Travel to Phuket, Thailand should pay attention to
One, Thailand immigration
Thailand immigration card (filled out in English pinyin):
Note: After getting off the plane, in the arrival hall of the Immigration Department at the counter to submit the passport and the immigration card, after checking the information will be collected to the entry link. The other one is the exit ticket, which you will need to use when you leave the country. You must remember not to lose it.
Two, the best time to travel
November to April each year is the peak season in Phuket, during the period of suitable temperatures, rainfall is small. The island's most beautiful Similan National Park will also be open to visitors during this period; April is Thailand's attention "Songkran Festival", not to be missed. However, the cost of hotels and trips during this period will increase by about 15 percent.
April-September is the rainy season in Phuket, especially in June-August, when it rains almost every day, which can affect your trip to a certain extent, and in September, Phuket also holds a vegetarian festival that boasts of asceticism, so perhaps it's a good idea to savor the tropics under the harsh, hot sun.
Three, currency
Currency: Thailand's currency name is Thai Baht (Thai baht), there are several ways to exchange roughly:
1, the most cost-effective is in the domestic Bank of China, in advance of the appointment, the rate of exchange of about 1:5.
2, in the local ATM with the UnionPay logo of the credit card, need to pay attention to the ATM machine deposit balance is displayed according to the then The amount of Thai baht is calculated according to the foreign exchange rate of China UnionPay at that time, not the balance in RMB. The exchange rate is calculated according to the baht selling price announced by the Bank of China on the same day.
3. Roadside kiosks labeled Exchange offer a slightly lower exchange rate, but are convenient. Exchange booths are open from 9:00 to 20:00 every day.
4. Time difference
The time difference between Thailand and China is one hour, so if it's 11:00 a.m. Beijing time now, it should be 10:00 a.m. Thailand time.
5, five bank cards
1, UnionPay card
In Thailand, many stores POS machine can use UnionPay credit card, Thai Hua Farmers Bank (Kasikorn Bank), Thai Military Bank (TMB), Thailand SCIB Bank, Bangkok Bank, Thailand Commercial Bank (Siam), Siam Commercial Bank (Siam), Thailand Bank (Siam), Siam Commercial Bank (Siam), Siam Commercial Bank (Siam), Siam Commercial Bank, Siam Commercial Bank, Siam Commercial Bank, Siam Commercial Bank, Siam Commercial Bank, Siam Commercial Bank, Siam Commercial Bank, Siam Commercial Bank, Siam Commercial Bank. Commercial Bank, Siam City Bank, UOB, and Krung Thai Bank*** More than 8,000 ATMs allow you to withdraw baht directly with your UnionPay card. It is recommended to withdraw cash from Thai Farmers Bank ATM in Thailand, this bank has very good service, the ATM has a full Chinese operation interface and its logo color is green.
1) China UnionPay has opened POS card and ATM cash withdrawal services in Thailand, and all merchants with the "UnionPay" logo can accept UnionPay cards. There is no handling fee for overseas card swipes or cash withdrawals, and the currency conversion fee ranging from 1% to 2% is waived.
2) Handling fees are the same for all banks in Thailand: 150 baht for every 20,000 baht, and analogously: 75 baht for 10,000 baht, with a maximum of 40,000 baht per day per card, and some banks are limited to 20,000 baht per day per card.
2. Credit cards
Credit cards are commonly accepted at Thailand's fine hotels, restaurants and other commercial establishments. These places can take major credit cards such as VISA, MasterCard, American Express and Diners Club. VISA and MasterCard cash advances are also available at many banks and exchange points in Thailand. But there is a 1.5 percent handling fee.
1) Credit card cash withdrawals require higher interest or handling fees, and it is recommended that ATM withdrawals be made with a debit card;
2) Credit cards are subject to credit limitations and may incur high fees for exceeding the credit limit, so it is recommended that savings cards be used for large purchases
3) In addition to cash withdrawals, UnionPay cards can be used to make purchases at most major shopping malls and retail outlets in Thailand.
Sixth, tax refund
Phuket's tax refund is generally only available in large and regular shopping malls, the amount of tax refund is 7% to 2000 baht as a starting point you can ask merchants to open the tax rebate, 2000 baht or less than the majority of merchants will not open the rebate.
There is a 100 baht processing fee per tax return at the airport. For example, for a 2,000 baht item, the refund will be 140 baht, 100 baht will be charged, and 40 baht will be taken back. Therefore, try to collect all receipts from the same department store to minimize the handling fee. You need to apply for a tax refund slip directly at the store or shopping center after shopping, and you need to fill in your passport information on the tax refund slip, so you need to carry your passport with you when you shop or remember your passport number. You will need to bring your passport with you or remember your passport number when you shop.
Seven, communication
1, telephone card
Truemove card: more and better reputation, Happy card: second, 1-2-Call card: more expensive application is not widespread.
