Business Hours
Banks: 09:00 to 15:30, Monday to Friday
Post Offices: 08:00 to 16:30, Monday to Friday; 08:00 to 12:00 Saturday Department Stores and Shops: 09:00 to 18:00, daily; some open until 20:00 or 21:00 Museums: 09:00 to 18:00, daily Business Offices: 08:00 to 18:00, Monday to Friday
Cautions
 Kanchanaburi is a safe town to visit but tourists should be aware of a few potential threats that might spoil holidays should they be encountered. Petty thieves present in Thailand, as in any country. As Kanchanaburi is a popular tourist destination, local miscreants here may well view visitors as easy targets. It pays to be alert at all times and to make sure cash and personal items are kept securely about your person.
When possible, don’t leave anything of value in your hotel or guesthouse room. When out and about, wear bags in a manner that makes them difficult targets for snatchers. Don’t leave bags unattended in bars or restaurants. You should also check dining bills or invoices for goods or services before paying.
Health
Thailand can present a number of potential threats to the health of visitors, but sensible behaviour and some basic precautionary measures will go a long way to ensuring you enjoy a trouble free holiday.
 Tap water is not considered safe for human consumption and visitors are advised to drink bottled water only, which is cheap and ubiquitous. In some restaurants and at roadside food vendors levels of hygiene may fall short of western standards. Visitors are advised to be discriminating in their choice of dining establishment and avoid eateries that appear unsanitary or unused by locals.
Visitors are advised to receive vaccinations against hepatitis A and typhoid. Those planning on spending lengthy periods in rural areas should consider vaccination against Japanese encephalitis.
 Malaria is present in some parts of Thailand but poses a low risk. Dengue fever is also present and is most prevalent during the rainy season. There are no vaccinations available against these viruses so it’s essential to spray yourself liberally with insect repellent, especially when out at night or visiting national parks. Mosquitoes breed in still water sources so accommodation close to the river does not increase your risk of getting bitten.
 The standard of medical care at Kanchanaburi’s Memorial Hospital is reasonably high but may not compare with that of western hospitals. Bangkok is only two hours away by car and offers hospitals with international standards of care and treatment.
Kanchanaburi Memorial Hospital: +66 34 624 191 Emergency Services: 191
Language
Thai is the main language spoken in Kanchanaburi with few dialectical variations. English is spoken relatively commonly, especially by those working in the tourist industry.
Currency
 The Thai baht (THB) is the official currency used in Thailand. Notes are issued in 20, 50, 100, 500 and 1,000baht denominations, while coins come in 1, 2, 5 and 10 baht denominations. There are also 25 and 50 satang coins (1 baht = 100 satang), but these are generally only used by supermarkets and 7-Elevens.
Currency Exchange
 Kanchanaburi has an ample supply of ATMs, the vast majority of which accept international bank cards. It pays to make sure your card is endorsed or issued by a reputable credit firm such as Visa, MasterCard, Cirrus, AMEX or Diner’s Club. Currency exchange services are offered at the majority of banks and by some of the town’s larger hotels.
Customs
Visitors entering Thailand are permitted import up to 200 cigarettes and one litre of alcoholic beverage without incurring duty. Additionally, personal items up to a value of 10,000 baht may be brought in without incurring duty, provided the items are intended for personal use, are in reasonable quantities and are not on the prohibited or restricted item lists.
Illegal drugs of any description are prohibited and prescription drugs should be accompanied by relevant documentation containing the carrier’s name and address. Pornographic literature and material considered religiously offensive or disrespectful to the king are also prohibited and carriers risk fines and imprisonment by bringing them into the kingdom.
Etiquette
 Thai social etiquette is complicated and can take a lifetime to learn. However, the Thais are very tolerant towards visitors and will not expect you to be aware of all their social customs. There are a few basic dos and don’ts that should be adhered to while holidaying in Kanchanaburi.
First and foremost is the country’s love of their king. Any words or actions that might be deemed disrespectful to the king are contrary to Thai law and the offender risks imprisonment. Similarly offensive is behaviour that is disrespectful of religion.
Feet are considered dirty so never use your feet to point to anything, don’t bring them into contact with another person and never raise them in public or show their soles to others. Opposite to this is the belief that the head is a spiritually important part of the body and should therefore not be touched by others.
 Nudity or immodest dress is inappropriate in Kanchanaburi so avoid bearing flesh in public places unless it’s somewhere where swimming costumes are acceptable. Displays of affection are not tolerated in public places so keep anything more than holding hands to the privacy of your hotel room.
Remove shoes before entering temples and personal abodes. If you see a collection of shoes at the door, you can be sure you are required to remove your shoes before entering.
Never lose your temper or shout in public as this is considered to be a loss of face, which is a cultural no-no in Thailand. Equally, avoid openly criticising others as this will cause them to lose face, which ultimately will not help you resolve any difficulties or disagreements.
 Dining Etiquette If you are invited to the home of a local for dinner then punctuality is not essential. It’s considered polite bring a gift for your host or hostess. Many Thais are fond of whiskey so a bottle of this spirit, a box of chocolates or something from your home country will all be well received.
In the dining room, eating may be conducted formally at a table or casually with diners sitting on cushions on the floor. Food is generally served buffet style with guests expected to help themselves. It’s polite to try a little of everything and to accept second helpings if they are offered to you.
 Food is generally eaten with a spoon and fork; the latter used to guide food onto the spoon. Chopsticks may be used for eating certain dishes such as noodles while foods such as sticky rice may be eaten using the right hand.
Visa and Passports
Visitors holding passports from any of the 39 countries given special status by the kingdom do not need to apply for a visa in advance. Nationals of many countries are granted a stay of 30 days on arrival in the country. This is provided their passport is valid for up to six months from the date of entry.
Citizens of other countries may be entitled to stay for to up to 15 days, while other visitors require a tourist visa in advance. Tourist visas come in single and multiple entry issues and are recommended for anyone planning to stay longer than the standard 15 or 30-day entitlement. For more details, contact a Thai consulate in your country of residence.
Tourist Information Offices
 For information regarding tourist offices in Kanchanaburi, call the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) in Bangkok on: +66 2250 5500.
| 
