South Thailand

Festivals
The number of festivals in Thailand is immense. Very sanuk! There always seems to be some festival or other taking place somewhere, especially between November and February. Many festivals are related to Buddhist rituals, such as pilgrimages. They follow the lunar calendar, and hence the dates vary in our calendar.
April: Songkran (New Year) is celebrated in mid-April. Buddha statues are washed with perfumed water, respect is shown to monks by the sprinkling of water over the monk’s hands and houses are given a thorough cleaning. The crowds are cooled with ditch and ice water during the festivities, which are held when the weather is at its warmest. Tourists can also expect to be drenched by happy, smiling Thai folk. If you wish to remain dry on this day, it is best that you shut yourself up in your hotel room.
May: The rocket festival is held in the North and North-East. Fireworks are set off in their thousands in order to bring plenty of rain for good harvests over the following year. Dance processions make their way through the streets, accompanied by scores of beating drums.
November: Loy Krathong, the festival of floating lights, is one of the most beautiful festivals. It is held by rivers and canals in the evening, when the moon is full. Lotus-shaped boats containing a candle float by, decorated with flowers, coins and incense.
December: On the 5th of December, King Bhumibol’s birthday is celebrated. The celebrations are very exuberant, particularly in Bangkok. Queen Sirikit’s birthday, the 12th of August, also sees celebrations. Father’s day coincides with the King’s birthday, and Mother’s Day with the Queen’s, and these coinciding celebrations are noticeable amongst the birthday festivities.

Europeans behave differently from Thai people in many ways. In fact, you could write an entire book about the differences between these two cultures. The following hints will help you avoid the biggest misunderstandings.

Head and feet: Touching other people’s heads is extremely impolite in Thailand, even a friendly pat on a child’s head. The head is seen to house the soul and must be treated as sacred. In times gone by, even executioners must apologise to their victims for ‘touching’ their head. Exceptions to this taboo apply to hairdressers, masseurs and ear doctors. To beckon somebody in Thailand, you hold your hand downwards and make a swift movement towards you. Never point at somebody with your finger as this is a sign of disrespect, signifying that the ‘pointee’ is of lesser worth. In the past, only slave masters would point at their slaves in this way and this was never a good omen for the slave. Nod quickly at someone instead of using your finger. Using your foot to point at somebody is an even greater sign of disrespect than using your finger, as the feet are regarded as the most impure part of the body as they come into contact with dirt the most frequently.

Visiting temples: You must be both bare-headed and bare-footed in all holy sites in Thailand. If you walk round a pagoda, you must walk in a clockwise direction. If you carry your shoes in your hand, use your left hand, as shoes are regarded in the same way as the feet and may not point towards the sacred site. If you sit with your feet pointing to a Buddha statue or a monk, you are guilty of one of the most deeply offensive gestures. Photos of Buddha statues are also not appreciated by the locals.

Tips for Engaging with Monks
Monks must not be touched under any circumstances, especially by women. If a woman touches a monk, the monk must subject himself to complicated purification ceremonies (abatt). If a woman wishes to give something to a monk, it is best to do it via a man or lay the object down in front of him. Women are also best advised not to sit next to a monk on public transport, but to make sure a man sits between themselves and the monk. It is extremely impolite to get in the way of a monk or to remain standing in the presence of a monk who is sitting down. It is disrespectful to tower over a monk, so either sit down or make yourself sufficiently small. Monks may not accept money, but they can accept food or drink. Monks are, of course, not uniformly orthodox, just like holy men of any religion.

Enjoying yourself: Sanuk, sabai, suay. In Thai, sanuk means ‘pleasure’, sabai means ‘comfort’ and suay means ‘beautiful’. These are important aspects of the Thai way of life. The Thai are pleasure seekers who strive to enjoy life to the fullest, with the emphasis on the present. Life should contain as much sanuk and sabai and be as suay as possible. The beauty of the surrounding area, of people and of things is of great importance to the Thais. They are almost obsessed with a culture of beauty, and this is expressed in many ways. People always wish to be smartly dressed and well groomed. They wash themselves from head to toe many times a day, and someone who considers themselves well dressed will never wear the same clothes two days in a row. Food must taste delicious, as good food is also seen as an important aspect of sabai. They think almost constantly about food and the short break between the many meals is used for planning the next day’s menus. Everyday implements are first inspected for their beauty before their practical use is assessed. Beauty pageants are organised on an almost daily basis throughout the land. Gathoeys (transsexuals or transvestites) are usually treated with tolerance, as they too are seen as suay. Everything and everyone is acceptable, as long as they are beautiful.

