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| General |
 Situated in Southeast Asia, Thailand is predominantly a Buddhist kingdom almost equidistant from India and China. Known by outsiders as Siam for centuries, Thailand (the land of smiles), has been something of a Southeast Asian migratory, cultural, and religious crossroads.
Archeological discoveries around the northeast hamlet of Ban Chiang suggests that the world's oldest Bronze Age civilization had flourished in Thailand some 5,600 years ago.
Spoken and written Thai remain largely incomprehensible to the casual visitor. However, English is widely understood, particularly in Bangkok where it is also the major commercial language. English and other European languages are spoken in most hotels, shops, restaurants, and major tourist destinations. Thai-English road and street signs are also found everywhere.
Throughout her long history, Thailand has absorbed immigrants. Many were skilled as writers, painters, sculptors, dancers, musicians, and architects. These immigrants helped to enrich Thailand's indigenous culture. Thailand's minorities include the Chinese, Thai Malays, and the Laotian.
Throughout its history, Thailand has been characterized by its tolerance for alien religions and beliefs. Although census records that 94% of its populace are Theravada Buddhists, the country has always extended religious freedom to its subjects. |
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Visa:
 GENERAL REQUIREMENT :-
The following must be submitted:
- Current passport valid for travel to Thailand with validity not less than 6 months.
- One completed and signed application form.
- Two passport-size photographs (2"x2") (Photostat or Photocopy do not accepted). Photographs must have a light color background with a full- face view of the person without wearing a hat or dark glasses. Photos must be taken within 6 months.
- If submitting application in person, processing fees are payable only in cash or money order. If application is submitted by mail, please pay by money order only.
Processing fees:
Non-immigrant visa.....US $50.00 per entry and US $125 per multiple entries. (require invitation letter from Thailand) Purpose of visit: BUSINESS, CONFERENCE, RESEARCH, TEACHING, EDUCATION, MASS MEDIA, MISSIONARY, FAMILY REUNION, MEDICAL TREATMENT (please, see visa types & purpose visit), RETIREMENT (please, see retirements for person 50 years or over)
(Maximum stay 90 days, extension of stay may be applied in Thailand.) Tourist visa.................. US $25.00 per entry for pleasure purpose only. (require copy airline ticket or itenery)
(Maximum stay 60 day, extension of stay may be applied in Thailand.) Transit visa................... US $20.00 per entry. Purpose of visit: TRANSIT (require copy airline ticket or itenery), SPORTS or CREW (require business letter and invitation from Thailand)
(Maximum stay 30 days, extension of stay may be applied in Thailand.)
- When submitting application by mail, a self-addressed envelope size 6"x9" or large enough to fit all passports with sufficient postage stamps is required. Metered stamps will not be accepted. Please also include a 41-cent stamp for the cost of previously mailed application form to applicant. Applicant may have their visa mailed by choosing one of the following options:
- $16.25 in postage for a next-day express mail (and additional 41-cent stamp for the cost of previously mailed form). Please include self address mailing label if possible.
- $3.40 in postage, depending on weight, for certified mail (and an additional 17-cent stamp)
- Federal Express, UPS or DHL with account number (do not accept credit card)
Important notice:
- Applications are usually processed within 48 hours if submitted in person. Applying by mail will take approximately 10 business days plus mailing time.
- Applicant who is a holder of a reentry permit or those who hold passport from Bangladesh, the People's Republic of China, Cambodia, India, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, the Middle East countries and the Socialist countries need to submit additional requirements. (please, see list of countries for additional requirements)
- Visa must be activated or used within three months from the date of issuance.
- Nationals of certain countries are required to apply for a visa only at the Thai Embassy or Consulate-General in their home / residence country or at the designated Thai Embassy. Therefore, travellers are advised to contact the nearest Thai Embassy or Consulate-General to find out where they may apply for a visa to Thailand before departure. Information on location and contact number of Thai Embassies and Consulates-General is available at http://www.mfa.go.th/web/10.php
- Please note that the period of visa validity is different from the period of stay. The visa validity is a period during which a visa can be used to enter Thailand. Generally, the validity of a visa is 3 months, but in some cases, we also issue visas valid for 6 months or 1 year. The validity of a visa is granted by the Embassy or Consulate-General and shown in the visa. The period of stay depends on the type of visa and is granted by an immigration officer upon arrival at the port of entry. For example, the period of stay for a transit visa does not exceed 30 days, for a tourist visa does not exceed 60 days and for a non-immigrant visa does not exceed 90 days for the arrival date. Travellers who wish to stay longer than such period may apply for extension of stay at Offices of the Immigration Bureau in Bangkok, located in Soi Suan Plu, South Sathorn Road, Bangkok 10120, Tel. 02-2873101-10 or at an Immigration office in the provinces. For information on application for extension of stay, please see the website of the Immigration Bureau at http://www.immigration.go.th
Royal Thai Embassy Visa Section,
Suite 101 1024 Wisconsin Ave. N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20007
Tel. (202) 298-4815, 4817
Fax. (202) 944-3641
e-mail: visa@thaiembdc.org |
Office Hours
Monday-Friday
9.00 a.m. -1.00 p.m. and 2.30-4.00 p.m.
(Walk-in Services : 9.00 a.m. - 1.00 p.m. only)
U.S. Eastern Standard Time
Closed on Thai and U.S. Official Holidays |
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS :- Holders of re-entry permit or nation passport from Bangladesh, the People's Republic of China, Cambodia, India, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, the Middle East countries, and the Socialist countries are required to submit the followings:
- Current passport or re-entry permit valid for travel to Thailand with validity not less than 6 months.
- One completed and signed application forms
- Passport-size photographs. (Phographs must have a light color background with a full-face view without wearing a hat or dark glasses and taken within 6 months.)
- 3 photographs for re-entry permit holder
- 5 photographs for the holder passport of Cambodia, China and Vietnam
- If submitting applications in person, fees are payable in cash or money order. If submitting application by mail, fees are payable in money order to the Royal Thai Embassy only.
