AIRPORT TAX
An airport departure tax of Baht 500 is required upon departure from Bangkok's Don Muang International Airport.  Please keep this in mind, and set aside Baht 500 per person for this tax before you go shopping ;-) 

ATM/PIN/MINI-BANK and CREDIT CARDS
Many banks around in the country offer ATM services both in Thai and English. Note that for some withdrawals from banks using a foreign (non-Thai) bank cards, fees can be applied for withdrawing Thai Baht in Thailand.  Contact your bank for more details.
Credit Cards are widely accepted around Thailand, both at hotels, large restaurants and department stores.  In Thailand, it may be common for extra fees to be applied for credit card purchases, and/or for non-Thai credit cards.  It is wise to ask before you purchase!  Smaller stores, hotels, and street vendors cannot accept credit cards.

BUSINESS HOURS
As in most countries, there are some standard opening and closing times around in Thailand. Here are the most common ones
      Banks:  Mon – Fri 09.30 – 15.30 hrs   (Closed on public holidays)
      Businesses:  Mon – Fri 08.30 – 17.00 hrs   (Closed on public holidays)
      Post offices:  Mon – Fri 08:30 – 16:00 hrs   (Closed on public holidays, some may be open on weekends)
      Shops and department stores:  normally open 12 hours a day and 7 days per week (most from 10:00 – 22:00 hrs).

CLIMATE
Thailand enjoys three seasons – Cool, Hot and Wet.
During all seasons, it is highly recommended to drink a sufficient amount of water
      Cool: From November to February with a temperature range from +20 C to +30 C (80 F - 93 F) in the north and mountainous areas. Between +20 to +27C in Central and South and low lying areas. This is also considered a part of the dry season where little rain may fall.   Humidity however remains high
      Hot:  From March through May with temperatures ranging from +26 C (85 F) to +35 C (97 F). Temperatures during some periods easily can exceed +40 C (100 F +)
      Wet: The monsoon season is from Mid May to October. Temperatures range from + 26 C to + 35 C with humidity above 70%. Short bursts of rain showers can be expected in the evenings. With the exception of the south (the area around Koh Samui), where the dry season starts in May and ends in October

     THE SUN in Thailand is strong even on overcast days. We strongly recommend the use of high SPF sunscreen in conjunction with clothing to protect against sunburn. Wear sunglasses as well a cap to protect your eyes.

CLOTHING and DRESS CODES
Due to the hot and humid climate, cotton clothing is advised at all times. A sweater is advised for the cool season’s evenings or when visiting mountainous areas.  If you have the time, don't pack much - shop instead!   Much good quality clothing at reasonable prices can be found in Thailand, though the sizing tends to be small.  Recommended to bring with you are – when required – spare glasses, extra contact lenses, and a small emergency kit

Dress Code for Entering Temples and Palaces
Temples and palaces are considered sacred.  Visitors must not wear the following when entering and you can always ask somebody if what you are wearing is appropriate to enter a sacred place:

• See through clothing
• Sleeveless shirt
• Sportswear
• Tights / leggings
• Shorts
• Short skirts
• Three-quarters length trousers
• Robes
• Scarves
• Flip flops/sandals without a strap behind the heel
• Swim wear / Beachwear
• Shirts with offensive texts or images

Dress Code for other Occasions/Situations
If one remembers that the Thai people are, for the most part, extremely modest, this knowledge can be extremely helpful when considering what to wear for certain occasions and situations.   The Thai dress code may look quite conservative to foreigners, but should be respected as much as possible.  As a rule, dressing properly with long sleeved shirts, clean clothes, and pants or skirts will be more respectful than wearing short, skimpy, tight, or dirty clothes.

• Tank tops, shorts, and (not-too-revealing) bathing suits are acceptable at the Drop Zone, but should not be worn during the Team dinners or at the Mass Jump
• Sleeveless shirts and short shorts/skirts should be avoided whenever attending a function at which Thais will be present
• Showing nudity is an offense; topless sunbathing is not allowed and is considered extremely obscene

CURRENCY
The Thai Currency is the Baht, with bank notes ranging from 1000, 500, 100, 50 and 20.  Coin denomination ranges from 10, 5 and 1 Baht down to smaller divisions of 50 and 25 Satang (100 Satang in 1 Baht).  Exchange rate is approximately 40 Baht to 1 US$, 50 Baht to 1 Euro and 75 Baht to 1 UK Pound.   The average price level for many products and services is still considered to be low. We always recommend having small notes with you!  Taxi and tuk-tuk drivers, and many shops and street vendors, cannot change large notes.