Clothes: Thais like to dress up in formal gear for certain occasions. As mentioned above, Thais are lovers of beauty and are judged mainly on their appearance by their fellow countrymen. Neat clothing suggests effortless wellbeing. Unwashed hair, body odour and dirty or untidy clothes result in a total loss of face. Shorts are acceptable on the beach or within the family circle, but wearing shorts in public is seen as inappropriate. When visiting temples, you must check that your arms and legs are fully covered. This applies to women in particular. If you forget, there are usually cloaks you can borrow or hire to cover up.

Etiquette: Differences in opinion between people are rarely expressed. Losing one’s patience, getting angry or raising one’s voice in public all result in a public loss of face. Confrontations are avoided at all costs in order to ensure that others never feel uncomfortable. Criticism is seen as personally offensive. The expression of positive emotion is also much more subtle than we are used to. Public displays of affection between members of the opposite sex are seen as very inappropriate. However, boys walking hand in hand with boys or girls with girls are an everyday occurrence, and this has no attached meaning as it would in the West. During official or religious festivities, men and women usually sit apart from each other.

Grinning: Thailand is reputed as the ‘Land of smiles’. The function of the Thai smile is essentially to make life run as smoothly as possible. A smile or grin can have many meanings depending on the situation or one’s social standing. People also smile out of shyness, submission, anger; but it is usually an expression of happiness or friendliness. A grin can also be used where we would say sorry or thank you. Favours from civil servants or businessmen will usually be granted if you give a friendly smile when asking. Mistakes or blunders are laughed off with a smile which is used to apologize for the particular incident. If somebody grins when a difference of opinion is brewing, it is an attempt to pacify the other person and avoid conflict. A grin can also contain a refusal. If a request or question is answered with a smile without accompanying positive statement to clarify, then this means ‘No, sorry’ or ‘I don’t know’ etc. The grin is usually used to express different emotions, but is still nice to see.

Meetings/appointments: We come from a relatively tense culture where time is money and punctuality is expected. Thais suffer from no such affliction. However, that is not to say that they are always late and they will often turn up an hour early if they have nothing in particular to do. The Thai live more in the here and now, worry much less than us about the future, and have much more patience.

Haggling: Haggling is an everyday way of life in Thailand. You will be expected to haggle at the market, in tourist shops, in taxis which have no meter, with tuk-tuk (motorised three-wheel rickshaw) drivers and samlor (bicycle rickshaw) drivers. In songthaews (small pick up trucks) and local buses with fixed destinations, haggling is not necessary. Remember, haggling is seen as a social activity and is not a matter of life and death!

Superstition: Aside from the belief in ghosts and spirits there are also many other superstitions, so we will give you some do’s and don’ts.
- Carrying out big plans, such as moving house or travelling must never commence on a Wednesday. Even cutting your hair on this day is seen to bring bad luck. For this reason, many barbers are closed on Wednesday, and even if they were open, nobody would go.
- Pregnant women must never sit on doorsteps, as it is believed that this will cause a painful or complicated birth. To guarantee a simple, uncomplicated birth, women must crawl through an elephant’s legs, passing under the stomach. Pregnant women who eat with a large wooden spoon are believed to be born with ugly, large mouths.
- During a family meal, you must never mention that the food tastes good. It is believed that this will be heard by ghosts, who will cause you to experience stomach pain. Small children must never be referred to as beautiful for a similar reason, and must be referred to as ugly. Ghosts are believed to feel jealousy if they hear a child being referred to as beautiful, and may cause the child pain as a consequence.
- Coins are placed in the mouths of dead people so that their souls are not poor during their journey. After cremation, funeral-goers will attempt to find the coin as it is seen to bring good luck.
- Whistling is not permitted in one’s house, as it is seen to attract evil spirits.

The royal dynasty: Foreigners will have difficulty understanding the depth of esteem that the Thai folk have for their royal family, comparable to no other country in the world. The current sovereign, his majesty Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX), inherited the throne in 1946, and is therefore the longest reigning monarch of the Chakri dynasty. King Bhumibol (pronounced Phumiphon) and Queen Sirikit are symbols of wisdom, goodness and love of the people. The Thai are extremely loyal to the king, partially due to tradition, but also for the king’s positive contributions to life in Thailand. In hotels, restaurants, buses, tuk-tuks and public buildings you will see many portraits of the royal couple. Many Thai see their king as a demi-god. Negative comments about the king are both socially and legally unacceptable.

