Banks: 09:30 to 15:30, Monday to Friday
Government Offices: 08:30 to 16:30, Monday to Friday
Department Stores and Shops: 10:00 to 21:00, Monday to Friday; 11:00 to 22:00, Saturday
Business Offices: 09:00 to 17:00, Monday to Friday

Most visitors to Thailand have a trouble-free holiday. It’s also a good idea to keep your passport, credit cards, cash, expensive jewellery and any important travel documents carefully concealed or locked in a hotel safe, however. Scam artists occasionally target tourists, offering to sell them gems that turn out to be worthless.

Although attacks are infrequent, women should exercise caution and avoiding walking alone in deserted spots, particularly at night.

The threat of terrorism in Thailand is no greater than in other countries of Southeast Asia. It’s recommended that you remain aware of your surroundings and vigilant in public places, such as markets and transportation centres.

Electricity: 220 volts, 50Hz; both flat-blade and round two-pin plugs are in use.

Most physicians will advise that travellers to Thailand be immunised against both hepatitis A and B, and typhoid fever. The only required immunisation is for those travellers who have recently visited areas infected with yellow fever. Malaria can be a risk, including at major tourist resort areas such as Hua Hin, but cases are uncommon. Cases of dengue fever, another mosquito-borne disease, have also been reported. Insect repellent is an important preventative measure.

During the rainy season outbreaks of leptospirosis sometimes accompany the flooding that occurs. There also have been outbreaks of bird flu reported over the past few years, including human deaths, although the risk to travellers is low. It’s best to avoid contact with all live birds, and chicken and egg dishes should be thoroughly cooked.

Food and water-borne diseases are quite common, meaning you should drink only purified or bottled water and ensure that all food you eat has been properly cooked.

Medical facilities are of high quality in Hua Hin, and care is affordable. However, it’s important to have good travel insurance that will cover medical care, as payment or proof of insurance will be required at the time of treatment.

Hua Hin Hospital: +66 32 520 401
Emergency services: 1155 (Tourist Police)

The official language of the country is Thai, although several dialects of the language are spoken in various parts of the country. English is understood and spoken in cities and major tourist destinations. It is also the language used in international business. There are, however, many parts of the country where English is not understood. Other languages spoken include: Chinese, Khmer, Lao and Malay.

The country’s unit of currency is the Thai baht, abbreviated as THB: one baht comprises 100 satang. Foreign currencies can be exchanged for Thai baht at airports, most banks, hotels and currency exchanges found throughout most tourist areas.

Banks are open from Monday through Friday, and ATMs are found throughout Hua Hin. Hotels and resorts generally accept travellers’ cheques, but you’re likely to get a better exchange rate at a bank. Credit cards are widely accepted, although smaller shops may charge a fee for credit card transactions.

Major foreign currencies can be exchanged for Thai baht at the main branches of banks in Hua Hin, at the cashier’s desk of most tourist hotels and the airport’s currency exchange counters. ATMs are conveniently located throughout the city, while most businesses including hotels, restaurants and shops accept major credit cards.

A number of items may be brought into Thailand by visitors without incurring duty including: 200 cigarettes or the equivalent amount of tobacco in loose form or cigars; one litre of spirits; and one camera and five rolls of film or one movie camera with three rolls of movie film. Goods should not total more than 20,000 baht in value per tourist. Family allowances are twice that of individual duty-free allowances.

Items that are prohibited include: weapons, ammunition, fireworks and illegal drugs. Trafficking in drugs is not tolerated and penalties are harsh. The export of Buddha images is restricted and most antiques cannot be exported without prior government approval.

Thais greet each other by pressing the palms of their hands together and raising them to the level of their head. This gesture is known as a wai and is a measure of respect, as well as a Although the forms of the wai are complicated by age and status, it is sufficient for a visitor to show respect to an older person by attempting a wai and to return the gesture when greeted by others in this fashion.

A degree of modesty in how visitors dress is appreciated by Thais. Although locals have become accustomed to seeing Westerners in beachwear at tourist resorts, it’s still not considered acceptable to shop or dine in this attire. Nudity at the beach is not only frowned upon, it is illegal.

Dining Etiquette
If someone invites you to their home for a meal, you should arrive near the appointed time, but being a bit late will not be considered rude. If you know someone else who’s been invited, you might want to ask about how formal the event is, so that you are able to dress appropriately.

When entering the home, look to see if your host is wearing shoes: if not, remove your shoes at the entrance. It is customary to step over the threshold to a building, rather than stepping on it, as many Thais believe that a spirit resides there.

With regard to table etiquette, Thais normally eat with a spoon and fork: a knife is not usually provided, as meats and vegetables are cut into small pieces before cooking. The spoon is held in the right hand, and the fork in the left: the fork is used to move food into the spoon. Chopsticks may be provided if noodles are served.

Meals are typically served with dishes placed at the centre of the table, and food is served family-style. It’s acceptable to begin eating as soon as you are served. It’s not considered polite to take the last bit of food from a serving plate. When you’ve finished eating, you should leave a small portion of food on your plate to indicate you are full. Make sure that rice is not left, however, as this is considered wasteful.

To enter Thailand, your passport must be valid for a period of six months from the date of entry. For citizens of most Western countries, such as Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, the UK and the US, entry for the purpose of tourism for up to 30 days is permitted: visa stamps are issued on arrival at no charge.

This period of stay can be extended by application at an immigration office or visitors can cross into a neighbouring country and re-enter for another 30-day stay. If you're a national of one of these Western nations, and certain that you’ll want to stay for more than 30 days, you can apply for a 60-day tourist visa at a Thai embassy or consulate in your home country in advance.

Applications for 90-day visas, known as non-immigrant visas, are considered as long as a suitable reason for your stay can be documented, such as business, study or retirement.

The municipality of Hua Hin operates a tourist information office where visitors can find brochures and maps as well as general information and advice. The office is located at the southwest corner of Damnoenkasem and Petchkasem roads. Assistance and information are also available from the Hua Hin Tourist Police main office, located just before the beach on Damnoen Kasem road.