- Employment verification or a guarantor's letter from a U.S. resident
- Proof of confirmed round-trip ticket and itenary
- Proof of permanent resident alien card
- Proof of Financial, such as a bank statement showing personal savings or checkings account
- A personal bio-data of applicant(s) since leaving country of birth or refugee camp. (For the person who is former nationality from Lao, Vietnam, Cambodia only)
- Confirmed reservation a place or hotel to stay in Thailand. (name and address)
- Reference person and address in Thailand
- Reference person and address the next country after Thailand or your native country
VISA TYPES AND PURPOSE OF VISIT - NON-IMMIGRANT VISA
(May required the approval from the Ministry Concerns from Thailand in case by case and required invitation letter from Thailand) Purpose of visit: BUSINESS and CONFERENCE (requiring the business letter with letter-head explains purpose of visit, also included name of company, organization or mission and address in Thailand), RESEARCH, TEACHING, MASS MEDIA or MISSIONARY (requiring the letter with letter-head from company, agency or organization sending you on your mission, and also the letter from your counterpart in Thailand). TEACHING AND EDUCATION (requiring the letter with the letter-head from educational institution in Thailand). FAMILY REUNION (requiring marriage or birth certificates). SETTLEMENT AFTER RETIREMENT (requiring proof of retirement and financial support). MEDICAL TREATMENT (requiring letter from licensed doctor). (Maximum stay 90 days, extension of stay may be applied in Thailand.)
TOURIST VISA
Purpose of visit: for pleasure purpose only (requiring copy of airtime ticket or itenery).
(Maximum stay 60 day, extension of stay may be applied in Thailand.) TRANSIT VISA Purpose of visit: TRANSIT (requiring proof of confirmed onward ticket to a Third country). SPORTS or CREW (requiring letter from organization concerned and invitation letter from Thailand). (Maximum stay 30 days, extension of stay may be applied in Thailand.)
FEES :-
- Non-immigrant visa US $50.00 per entry and US $125.00 per multiple entries. (for Investment & former Thai citizen)
- Tourist visa US $25.00 per entry
- Transit visa US $20.00 per entry
When submitting application by mail, please include a self addressed envelope size 6"x9" or large enough to fit all passport(s) with sufficient postage stamps and choose one of the following options:
- Include $16.25 in postage for a next-day express mail (and additional 41-cent stamp for the cost of previously mailed form). Include self-addressed mailing label if possible
- Include at least $3.40 in postage for certified mail, depending on weight, (and additional 17- cent stamp) ** Metered stamps will not be accepted**
- Federal Express, UPS or DHL with account number (do not accept credit card)
PROCESSING TIME :-
- Applications are usually processed within 2 days if submitted in person.
- Applying by mail will take approximately 10 business days plus mailing time.
HEALTH REQUIREMENTS :- No inoculations or vaccinations are required unless applicants have been to an infected area. At present, Thailand requires a YELLOW FEVER CERTIFICATE from persons who have been to or have come from the following countries as from February 1991:-
- ANGOLA
- BENIN
- BOLIVIA
- BRAZIL
- BURKINA FASO
- BURUNDI
- CAMEROON
- CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC
- CHAD
- COLOMBIA
- CONGO, Rep. of
- CONGO, Democratic of
- COTE D' IVOIRE
- EQUATORIAL GUINEA
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- ECUADOR
- ETHIOPIA
- FRENCH GUIANA
- GABON
- GAMBIA
- GHANA
- GUINEA
- GUINEA-BISSAU
- GUYANA
- KENYA
- LIBERIA
- MALI
- MAURITANIA
- NIGER
- NIGERIA
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- PANAMA
- PERU
- RWANDA
- SAO TOME AND PRINCIPE
- SENEGAL
- SIERRA LEONE
- SOMALIA
- SUDAN
- SURINAME
- TANZANIA, UNITED Rep. of
- TOGO
- UGANDA
- VENEZUELA
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LIST OF COUNTRIES FOR ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS :-
- BANGLADESH
- CHINA, People's Republic
- CAMBODIA
- INDIA
- LAOS
- MYANMAR
- NEPAL
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- NIGERIA
- PAKISTAN
- SRI LANKA
- VIETNAM
- MIDDLE EAST COUNTRIES
- SOCIALIST COUNTRIES
| * ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
VALIDITY OF VISA :- Visa has a 3-month validity and , as a result, must be utilized within 3 months as from the date of issue (more than 3-month up to 1-year validity of visa may be granted on a case-by-case basis if more than one or multiple entry visa is issued.)