Drugs: Don’t be tempted. You may well be offered an innocent-looking opium pipe on expeditions through the north of the country. Don’t accept, it is illegal. There have been many cases in which a Thai has placed drugs in tourists’ baggage and subsequently reported them to the police. In such a situation you will have no legal leg to stand on and drug penalties in Thailand are very harsh.

In general
Remember at all times that you are a visitor in this foreign land. Their behaviour and customs are not bizarre, yours are!

Food is important for everyone, but it is a very important part of Thai lifestyle. Food is of great social importance, and very sanuk. Thai people have no regular mealtimes; they tend to eat simply when they are hungry. For this reason, food is available virtually round the clock. In the cities there are special food markets, night markets, noodle kiosks along the roads and people everywhere who sell snacks and fruit. Food can be bought on the street of such quality and at such low prices that people rarely cook for themselves. In the countryside, however, this is not the case. If a place has very many customers, this is a good sign that the food is fresher and of a better quality. However, the western stomach usually has to adapt to the unusual ingredients and the different types of bacteria that the digestive system has to deal with. Therefore it is best to begin gently, not too hot, not too spicy. There are many levels of spiciness, and sauces are used to add extra fire. If you would prefer milder food, ask for mai pet (not spicy).

Food: Rice and rice noodles are the basic ingredients of Thai food. The rice is normally steamed, and khao niao (glutinous rice) is used in some specialities. Vegetables and fish are eaten more often than pork, beef or chicken, although usage of these is increasing with the increase in personal wealth. The spices give Thai food its character. Coriander (phak chii), lemon grass (takhrai), a type of lemon-leaf (bai makroet), fresh basil (bai kaprao), lemon (manaau), garlic (krathiam), Laos-root (khaa), shrimp paste (kapi), chilli peppers and coconut milk (kathi) are typically-used ingredients.
Many side-dishes are served alongside meals in Thailand. Everything is served together, side-dishes, soup dishes and main course. Soup is never eaten as a starter. Thai soups include tom yam kung (shrimp and lemon-grass soup with mushrooms) and thom khaa kai (soup with chicken, ginger and coconut). There is a wide range of meat and fish dishes, and vegetarians are also well catered for.

Fruit: Fruit is available everywhere (depending on the season), and there is a wide choice s, mangosteens (a round, purple fruit with juicy sweet-and-sour flesh), custard apples, pomelos, durians (large, oval fruit which tastes delicious despite its foul smell) and coconuts being a few examples.

Drinking water: Tap water here is not fit for consumption. Buy bottles of purified water, which are available throughout the country. Check that the seals on the bottles are intact. Ice cubes in drinks are also worth avoiding, as they are often made using tap water.

Drink: Tea (cha ron) and coffee (gafe), usually Nescafé, are available practically everywhere. They are often served with ice, as ice tea or ice coffee. Fizzy drinks are also widely available. Due to cash deposits placed on bottles, fizzy drinks are usually poured into a plastic bag from which you drink with a straw. Delicious fruit juices are also available, made from the various fruits local to the area. Seven types of beer are brewed in Thailand; Singha (the most popular), Amarit, Kloster Chaang Bia, Leo Beer, Heineken (it has a brewery in Nonthaburi) and Carlsberg (has a brewery in Bangkok). The Thai word for beer is bia. It is expensive and bitter. Spirit lovers can try the cheap Thai Mekong whisky, although western brands are also available. Wine is only available in expensive restaurants and shops.

The Kingdom of Thailand is situated in the centre of Southeast Asia and borders Myanmar and Laos to the north, Cambodia to the south-east and Malaysia to the south. Thailand, Myanmar and Laos are known as the ‘Golden Triangle’ due to the large amounts of opium smuggled out of these three lands. The east coast extends nearly 1,000 miles along the Gulf of Thailand. The west coast is ‘only’ 350 miles long and borders the Andaman Sea. The country has an area fractionally less than 200,000 square miles, four times the size of England. Thailand has a variety of landscapes. Wooded mountains characterise the North, among which is the highest mountain in the country, Doi Inthanon, at a height of 1.6 miles. About 12% of Thailand is covered by forest. The north-east is the poorest region of the kingdom, mainly due to the irregular rainfall. This region sees periods of both drought and flood. The central region of the country is very fertile and is an important area for rice farming. The most important river in Thailand, the Chao Phraya, flows through this region. Many smaller rivers and creeks also branch off it. Southern Thailand is characterised by tropical vegetation such as rainforests, palm trees and mangroves. Small, idyllic islands with beautiful palm beaches lie just off the coast. The most famous of these are Koh Phuket, Koh Samui, Koh Samet and Koh Chang (koh=island). There is a lot of wildlife in Thailand, although you need to have patience in order to spot it. The 79 National Parks are their homes, and here you can see elephants, tigers, snakes, wild water buffalo, deer, gibbons, macaques, bears and tapirs. There is also a wide range of birds, and there are countless species of fish swimming around the many coral reefs.

