FORMALITIES

Visa

A visa is not necessary for stays of less than 30 days for the members of the European Community.... with a flight confirmed return ticket.
For stays of less than 30 days (thus without visa), a valid passport at least 3 months after the return of Thailand is compulsory. For the stays of more than 30 days (with visa), the passport must be valid 6 months after the return of Thailand.

Climate

Thailand has the 3 seasons tropical climate: Summer (Mars to May), the intermediate season, characterized by an alternation of tropical rains and sun (June-September) and the season known as `' fresh '' (October-February), where the temperatures remain warm according to European criteria's.
The annual average temperature is of 28°C, with slight variations (in Bangkok: 30°C in April and 25°C in December

Standard time

Thailand is 6 hours in advance to Paris in wintertime and 5 hours in summertime

Currency

Travelers' cheques

 Travelers' cheques in Dollars or Euro are exchanged in all the banks and the approved changers. The hotels take an additional commission on the exchange transactions and never agree to change travelers' cheques.

Most of the international credit cards (Visa, American Express, Dinners, MasterCard) are accepted in banks and by tradesmen (hotels, restaurants, shops).
The banks are open Monday to Friday from 8h30 to 15h30, except on feast days. The biggest banks (Bangkok Bank, Thai Danu Bank) exchange 7 days a week from 7AM to  21PM in major tourist areas. Many ATM’s available in the street.

Money control

 Foreigners can import foreign currencies freely. When leaving the country, they can take up to 10 000 US$ (or equivalent) or the equivalent of the amount declared at the beginning.

The maximum authorized in local currency when leaving Thailand is     50 000 Bahts per person.

The visitors can import belongings and personal goods authorized by the law.  The visitors can export the products bought in Duty Free Shops, valuable stones, objects made of gold and platinum bought in Thailand.

Visitors are authorized to open a bank account in any commercial bank.  Concerning the non-residents, there is no restriction in the amounts as long as the funds come from abroad.

Embassy in Paris: e-mail:  thaipar@wanadoo.fr  Tél: +33 156265050   Fax +33 1 56 26 04 45-46