 The cheapest rate we have found to call Thailand from the UK 0844 200 98 98 (only half a pence per minute) If you can't get connected on number above 0844 861 25 25 (only one pence per minute) To both landlines and mobile phones DON'T FORGET SKYPE IS FREE! |
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| Thai Language Tutor Required CLICK HERE For details |
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All our links are provided free and we don't profit from them. If you have any Thai events you would like promoting please get in touch.
| Thailand (Prathet Thai, meaning “Land of the Free”) |
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Thailand is one of the most beautiful countries in the world. Its exquisite white sandy beaches, amazing temples and palaces, spectacular scenery. vast choice of foods and superb hospitality helps to make it one of the most popular destinations for people from the UK. Whether you're planning a holiday or thinking of moving to Thailand, you'll receive a warm welcome wherever you go and it won't take you long to understand why it is known as the land of smiles
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The kingdom of Thailand lies in the heart of Southeast Asia. Its shape and geography divide into four natural regions: the mountains and forests of the North; the vast rice fields of the Central Plains; the semi-arid farm lands of the Northeast plateau; and the tropical islands and long coastline of the peninsula South. Travelling around is made easier with very good rail connections and many domestic airports.
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| The Official Language |
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The official and national language of Thailand is Thai which is spoken by 60 million people in Southeast Asian region and one of the ancient languages in East and South-East Asia. English is considered as the second language in Thailand which is taught in universities and public schools. Thai is a tonal monosyllabic language. The same word can be said up to five different ways. Adding the word "Khrap" (for a man) and "Kha" (for a women) at the end of a word or sentence is an example of Thai politeness.
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| Thai Customs |
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Thais are a proud nation of people with a long standing history. There are some customs and taboos that a foreigner should respect when visiting. Here's a few examples: the feet are considered dirty and should not be pointed directly at people or raised; shoes are usually never worn in indoor living areas and the head is sanctified, so avoid touching someone else on the head,
The Thai people are generally very polite and will identify whether another is of higher status than them and initiate the 'wai' - a greeting where the hands are clasped together and placed to the chest or beneath the nose as a sign of respect. The Royal Family is highly revered in Thailand, and images such as statues, photographs and pictures should be shown due respect. Thailand's national flag is ceremoniously raised each morning in every town and village.
| The Thai Climate |
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The warm Thai climate is tropical with long hours of sunshine and high humidity. There are three seasons and many people plan their visits around them. These are shown below but you can also check the current forecasts with the links on this page.
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Hot from March to June
Rainy from July to October
Cool(er) from November to February
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The Thai people celebrate the Songkran festival every year with water. Everyone gets soaking wet (including the tourists) at the hottest time of the year. Songkran is a Public Spring Cleaning Day, supported by a religious belief that anything old and useless must be thrown away or it will bring bad luck. Average low temperature is 20°C and high temperature is 37°C. The geographic and climatic conditions make the country suitable for the cultivation of a wide range of tropical and semi-tropical agricultural crops. Bangkok is one of the hottest cities in the world. Daytime temperatures will rarely drop much below 30°C and can go up above 40°C some days.
| Thai Visas |
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Visitors from most countries who arrive in Thailand without a visa will be granted a 30 day stay if they have proof of onward ticket and adequate funds. For longer stays you should apply for a visa before leaving home. There are six consulates in the UK where some visas can be granted in as little as one hour. Single entry visas will allow you to enter for up to 90 days. Multiple entry visas are valid for 12 months from the date of issue. It allows you to enter Thailand on many occasions, but after each 90 days stay you must leave the country and re-enter for another period of 90 days. Retirement visas and work visas are also available.
| The Population of Thailand |
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The population of Thailand is estimated to be around 63 million, The capital city of Bangkok is home to some 10 million people which gives you an idea as to the shear scale of the city. A large percentage of the population live in rural areas and the majority of these are farmers. About 95% of Thais are Buddhists.
| The Currency |
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The currency in Thailand is the Thai Baht, which is divided into 100 satang.The exchange rates are constantly changing and you will always get a better rate if you exchange in Thailand. You can check the current exchange rate here.
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| The Cost of Living |
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Thailand has a very low cost of living compared to the United Kingdom. Prices of clothing and accessories are dependant on the brand and quality. Taxis, buses, trains and Tuk Tuks are all very cheap, whatever time of day or night you need them. Renting or buying property in Thailand is also very good value compared with the UK although owning land or property can be difficult unless you are a Thai national. Some foreigners purchase property in a Thai business name.
| Time Difference |
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The time difference in Thailand is GMT +6 hours. Average direct flight time to Bangkok from the UK is around twelve hours.
| We hope you found something of interest here |
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Please note that we don't profit from the links we provide and they are supplied for your information only. We hope that by visiting us we have introduced you to something you might not have otherwise come across - which is our only aim I guess.
email: info@tasteofthai.co.uk