The Thai population is just over 65 million. Thailand is a reasonably developed country with big cities and a good infrastructure. The capital, Bangkok is far and away the largest city in the country with a population of over 10 million. It is also the only city in Thailand with a population in the millions. Chiang Mai is the second largest city with 155,000 inhabitants. About 75% of Thai people are ethnic Thai, 11% have Chinese ancestry and the remainder belong to different minority groups (e.g. Indians, Malaysians).
Many diverse mountain tribes live in the North and West. These are the least accepted and integrated of the different Thai ethnic groups. Every tribe has its own language, customs, style of dress and spiritual beliefs. Most of the tribes are semi-nomadic and have settled in Thailand over the last 200 years, coming from places such as Tibet, Myanmar and China. Other groups have lived for much longer in Thailand. The mountain tribes in the North form a very interesting and popular tourist attraction.

Thai mountain tribes: The Karen (aka Yang or Kariang) are originally from Myanmar and are the largest of the minority groups, with a head-count of 322,000. Religions amongst the Karen include Buddhism, Christianity and Animism. Many Karen still come to Thailand from Myanmar to this day, to flee the Burmese military regime. There are four distinct groups within them, the White Karen, the Pwo Karen, the Black Karen (Pa-O) and the Red Karen. These names indicate the dominant colour of their traditional dress. They are accomplished silversmiths and their weaving and embroidery is of beautiful quality. They use the so-called ikat technique, where the yarn is dyed in particular colours before weaving. The dye used for this are made of exclusively natural ingredients and are a fiercely guarded secret in the villages.

The Yao (or Mien) are also wizards with silver and embroidery. The women wear black coats and trousers decorated with elegant needlework and red fur-like collars. On their heads they wear large blue or black turbans. During festivities the Yao wear silver jewellery. Their settlements are usually situated near mountain springs at a height of between 3,000 and 4,000 feet. The houses are built out of bamboo and the roofs almost reach down to the ground. The floor is left uncovered, except in sleeping areas. They farm rice, corn and opium. The Yao have their origins in central China and they still use Chinese symbols in their written language. The worship of their ancestors is deeply rooted in their religious beliefs, and they worship sacred objects and spirits. Medicine is a foreign concept to them; births, sickness and deaths are attended by the witch doctor who performs sacred chants and rituals. The Yao have a liberal attitude when it comes to sex. Young people are free to have sex openly, and marriage is not a pre-requisite. Women may go from one man to the other, and be welcomed by parents of both partners. Illegitimate children are welcomed into the family bosom without judgement. Traditional weddings do take place here, however, and a dowry must be paid by the groom to the bride’s family. Around 40,000 Yao live in Thailand, spread across about 100 villages which are mainly situated in the Chiang Rai area.

The Meo (Hmong, Miao or Maew) are Animists. They have roots in south China and are the second most numerous tribe in Thailand, with around 124,000 people spread across around 150 villages. They usually live in mountainous regions and plateaus above 3,000 feet. There are black, striped and flowery Meo, once again distinguished by the main colour/design of their clothes. The three groups all speak the same language and get on well with each other. Their clothing consists of simple black coats, wide black or indigo trousers with striped borders, or indigo skirts. They also wear a lot of jewellery. The women mostly wear their hair tied back. They are also famous for their silverwork and weaving. A noticeable characteristic of the Meo is their hollow silver bracelets, of which they often wear three at least. They are, without exaggeration, geniuses with a needle and thread. Anyone who lays eyes on their embroidery work immediately has the urge to buy it. Meo women perform most manual work and also hunt wildlife for food, while the men relax in the village, many of them smoking opium. Polygamy is practised here, and their attitudes towards sex are comparable to the Yao. The Meo farm rice, corn and opium.

The Lahu (Musoe) originally descend from Tibet and the Chinese province of Yunnan. 73,000 Lahu live in approximately 160 villages, mainly in the triangle formed by Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai and Mee Hong Son. Their bamboo houses are simple and consist of just one room. Six to nine poles bear the weight of the walls and the roof. In the middle is an open fire for cooking and warmth. In contrast to the Meo and the Yao, the Lahu men work long days in the fields, growing the same crops as the Meo and the Yao. The women also help in the fields but are usually busy raising the children. Like the other tribes, the Lahu are adept at weaving and embroidery. For weddings, young girls are expected to make their own and their groom’s clothes. The Lahu men are skilled in creating tools for farming and everyday use. They also make beautiful jewellery. The women of the Lahu wear black and red coats and tight skirts. The men wear wide light green or blue-green trousers. The Lahu also have different groups distinguished by the dominant colour of their clothes, these being red, white, yellow and black. They are famous among visitors for their beautiful multi-coloured shoulder bags. They are Christians and Animists.

