Thai currency is Baht. The baht is divided into 100 satang. "Copper" coins are valued at 25 and 50 satang. "Silver" coins are in denominations of 1,2 and 5 baht. A 10 baht coin is composed of both "silver" and "copper". Banknotes are valued at 10 baht (brown),20 baht (green), 50 baht (blue), 100 baht (read), 500 baht (purple) and 1,000 baht (white and grey).

Cost of living in Bangkok is still relatively cheap. You may spend the minimum about of 12,000 Bhts per month for a rented serviced room in a guesthouse or upto 35,000 Bhts.

There are really a lot of restaurants in Bangkok, both cheap establishments and expensive ones. It is possible to have a decent two-course meal, excluding drinks, for between 150 and 250 baht. Most somewhat upmarket places will charge you between 300-600 baht. Foodstalls and similar outdoor eateries sell plates of food at 25-30 baht. We recommend that you eat food that is freshly cooked. Street food culture in Thailand can be very exciting but also a traumatic experience for some.

Using the BTS (skytrain) or MRT (subway system) costs between 10 and 40 baht for a one-way trip. Amazingly cheap are the taxis. Even with the rising petrol prices, the rates charged have not been adjusted in years. Minimum fare is 35 baht. For about 50 baht you can take a 4 km ride. Buses are frequent, but less comfortable. Fares start at 8 Baht (for the non-airconditioned buses). 20 or 30 baht can take you to the other end of town in aironditioned buses.

Movie tickets (excellent seats, very good quality cinemass) costs about 120-140 baht. Beers in most entertainment venues are around 100-150 baht, but you will pay much more if you wander into certain upmarket (what we call) discos

US dollar traveller cheques can be conveniently cashed at all provincial banks and authorised money changers. Traveller cheques in other currencies are best changed in Bangkok where better rates prevail. Generally, hotel exchange rates are lower than those offered by banks and authorised money changers.

Major international credit cards, such as American Express, Diners, Carte Blanche, Master Card and VISA are accepted by major banks, restaurants, hotels and shops.

Thai and foreign banks provide standard services nationwide, Monday to Friday, except public and bank holidays, between 9.30 AM and 3.30 PM.

Major banks such as Bangkok Bank, Thai Danu Bank, Thai Farmers Bank and Siam Commercial Bank operate currency exchange centres in most tourist areas from 7.00 AM to 9.00 PM, seven days a week, including holidays.

Currency Exchange Rate

FOREIGN EXCHANGE RATE

You will usually be advised to have vaccinations against diphtheria, tetanus, poliomyelitis, and hepatitis A. You may also be advised to have immunisations for typhoid, tuberculosis, rabies, hepatitis B, and Japanese B encephalitis.

In terms of the medical services, All tourism destinations and provincial capitals have hospitals and clinics staffed by well-trained doctors and nurse. In the case of an emergency, an ambulance can be summoned from any private hospital.

Foreign citizen travelling to Thailand are required to hold a passport, which is at least 6 month away from its expiry date. Detailed Visa information on location and contact number of the Thai Embassy and Consulate-General abroad could be obtained from

the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Department of Consular Affairs, Visas and Travel Documents Division, 123 Chaengwattana Road, Bangkok 10210, Tel. (662) 981-7171 ext. 3201-2, 3204-5 or direct line 575-1062-4, Fax. (662) 575-1066 , E-mail : div1303@mfa.go.th Press the link to be redirected to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs homepage: http://www.mfa.go.th/web/12.php