Thailand

Thailand is a place where customs and traditions are deeply entrenched so becoming familiar with some of them before you set out will help make your trip more comfortable and help avoid potentially embarrassing moments. The wai is the traditional Thai greeting which is done by pressing your hands together as if to pray and bowing slightly. Inferiors always wai their superiors first and you should not wai service people or street vendors. Foreign visitors generally are not expected to know how to wai and if you are uncomfortable returning a wai, a slight bow is acceptable. Personal appearance is extremely important in Thailand and your clothing should always be neat and clean. Conservative dress is expected, including clothes that are not too revealing, particularly for women. In a wat, a Buddhist monastery or temple, men and women should keep their legs covered. Shoes should always be removed before entering a temple or home. Buddhist monks are to avoid contact, especially physical contact, with women. They are not permitted to touch or accept anything from a woman’s hand. Every effort should be made to avoid this so as not to offend anyone. It is also considered very disrespectful to pose for a picture with or climb on a Buddha. It is acceptable to take a photo but you should be facing the Buddha. Other things to be aware of are it is considered impolite to sniff your food before eating, even if it is meant to be a compliment, physical affection between a man and women should never be shown in public and one should always stand for the national anthem which is played over loud speakers in public places from 8am to 6pm daily. Knowing these practices before you arrive in Thailand will enhance the overall enjoyment of your trip.

Thai food is known for its spicy flavours although not all dishes are hot. Generally, Thai people understand the heat of traditional dishes can be too much for some foreign visitors and will ask beforehand how hot you’d like your food. Some of the mainstays of Thai food include curries, stir fries, fresh fish, rice and noodles. Street stalls and sidewalk restaurants are some of the best places to sample fresh cooking. Popular dishes include Khoa Phat- fried rice with pork, Phat Thai- a noodle dish with no chilies, Ka-phrao Kai- a stir fry with chicken, chilies and basil and Kaeng daeng- a spicy curry with duck meat.

Shopping in Thailand is also an experience not to be missed. Bangkok is the ultimate in shopping experiences with shopping malls for brand name goods and many street markets for souvenirs, handcrafts and more. Siam Paragon is the largest shopping mall in South East Asia and home to more than 250 shops including designer labels, department stores, grocery store and entertainment complex. However, markets are the best place to experience real life here. The Weekend Market at Chatuchuk in Bangkok is the world’s largest with over 15,000 stalls where you can get everything from live animals to Thai silks. Night bazaars are also very popular and offer many things you can’t find in malls or day markets. Two of the best are Suan Lum Night Bazaar in Bangkok and the night bazaar in Ciang Mai. Even if you aren’t a fan of shopping, you will want to see these bazaars.

Thailand also has sports, temples, national parks and beaches for visitors to enjoy. The Grand Palace in Bangkok was built in 1783 and now houses the royal residence and the Chapel Royal of the Emerald Buddha. This is truly a sight to behold! Just behind the Grand Palace you will find Wat Pho, Thailand’s oldest and largest temple. It is also home to the famous Reclining Buddha which stands 15 metres high. Here you can learn the art of Thai massage and traditional healing or for a small price be blessed by a Buddhist monk. Hill tribe trekking is another popular tourist activity, especially in the northern parts of Thailand. Here you will witness age old, traditional lifestyles of the hill tribes such as the famous ‘long necked’ Karen women. It is as though you have traveled through time to a whole different world. Other things you should definitely check out include a Muay Thai (Thai kick boxing) match, held everyday of the year and followed by elaborate celebrations, national parks like Khao Sok National Park with its lush rainforest, enchanting waterfalls and limestone formations, temple classes in traditional meditation or Thai cooking classes held at many culinary schools. No matter what you do, the sights, sounds and smells of Thailand will surely leave you breathless. The unit of currency is the Baht (THB), which is divided into 100 satang. Currency can be exchanged at the airport, banks, hotels and bureaux de change. Banks are open Monday to Friday. ATMs are available in most cities and tourist resorts. Most large hotels and shops accept travellers’ cheques and major credit cards. Thailand enjoys a generally tropical climate. It is hot and humid year round with temperatures averaging between 28˚C and 35˚C. It can be cooler in the mountain regions of the north. Monsoon season runs from June to October. 220 volts, 50Hz. Two pin plugs are used, but may be flat or round types. Converters are required for Canadian appliances. Embassy of Canada
Address: 15th Floor, Abdulrahim Place, 990 Rama IV, Bangrak, Bangkok 10500
Postal Address: P.O. Box 2090, Bangkok, 10501
Tel.: +66 (0) 2636-0540
Emergency toll-free to Ottawa: 001-800-156-220-0142
Fax: +66 (0) 2636-0555 GMT+7. Thailand does not observe Daylight Saving Time.
In Winter it is twelve hours ahead of Toronto, and fifteen ahead of Vancouver. In Summer it is eleven hours ahead of Toronto and fourteen ahead of Vancouver.