The Akha (I-kaw or Igor) descend from the Chinese province of Yunnan and live in houses built on poles throughout Thailand, Laos, Myanmar and South China. The tribe numbers around 48,500 and live throughout 94 villages. Their houses are often built on hills, far from water. To collect water, they must descend from the mountainous regions. Their houses are built in the same way as those of the Yao and Meo, except they have a raised floor made from planks of wood. There is a separate area in every house for men and one for women. The Akha are famous for their pipes, from which they are inseparable, their pointed headgear and a type of robe that they wear over their naked bodies. The necklaces that they wear are flat and heavy, and a large, round, silver disc usually hangs from them. On their headgear they wear clusters of coins. The Akha are also good weavers. They follow Animist beliefs and also worship their ancestors. Every Akha village has a gateway with carved wooden dolls on each side to keep ghosts at bay. The Akha are generally seen as the most primitive of the mountain tribes, they can neither read nor write and show little interest in learning how. They often grow opium for their own consumption.

The Lisu (Lisaw) are a small tribe of around 38,000 people spread across about 80 villages. Their ancestors are Tibetan. They build their houses on hill tops which are surrounded by other hills in order to gain a useful vantage point against any potential enemies. Pig sties, chicken runs and stables are built onto their houses. A noticeable feature of Lisu villages is the network of bamboo water-pipes, often several miles long, which channel water to the villages from faraway sources. The Lisu farm rice, corn and large quantities of poppies, although Lisu men use far less opium than the Meo, where addiction levels are high. The women wear black turbans and long, multi-coloured tunics over their trousers. Heavy silver jewellery completes their look. The men are not outshined with regards to fashion, also wearing multi-coloured clothes and lots of jewellery. Some men wear one earring. The women don’t have it easy in Lisu society and are often treated little better than slaves. Their weddings are cause for broad celebration, but after that the fun ends. They are expected to work hard, mind their own business and not complain. Sex before marriage is normal, as is the freedom to choose one’s own partner.

When you travel through Thailand, you will come into much contact with Buddhism. Monks dressed in their orange robes, nuns, Buddha statues and extravagant Wats (temples) are everywhere.

About 95% of the population follows Theravada, a very old denomination of Buddhism which is practised particularly in Thailand, Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia and Sri Lanka. Buddhism is not actually a religion in the strictest sense of the word, as it does not entail the worship of a divine figure. Buddhists are followers of Siddhartha Gautama, a prince from northern India around 2500 years ago. He promoted a lifestyle which was intended as a reformation of Hinduism, which was regarded as too rigid and uncompromising. He achieved a state of enlightenment during his life, earning the name of Buddha, or ‘enlightened one’. Part of his philosophy was that the existence or otherwise of a god or gods was of little importance.
Buddhism, like Hinduism, represents belief in a cycle of reincarnation that no one, not the gods, not the universe nor humanity can escape. However, he claims to have escaped the constant cycle of rebirth through reaching nirvana, a state of eternal rest and oneness with everything in the universe.
The basic assumption of Buddhism is that all life is suffering, and this suffering is a result and desire. Buddhists believe that defeating this desire is the way to end the suffering. Another core aspect of the ‘religion’ is the way to defeat these desires through following the correct path in life. This correct path is a manner of thought and a code of conduct that is designed to improve one’s karma. Karma is a sort of running total of all good or bad thoughts or actions during this and previous lives. Improving one’s karma results in reincarnation into higher forms. Eventually, one will reach the level of bodhisattva, in which the only desire is for the happiness of others. After this level nirvana is reached, a state of total enlightenment where one realises that everything that exists is merely an illusion.

Most Thai Buddhists do not see attainment of nirvana as a life goal. They believe that nirvana is intended for some monks and not for ordinary people. Through good deeds they hope to make their rebirth in the next life as advantageous as possible. They give gifts to the local wat (temple), pray, provide food for ‘beggar-monks’, give assistance to a sangha (order of monks) and take (temporary) residence in temples. Meditation and pilgrimages are also important.

