King PHUMIPHON Adunyadet, also spelled BHUMIBOL Adulyadej(since 9 June 1946)
Head of government: Prime Minister ABHISIT Wechachiwa, also spelled ABHISIT Vejjajiva (since 17 December 2008); Deputy Prime Minister SANAN Kachornprasat, also spelled SANAN Kachornparsart (since 7 February 2008); Deputy Prime Minister SUTHEP Thueaksuban, also spelled SUTHEP Thaugsuban (since 22 December 2008); Deputy Prime Minister TRAIRONG Suwannakhiri (since 18 January 2010)
Cabinet: Council of Ministers
Note: there is also a Privy Council advising the king
Elections: the monarchy is hereditary; according to 2007 constitution, the prime minister elected from among members of House of Representatives; following national elections for House of Representatives, the leader of the party positioned to organize a majority coalition usually becomes prime minister by appointment by the king; the prime minister limited to two four-year terms

Political parties & leaders
Chat Thai Phattana Party or CP (Thai Nation Development Party) [CHUMPON Silpa-archa]; Democrat Party or DP (Prachathipat Party) [ABHISIT Wetchachiwa, also spelled ABHISIT Vejjajiva];
Motherland Party (Phuea Phaendin Party) [CHANCHAI Chairungrueng];
Phuea Thai Party (For Thais Party) or PTP [YONGYUTH Wichaidit];
Phumjai (Bhumjai) Thai Party or PJT (Thai Pride) [CHAWARAT Chanvirakun];
Royalist People's Party (Pracharaj) [SANOH Thienthong];
Ruam Jai Thai Party (Thai Unity Party) [WANNARAT Channukun]

Source of information: The World Fact Book (Thailand) 2011

With a well-developed infrastructure, a free-enterprise economy, generally pro-investment policies, and strong export industries, Thailand enjoyed solid growth from 2000 to 2007 - averaging more than 4% per year - as it recovered from the Asian financial crisis of 1997-98.

Thai exports - mostly machinery and electronic components, agricultural commodities, and jewelry - continue to drive the economy, accounting for more than half of GDP. The global financial crisis of 2008-09 severely cut Thailand's exports, with most sectors experiencing double-digit drops. In 2009, the economy contracted 2.2%.

In 2010, Thailand's economy expanded 7.6%, its fastest pace since 1995, as exports rebounded from their depressed 2009 level. Antigovernment protests during March-May and the country's polarized political situation had - at most - a temporary impact on business and consumer confidence. Although tourism was hit hard during the protests, its quick recovery helped boost consumer confidence to new highs.

Moreover, business and investor sentiment remained buoyant as Thailand's stock market grew almost 5% during the three-month period. The economy probably will continue to experience high grow well into 2011.

GDP (purchasing power parity): $580.3 billion (2010 est.)
GDP - real growth rate: 7.6% (2010 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP): $8,700 (2010 est.)
Unemployment rate: 1.2% (2010 est.)

Source: CIA The World Fact Book (May 17' 2011)

Thailand corporate Income Tax
Income tax rate: 30%

Small and medium enterprises (The revenue department of Thailand)

The corporate income tax rate in Thailand is 30% on net profit. However, the rates vary depending on types of taxpayers.

Taxpayer	Tax base	Rate
Small company	Net profit not exceeding 1 million baht. Net profit over 1 million baht, but not exceeding 3 millions baht. Net profit exceeding 3 million baht.	15% 25% 30%
Companies listed in stock exchange of Thailand	Net profit for first 300 million baht. Net profit for the amount exceeding 300 million baht.	25% 30%
Companies newly listed in stock exchange of Thailand	Net profit	25%

 

Quick Facts for visitors

Access to Thailand, Bangkok By Plane Bangkok is Thailand major gateway. The new Bangkok International Airport (Suvarnabhumi Airport), is served by many scheduled airlines offering direct flights from major cities worldwide.

By Car / Coach Thailand has several border crossings, mainly used as gateways for one-day tours, between Malaysia, Laos, Myanmar and Cambodia.