LIST OF COUNTRIES EXEMPTED FROM VISA FEES (Based on Existing Agreements) :-
- PHILIPPINES, Republic of (Maximum stay of 59 days)
- KOREA, Republic of
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- MALAYSIA
- SINGAPORE
- TUNISIA
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LIST OF COUNTRIES NOT REQUIRING VISA :-
- Nationals of the following countries may enter Thailand without a visa in accordance with the Inter-Governmental Agreements for a maximum stay of 30 and 90 days for purposed of Tourism and Temporary Business only :-
30 Days
1. LAOS
2. VIETNAM
3. HONG KONG, SAR
4. MACAU, SAR |
90 Days
1. ARGENTINA
2. BRAZIL
3. CHILE
4. KOREA, Republic of
5. PERU |
- Nationals of the following countries may enter Thailand without a visa in accordance with Ministry of Interior's regulation for a maximum stay of 30 days for purpose of Tourism only:-
- AUSTRALIA
- AUSTRIA
- BAHRAIN
- BELGIUM
- BRAZIL
- BRUNEI
- CANADA
- DENMARK
- FINLAND
- FRANCE
- GERMANY
- GREECE (Helenic Republic)
- HONG KONG
- INDONESIA
- ICELAND
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- IRELAND
- ISRAEL
- ITALY
- JAPAN
- KOREA, Rep. of
- KUWAIT
- LUXEMBOURG
- MALAYSIA
- NETHERLANDS
- NEW ZEALAND
- NORWAY
- OMAN
- PERU
- PHILIPPINES
- PORTUGAL
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- QATAR
- SINGAPORE
- SOUTH AFRICA
- SPAIN
- SWEDEN
- SWITZERLAND
- TURKEY
- UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
- UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND
- UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
- VIETNAM
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LIST OF NATIONALITIES ARE PERMITTED TO OBTAIN TOURIST VISA ON THEIR ARRIVAL AT THE IMMIGRATION CHECKPOINTS IN THAILAND AND ONCE THEY WERE GRANTED WITH TOURIST VISA THEY WILL BE ADMITTED INTO THE KINGDOM AND CAN STAY FOR 15 DAYS :-
- BHUTAN
- CHINA, PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC and TAIWAN
- CZECH REPUBLIC
- CYPRUS
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- HUNGARY, Rep. of
- INDIA
- KAZAKHSTAN, Rep. of
- MALDIVES
- MAURITIUS
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- OMAN
- RUSSIA
- SAUDI ARABIA
- POLAND, Rep. of
- UKRAINE
| Immigration checkpoints in Thailand
- Bangkok Don Maung International Airport, Bangkok
- Chiang Mai International Airport, Chiangmai
- Phuket International Airport, Phuket
- Hat Yai International Airport, Songkla
- U-tapao Airport, Rayong
- Mae Sai Immigration Checkpoint, Chiengrai
- Chieng Saen Immigration Checkpoint, Chiengrai
- Chieng Khong Immigration Checkpoint, Chiengrai
- Betong Immigration Checkpoint, Yala
- Sadoa Immigration Checkpoint, Songkla
- Samui Immigration Checkpoint, Sumui Airport, Surat Thani
- Sukothai International Airport, Tak
- Bangkok Harbour Immigration Checkpoint, Bangkok
- Si Racha Immigration Checkpoint, Chonburi
- Mabtaput Immigration Checkpoint, Rayong
- Nong Khai Immigration Checkpoint, Nong Khai
- Samui Immigration Checkpoint, Torn Harbour Dock Yatch, Surat Thani
- Phuket Immigration Checkpoint, Phuket
- Satun Immigration Checkpoint, Satun
- Krabi Immigration Checkpoint, Krabi
- Songkhla Harbour Immigration Checkpoint, Songkhla
- Chiang Rai Airport, Immigration Checkpoint, Chiang Rai Surat Thani Airport, Immigration Checkpoint, Surat Thani
IMPORTANT NOTICE AND ADDRESSES :-
- Visa has a 3 month validity and, as a result, must be utilized within 3 months as from the date of issue (more than 3 month up to 1 year validity of visa may be granted on a case by case basis, if more than one or multiple entries visa is issued.)
- Applicants residing in CA, AK, AZ, ID, NV, OR, UT and WA should send their application forms to the Royal Thai Consulate-General, Los Angeles or the Royal Thai Consulate-General atOregon
- Applicants residing in CT, MA, ME, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI and VT should send their application forms to the Royal Thai Consulate-General, New York or the Royal Thai Consulate-General at Massachusetts
- Applicants residing in IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, MI, MN, MO, ND, NE, SD and WI should send their applications forms to the Royal Thai Consulate-General, Chicago or the Royal Thai Consulate-General at Missouri
- In addition to applying at above addresses, applicants who are not holders of Re- Entry Permit or from People's Republic of China, the Middle East countries and the socialist countries can also obtain their visas at the Royal Thai Consulate-General in Alabama, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Missouri, Oklahoma, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Texas (Dallas), Texas (El Paso), Texas (Houston)and Dominican Republic
- Applicants not residing in the states mentioned above can apply at the Consular Office, Royal Thai Embassy in Washington, D.C.
- For tourist information, please contact the Tourism Authority of Thailand in Chicago, New York, Los Angeles.
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Economy:
The economy of Thailand is export-dependent, with exports accounting for 60% of GDP. The exchange rate has reached 37.00/usd (GDP $7.3 trln baht) as of October 26, 2006, for a nominal GDP at market rates of approximately US$ 200 bln. This keeps Thailand as the 2nd largest economy in Southeast Asia, after Indonesia, a position it has held for many years. Thailand's recovery from the 1997-98 Asian financial crisis relied on exports, largely on external demand from the United States and other foreign markets. The Thaksin government took office in February 2001 with the intention of stimulating domestic demand and reducing Thailand's reliance on foreign trade and investment. Since then, the Thaksin administration has refined its economic message, embracing a "dual track" economic policy that combines domestic stimulus with Thailand's traditional promotion of open markets and foreign investment. This set of policies are popularly known as Thaksinomics. Weak export demand held 2001 GDP growth to 1.9%. In 2002-3, however, domestic stimulus and export revival fuelled a better performance, with real GDP growth at 5.3% and 6.3% respectively.
Macro-economic trend
This is a chart of trend of gross domestic product of Thailand at market prices estimatedby the International Monetary Fund with figures in millions of Thai Baht.
| Year |
Gross Domestic Product |
US Dollar Exchange |
Inflation Index (2000=100) |
| 1980 |
662,482 |
20.47 Baht |
41 |
| 1985 |
1,056,496 |
27.15 Baht |
53 |
| 1990 |
2,191,100 |
25.58 Baht |
64 |
| 1995 |
4,186,212 |
24.91 Baht |
81 |
| 2000 |
4,922,731 |
40.11 Baht |
100 |
| 2005 |
6,924,273 |
41.02 Baht |
111 |
For purchasing power parity comparisons, the US Dollar is exchanged at 12.34 Baht only.
Before the financial crisis, the Thai economy had years of manufacturing-led economic growth--averaging 9.4% for the decade up to 1996. Relatively abundant and inexpensive labour and natural resources, fiscal conservatism, open foreign investment policies, and encouragement of the private sector underlay the economic success in the years up to 1997. The economy is essentially a free enterprise system. Certain services, such as power generation, transportation, and communications, are state-owned and operated, but the government is considering privatizing them in the wake of the financial crisis.