Buddhism has a very significant place in everyday life and this is easy to see during religious holidays and festivals, which usually take place during a full moon. Rich and poor alike offer bowls of rice to the ‘beggar-monks’, regularly attend the temple and have an altar for the Buddha at home. Most Thai people do not follow Buddhist philosophies to the extreme, but are in general relatively devout. Wafer-thin strips of gold are sold in small books and adhered to Buddha statues as a blessing. They place the strips particularly on the head (for wisdom), the chest (for friendliness and health) and the mouth (for good oratory skills). Every man is expected to become a monk at some point in his life, even if just for a short time. This usually takes place after completion of education, before beginning his career. Some monks remain at the monastery for the rest of their lives and this option is strongly favoured by many people in rural areas, as a monk in the family is seen as a blessing of luck and distinction.

Many Thais believe in ghosts. Tattoos and blessed amulets (phra phum) shaped like the Buddha or famous monks are seen to bring luck or protection from evil spirits. On the land belonging to every house, office or public building there is a spirit house (phra phi), a miniature house in the form of a Buddhist temple, often placed on top of a pillar. They are seen as houses for the spirits which inhabit that particular piece of land. People are allowed to use the land, but must provide shelter and accommodation for the spirits in order to prevent them from becoming angry and bringing misfortune to the living occupants. To satisfy the ghosts further, people bring food offerings and lay wreathes. Aside from Buddhism, there are also Muslims, Hindus, Taoists, Confucianists and Animists in Thailand.

Climate: Thailand has a tropical climate, divided into three distinct seasons. In the period from March to May, it is very hot. This is followed by the monsoon season which extends from June to September. The period between October and February is cooler.

Best time to travel: The coolest period is between October and February. During this period the rain is infrequent and is therefore generally seen as the best time to travel. Between May and July rain showers can fall, but dry periods prevail. Travelling during this time is pleasant as nature is lush and there are not as many tourists at famous sites.

Sculpture, painting and architecture in Thailand are strongly influenced by religion. Sculpture is mainly restricted to Buddha statues. Initially, they were not intended as works of art, but to remind the viewer of his religion. Sculptures in the form of mythological or demonic creatures decorate many temples, coming in the form of humans, animals, or imaginative combinations of both. The architecture of the temples and pagodas is stunning, characterised by a wealth of decoration on both the inside and out, and jutting-out roofs on all of the storeys. Pagodas mostly come in the form of chedis, which are clock-shaped with decorative spires (like Wat Saket) or with Khmer prangs, spires in the shape of fingers (like Wat Arun). Traditional Thai houses are also unusual. These houses are made of teak panels, steep saddle-shaped roofs and beautiful carvings. In Bangkok you can visit the Jim Thompson House, a traditional Thai house which has been turned into a museum. The Thailand Classical Dance Theatre takes much of its subject matter from the ancient Hindu story of Ramayana. This epic tells the story of the hero Rama, his wife Sita, his half-brother Laksman and the ape-king Hanuman. Graceful dancing is accompanied by orchestral music. The dancers, wearing their cone-shaped headwear and long fake fingernails are now seen as symbols of Thailand. They must train for a long time, learning meaningful movements (every gesture symbolises an emotion, love, fear, hate, desire) and develop an almost supernatural suppleness. Besides in theatres you can also find these dancers in temples.
In the region of Chiang Mai, you can observe the traditional handicraft workshops, such as silverwork, bronzework, wood carving, weaving, silk, jewellery-making, painting, pottery and parasol-painting.

Take it easy on your first day in Thailand. Take the time to recover from the flight and get used to the different climate, culture and country. Let it slowly work its magic on you. The more you can relax the more pleasure you will get out of Thailand.

For visitors of many nationalities Thailand offers a free 30-day visa upon arrival. Visitors of certain other countries can apply for a 15 day visa upon arrival and others have to obtain a visa at a Thai embassy for information please visit: www.thaiembassyuk.org.uk
Please make sure you have enough pages in your passport. The passport has to be valid for at least 6 months. Visa regulations are subject to changes. For the latest update please check with the embassy or consulate of Thailand in your country.

Thailand has 220 volt, 50 hertz alternating current. At least, it does when there isn’t a power cut, which occur quite regularly. The electrical charge can fluctuate greatly in some places, which can be harmful to electrical equipment. As a result, it can be very handy to keep a torch with you, also for times when you wish to go for a walk in the evening. The large frequency of holes, bumps and ditches on the roads can cause nasty surprises if the street lighting fails.

The following health information is a general text that applies to all our travellers in Asia. Those who pay some attention to hygiene and skincare don’t usually run into health problems.

Food and drink: Tap water is not fit for human consumption; you should drink mineral water instead. In small eating places it is better not to eat fruit or salads that have been skinned beforehand. In the cities, preferably take your meals in busy restaurants. Do not eat ice cream except in expensive restaurants. Clean your hands thoroughly before eating, even if you are only having a snack.