Travellers are advised to check the exchange rates prior to transaction.  The safest way for having money with you is traveller’s cheques, as are insured for theft and loss.  It is wise to only order traveller’s cheques either in US Dollars or Euro. Kindly bear in mind that when exchanging traveller’s cheques, always bring your passport and that exchange may take some time, especially in upcountry cities.  Most major overseas currencies and travellers’ cheques can be exchanged at banks and hotels throughout Thailand.

FOOD
The Thai kitchen is well known throughout the world, catering for each and every single person’s personal taste. Please feel free to sample the vast range of cuisine on offer. However, we recommend that you exercise care when consuming food from street stalls, making sure that they are clean and hygienic.  Thai food is a blend of basic ingredients (rice, meat, vegetables, seafood and noodles) where the addition of a huge variety of spices gives it that special taste.  For those who have not developed a taste for Thai food, hotel restaurants and many outlets of western restaurants are available in not too far a distance of major cities and tourism centres.

Breakfast
At the hotels a large variety of both western and Thai specialties are present, complemented with fruit, coffee, tea and juices. Breakfast in hotels is served commonly from 06:00 until 09:30 – 10:00 hrs in the morning. 

Lunch
Thais take time to have lunch; hot rice and noodle dishes at local restaurants are very popular, delicious and cheap. Recommendation: if you want to try this out is look for a place where loads of Thais are sitting and eating; you can be certain that the quality is good, as Thais are very particular about food!

Dinner
The time for the Thais to chat around, drink and have a good meal.  Enjoy the varieties of the local cuisine with a beer. 

Water
Please do not drink tap water;  this water may look clean, but is not suitable for the western digestion system. Bottled water is available in your hotel rooms (normally 2 bottles complimentary per day), and you can buy extra water at one of the local supermarkets, 7/11’s or at street vendors.  Ice made from machines (always uniform in size, not crushed ice) in drinks is made of purified drinking water, so no worries about this. 

HEALTH
In Thailand, it is not compulsory to be inoculated against any tropical disease. Your local hospital, doctor can recommend and advise you about this at all times. Please note that in the larger cities and tourism destinations, there is no malaria; those who plan to travel through the jungle for an extensive amount of time in the border areas with Myanmar and Laos may consider taking malaria prophylactics.  There are, however, a large amount of insects and other bugs around – Thailand remains a tropical country – so assure that you have some mosquito-repellent milk/spray with you and always keep the windows of your hotel room closed.

Hospitals in Thailand are widely spread and the standard of the hospitals is excellent, especially on the service and price-level. Most of the doctors speak sufficient amount of English and the medications and material are all according to good clean standards. Please refer to your insurance policy or contact hotel reception for help whenever you are in need of any medical assistance. Note that charges may be levied.  Next to normal health services, hospitals may also have special dental departments available, which are commonly cheap and of a high quality standard.

Medications
If you are dependent on medications, we recommend to take a sufficient supply with you while travelling. Medications in Thailand are available in abundance, yet the kind you are using may not be available. Always carry a copy of the prescription of the medications with you.

Seasonal Influenza
If you have not already received a Flu Vaccine, it is not too late to do so, as the seasonal influenza vaccine takes only about two weeks to become most effective.  A Flu Vaccine will not protect you from the Bird Flu (Avian Influenza), but it can be very effective in protecting you against seasonal influenza, which is very contagious, and very debilitating.  Do yourself, your family, and your Team members a favor - get a flu shot!

The Bird Flu and You
Concern over Avian Influenza has grown exponentially, especially among travellers to Asia.  Good hygiene and common-sense precautions are the best defense:  avoid poultry farms and markets, and wash hands regularly.

Keep World Team Healthy
Wash hands regularly (with soap or an antibacterial product); cover coughs and sneezes!  If you become sick with fever or respiratory problems, quarantine yourself, and contact a doctor immediately.

PRICES
The prices of many articles, services, and products are lower than in most western countries, and the salary level of the Thai is generally much lower, as well.  With some average monthly salaries not exceeding USD 200 per month, many Thais work 6 – 7 days a week and, to them, western visitors are considered to be rich in all aspects. 

Please be mindful and considerate of this reality if/when you are confronted by a Thai with it.  They do not mean to insult you, but do not insult them by angrily denying that you are 'rich.'  Compared to them, you are. 