The Royal Thai Government welcomes foreign investment, and investors who are willing to meet certain requirements can apply for special investment privileges through the Board of Investment. To attract additional foreign investment, the government has modified its investment regulations.
The organized labour movement remains weak and divided in Thailand; only 3% of the work force is unionized. In 2000, the State Enterprise Labour Relations Act (SELRA) was passed, giving public sector employees similar rights to those of private sector workers, including the right to unionize.
Roughly 60% of Thailand's labour force is employed in agriculture.[citation needed] Rice is the country's most important crop; Thailand is a major exporter in the world rice market. Other agricultural commodities produced in significant amounts include fish and fishery products, tapioca, rubber, grain, and sugar. Exports of processed foods such as canned tuna, pineapples, and frozen shrimp are on the rise.
Thailand's increasingly diversified manufacturing sector made the largest contribution to growth during the economic boom. Industries registering rapid increases in production included computers and electronics, garments and footwear, furniture, wood products, canned food, toys, plastic products, gems, and jewelry. High-technology products such as integrated circuits and parts, electrical appliances, and vehicles are now leading Thailand's strong growth in exports.
Trade
The United States is Thailand's largest export market and second-largest supplier after Japan. While Thailand's traditional major markets have been North America, Japan, and Europe, economic recovery among Thailand's regional trading partners has helped Thai export growth (5.8% in 2002). Recovery from the financial crisis depended heavily on increased exports to the rest of Asia and the United States. Since 2005, the rapid ramp-up in export of automobiles of Japanese makes (esp. Toyota, Nissan, Isuzu) has helped to dramatically improve the trade balance, with over 1 million cars produced last year. As such, Thailand has joined the ranks of the world's top ten automobile exporting nations.
Machinery and parts, vehicles, electronic integrated circuits, chemicals, crude oil and fuels, and iron and steel are among Thailand's principal imports. The recent increase in import levels (4.6% in 2002) reflects the need to fuel the production of high-technology items and vehicles.
Thailand is a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the Cairns Group of agricultural exporters. Thailand is part of the ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA). Thailand has actively pursued free trade agreements. A China-Thailand Free Trade Agreement (FTA) commenced in October 2003. This agreement was limited to agricultural products, with more comprehensive FTA to be agreed by 2010. Thailand also has a limited Free Trade Agreement with India, which commenced in 2003; and a comprehensive Australia-Thailand Free Trade Agreement which started 1 January 2005. Thailand started free trade negotiations with Japan in February 2004, and an in-principle agreement was agreed in September 2005. Negotiations for a US-Thailand Free Trade Agreement are underway, with the fifth round of meetings held in November 2005.
Tourism contributes significantly to the Thai economy, and the industry has benefited from the Thai baht's depreciation and Thailand's stability. Tourist arrivals in 2002 (10.9 million) reflected a 7.3% increase from the previous year (10.1 million).
Bangkok and its environs are the most prosperous part of Thailand, and the infertile northeast is the poorest. An overriding concern of successive Thai Governments, and a particularly strong focus of the recently ousted Thaksin government, has been to reduce these regional income differentials, which have been exacerbated by rapid economic growth in and around Bangkok and the financial crisis. The government is trying to stimulate provincial economic growth with programs such as the Eastern Seaboard project and the development of an alternate deep-sea port on Thailand's southern peninsula. It also is conducting discussions with Malaysia to focus on economic development along the Thai-Malaysian border.
Although the economy has demonstrated moderate positive growth since 1999, future performance depends on continued reform of the financial sector, corporate debt restructuring, attracting foreign investment, and increasing exports. Telecommunications, roadways, electricity generation, and ports showed increasing strain during the period of sustained economic growth and may pose a future challenge. Thailand's growing shortage of engineers and skilled technical personnel may limit its future technological creativity and productivity.
Other statistics
Investment (gross fixed): 22.5% of GDP (Jan - Sep 2004 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
- lowest 10%: 2.8%
- highest 10%: 32.4% (1998)
Distribution of family income - Gini index: 51.1 (2002)
Agriculture - products: rice, cassava (tapioca), rubber, corn, sugarcane, coconuts, soybeans
Industries: tourism, textiles and garments, agricultural processing, beverages, tobacco, cement, light manufacturing such as jewelry, electric appliances and components, computers and parts, integrated circuits, furniture, plastics, world's second-largest tungsten producer, and third-largest tin producer
Industrial production growth rate: 8.2% (2005 est.)
Electricity:
- production: 118,900 KW·h (2003)
- consumption: 106,100 KW·h (2003)
- exports: 188 KW·h (2002)
- imports: 600 KW·h (2002)
Electricity - production by source:
- fossil fuel: 91.3%
- hydro: 6.4%
- other: 2.4% (2001)
- nuclear: 0%
Oil:
- production: 230,000 barrels per day (35,800 m³/d) (2005 est.)
- consumption: 785,000 barrels per day (125,000 m³/d) (2001 est.)
- exports: NA
- imports: NA
- proved reserves: 583 million barrels (95,000,000 m³) (November 2003)
Natural gas:
- production: 22,280,000,000 m³ (2003 est.)
- consumption: 29,150,000,000 m³ (2003 est.)
- exports: 0 m³ (2001 est.)
- imports: 5,200,000,000 m³; (2001 est.)
- proved reserves: 377,700,000,000 m³ (November 2003)
Current account balance: $-5.901 billion (2005 est.)
Exports - commodities: textiles and footwear, fishery products, rice, rubber, jewelry, automobiles, computers and electrical appliances lex Imports - commodities: capital goods, intermediate goods and raw materials, consumer goods, fuels |
Religion & Culture:
The Culture of Thailand is heavily influenced by Buddhism. Other influences have included Hinduism, conflict and trade with Southeast Asian neighbors such as Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar, and repeated influxes of Chinese immigrants.
Main article: Thai art
Thai visual art was traditionally primarily Buddhist. Thai Buddha images from different periods have a number of distinctive styles. Contemporary Thai art often combines traditional Thai elements with modern techniques.