Sunshine and heat: Sunburn is a frequent cause of health problems. It is much easier to get sunburn and heatstroke than you may think. You should therefore avoid the sun during the hottest hours of the day, always wear a hat (or carry an umbrella) and good sunglasses when you are walking or cycling, and use the recommended factor of sun cream when sunbathing. At high temperatures the body’s need for water increases very rapidly, as does its need for salt. Make sure you drink enough. Take it easy during the hottest hours of the day. Always treat small scratches, wounds and insect bites with antiseptic cream before they become infected.

Diarrhoea: Next to sunburn, the most common health problem is diarrhoea. Travellers are often hit by it after they have been on holiday for only a few days. In most cases it is an utterly innocuous phenomenon caused by the change of diet, the heat or harmless bacteria, against which the body will soon develop its defences. The main risk is dehydration, especially in children. It occurs when the body loses more fluid, salt and sugars than it receives. The result is a feeling of listlessness and weakness. It can be prevented by drinking a solution of water and ORS (Oral Rehydration Solution). It is sold in sachets in most pharmacies and contains all the minerals and sugars that are lost with diarrhoea. Instead of this solution you can also take noncarbonated soft drinks or heavily salted broth. For many people, Coca Cola has a convenient constipating effect in the first stages of diarrhoea. If the diarrhoea is accompanied by high fever and/or bloody defecation it is sensible to consult a physician. If the diarrhoea lasts for more than a few days without the symptoms mentioned above or if you have to travel, you may take Imodium (or Diacure) a couple of times. It is a strong medicine that prevents bowel movement for a number of hours.

Insect bites: In Asia it is impossible to completely avoid contact with insects, but there are a number of precautions that you can take to reduce the inconvenience significantly. In many hotels you can request mosquito nets or electric anti-mosquito devices for your room. The so-called ‘mosquito-coil’, a spiral-shaped stick of incense, is also effective and can repel mosquitoes for up to eight hours. These can be placed, upon request, under your table when you visit a restaurant. Finally, it helps to wear long trousers, long sleeves and high collars/turtle necks in the evening. There are many brands of insect repellent that have an effect, but don’t expect miracles.

First-aid kit: A good first-aid kit could consist of: plasters, bandages, cotton wool, scissors, a thermometer, iodine, painkillers, malaria tablets, Oral Rehydration Solution sachets, Imodium, sun cream, earplugs, tweezers, insect repellent and an anti-itch cream or lotion. If you must regularly use prescription medicine, bring with you an exact description of the medicine in English (no brand names, just the essential ingredients, composition and dosage), bring twice the dosage necessary for the duration of the holiday and store in two separate places, so you have a back-up supply.

Vaccinations: Stated below is the recommendation by the Health Authorities when this edition went to press. This information may change. Furthermore it is dependant on what your personal needs are, which depends on earlier vaccinations, possible sensitivity for certain medicines, pregnancy, age etc. ALWAYS contact your General Practitioner or the Practice Nurse for advice. To obtain the most recent general information you can call The National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) Tel: +44 (0) 845 155 5000 ext 5943 and visit their website http://www.nathnac.org/travel and http://www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk/. We at Shoestring do not provide any further information by telephone. The complete overview for this journey is: DTaP, hepatitis A, Typhoid and malaria tablets. Take notice of time restrictions, some inoculations need time to achieve the desired effect.

Some additional recommendations for an enjoyable stay: Allow your body and mind some time to adapt to the new time zone and location. Avoid stress; do not plan to do too much at once. At least take it easy on the first day. It is a good habit to get up early; in hot climates the morning temperature is often the most agreeable. Besides, the people in the countries you visit are also used to rising early. You will make the most of your trip if you can adapt to their rhythm. If you are well rested you will be better able to deal with your new surroundings and you will have the energy to undertake many activities

Make sure that those at home know which country you are in and how long you are planning to stay away. You may wish to fix a date when you will contact them again. Provide those picking you up from the airport with your flight times and numbers. Shoestring will not provide flight and/or travel information, accommodation names and telephone numbers to third parties. Any information on delays can be retrieved via the information number at the airport or Teletext, not via Shoestring.

Contact person
In case of an emergency, it is important for us to have details of someone we can reach as a contact person back home on your behalf. You will have entered a name on the booking form. Just in case this person is unavailable or on holiday during your trip, please enter a second contact so that we are sure to be able to get in touch with somebody.

