Thailand
General Information for Thailand
Geo-political:
Capital City: Bangkok.
Nationality: (noun) Thai, (adjective) Thai.
Population: 65,998,436.
Communications:
International Direct Dial Code: 66.
Number of Internal Airports: 64.
Major Languages Spoken: Thai, English (secondary language of the elite), ethnic and regional dialects.
Economy:
Currency: 1 Baht (THB) of 100 Satang.
Main Industries: Tourism, textiles and garments, agricultural processing, beverages, tobacco, cement,
light manufacturing such as jewelry and electric appliances, computers and parts,
integrated circuits, furniture, plastics, automobiles and automotive parts and world's
second-largest tungsten producer and third-largest tin producer.
Environment:
Territorial Sea: 12 n.m.
Other Maritime Claims: Continental Shelf: 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation. Exclusive Economic Zone: 200 n.m.
Coastline Extent: 3,219 km.
Climate: Tropical; rainy, warm, cloudy southwest monsoon (mid-May to September); dry, cool
northeast monsoon (November to mid-March); southern isthmus always hot and humid.
Natural Resources: Tin, rubber, natural gas, tungsten, tantalum, timber, lead, fish, gypsum, lignite,
fluorite and arable land.
Natural Hazards: Land subsidence in Bangkok area resulting from the depletion of the water table; droughts.
Terrain: Central plain; Khorat Plateau in the east; mountains elsewhere.
Average Temperatures:
| Month | High | Low |
|---|---|---|
| January | 33° C | 20° C |
| June | 33° C | 25° C |
| September | 32° C | 24° C |
CHARTS:
Information regarding paper and electronic charts, nautical publications and Notices
to Mariners is available via the Navigational Supporting Center website of the Hydrographic
Department of the Royal Thai Navy, available at www.navigationsupport.com
DOCUMENTS:
See
Pre-Arrival Information and
Pratique.
PRATIQUE:
Arriving vessels should submit the following documents to facilitate free pratique:
Crew List
(FAL 5)
Maritime Declaration of Health
(MDH)
Passenger List
(FAL 6)
Ports of Call List
Ship Sanitation Control Exemption Certificate
Vaccination List
PRE-ARRIVAL INFORMATION:
All pre-arrival information and documentation can be submitted via the national single
window system, available at
nsw.md.go.th/msportal/
POLLUTION:
Any incident of pollution should be reported immediately to the Marine Department
of the Ministry of Transport. It is recommended that photographic evidence be obtained
of pollution and its source if possible.
Contact:
Marine Department Hotline. T: +66 1199.
Marine Department Office. T: +66 (2) 233 1311. (ext. 8).
WASTE DISPOSAL:
There are strict laws prohibiting the unlawful landing of waste and/or the use of
unofficial waste contractor. Larger ports in Thailand will usually provide a waste
reception service and most ports have a list of approved waste disposal contractors.
MEDICAL:
Treatment is provided by public and private hospitals, specialised marine clinics
in coastal areas and local community health centres. Treatment in some private facilities
can be expensive; it is recommended that health insurance is taken out if not provided
by employer. The Mission to Seafarers Thailand can organise hospital visits, welfare
assistance and medical case support.
If urgent medical assistance is required dial 1669. If medical assistance is sought,
agent, employer and/or medical insurance provider should be informed.
Diseases such as hand, foot and mouth disease, Zika virus and Dengue fever are present
in Thailand. Smoke haze may be encountered in certain areas and can lead to poor air
quality, particularly during March and April. Such conditions can aggravate respiratory
disorders.
HOLIDAYS:
1 January (New Year’s Day), Makha Bucha Day (lunar), 6 April (Chakri Memorial Day),
13–15 April (Songkran Festival), 1 May (National Labour Day), 4 May (Coronation Day),
Royal Ploughing Day (moveable), Visakha Bucha Day (lunar), 3 June (Queen Suthida’s
Birthday), Asalha Bucha Day (lunar), Beginning of Budhist Lent (day after Asalha Bucha
Day), 28 July (King Maha Vajiralongkorn’s Birthday), 12 August (Queen Sirikit’s Birthday),
13 October (King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great Memorial Day), 23 October (King Rama
V Memorial Day), 5 December (King Bhumibol’s Birthday), 10 December (Constitution
Day), 31 December (New Year’s Eve).
WEATHER/TIDES:
Weather forecasts in Thai are provided by the Government of Thailand Meteorological
Department, available at
www.tmd.go.th/forecast/shipping
SHORE LEAVE:
Generally permitted under international frameworks such as the IMO FAL Convention;
however, shore leave is dependent on the specific port, terminal restrictions and
agent clearances.
There are very severe penalties for being found in possession of narcotics, including
marijuana. Persons found to be in possession of 20 grams or more of a Class A drug,
including amphetamines and ecstasy, are liable to receive a death penalty.
It is illegal to enter Thailand with more than 200 cigarettes or any type of e-cigarette
or vape. Persons found to be in possession of such items risk large fines and even
prison sentences.
It is illegal to buy, sell, kill or capture any protected wild animal or trade its
parts without a licence. Thailand is a signatory to the Convention on International
Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). It has also recently
strengthened domestic legislation, banning trade in ivory. Those caught buying or
trafficking these items could be prosecuted and receive prison sentences or fines.
Crime:
Be on your guard against pickpockets and bag snatchers. Foreigners have had items
snatched by thieves on motorbikes when walking along busy streets or travelling in
open transport like tuk-tuks. If you travel by bus or rail, make sure passports, cash
and valuables are kept securely and out of sight. Passengers have had items taken
from bags while asleep.
Do not hand over your passport to third parties as a guarantee, for example when renting
transport. Unscrupulous business owners have been known to hold on to passports against
claimed damage.
Violent sexual assaults and unprovoked attacks have been reported in popular tourist
destinations, including in the Koh Samui archipelago and Krabi province. These are
particularly common during the monthly Full Moon parties and generally occur late
at night near bars.
Drink spiking has been reported in tourist destinations around Thailand. Avoid taking
drinks from strangers or leaving your drinks unattended, particularly in Koh Samui,
Pattaya and at the Full Moon party on Koh Phangan, where drug-facilitated sexual assaults
have been reported.
Be aware of the possibility of credit card fraud. Do not lose sight of your card during
transactions. There have been incidents of ATM skimming in Thailand. Where possible
use an ATM within a bank and always protect your PIN.
Be careful to observe demarcation lines between shops and stalls, particularly in
market areas and airports. Taking items from one shop’s area to another's may be treated
as attempted theft.
Gem scams are common. There have been reports of visitors buying gems for inflated
prices from seemingly respectable establishments then later finding out the stones
are worth a tiny fraction of the purchase price.
You should report any incidents of crime to the police before leaving the country.
REPATRIATION:
Immigration advice and information is available from the Immigration Bureau website,
available at
www.immigration.go.th
AUTHORITY:
Ministry of Transport, Marine Department of Thailand, 1278 Yotha Road, Talandnoi,
Samphanthawong 10100, Bangkok, Thailand.
T: +66 (2) 233 1311.
F: +66 (2) 236 7248. [email protected] www.md.go.th