Literature in Thailand is heavily influenced by Indian culture. The most notable works of Thai literature are a version of the Ramayana called the Ramakien, written in part by Kings Rama I and Rama II, and the poetry of Sunthorn Phu.
There is no tradition of spoken drama in Thailand, the role instead being filled by Thai dance. This is divided into three categories- khon, lakhon and likay- khon being the most elaborate and likay the most populist. Nang drama, a form of shadow play, is found in the south.
The music of Thailand includes classical and folk music traditions as well as string or pop music.
Religion
Thailand is nearly 95% Theravada Buddhist, with minorities of Muslims (4.6%), Christians (0.7%), Mahayana Buddhists, and other religions.[1] Thai Theravada Buddhism supported and overseen by the government, with monks receiving a number of government benefits, such as free use of the public transportation infrastructure. The Thai Sangha is divided into two main orders, the Thammayut Nikaya and the Maha Nikaya, and headed by the Supreme Patriarch of Thailand, currently Somdet Phra Nyanasamvara Suvaddhana Mahathera. A recent reformist group, Santi Asoke, is forbidden to describe itself as Buddhist. Buddhism in Thailand is strongly influenced by traditional beliefs regarding ancestral and natural spirits, which have been incorporated into Buddhist cosmology.
Prior to the rise of Theravada Buddhism, both Indian Brahmanic religion and Mahayana Buddhism were present in Thailand. Influences from both these traditions can still be seen in the present day. Brahmanist shrines play an important role in Thai folk religion, and the Mahayana Buddhist influence is reflected in the presence of figures like Lokesvara, a form of the bodhisattva Avalokitesvara sometimes incorporated into Thailand's iconography.
Cuisine
Thai cuisine is famous for the blending of four fundamental tastes:
- sweet (sugar, fruits, sweet peppers)
- spicy hot (chilies)
- sour (vinegar, lime juice, tamarind)
- salty (soy sauce, fish sauce)
Most of the dishes in Thai cuisine try to combine most, if not all, of these tastes. It is accomplished by using a host of herbs, spices and fruit, including: chili, cumin, garlic, ginger, basil, sweet basil, lime, lemongrass, coriander, pepper, turmeric, and shallots.
Sport
The most popular team sport in Thailand is football now the professional leagues Thai League and Pro League in Thailand are in their infancy. The English and Premiership have large followings. Muay Thai (Thai boxing) is probably the most popular spectator sport in Thailand. The other main indigenous sport is takraw, which is similar to volleyball, but played with the feet and a light rattan ball. There are several versions of the game with differing rules.
There is a Swan Boat circuit where the villages field teams compete. The International invitational race is usually in November.
Egg rolling once enjoyed national-pastime status, but famine and egg shortages around the middle of the last century caused it to retreat to rural villages, where it is still practised with traditional vigour.
Customs
One of the most distinctive Thai customs is the wai, which is similar to the Indian namaste gesture. Showing greeting, farewell, or acknowledgment, it comes in several forms reflecting the relative status of those involved, but generally it involves a prayer-like gesture with the hands and a bow of the head.
Physical demonstrations of affection in public are common between friends, but less so between lovers. It is thus common to see friends walking together holding hands, but couples rarely do so except in westernized areas.
A notable social norm holds that touching someone on the head may be considered rude. It is also considered rude to place one's feet at a level above someone else's head, especially if that person is of higher social standing. This is because the Thai people consider the foot to be the dirtiest and lowest part of the body, and the head the most respected and highest part of the body. This also influences how Thais sit when on the ground -- their feet always pointing away from others, tucked to the side or behind them. Pointing at or touching something with the feet is also considered rude.
It is also considered extremely rude to step on a Thai coin, because the king's head appears on the coin. When sitting in a temple, one is expected to point one's feet away from images of the Buddha. Shrines inside Thai residences are arranged so as to ensure that the feet are not pointed towards the religious icons -- such as placing the shrine on the same wall as the head of a bed, if a house is too small to remove the shrine from the bedroom entirely.
It is also customary to remove one's footwear before entering a home or a temple, and not to step on the threshold.
There are a number of Thai customs relating to the special status of monks in Thai society. Because of their religious discipline, Thai monks are forbidden physical contact with women. Women are therefore expected to make way for passing monks to ensure that accidental contact does not occur. A variety of methods are employed to ensure that no incidental contact (or the appearance of such contact) between women and monks occurs. Women making offerings to monks place their donation at the feet of the monk, or on a cloth laid on the ground or a table. Powders or ungents intended to carry a blessing are applied to Thai women by monks using the end of a candle or stick. Lay people are expected to sit or stand with their heads at a lower level than that of a monk. Within a temple, monks may sit on a raised platform during ceremonies to make this easier to achieve.
Marriage
Thai marriage ceremonies are generally divided into two sections: a Buddhist component, which includes the recitation of prayers and the offering of food and other gifts to monks and images of the Buddha, and a non-Buddhist component rooted in folk traditions, which centers on the couple's family.
In former times, it was unknown for Buddhist monks to be present at any stage of the marriage ceremony itself. As monks were required to attend to the dead during funerals, their presence at a marriage (which was associated with fertility, and intended to produce children) was considered a bad omen. A couple would seek a blessing from their local temple before or after being married, and might consult a monk for astrological advice in setting an auspicious date for the wedding. The non-Buddhist portions of the wedding would take place away from the temple, and would often take place on a separate day.
In modern times, these prohibitions have been significantly relaxed. It is not uncommon for a visit to a temple to be made on the same day as the non-Buddhist portions of a wedding, or even for the wedding to take place within the temple. While a division is still commonly observed between the "religious" and "secular" portions of a wedding service, it may be as simple as the monks present for the Buddhist ceremony departing to take lunch once their role is complete.