Between Thailand and Malaysia, the border crossings are at Sadao District of Songkhla (Malaysian side is Changlun), Betong District of Yala (Malaysian side is Keroh) and Sungai Golok District and Tak Bai Sub-district of Narathiwat (Malaysian side is Kota Baru). Hat Yai, the major hub in the south, connects directly to Alor Setar. Daily buses run between Alor Setar, Hat Yai and Kota Baru and back. Visitors can walk over the railway into Thailand and take an official Thai taxi to Hat Yai with a stop at the immigration post.

By Train Travelers from Malaysia can cross into Thailand by four overland border crossings, two on the west coast, one in the center and the other on the east coast. Through tickets are not available for trains linking Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur or Singapore, but travelers can make the trip on express trains via the Thai-Malaysian border at Pedang Besar. An overnight transit in Butterworth (Malaysia) is usually necessary to make the train connections on either side of the Malaysian border.

By Boat Overland entry to Thailand is restricted to three road crossings on the Thai- Malaysian border, and the bridge spanning the Mekong River between Laos and Thailand at Nong Kai. There are no riverboat connections with Thailand. Cargo ships calling at Bangkok's Klong Toey port sometimes have passenger cabin facilities. Cruise ships, such as Cunard's Queen Elizabeth II periodically visit Pattaya on Thailand's east coast.

Visas There are two fundamental visa options for a visitor to Thailand from most countries -:

1. Arrive by air without a visa and get a free 30 day "Visa Waiver" entry stamp on arrival, which can later be extended by up to 10 days at an immigration post in Thailand. (Arrival by land without a visa only provides 15 days entry. Visa Waivers are only available to citizens of select nations.)

2. Apply to a Thai consulate or embassy for a visa before you travel. Details on types of visas and how to apply for them are given below.

Important change: Visa Runs

It used to be that you could arrive in Thailand with no proof of onward travel, be granted a free 30-day entry stamp, and extend your stay indefinitely by popping over the border and back every month to renew your entry stamp. This is no longer the case. Not only are you now limited to three visa waivers per any six month period, you must then obtain a legitimate visa or be physically absent from the country for an additional six months. You are still able to do up to two visa runs, extending your stay up to a maximum of 90 days, but the next time you leave the country you will not be permitted to return for a further 90 days.

Important warning

Do not overstay your visa in Thailand, even by a few hours. If you want to stay longer, get the visa extended or do a visa run before your visa expires.

Some travelers may tell you that overstaying your visa by a few days isn't a problem and that you'll just have to pay a fine of 500 baht a day. While it is true that you will just be fined if you turn up at the airport or border with an expired visa, if you are discovered with an out-of-date visa in any other circumstances you will be arrested and detained at the Immigration Detention Centre - an exceptionally grim place which Amnesty International has been campaigning to have closed for a long time.

For more information, please visit Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kingdom of Thailand

Currency Limitation

For Thai currency, the amount of Baht 50,000 or more must be reported on departure to Customs, except those traveling to Lao PDR., Myanmar, Cambodia, Malaysia, and Vietnam are allowed to take out Thai currency not exceeding 500,000 Baht.

For Foreign currency, any person who brings or takes and aggregate amount of foreign currency exceeding USD 20,000 or its equivalent out of or into the Kingdom of Thailand shall declare such amount of foreign currency to Customs. Failure to declare or make false declaration is a criminal offence.

Restricted & prohibited items

They are goods the import and export of which is restricted by law and therefore require a permit from the related government agencies. The following examples require a permit from the government agency in order to lodge the Customs formalities:

Items	Controlling organizations
Buddha images, religious or ancient arts, and antiques	Department of Fine Arts
Weapons, bullets, and explosive devices	Office of National Police
Plants and planting materials	Department of Agriculture
Live Animals, pets, and animals products	Department of Live Stock Development
Food and drugs	Food and Drug Administration
Automobile parts	Ministry of Industry
Cigars, cigarettes, and alcoholic beverage	Excise Department
Wireless transmitters and receivers, telecommunication equipments	The National Telecommunications Commission

Exchange Rate and places of exchange for Thailand's Currency

Though the exchange rate varies from day to day, it approximately remains at 1$ equalling to 34 Baht. Foreign currency can be exchanged at various places, the best among them being banks which have the best rates and are operational from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm from Monday to Friday, but you can also get currency exchanged at big hotels, tourist areas and also from bureaux de change.

Electricity The electric current is generally 220 - 240 volts, AC at 50 cycles per second.

Time GMT +7hours