Andys Real Guide to Thailand

The currency in Thailand is the "Baht" (bank code: THB). Over the last few years the currency has been reasonably stable. More on money along with current exchange rates on the Money & Banks page.

The time zone is GMT+7 with no daylight savings time The current time in Bangkok is shown top right, assuming your browser is Java enabled.

Check out the World Factbook entry on Thailand for the raw statistics.

• Calendar: The familiar Gregorian calendar is used, but note that the year number is "BE" (Buddhist Era) and not measured from the birth of Christ. You need to add 543 years, Thai month names
• Climate: Tropical. The temperature generally sits in the mid-30's, rarely drops below 20°C and can exceed 40°C. Typical humidity is around 70% R.H.  Rainy season is September-November, with smaller falls March-May. The coolest time of the year is between December-February, which, no coincidence is also the peak tourist season. 
  Current and 5-day forecast, courtesy of the UK Met office.
  See also: Why the climate doesn't vary much.
• Driving: Thailand drives on the Left - MOSTLY.
  See Driving.
• Drugs abound, but beware that all proscribed drug use is illegal and carries stiff penalties. Drug trafficking carries the death penalty for Thai nationals and foreigners alike and executions are routine. The trafficking threshold being a mere 15grams (about 1/2 oz).
  News: As of January 2004 executions are carried out by lethal injection rather than shooting.
• Electrical: 220 Volts with sockets being a arranged so that either US flat pin or European round pin plugs will fit. Brits and Aussies need to bring an adapter. Private houses commonly have just a 5 amp circuit serving the whole house - so devices like powerful hairdryers may cause a problem. Note that sockets are not usually earthed, when they are expect the US style (see photo right).
• Gambling is illegal, with the exception of the bimonthly National lottery held on 1^st and 16^th of every month. Latest Results...
• Phones: The IDD code is 66. The area code for Bangkok is 02, mobiles are 01,06,07, & 09. Other Thai area codes Be aware that calling into the country can be very expensive, though calling out is considerably less so - esp. after midnight. Go figure! More phone information in Communication.
  
• Units of Measurement: The metric system is used almost entirely. Two exceptions being Land and Gold. House plots are generally measured in Wah ( 1Wah = 4m²), farms in Rai ( 1 Rai = 1600 m²). Gold is sold by the Baht, where 1 Baht is 15.2grams.
  More....