Living in Thailand
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TIME
Thailand is seven hours ahead of GMT, so make sure you set your timepiece and other devices
CURRENCY
The local currency is the Baht (B) which comes in denominations of B.10 (brown), B.20 (green), B.50 (blue), B.100 (red), B.500 (purple) and B.1,000 (beige). Keep in mind that the larger the note, the larger the denomination. Numerals are printed in Arabic as well as Thai, so the notes are quite easy to get accustomed to. Coins include denominations in B.10, B.5, B.2 and B.1 as well as 25 and 50 satang or cents, but due to the on-going inflation, satangs are now of little use. All denominations bear the image of King Rama IX and are supposed to be handled with the utmost respect, so take care not to crumple your bills nor throw away your coins.
There is no black market exchange for being the Baht and legal moneychangers offer the best rate. US dollars are the readily accepted currency. The rate for the past few years has fluctuated around B. 34 for one U.S. dollar.
Travelers’ cheques get a better rate with a commission of 1% of the amount plus B.3 per cheque cashed. Visa and Master cardholders can get cash advance of up to USD500 a day through some branches of local banks. ATM accepting debit cards are also available all around Bangkok and in many smaller towns.
PASSPORT
Being a gateway for tourists, Thailand knows how to make things easy for visitors. There are after all very few countries in the world that would purposely make provision for overstaying by one month or more will land you in serious trouble.
Most foreign passport holders are allowed to enter for a stay of up to 30days without having to apply for a visa. This is granted upon entry at no cost but one is supposed to show proof of onward travel arrangements, such as a return ticket. The 30-day no-visa stay can be extended for a maximum of 7 to 10 days at the immigration. If you desire a longer stay, you should apply for a 60-day Tourist Visa from a Thai Embassy or consulate.
Being a regional hub, Bangkok is a convenient place to get visas for onward travel to numerous countries. There are altogether 33 foreign diplomatic missions in Bangkok, generally listed and indicated on all tourist maps. The visa sections of most embassies are open from around 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Monday to Friday.
Types and criteria for applying for a visa
This type of visa is issued to aliens who intend to enter the Kingdom for tourism purposes (TR).
The Thailand Special Tourist Visa (STV) is a special visa introduced by the Tourism Authority of Thailand for long-stay tourists who would like to travel to Thailand. It is one of the economic measures by the Thai government to restore the local tourism industry that has been affected heavily by COVID-19.
Update: The Thai Embassies and Consulates are currently issuing the normal 60-day tourist visa (SETV) and the special tourist visa (STV). Kindly contact your local Thai embassy for more information.
This visa is for foreigners who want to travel and work remotely in Thailand, including:
- High-skilled foreign talent
- Freelancers
- Digital nomads/remote workers and
- Foreigners who come to do activities such as learning Muay Thai, cooking
- Sports training, medical treatment, training, seminars, and performing arts and music
- Spouses and legitimate children under 20 years old
- This type of visa is issued to travelers who wish to enter Thailand for the purpose of studying, attending seminar, training, internship at a company as compulsory part of curriculum in Thailand.
A Thailand Retirement Visa is often known as an “Extension of Stay based on Retirement.” This is because the Thailand Retirement Visa is an extension of a non-immigrant O visa Thailand or a non-immigrant OA visa Thailand, rather than something that you could apply for independently. It is a long-stay visa allowing you to reside in the Land of Smiles legally while enjoying some convenient advantages.