SAFETY and TOUTS
Although the country has a reputation of being safe and the amount of criminality is low, it does not mean that you can walk around not taking care of your personal belongings. Thais are attentive when you forget something or drop something while walking, but please bear in mind that also pick pockets are around, mostly at busy areas (bus stops, markets and tourism attractions)

• Make use of the safety deposit boxes at the hotels, in your room or at the front desk.  In most cases, these are free of charge.
• Do not carry too many valuables, money or travel documents with you (but always at least one legal form of identification)
• During your stay you may be approached by a variety of people who will initially befriend you. Once they have established your trust they will try to sell you something at inflated prices. Please be aware that there are NO government shops in Thailand.
• Do not buy any jewelry without a certificate of authenticity
• In case you have become victim of something as mentioned above, always go directly to the police station to report or – when in larger tourism destinations – to the tourism police. For stolen passports, always get in touch with your local embassy
• Always contact your insurance company for anything in case of a loss of theft. They may be of more assistance to you than you imagine.

TRANSPORTATION in THAILAND
Thailand has an extensive local transportation network, covering the whole country. Here are the mostly used means of transportation. It is not common or recommended to hitchhike in Thailand.

Train
There are 4 major lines, all leading to Bangkok (West, East, Northeast and South). Trains offer a comfortable and cheap way to travel. Train schedules between larger cities as well as in between towns operate frequently and sometimes around the clock. Trips over 10 hours in length offer both 1st and 2nd class sleepers with bed and pillow.

Coach/Bus
Thailand has one of the most extensive bus and coach schedules around the world. Servicing main cities with around-the-clock very frequent departures. Bangkok itself has 3 major bus terminals with a variety of services from local non-air-conditioned bus services to fully air-conditioned coaches with all facilities you can find on a bus. Tickets can be purchased at the bus terminals.

Plane
With an open skies policy in place in the beginning of the 21st century, Thailand has a wide and extensive network of domestic flights connecting all major cities from Bangkok. Thai Airways, Bangkok Airways, PB Air, and Orient Thai are among the most used airlines for domestic stretches; flights on these airlines can be pre-booked in all the usual ways.  Thai AirAsia, Nok Air and One-Two-Go are active players on the low cost/no thrills segment, but can only be booked via the airline web sites.

Tuk Tuks
“ Tuk Tuks” are three-wheeled motorized taxis; its name is derived for the sound the engine makes.   It is normal to agree the fare before the trip has begun, and it is a sport to get the price down (which is also expected from the tuk tuk driver). A fun and fast way to explore the town and to get from one side to the other in Thai style. Be mindful not to accept “ free trips around the town” by tuk tuk drivers, as they may try to force you to buy at tailors, jewelry stores and handicraft centres, where the drivers receive commission from the shops

Taxi
Mostly seen in Bangkok, these taxis can be recognized with the “Taxi Meter” sign on top of the roof. They work by a meter which starts at 35 Baht. Should the taxi driver refuse to turn on the meter and begin to arrange a price, please leave the taxi immediately and call the next one.  Insist on using the meter at all times. You can stop them everywhere by putting your hand out to a taxi with a red light on in its front window.   If you consider taking a taxi-meter from Bangkok Airport, there are official taxi stands outside the domestic and international arrival terminals; they may charge you more, being at the airport. Always bring sufficient small money with you; taxi drivers never have sufficient change in hand.

Busses
Again, mostly found in Bangkok, a maze of business with various colors and price schemes drive around the city centre and even further. It may be hard to find the right bus number, which brings you to the destination you may need to go to, as routings and bus numbers frequently change. It is a very cheap way to travel. There are green and red busses (non-air-conditioned) as well as orange and blue ones (air-conditioned) travelling all around the city. You pay the fee inside the bus to a bus boy/girl who runs around the bus, collecting the fee for the stretch you plan to drive.  Correct change is required.

Express boats
Mainly in Bangkok and sailing over the Chaophraya River, this is a nice way to sail around and see Bangkok from the water.   The main access point for water taxis is the River City Boat pier, close to the Royal Orchid Sheraton Hotel, where a detailed map of all the water routes and fees is displayed. If you bring electronic equipment, make sure that you have a protective, water-proof bag for your valuables. Water can be very destructive!

Song Taew’s
This kind of transportation you can find mainly at the beach destinations; open, covered trucks with 2 benches (song taew) who drive you where you want to go. Cheap and always be prepared to bargain about the price!

Sky Train
Opened in 1999, the Bangkok Sky Train is an elevated electrical train system connecting the city from north to southwest and to the river — no traffic jams, connecting all the major roads around in Bangkok, clean, air-conditioned, and frequent.  There are currently only 2 lines, connecting with each other at Siam Square, yet more are planned. The fare can be paid via coin machines and staff at the Skytrain stations. The prices are determined by distance. Maps of the Skytrain can be obtained free of charge at each Skytrain station.

