Local Insights
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To the Thais, Bangkok is known as Krung Thep, or City of Angels. But to others, it's known as one of Asia's liveliest, most cosmopolitan cities. With a unique and exciting mix of old and new, there's something here for all to enjoy.
Getting there
Most Asian airlines offer direct flights to Bangkok. For schedules and availability, contact your travel agent. You might also try Thai Airways (66 2628 2000; www.thaiairways.com), Singapore Airlines (65 6223 8888; www.singaporeair.com), Malaysia Airlines (60 3 7846 3000; www.malaysiaairlines.com.my) and Cathay Pacific (852 2747 1888; www.cathaypacific.com). Once you get there, you might use the Airport Limousine (66 2 734 4355; www.aaclimousine.com) to take you from Suvarnabhumi Airport to any destination in Bangkok.
Weather
The northeast monsoon means cool breezes and a slight drop in temperature - to around 23oC in January and February. It gets hotter in March, reaching about 34oC.
Important Numbers
| Emergency (Police\Ambulance or Fire) | 191 |
| Tourist Police | 1155 |
| Tourism Authority of Thailand | 1672 |
| Bangkok Tourist Bureau | (66) 2 225 7612-4 |
| To make a local call in Bangkok: | Dial 02 xxx xxxx for land lines |
| Dial 01 xxx xxxx for mobile phones | |
| International Hospitals | |
| Bumrungrad Hospital | (66) 2 667 1000 |
| BNH Hospital | (66) 2 686 2700 |
| Samitivej Sukhumvit Hospital | (66) 2 711 8000 |
| Bangkok International Hospital | (66) 2 310 3000 |
| Tourism | |
| TAT Call Centre | (66) 1672 |
| Daily 8.00 am - 8.00 pm | |
| Immigration | (66) 2 287 3101 |
| Mon-Fri 8.00 am - 4.00 pm | |
| Tourist Police | (66) 1155 |
Transportation/Getting Around
| Taxi |
BTS/Skytrain |
Airport Bus |
River taxis | |
| Hotlines | (66) 1681 (66) 2 875 9995 |
(66) 2 617 7340 www.bts.co.th/en |
(66) 2 535 1254 |
(66) 2 617 7340 www.chaophrayaboat.com |
| Fare range/ destinations |
Start from THB35 for two kilometre; THB2 for each kilometre afterward. Cost from airport to city center about THB150 plus surcharge. *THB50 airport surcharge. |
Fast, easy and good in the main business areas of Sukhumvit and Silom. Fare THB15 - 40. |
To Silom, Khaosan Road,Sukhumvit and Hua Lumpong Train Station. Fare based on route, about THB150. Bus departs every 30 min. |
THB9-23 from Sathorn Pier to Chinatown, Khaosan Road or the area around the Grand Palace. |
| Operating hours | 24 hours |
6.00 am - midnight |
5.30 am - midnight |
6.00 am - 6.30 pm daily |
| MRT/Subway |
Ekamai Bus Terminal (Eastern) |
Domestic flight information Thai Airways International |
Bangkok Airways |
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| Hotlines | (66) 2 642 5200 www.bangkokmetro.co.th |
(66) 2 712 3928 |
(66) 2 356 1111 www.thaiair.com |
(66) 2 265 5555 www.bangkokair.com |
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| Fare range/ destinations |
Quick and reliable 18-station line intersecting with BTS and providing access to downtown city areas. Fare THB14 - 36. |
Bangkok to Pattaya air-con bus service departs every half hour from Ekamai Bus Terminal. Takes 2 hours. Cheap and regular way of getting to Pattaya in the Eastern Seaboard Fare THB117. |
Daily flights to major provinces including Phuket and Chiang Mai. Round-trip fare THB7,160 (Phuket) and THB6,250 (Chiang Mai) incl tax. |
Daily flights to Koh Samui. Round-trip fare THB8,400 incl tax. |
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| Operating hours | 6.00 am - midnight |
5.00 am - 11.00 pm |
5.30 am - midnight |
| Nok Air |
Air Asia |
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| Hotlines | (66) 1318 www.nokair.com |
(66) 515 9999 www.airasia.com |
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| Fare range/ destinations |
Daily no-frills flights to major provinces including Phuket and Chiang Mai. One-way fare THB1,970 (Phuket) and THB1,821 (Chiang Mai) incl tax. Fares vary depending on time. |
Daily no-frills flights to major provinces including Phuket and Chiang Mai One-way fare THB1,200 (Phuket and Chiang Mai) incl tax. Fares vary depending on time. |
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| Operating hours | 8.00 am – 9.00 pm |
*Remarks: The local currency is Thai Baht "THB"
Local Language
Learn more about local language from below.
| English | Local language |
| Hello | Sawasdee krub/ka (Krub/ka is a polite ending word, similar to sir/ma'am. Men should use krub, and women should use ka) |
| How are you? | Sabai dee mai? |
| I'm fine | Sabai dee krub/ka |
| Thank you | Khob khun krub/ka |
| Excuse me | Kho thod |
| What is it? | Ni a-rai? |
| Yes | Chai krub/ka |
| No | Mai chai krub/ka |
| I understand | Khao jai laew |
| I don't understand | Mai khao jai |
| What is it in Thai? | Pha sa thai reak wa a-rai? |
| Where is the toilet? | Hong nam yu nai? |
| I'd like to go to the airport | Yak ja pai sanam bin |
| Can I change money here? | Khor laek ngoen ti ni dai mai? |
| How much? | Raka tao rai? |
| Too expensive | Pang keun pai |
| Cheaper please | Lod raka noi |
| One | Nung |
| Two | Song |
| Three | Sam |
| Four | Si |
| Five | Ha |
| Six | Hok |
| Seven | Jed |
| Eight | Paed |
| Nine | Kao |
| Ten | Sib |
| One hundred | Nung roi |
| Help! | Chuay duay! |
| Police | Tum rued |
| It's delicious | A-roi |
| It's too spicy | Phed keun pai |
| One more please | Khor eak nung an |
Business and finance
Thailand has a well-developed infrastructure, a free-enterprise economy, and pro-investment policies. The country has been one of East Asia's best performers over the last few years. A new economic team was put in place last September and exports have since performed at record levels, rising nearly 17% in 2006. Export-oriented manufacturing - in particular automobile production - and farm output are driving these gains. Tourist arrivals are expected to grow further with the opening of the new airport in Suvarnabhumi in September 2006.
The above information is for reference only. They may be provided to HSBC by other persons or compiled by HSBC from information and materials provided by other persons. HSBC does not warrant the truth, reliability, accuracy or adequacy of the above information and HSBC assumes no liability for any reliance on them by you or any other persons. Please contact the relevant merchant, company or organisation for further details.
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