Official language is Thai. Slang languages include Malay and Chinese, as well as regional dialects. English is the language of commerce and education.
[*] Religious holidays are determined according to the Buddhist lunar calendar and are postponed.
Duty free shopping
Overview
The following items can be brought into Thailand duty-free (persons of any age with their own passport): Up to 200 cigarettes or 250g of tobacco or 250g of combined tobacco products; Up to 1L of alcoholic beverages. Note: If the tobacco products or alcoholic beverages you take with you exceed the permitted quantities, they must be disposed of in the containers provided by customs, otherwise criminal prosecution is to be expected. Note: If the goods to be imported exceed a total value of BHT 20,000 per person, they must be declared in writing. A written declaration of gold jewelery is strongly recommended in order to avoid problems when leaving the country. The purchase of counterfeit goods is prohibited.
Import Restrictions
Some medicines, narcotics and substances are subject to import restrictions. The Thai Narcotis Control Division provides further information and application forms for importing medicines. More information is available from Countryaah.com.
Export Restrictions
An export license from the Thai Department of Fine Arts is required for the export of antiques. The export of a small Buddha statue from new production (to be worn around the neck) is permitted without an export license. The export of Buddha statues and images is otherwise only permitted for religious, cultural and study purposes; Permission from the Thai Department of Fine Arts is required.
Prohibited Imports
The import of weapons, ammunition, fireworks, counterfeit money, pirated goods, counterfeit branded goods, pirated goods protected by copyright, products displaying the Thai flag, drugs and pornographic products is prohibited. The importation of vaporizers such as e-cigarettes and refill liquid is prohibited. Drug possession is punishable by long prison terms or the death penalty.
Export Regulations
The export of certain leather products (eg elephants, crocodiles, snakes) and ivory are subject to the Washington Convention on the Protection of Endangered Species. It is highly recommended that you research this before purchasing. More information can be obtained from Thai Customs.
Contact addresses
Royal Thai Embassy
Honorary Consulate General in Basel. Honorary consulate in Geneva.
Business people in senior positions mostly speak English, but interpreters are needed in smaller companies and in companies outside the industrial belt of large cities. Business cards are required. Prior appointment is usual.
Opening hours
Business hours: Mon-Fri 8.30am-4.30pm. Some offices are open half days on Saturdays.
Business contacts
Office for Economic Affairs of the Embassy of Thailand Petzowerstrasse 1, 14109 Berlin, Germany Tel. +49 (0)30 805 00 40. German-Thai Chamber of Commerce 14th Floor | AIA Sathorn Tower, 11/1 South Sathorn Road, Yannawa | Sathorn, Bangkok 10120, Thailand Tel. +66 (0)2 055 06 00. Website: thailand.ahk.de Commercial Affairs Office of the Embassy of Thailand Kopalgasse 47, 1110 Vienna, Austria Tel. +43 (0)1 748 50 20 Embassy of Thailand Kirchstrasse 56, 3097 Bern/Liebefeld, Switzerland Tel. +66 (0)2 513 19 09. Website: www.ditp.go.
Communication
Phone
According to Abbreviationfinder.org, the country code is 0066. Public payphones are becoming increasingly rare in Thailand. A popular way to call abroad is the “Home Country Direct” service, which is offered at various post offices and CAT centers in cities. In almost all hotels it is possible to make international calls for a fee. International calls via Skype are the cheapest. Emergency numbers are: police 191, fire brigade 195 and tourist police in Bangkok 1699.
Mobile phone
GSM 900 and 1800, 2G, 3G and 4G. Network operator is dtac. International roaming contracts exist. However, the cheapest way to make calls is with a Thai SIM card and prepaid cards. The Thai mobile network covers the whole country.
Internet
There are numerous internet cafés and free WiFi hotspots with public internet access in the big cities and in the holiday areas. Internet providers include INET and True Internet.
Post office
Mail to Europe takes six to nine days. Post office hours: The main post office in Bangkok is open Mon-Fri 08:00-20:00 and weekends and public holidays 08:00-13:00. Post offices in other parts of the country usually open from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Radio
Numerous German-speaking radio stations can be received over the Internet in Thailand.
