Bangkok City Information

Population:
6.7 million registered (10-11 million is considered a more accurate estimate and includes those registered in Bangkok as well as those still registered in another part of the country, but who actually live in Bangkok)

Elevation:
0- 9 ft. (Much of Bangkok is even below sea level, as it was built on unstable low land. Parts of the city are being submerged each year.)

Location:
in the south central part of Thailand.

Area:
612 square miles

Time Zone:
GMT/UTC+7 (when it is noon in Bangkok, it is 9pm the previous day in Los Angeles, California, and midnight in New York City.)

Telephone area code:
02

Average Rainfall:
January - .3"
February - .8"
March - 1.4
April - 2.3
May - 7.8
June - 6.3
July - 6.3
August - 6.9
September - 12.0
October - 8.1
November - 2.6
December - 0.2

Climate:
Throughout the year, the temperature in Bangkok reaches the high 80s to mid-90s Fahrenheit . Lows are in the high 60s and 70s. Humidity is high all year, reaching between 90% and 94% each day.

Packing: Light cotton or other natural-fiber clothing is appropriate; drip-dry is an especially good idea, because the tropical sun and high humidity encourage frequent changes of clothing. Avoid "dry clean only" fabrics.
Thailand is generally informal: A sweater, shawl, or lightweight linen jacket will be sufficient for dining and evening wear, except for top international restaurants, where men may be required to wear a jacket and tie. A sweater is also a good idea for cool evenings or overly air-conditioned restaurants, buses, and trains.
The paths leading to temples can be rough. A pair of sturdy and comfortable walking shoes is always appropriate when traveling. Shoes will need to be removed before entering shrines and temples.
Prepare for the tropical sun by bringing along a hat and sunscreen. Mosquito repellent is also a good idea, and toilet paper is not always supplied in public places.

Safety:
It's easy and safe to walk around Bangkok, though you'll find the traffic congestion generates so much air pollution that you'll limit your walking to certain neighborhoods and smaller streets. Bangkok sidewalks are covered with hazards: buckled tiles, loose coverings, and tangled wires. When crossing streets, a tip is to find Thais who are also crossing and follow them when they head out into traffic. Otherwise you could be left standing on the corner forever, not sure when to jump out.

Business Hours:
Thai and foreign banks are open weekdays 8:30-3:30, except for public holidays. Most commercial offices in Bangkok operate on a five-day week and are open 8-5. Government offices are usually open 8:30-4:30 with a noon-1 lunch break. Many stores are open daily from 8-8.

National Holidays:
New Year's Day, January 1
Chinese New Year (two days), toward the end of January or early February
Magha Puja (on the full moon of the third lunar month)
Chakri Day, April 6
Songkran, mid-April;
Coronation Day, May 5
Visakha Puja, May, on the full moon of the sixth lunar month
Queen's Birthday, August 12
King's Birthday, December 5
Government offices, banks, commercial concerns, and department stores are usually closed on these days, but smaller shops stay open.

Language:
Thai is the country's national language. As it uses the Khmer script and is spoken tonally, it is confusing to many tourists. What may sound to a foreigner like "krai kai kai kai" will mean to a Thai, said with the appropriate pitch, "Who sells chicken eggs?"
In polite conversation, a male speaker will use the word "krap" to end a sentence or to acknowledge what someone has said. Female speakers use "ka." It is easy to speak a few words, such as "sawahdee krap" or "sawahdee ka" (good day) and "khop khun krap" or "khop khun ka" (thank you). Thais working with travelers in the resort and tourist areas of Thailand speak sufficient English to permit basic communication.

Mail: Thailand's mail service is reliable and efficient. Major hotels provide basic postal services. Bangkok's central general post office on Charoen Krung (New Road) is open weekdays 8-6, weekends and public holidays 9-1.
You may have mail sent to you "poste restante." Usually, there is a charge for each piece collected. Thais write their last name first, so be sure to have your last name written in capital letters and underlined.

Money:
The basic unit of currency is the baht. There are 100 satang to one baht. There are five different bills, each a different color: B10, brown; B20, green; B50, blue; B100, red; B500, purple; and B1,000, silver. Coins in use are 25 satang, 50 satang, B1, B5, and B10. One-baht coins and B5 coins both come in different sizes and can be easily confused-get the feel of them quickly. The B10 coin has a gold-colored center surrounded by silver.
The baht is considered a stable currency whose rate of exchange is based on the U.S. dollar. (See our home page for currency exchange tables). All hotels will convert traveler's checks and major currencies into baht, though exchange rates are better at banks and authorized money changers. The rate tends to be better in Thailand than in the United States. Major international credit cards are accepted at most tourist shops and hotels.

Customs Associated with the Wats (Buddhist Temples):
Each of the many temples in Bangkok is unique and has its own architecture, history, and spiritual importance. The best times to visit temples is in the early morning. The air is cool, monks busy themselves with morning activities, and the complexes are less crowded. Monks awake between 4am and 6am and eat breakfast by 7am, after which visitors are welcome.
There is a tax of B250 for international departures and B30 for domestic departures.

VAT:
A 7% Value Added Tax is built into the price of all goods and services, including restaurant meals, and is essentially non-refundable.

Electricity:
To use your U.S.-purchased electric-powered equipment, bring a converter and an adapter. The electrical current in Thailand is 220 volts, 50 cycles alternating current (AC); wall outlets take either two flat prongs, like outlets in the United States, or Continental-type plugs, with two round prongs.

Passports & Visas:
All U.S., Canadian, and U.K. citizens need only a valid passport to enter Thailand for stays of up to 30 days.

Consulates:
Most nations maintain diplomatic relations with Thailand and have embassies in Bangkok. Should you need to apply for a visa to another country, the consulate hours are usually 8-noon: United States Embassy (95 Wireless Rd., 02/252-5040).
The Immigration Division (Soi Suan Sathorn Tai Rd., 02/286-9176) issues Thai visa extensions. Visas are not required for visitors from the United States., but tourists are permitted to stay only 30 days in the country without an extension. If you go beyond your specified stay by a few days, there are no serious consequences. You will just be required pay a B100 (approx. $3) per day fine as you go through emigration at Bangkok's airport.

Currency Exchange:
Most banks will exchange foreign currency Monday to Friday 8:30am to 3:30pm. Exchange booths affiliated with the major banks are found in all tourist areas, open daily from as early as 7am to as late as 9pm.

Dentists & Doctors:
Thailand has an excellent medical care system. Most medical personnel speak English and many were trained overseas. Most of the better hotels have doctors and/or nurses on staff or on call who can treat minor medical problems. Check first with the concierge for assistance, then contact the consulate if you need further help.

Emergencies:
In any emergency, first call Bangkok's Tourist Police at 1155 or 02/694-1222, ext. 1. Someone there will speak English. In case of fire, call 199 or 02/246-0199. Ambulance service is handled by private hospitals; see "hospitals" below, or call your hotel's front desk. For medical evacuation and ambulance service call 02/255-1133. For operator assisted overseas calls dial 100.