During the Buddhist component of the wedding service, the couple first bow before the image of the Buddha. They then recite certain basic Buddhist prayers or chants (typically including taking the Three Refuges and the Five Precepts), and light incense and candles before the image. The parents of the couple may then be called upon to 'connect' them, by placing upon the heads of the bride and groom twin loops of string or thread that link the couple together. The couple may then make offerings of food, flowers, and medicine to the monks present. Cash gifts (usually placed in an envelope) may also be presented to the temple at this time.
The monks may then unwind a small length of thread that is held between the hands of the assembled monks. They begin a series of recitations of Pali scriptures intended to bring merit and blessings to the new couple. The string terminates with the lead monk, who may connect it to a container of water that will be 'sanctified' for the ceremony. Merit is said to travel through the string and be conveyed to the water; a similar arrangement is used to transfer merit to the dead at a funeral, further evidence of the weakening of the taboo on mixing funerary imagery and trappings with marriage ceremonies. Blessed water may be mixed with wax drippings from a candle lit before the Buddha image and other ungents and herbs to create a 'paste' that is then applied to the foreheads of the bride and groom to create a small 'dot', similar to the marking sometimes made with red ochre on Hindu devotees. The bride's mark is created with the butt end of the candle rather than the monk's thumb, in keeping with the Vinaya prohibition against touching women.
The highest-ranking monk present may elect to say a few words to the couple, offering advice or encouragement. The couple may then make offerings of food to the monks, at which point the Buddhist portion of the ceremony is concluded.
The Thai dowry system is known as the 'Sin Sodt'. Traditionally, the groom will be expected to pay a sum of money to the family, to compensate them and to demonstrate that the groom is financially capable of taking care of their daughter. Sometimes, this sum is purely symbolic, and will be returned to the bride and groom after the wedding has taken place.
Funerals
Traditionally funerals last for a week. Crying is discouraged during the funeral, so as not to worry the spirit of the deceased. Many activities surrounding the funeral are intended to make merit for the deceased. Copies of Buddhist scriptures may be printed and distributed in the name of the deceased, and gifts are usually given to a local temple. Monks are invited to chant prayers that are intended to provide merit for the deceased, as well as to provide protection against the possibility of the dead relative returning as a malicious spirit. Often, a thread is connected to the corpse or coffin which is held by the chanting monks during their recitation; this thread is intended to transfer the merit of the monks' recitation to the deceased. The corpse is cremated, and the urn with the ash is usually kept in a chedi in the local temple. The Chinese minority however buries the deceased.
Nicknames
See also: Thai names
Thai universally choose a short nickname that they use with friends and family. Often first given by friends or an older family member, these nicknames are typically one syllable (or worn down from two syllables to one). They may often be nonsense words or humorous; furthermore, they quite frequently have no relation to the Thai’s full name. Official Thai names are often long, particularly among Thais of Chinese descent, whose lengthy names stem from an attempt to translate Chinese names into Thai equivalents. |
Thailand Embassies in Abroad
Argentina, Royal Thai Embassy
Virrey del Pino 2458-6 Piso, 1426 Buenos Aires
Tel: +541 785 6504, 6521, 6532
Fax: +541 785 6548
Australia, Royal Thai Embassy
111 Empire Circuit, Yarralumla, A.C.T. 2600, Canberra
Tel: +06 273 1149, 273 2937
Fax: +06 273 1518
Royal Thai Consulate General
Level 8, 131 Macquarie Street
SYDNEY, NSW 2000
Tel (02) 9241-2542, 9241-2543
Fax (02) 9247-8312
E-mail: thaicon-sydney@diplomats.com
Royal Thai Consulate General
87 Annerley Road
South Brisbane Qld 4102
Tel (07) 3846-7771
Fax (07)3846-7772
E-mail : consulofthailand@hotmail.com
Royal Thai Consulate General
Level 1, 72 Flinders Street
Adelaide SA 5000
Tel (08) 8232-7474
Fax (08) 8232-7474
Royal Thai Consulate General
Suite 301, 566 St Kilda Road
Melbourne Vic 3004
Tel (03) 9533-9100
Fax (03) 9533-9200
Royal Thai Consulate-General
Level 4 'The VIctoria'
14 Victoria Avenue
Perth, WA 6000
Ph: (08) 9221-3237
Fax: (08) 9221-1635
E-mail: thaiconsulatewa@jamlaw.net.au
Austria, Royal Thai Embassy
Weimarer Strasse 68, A-1180 Vienna
Tel: 310 3423, 310 1630, 310 8988
Royal Thai Consulate
Arensbergstrasse 2, Salzburg
Tel: +0662 646 5660
Honorarkonsulat - Salzburg, Austria Tel No : (+43 / 662) 64 65 66 Fax No : (+43 / 662) 64 65 66 4
Honorarkonsulat, Arenbergstraße 2 , A-5020 Salzburg, Austria
Botschaftskanzlei - Vien, Austria Tel No : (+43 / 1) 478 33 35, (+43 / 1) 478 27 29 Fax No : (+43 / 1) 478 32 72, (+43 / 1) 478 29 07
Botschaftskanzlei, Cottagegasse 48 , A-1180 Wien, Austria
Honorarkonsulat - Dornbirn, Austria Tel No : (+43 / 5572) 25 61 46
Honorarkonsulat, Rieggasse 44 , A-6850 Dornbirn, Austria
Honorarkonsulat - Innsbruck, Austria Tel No : (+43 / 512) 58 04 61, Fax No : (+43 / 512) 57 72 50
Honorarkonsulat, Bozner Platz 2 , A-6021 Innsbruck, Austria
Bangladesh, Royal Thai Embassy
House No. NW(E) 12, Road No.59, Gulshan Model Town, Dhaka
Tel: +880 2 601 634, 601 475
Fax: +880 2 883 588
Belgium, Royal Thai Embassy
Square du Val de la Cambre 2, 1050 Brussels
Tel: +322 640 6810, 640 1986
Fax: +322 648 3066
Brazil, Royal Thai Embassy
Lote 10-Setor de Embaixadas Norte, Avenida das Nacoes Norte, P.O. Box
10-2460, 70.433 - Brasilia, DF.
