Prepare your Stay

Location 
Bangkok, known to the Thais as Krung Thep, is the capital city of Thailand. Founded as the capital in 1782, it is located in the delta of the Chao Phraya River, about 16 miles (25 km) from the Gulf of Thailand. The low-lying estuary terrain upon which the city is built has an average elevation of about 5ft (1.5 m) above sea level, and is completely flat, the nearest range of hills being 25 miles (40 km) to the southeast. With a population of more than 14 million people in the Bangkok Metropolitan Region, Bangkok is the primary city in a country of small towns and villages, and is Thailand's cultural and commercial centre.

Climate 
Bangkok has a tropical savannah climate, coming under the influence of the South Asian monsoon system. There are three seasons, namely hot, rainy, and cool. The coolest period is in December, when temperatures can average 72 °F (22°C), with the hot season reaching its peak in April, at an average 96 °F (35 °C). The rainy season begins around mid-May, and continues through to October. Mean monthly relative humidity varies from a low of 60 percent in the cold season to more than 80 percent during the rainy season. 

Currency: THB / Thai Baht 

Visiting Thailand as a Tourist 
When you visit Thailand for the purpose of leisure, sightseeing and personal enlightenment, you are a tourist. Tourists are not allowed to work or conduct business in Thailand. A tourist needs a visa to stay in Thailand for a specific period of time, the visa being stamped in the passport on arrival in the country, or it can be obtained in your home country through the Thai embassy or consulate. There are certain countries that have made agreements with the government of Thailand so their citizens can benefit from a visa exemption when entering Thailand as tourists.

Required documents 

• Passport or travel document with validity not less than six months 
• Visa application form completely filled out (when applicable) 
• Recent (4x6 cm) photograph for the application form 
• Evidence of travel from Thailand (confirmed air ticket paid in full) 
• Evidence of adequate finance (20,000 baht per person or 40,000 baht per family) 

Extension of stay 
The tourist visa can be extended if you wish to stay longer in Thailand. Those who wish to stay longer or wish to change their type of visa must file an application for permission at the Office of Immigration Bureau located at Government Centre B, Chaengwattana Soi 7, Laksi, Bangkok 10210, Tel: +662 141 9889 Call Centre: 1178 (or at www.immigration.go.th). The extension of stay as well as the change of certain type of visa is solely at the discretion of the Immigration officer.