Subway
Opened in 2004, the subway is the latest addition to beat traffic in Bangkok. It connects the city from north to west via an extensive network underground and has connections with the sky train at 2 stations (Sukhumvit and Saladaeng). Works in the same way as the Skytrain (prices are according to the distance you plan to travel, they run 7 days a week, and trains arrive basically every 5 minutes)

TRANSPORTATION RENTALS

Cars
In order to rent a car in Thailand, either a Thai Driver's license or an International Driver's license is required.

Motorcycles
Only recommendable outside the larger cities (not in Bangkok, even though there are loads of motorcycles around in this city, please do not try this yourself). Rates for renting a motorcycle are around 200-250 Baht per day – in the tourism areas, this can be higher; in local villages, this can be even lower. These motorcycle shops are never properly insured and you, as the renter, can be held liable for any damage or loss of the motorcycle. It is compulsory to wear a helmet at all times.

HABITS, MANNERS AND RELIGION
As with all the countries in the world, Thailand has its own (un) written rules about how to act. Here are the most common ones you may want to consider.

• In Thailand, it is rude to use your feet to point to something and almost unforgivable when it comes to Buddhist artifacts. Feet are literally the lowest part of the body, and the head is the most sacred part.  When Thais sit on the floor, they keep their feet always under their body.  It is impolite to touch a person’s head.  Resist the temptation to tousle a child's hair.
• Whenever you enter somebody’s house, it is customary to take off your shoes. Should you enter another establishment (such as a restaurant or other public place), please respect their customs
• An important expression in Thailand is “Jai Yen” (translated as “cool heart”). Losing ones temper and/or showing emotions is not “Jai Yen.” It is of importance to remain calm and patient, even in frustrating situations. Handle all with a smile and you will see that you can get much more done. For a Thai, losing your face is something really bad and it can result in losing respect. Thais are not the strongest when it comes to direct confrontation.  It is said that it can take 20 or more years to gain a Thai's trust, yet all can be wiped away in just 5 seconds
• Try not to shout (either in English or in Thai) to a Thai when on the street or in a public area; it may result in totally the opposite of what you intend to say
• Thais love to smile (the expression “Land of Smiles” says enough) but that does not mean that he/she is happy all the time. Each member of the kingdom loves “sanuk.” “Cozy”, “feeling good” or even the “joie de vivre” is expressed with this simple word. 
• Being a Buddhist country,Thais are very tolerant of other religions
• The correct greeting in Thailand is the “Wai."  Place both of your hand palms together in front of your chest/chin region and make a small bow, you can use this for both welcoming saying farewell
• The Royal Family in Thailand is one of the most important (if not the most important) institutions. Any jokes or insults when referring to the Royal Family are extremely inappropriate.   The popularity of H.M. The King, H.M. The Queen, and all other members of the Royal Family is immense, due to their good work and caring for the Thai nation. Some indecent acts against the Royal Family are considered a criminal offense
• Wats (the Thai word for “Temple”) are the homes for the Buddhist monks, as well as a place for worship. Buddhism is the main religion in Thailand (over 90% of the country's inhabitants are Buddhist).  Buddhism is more a philosophy of life than the other worldwide known religions.  When visiting a temple, please dress respectfully (see Clothing above) and respect the monks at all times. Taking pictures of a monk is only allowed if the monk gives approval.  Women are not allowed to touch a monk in any way.   Becoming a monk (male only) gives a Thai family status and is highly respected by the outside world. Monks do not have to choose to become a monk for life; it depends on the person himself how long he wants to stay in the monkhood
• Showing affection (like kissing in public or embracing each other) is not  acceptable. Walking hand in hand is tolerated.
• Drinking alcohol, smoking, and going out are very popular with the Thais; karaoke is among one of the most favorite past times in Thailand.  As in other countries, however, the over-consumption of alcohol is frowned upon.  Opening and closing times of bars, discotheques, and other entertainment venues are strictly controlled and enforced.
• Smuggling drugs, weapons and other narcotics into Thailand is strictly forbidden.  The death penalty can be given to those breaking this law.
• Haggling and bargaining about a price of a product is a highly competitive and fun thing to do.  At local markets and large open-air markets, it is a sport to try to get something off the initial offered price.  Larger shops, department stores, restaurants and other public areas where prices are fixed are not for bargaining.