Tel: +061 224 6943, 224 7943, 223 5105
Fax: +061 321 2994, 223 7502
Brunei, Royal Thai Embassy
No.1 Simpang 52-86-16, Kampong Mata-Mata, Gadong 3280, Bandar Seri Begawan
Tel: 429 653 4, 440 360, 448 331
Fax: 421 775
The Royal Thai Embassy - Ottawa, Canada, Email: thaiott@magma.ca Tel No : (613) 722-4444 Fax No : (613) 722-6624
The Royal Thai Embassy, 180 Island Park Drive, Ottawa Ontario, K1Y 0A2. , Canada
China, Royal Thai Embassy
40 Guang Hua Lu, Beijing 100600
Tel: (8610) 6532-1749, 6532-1848, 6532-2151
6532-5048, 6532-1903 (consular)
Fax: (8610) 6532-1748
China, Royal Thai Consulate-General in Guangzhou
Address: Whtie Swan Hotel, Southern Street, Shamian Island, Guangzhou
Tel: (8620) 8188-6986 ext. 3301 - 3303, 3307, 3309, 3344, 3347, 3356
Fax: (8620) 8187-9451, 8192-3076
Email: gzthaicg@public1.guangzhou.gd.cn
China, Royal Thai Consulate-General in Kunming
Address: 145,1st Floor, South Building, Kunming Hotel, Dong Feng Dong Road,
Kunming
Tel: (86871) 3168916, 3149296 (direct line)
3138888 ext. 2204 - 2209 (hotel line)
Fax: (86871) 3166891
Email: thaikmg@public.km.yn.cn
Embassy of Thailand, Ambassade (Fonctions consulaires assurées par l'Ambassade) -Paris, France Tel No : 01.56.26.50.50 Fax No : 01.56.26.04.46
Embassy of Thailand, 8, rue Greuze - 75016 Paris, France
Royal Thai Consulate-General in Hong Kong
Address: Fairmont House, 8th Floor, 8 Cotton Tree Drive, Central, Hong Kong
Tel: (852) 25216481 - 5
Fax: (852) 25218629
Email: thai-cg@hongkong.super.net
Germany, Royal Thai Embassy
Ubierstrasse 65, D-53173 Bonn
Tel: (0228) 956860
Fax: (0228) 363702
Greece, Royal Thai Embassy
23 Taigetou Street, P.O. Box 65215, Paleo Psychico 15452, Athens
Tel: (301) 6717969, 6710155
Fax: (301) 6479508
Hungary, Royal Thai Embassy
Verecke ut.79, 1025 Budapest
Tel: (36-1) 1689421, 1689422, 2500727
Fax: (36-1) 2501580, 1882347
India, Royal Thai Embassy
56-N, Nyaya Marg, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi-110021
Tel: 611 8103, 611 8104
Fax: 687 2029
Indonesia, Royal Thai Embassy
74, Jalan Imam Bonjol, Jakarta Pusat
Tel: 390 4225, 390 4055
Fax: 310 7469
Fax: (202) 944-3611
Iran, Royal Thai Embassy
Baharestan Avenue, Park Amin-ed-Dowleh No. 4, P.O. Box 11495-111, Tehran
Tel: +9821 753 1433, 753 7708
Iraq, Royal Thai Embassy
House No.1, Street 28, Area 213, Hay Al-Kindi, Baghdad, P.O. Box 6062
Al-Mansour
Tel: +964 1 541 8798, 542 6515
Fax: +964 1 542 6516
Italy, Royal Thai Embassy
Via Bertoloni 26B, I-00197 Rome
Tel: +0039 6 8078379, 8081381, 8078695, 8078719
Fax: +0039 6 8078693
Japan, Royal Thai Embassy
3-14-6, Kami-Osaki, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo 141
Tel: +03 3441 1386, 1387, 7352, 7688, (03) 3447 2247
Fax: +03 3442 6750, 3442 6828
Kenya, Royal Thai Embassy
Rose Avenue, off Denis Pritt Rd., P.O. Box 58349, Nairobi
Tel: +254 2 714276, 715800
Fax: +254 2 715801
Korea, Republic of, Royal Thai Embassy
653-7, Hannam-dong, Yongsan-ku, Seoul
Tel: +82 2 795 3098, 795 0095
Fax: +82 2 798 3448
Kuwait, Royal Thai Embassy
Surra, Area No.3, Block No.49, Ali Bin Abi-Taleb Street, Building No. 28.,
P.O. Box 66647 Bayan, 43757 Kuwait
Tel: 531 4870, 531 7530-1, 533 9243
Fax: 531 7532
Laos, Royal Thai Embassy
Route Phonekheng, Vientiane, P.O. Box 128
Tel: 214 5813, 214 5856
Fax: +66 1 411 0017
Malaysia, Royal Thai Embassy
206 Jalan Ampang, 50450 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: +03 248 8222, 248 8350, 248 8420, 245 8005
Fax: +03 248 6527
PENANG
Royal Thai Consulate-General
No. 1, Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman
10350 Penang
Tel. (60-4) 2268029, 2269484
Fax:(60-4) 2263121
E-mail : thaipg@tm.net.my
KOTA BHARU
Royal Thai Consulate-General
4426 Jalan Pengkalan Chepa,
15400 Kota Bharu, Kelantan
Tel. *(60-9) 7445266, 7482545
Fax: *(60-9) 7449801
E-mail : thaicg@tm.net.my
Mexico, Royal Thai Embass
Sierra Vertientes 1030, Lomas de Chapultepec, 11000 Mexico, D.F.
