 Time zone
Thailand falls in the ICT (Indo Chine) Time zone, which is +1:30 hours from IST (Indian Standard Time).
 Currency
The basic unit of Thai currency is the Baht. There are 100 satang in one Baht. Coin denominations are 25 satang, 50 satang, 1B, 5B and 10B. Paper currency denominations are 20B (green), 50B (blue), 100B (red), 500B (purple) and 1000B (beige).
Standard banking hours are 8.30 am to 3.30 pm, Monday to Friday. When buying Baht, US dollars and Euros are the most readily accepted currencies.
1 Re (INR) = 0.75 B (Thai Baht)
1 USD = 30.57 B (Thai Baht)
Connecting your electronic devices
The electricity in Thailand is 220 volts AC and most of the sockets accept both flat as well as round pin plug. However, it is advisable
to carry an
adapter for your devices.
Getting around
Airport buses - Departing every 30 minutes from 5 AM – Midnight on routes from Suranabhumi International Airport. The face is 150 baht/person.
BTS Skytrain and MRT Subway - The easiest way to travel around Bangkok is to cruise above or below the congested streets via the Skytrain or the subway. Both offer reliable service around central Bangkok and used together, provide a fast, cheap way to see many places of interest around the city. The Skytrain runs daily from 6 AM to Midnight, while the MRT operated daily 5 AM to midnight.
Public Buses - If you’re ready for an adventure, try a public bus, either the air-con or the open-air variety. Rates range from 7-23 baht. Tell the fare collector your destination and pay the fare. Driver discipline is inconsistent, so be careful while getting on or getting off as buses may not come to a full stop or even stop at all!
Taxis – Passengers pay the fare displayed on the meter, starting at 35 baht. Taxi service numbers are listed in the map listings guide.
 Motorcycle Taxis – Drivers wear orange vests. Fares are negotiable and are similar to that of tuk-tuks.
Rail Service – A train service is available from Hua Lumphong terminal station to all regions of the country and Don Meuang with reasonable fares.
Express boats – Explore the ‘Venice of the East’ by boat, either along the Chao Phraya River or Saen Saeb canal, which passes through central Bangkok. Fares are 5-15 baht, Hours of operation vary.
Tuk-Tuks – A unique Thai mode of transport. Fares must be negotiated in advance and are slightly less than those charged by taxis.
Visa
The Royal Thai Embassy has informed that the tourist visa fee will be applied once again from April 1, 2011. The tourist Visa fee exemption scheme also covered exemption of the fee for Visa on Arrival provided by the Immigration Bureau of Thailand at designated checkpoints in Thailand which has now been done away with.
Source: TravTalk 12th March 2011
Languages Spoken
The official and national language of Thailand is Thai. English is considered as the second language which is generally understood and spoken in Bangkok.
Some common phrases in Thai
Note: Male speakers end sentences with the word "Krup" and female with "Ka"
Hello – Sa-wat-dee
Good morning – A-roon-sa-wa
How are you? – Sa-bai-dee-mai
I am fine – Sa-bai-di
Yes – Chai
No – Mai-chai
Good – Kor-dee
Bad – Mai-dee
I’m lost – Chan/phom-long-tang
Can you help me? – Chan/phom-noi-dai-mai-ka/krab
How much does this cost? – Nee-raka-tao-rai
Where? Tee-nai
Welcome – Yin-dee-ton-rab
Thank you – Kop-koon
Sorry – Kaw-tote
Good-bye – La-gorn
Good evening – Sa-yan-sa-wa
Good night – Ra-tee-sa-wa
(I) cannot speak Thai - Poot-thai-mai-dai
(I) don't understand - Mai-Kao-jai
May (I) take a photo? - Kaw-tai-roop-dai-mai
May (i) use the phone?
- kaw-chai-torasap-dai-mai
Where is the restroom? - Hong-nam-yoo-tee-nai
Do you speak English? - Koon-poot-unkrit-dai-mai
I want to go to (Name of the place) - Yaak-bai-(name of the place)
Airport - Sanam Bin
Hotel - Rong-raem
Restaurant - Rahn-aharn
Subway Station - Satanee rot fai tai din
BTS Skytrain - Satanee rot fai fah
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