Don’t bring too much baggage. Clothing can always be bought cheaply in Thailand and almost every hotel has a laundry service. Thailand is a tropical country, so thin, cotton clothing is most pleasant. However don’t walk around with too much bare flesh showing. A sweatshirt can be useful in the cooler evenings, especially in the winter months. All you need for your feet are a pair of good, worn-in walking shoes or hiking boots and a pair of flip flops. Remember that when entering sacred buildings like temples, you must first remove your shoes. Slip-on shoes such as flipflops are useful for such occasions. An umbrella will come in useful as protection against both sun and rain. Further items to protect you against the sun are hats, sunglasses and sun cream with a factor of at least 15. Other important items include swimwear, toiletries, a beach towel, a first-aid kit, a (video)camera and sufficient film, spare batteries, a torch, a pocket-knife (don’t carry this in your hand luggage during the flight!), an alarm clock, writing equipment, books, your (valid) passport, sufficient travellers’ cheques and money, a list with all the numbers of your travellers’ cheques along with the receipt of purchase (store separately from your travellers’ cheques), all relevant travel insurance details and documents, copies of your passport and travel insurance documents, flight tickets, a diary with contact numbers and addresses, a tour guide and the booking papers for this trip. You may also wish to bring a roll of toilet paper and a reading lamp. Furthermore, it is useful to bring enough insect repellent and a T-shirt with long sleeves to restrict mosquito bites. If you participate in the optional hiking trip, it is advisable to bring a sleeping bag. You may wish to hire one once in Thailand. The hire prices are around 200 baht for a winter sleeping bag, 150 baht for a summer sleeping bag and 75 baht for a small mattress or a rucksack.
We ask you to bring a frameless backpack or a strong weekend bag to carry your luggage. Don’t bring a suitcase, as these are very tricky to transport and sometimes you will be required to carry your luggage a long way. Make sure your baggage is not too heavy. We find that 12 kg is the maximum weight for your requirements. Make sure you have a change of clothes in your hand luggage and have everything you need to survive 48 hours without your main luggage, in case of delays in retrieving your luggage at the airport. Make sure, for example, that you carry any pills, medicines and your toothbrush with you in your hand luggage. A small backpack or shoulder back is best for your hand luggage. For the storage of valuables or important documents we advise that you bring a lighweight money belt which you can wear under your clothes.

The amount of spending money suggested is the minimum required to pay for your meals, drinks, optional excursions, entrance fees, airport taxes and tips. The amount you actually need of course depends on your own spending pattern; that is why souvenirs are not included.The amount we recommend is £100-£125 per week. 

The Baht is the official currency of Thailand. The Baht comes in denominations of 1 000, 500, 100 , 50 and 20 baht notes. Coins come in denominations of 10, 5, 2, 1 and 0.5 and 0. 25 baht. British Pounds and Euro can usually be changed in the larger cities. There are ATMs in most sizeable towns and cities. These ATMs issue Baht.
Some more upmarket hotels and restaurants accept credit cards. In banks in the bigger cities you can withdraw cash with your credit card and change travellers cheques. We advise you to bring an ATM card and a mix of cash in US Dollars, Euros or Thai Baht as well as travellers cheques. 

Thailand is an extraordinarily photogenic country. You can photograph almost anything, with the exception of the interiors of some temples. This is usually clearly displayed on a notice. You can get photos and even slides developed in Thailand, with picture quality of a similar standard to Britain. The Thais generally enjoy being photographed, but do always ask permission beforehand as not everyone is always keen. This is often the case in mountain villages. Monks in temples which are frequently visited by tourists can also tire of having their photo taken. Respect any objections. In areas frequented by tourists, it may be that you have to pay in order to film or take photos.

Theft does occur in Thailand, so keep an eye on your valuables, just as you would in Britain. Money and important documents are best kept in a lightweight money belt worn under the clothes. Be careful if you go out in the Patpong district of Bangkok, as many tourists are conned out of large sums of money here. In general, however, Thailand is a place where tourists can feel safe.

The time in Thailand is seven hours later than Greenwich Mean Time. There is no daylight savings time, so during our summer period (British Summer Time) the time is six hours later in Thailand than in Britain.

For waiters, porters, room attendants, tour bus drivers, taxi drivers and tour guides; tips are a nice bonus to add to their often pitiful wages. Tips can also ensure speedy and more attentive service. In simple restaurants or stalls along the road, tips are not usually given. The tour bus driver(s) will expect a tip relative to the amount of time for which he has driven you, as long as he has performed his job adequately. About 50p (per tourist) per day is a good estimation. The tour guide will also expect a tip relative to duration of service, and £1 (per tourist) per day is a guideline.