Tel: +525 596 1290, 596 8446
Fax: +525 596 8236
Morocco, Royal Thai Embassy
11 Rue de Tiddes, Rabat, B.P. 4436
Tel: +212 7 763 365, 763 328
Fax: +212 7 763 920
Myanmar (Burma), Royal Thai Embassy
45, Pyay Road, Yangon
Tel: +951 35 670, 33 082, 21 567
Fax: +951 22 784
Nepal, Royal Thai Embassy
Jyoti Kendra, Thapathali, Kathmandu
Tel: +977 1 213 910, 213 912
Fax: +977 1 226599
The Netherlands, Royal Thai Embassy
1 Buitenrustweg, 2517 KD. The Hague
Tel: +070 345 2088, 345 9703, 345 0632
Fax:+ 070 345 1929
New Zealand , Royal Thai Embassy
2 Cook Street, P.O. Box 17-226, Karori, Wellington
Tel: +04 476 8618, 476 8619
Fax: +04 476 3677
Nigeria, Royal Thai Embass
1 Ruxton Road, Old Ikoyi, P.O. Box 3095, Lagos
Tel: 269 0334,Fax: 269 2855
Norway, Royal Thai Embassy
Munkedamsveien 59 B, 0270 Oslo
Tel: +47 22832517, 22832518
Fax: 22830384
Oman, Royal Thai Embassy
Villa 33-34 Road "O", Madinat Qaboos East, Muscat
P.O. Box 60, M.Q., Postal Code 115, Muscat, P.O. Box 3367 Ruwi, Postal Code
112, Muscat
Tel: +09 68 602 683, 602 684, 602 685, 695 250
Fax: +09 68 605 714
Pakistan, Royal Thai Embassy
4, Street No.8, Shalimar F-8/3, Islamabad
Tel: 859 130, 859 131, 859 195, 852 778
Fax: +92-51 256 730
Philippines , Royal Thai Embassy
107 Rada Street, Legaspi Village, Makati, Metro Manila, P.O. Box 1228
Makati Central Post Office, 1252 Makati, Metro Manila
Tel: 815 4220, 816 0696 7, 815 4219, 817 4262, 810 3833, 812 8983
Fax: 815 4221
Poland, Royal Thai Embassy
ul. Staroscinska 1B m. 2-3, 02-516 Warsaw
Tel: +48 22 492 655,496 414, 494 730,491 406
Fax: +48 22 492 630
Portugal, Royal Thai Embassy
Rua de Alcolena 12, Restelo, 1400 Lisbon
Tel: +35 11 301 4848,301 5051, 301 7171
Fax: +35 11 301 8181
Romania, Royal Thai Embassy
44-48 Strada Mihai Eminescu, Etaj 2, Apartamentul 5, Bucharest
Tel: +40 1 210 1338, 210 3447
Fax: +40 1 210 2600
Russia, Royal Thai Embassy
Eropkinsky Pereulok 3, Moscow 119034
Tel: +095 201 4893, 201 3989, 201 2715, 201 2853
Fax: +095 230 2004, 210 2853
Saudi Arabia, Royal Thai Embassy
Diplomatic Quarter, Ibnu Banna Road, P.O. Box 94359, Riyadh 11693
Tel: +966-1) 488 1174, 488 0797, 488 0300
Fax: +966-1) 488 1179
Senegal, Royal Thai Embassy
10 Rue Leon G. Damas, Angle F. Fann Residence, B.P. 3721, Dakkar
Tel: +221) 243076, 243801
Fax: +221) 256360
Singapore, Royal Thai Embassy
370 Orchard Road, Singapore 0923
Tel: +65 235 4175, 737 2158, 737 3372, 737 2644, 737 2175 to 6
Fax: +65 732 0778
South Africa, Royal Thai Embassy
840 Church Street, Eastwood, Arcadia 0083, Pretoria
Tel: +012 342 5470, 342 4516, 342 4506, 342 4600
Fax: +012 342 4805
Spain, Royal Thai Embassy
Calle Del Segra, 29-2 A, 28002 Madrid
Tel: +91 5632903, 5637959
Fax: +91 5640033
Sri Lanka, Royal Thai Embassy
43, Dr. C.W.W. Kannangara Mawatha, Colombo 7
Tel: 697 406, 689 045, 689 037
Fax: 697 516
Sweden, Royal Thai Embassy
Floragatan 3, 114 31 Stockholm, Box 26220, 100 40 Stockholm
Tel: +08 791 73 40
Fax: +08 791 73 51
Switzerland, Royal Thai Embassy
Kirchstrasse 56, CH-3097 Bern-Lieberfeld
Tel: +41 31 970 30 30
Fax: +41 31 970 30 35
Turkey, Royal Thai Embassy
Cankaya Cad. Kader Sok. 45/3-4, 06700 Gaziosmanpasa, Ankara
Tel: +90 312 4673409, 4673059
Fax: +90 312 438 6474
United Arab Emirates, Royal Thai Embassy
Villa No.1, Plot No. 341 West 14/1, Al Rowdah, P.O. Box 47466, Abu Dhabi
Tel: +97 12 453 991, 431 279, 432 554
Fax: +97 12 458 687
United Kingdom, Royal Thai Embassy
29-30 Queen's Gate, London, SW7 5JB
Tel: +07 1 5890173, 5892944
Fax: +07 1 8239695
Royal Thai Consulate
James Bell House Connaught Rd,
Kingswood Hull HU7 3AQ,
United Kingdom
Tel: 01482 581668
Fax: 01482 580588
URL: thaiconsul-uk.com
United States of America, Royal Thai Embassy
1024 Wisconsin Avenue, N.W., Suite 401, Washington, D.C. 20007
Tel: +202 944 3600
Vietnam, Royal Thai Embassy
63-65 Hoang Dieu Street, Hanoi
Tel: +84 4 235 092 94
Fax: +84 4 235 088
UNITED NATIONS
(Switzerland)
Permanent Mission of Thailand
To The United Nations Office
28B Chemin du Pefit-Saconnex
1209 Geneva
Tel: (4122) 734-2010, 734-2018, 734-2020
Fax: (4122) 733-3678
E-Mail: thai.gva@itu.ch
(United States of America)
Permanent Mission of Thailand
To The United Nations Office
351 East 52nd Street
New York, NY 10022
Tel: (1-212) 754-2230
Fax: (1-212) 754-2535,688-3029
E-Mail: thaun@undp.org
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