Cards can be purchased and recharged at 7-11 convenience stores, telecom offices and even airports. Nowadays, there are agents on the Internet who can buy Thai phone cards in China, and the price is cheaper than buying them in Thailand, and they provide special instructions and guidance on how to use them, which is very cost-effective and convenient.
For most tourists, we recommend DTAC's Happy Tourist SIM card, which is a special phone card for tourists that can be purchased for 7 days with unlimited 3G traffic for 299 baht, including 100 baht in charges, and allows you to make about 100 minutes of local calls to China or Thailand. For more than 7 days, a limited internet package of 49 baht/day (250M traffic/day) or 199 baht/week (1G traffic/day) can be activated with the purchase of a rechargeable card.
Dialing a Chinese fixed line: 00400+86+domestic area code (omit 0, dial 10 if Beijing area code 010)+fixed telephone number, 1 baht/minute; dialing a Chinese cell phone: 00400+86+mobile phone number, 1 baht/minute; sending a text message to a Chinese cell phone is 5 baht per text message, and sending a multimedia message is 15 baht per text message.
Dialing Thailand local phone: 0+Thai number, 1 baht/minute; sending SMS to Thailand local 3 baht/post, sending MMS 5 baht/post.
China Telecom, China Unicom and China Mobile users with international roaming can use their cell phones to make calls in Thailand
TIPS:
If you don't need to use GPRS and other data functions abroad, you must remember to ask to turn it off and keep only the voice call function, because the cost of international data service traffic is really high.
2, network
Thailand's network is not as developed as China's, the Internet speed is relatively slow, but it can cover the whole island of Phuket, the main network companies are TOT, TureMove and 3BB. Phuket's hotels will provide Wi-Fi services, usually five-star hotels are required to pay for the Internet, about 30 baht / hour. Cell phone internet is even more convenient, with packages for traffic and calls that can be purchased directly. DTAC is currently offering a 299 baht traveler's card, which gives you unlimited internet access and 100 baht of calls for 7 days. It is not a bad idea to rent a portable wifi at the airport or online before you go abroad to make roaming outside the country more convenient.
Eight, tipping
Phuket is one of the most prevalent tipping culture in Thailand. In addition to the 10% service charge that most upscale hotels and restaurants will add to your bill, there are other places where tipping may be required, such as guides on sea excursions, waiters at meals, drivers at shuttle flights and room cleaners, for a minimum of 20 baht. Of course, these are not considered necessary and are more of a courtesy. Also, when tipping, don't give coins because coins are for beggars, but if there are coins in the change you get back after dinner, this is something you can just leave in the checkout folder as a tip for the wait staff.
nine, power outlets
Conversion plug: Thailand's voltage is 220V, most hotels power plug for two-phase flat plug, only a small number of two-phase round plug, but if the charging equipment in the three-hole can be equipped with their own conversion plug for emergencies.
Ten, important phone
1, first aid center: 1691
2, medical assistance: 1669
3, fire: 199
4, alarm/emergency help: 911
5, the tourist police: 1155, 24 hours, will be in English.
Thailand's international area code is: 66
Phuket local area code is: 76
Tips
1, must sunscreen
Popularity of the island of ultraviolet ultraviolet rays, if you don't do a good job of sunscreen, it is very easy to cause sunburn. Experienced tour guides in the tour before the tour will repeatedly emphasize to tourists to do a good job of sunscreen, if you do not listen to the guide's advice, tanning is a small matter, but if you accidentally get sunburned, not only can not play in the water, and even sleep will cause intense pain. This is a great influence on the mood of the next journey.
2, away from the offshore current
Offshore current, is a narrow and strong jet stream, it is vertical or nearly vertical to the coast of the direction of the flow to the sea. This beam of water is not long, but the speed is very fast, the flow rate can be as high as 2 meters per second or more, the duration of each strand for two or three minutes or even longer. Offshore currents are also known as recoiling currents. Offshore currents can easily wash people away from the shore, resulting in tragedy.
3, beware of undersea bombs
In the snorkeling, do not just indulge in the bizarre underwater world. Be sure to pay attention to the dangerous undersea bombs hidden in the ocean - sea urchins. If you are unfortunate enough to step on one, a scream and unforgettable pain await you. If you step on one by accident, tap the bottom of your foot firmly with a wooden board until the spikes are discharged. After removing the sea urchin spikes, rubbing around the wound with an ancient Thai herbal ointment can alleviate the pain.
4, away from the monkeys
Whether in the Monkey Beach, or in Phuket Big Buddha. It's better to stay away from monkeys when you see them. Although they are lively, cute and quirky, but in recent years the number of cases of monkeys injuring people has been increasing, after all, monkeys live in the wild, wild and difficult to tame. And the monkeys are scratched and bitten, but the travel insurance is not compensated for it, so we should be careful.