Travel Safety
The following sites provide information and guidance to help you enjoy a safe holiday.
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade:
- Country Information
- Travel Advisories
All Australians travelling overseas, whether for tourism or business or for short or long stays, are encouraged to register with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade before travel. The registration information provided by you will help us to find you in an emergency - whether it is a natural disaster, civil disturbance or a family emergency.
- Online Registration for Travellers
Currency Exchange Rates
Exchange rate - Thai Bahts (THB) to 1 Australian Dollar (AUD) - last 30 days (x-rates.com)
Weather Forecasts and Maps
The following weather forecasts, maps and related reports (CNN.com/weather)
(Updated to display temperatures in Celsius)
- Chiang Mai
- Chiang Rai
- Bangkok
- Koh Samui
- Phuket
- Phi Phi Island (not listed, but similar to Phuket)
- Krabi
Helpful Hints
When in Thailand, consider doing as the Thai do. As a visitor, your efforts to use these guidelines will be appreciated by the locals. The Thai, have a strong value system and are very conservative people. These easy-going people adore and respect their Monarch and the royal family. Subtle by nature, they have immense pride in their cultural heritage, history and well-established monarchy. In this non-confrontational society it is disgraceful to show impatience, anger or even raise your voice as these are considered signs of weakness and lack of mental strength and control.
Thais greet each other with a "wai" (pronounced 'why') Foreigners are not expected to initiate the wai gesture, but it is an insult not to return the wai. If a wai is not offered to you, shake hands with men and smile and nod to women. Offer a wai only to a person of equal or greater status. Subordinates should offer a wai first.
Wai - a person places the palm of his or her hands together, with their fingers extended at chest level close to their body and bows slightly. The higher the hands are placed, the more respect is shown. Subordinates might raise their fingers as high as their nose. The tips of their fingers should never be above eye level.A wai can mean "Hello," "Thank you," "I'm sorry," or "Goodbye." A wai is not used to greet children, servants, street vendors or laborers. Never return a wai to a child, waiter, clerk, etc. Simply nod and smile in response.
Monks do not return a wai.
Thais say "Where are you going" rather than "Hello." A polite response is "Just down the street."
General Etiquette
- If visiting a temple, make sure your shoulders and knees are covered - no tank tops or short-shorts. Also, women should never touch a monk or a monks belongings.
- Don't blow your nose in front of a spirit house or temple - it's considered to be very disrespectful.
- Don't hug a Thai to show him your appreciation. In Thailand, a firm 'Thank you very much' is enough. Though your intentions are good and clean, he will not like it.
- Don't touch anyones head for any reason - the head is considered to the most important part of the entire body.
- Don't point with your hand and never point with your finger.
- Use your right hand only for passing, eating, touching, etc.
- Do keep both feet on the ground when sitting.
- Don't place your feet so that they point towards a person, religious image or picture of the royal family.
- Don't step over any part of another person.
- Step over the threshold, not on it, when going through a doorway. Thais believe a spirit resides in the threshold.
- To attract a waiter, wave quietly with your palm down or say "Nong" (brother or sister). Never snap your fingers or raise your voice to attract a waiter.
- To beckon someone, extend your arm with the palm of your hand down and flutter your fingers up and down.
- Thai food is eaten with a fork and a tablespoon rather than with chopsticks. The spoon is held in the right hand and the bottom of the fork pushes the food into the spoon.
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