Thailand Sales Planner - From Travel Agent September 10, 2007 - (Page 5)

pinch a hotel may be able to provide an adapter. Water: Tap water is potable, but to play it safe, stick to bottled water. Time: Thailand is seven hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time, 12 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time. Weights and Measures: The metric system is used throughout Thailand, and numerals on speedometers, highway markers and speed limits are in kilometers (km). One kilometer = 0.62 miles. Phone: The international dialing code for Thailand is 66. When making international calls to Thailand, add 66 and omit the leading 0. To make international calls from Thailand, first dial 001, then the country code, followed by the area code and telephone number. Tipping: Tipping isn’t the norm in Thailand, although it is starting to catch on in some instances. Taxi drivers do not expect a tip, but it is customary to leave them the small change from a bill, or to tip them more if their service deserves it. A $1 or $2 tip is acceptable for bellmen. Many of the larger hotels and restaurants add a 10 percent service charge to the bill. TOURISM AUTHORITY OF THAILAND: Head Office 1600 New Phetchaburi Rd, Makkasan Ratchathewi, Bangkok 10400 Thailand Phone: 66 2250 5500 Fax: 66 2250 5511 E-mail: center@tat.or.th Web site: www.tourismthailand.org Los Angeles Office 611 North Larchmont Boulevard, 1st Floor Los Angeles, CA 90004 Phone: 323-461 9814 Fax: 323-461 9834, E-mail: tatla@ix.netcom.com, tatla@tat.or.th New York Office 61 Broadway, Suite 2810 New York, N.Y. 10006 Phone: 212-432 0433 Fax: 212-269 2588, E-mail: info@tatny.com, tatny@tat.or.th Watching your Ps and Qs in Thailand Thai people are among the friendliest in the world. That said, they do have some very specific ideas about what constitutes polite behavior. Here are some flash points to watch out for: @ Thais do not normally shake hands when they greet one another, but instead press the palms together in a prayer-like gesture called wai. It’s perfectly polite to wai back with your palms pressed together near your chest. It’s a charming way to greet one another, and most visitors get the hang of it right away. @ When sitting across from someone, it’s considered rude to cross your legs with your foot pointed toward that person. According to ancient Hindu beliefs, the foot is considered the most unclean part of the body. Since the head is considered the most sacred part of the body, it’s just as rude to touch a Thai person on the head. @ Travelers from the U.S. have a tradition of speaking frankly and critically about their leaders. It’s different in Thailand, where the people revere the Royal Family, and a visitor should be careful to show respect when speaking about the King, the Queen and all members of the Royal Family. @ When visiting a Buddhist temple, refrain from wearing short shorts or revealing clothing. When entering a Buddhist temple, remove your shoes. @ Visitors will encounter Buddhist monks throughout their travels in Thailand. It is forbidden for Buddhist monks to be touched by women. If a woman wishes to make an offering to a monk, she must first hand it to a man, who will then pass it along. |5 http://www.tourismthailand.org http://www.tourismthailand.org/la

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Thailand Sales Planner - From Travel Agent September 10, 2007

Contents Make the Most of Amazing Thailand, Land of Heritage and History Planning a Trip to Thailand: Essential Information Transportation: Convenient Options, from Tuk Tuks to Skytrains Thailand's Vibrant Culture: Experience the Art of Thai Living Sampling Thailand’s Top 20 Delights Hotel Choices: From Luxury to Budget-Friendly Map of Thailand Overview of Thailand’s Regions Central Thailand: The Delights of Bangkok and Beyond Northeastern Thailand: A Distinct Culture All Its Own Northern Thailand: Experience the Iconic Heritage Southern Thailand: Balmy and Beautiful Days International Festivities in Thailand: Let Yourself Be Enchanted Water Sports: The Fun, Sun, Surf and Serenity of Thai Beaches Ecotourism: Encounter the Sheer Beauty of Thai Nature The Beauty of Wellness and Wellbeing in Thailand Shopping: Excite Yourself with a Myriad of Thai Trends

Thailand Sales Planner - From Travel Agent September 10, 2007

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