Please clarify the entry requirements for your country, the validity of your travel documents, and make the appropriate preparations. Some countries might require a visa for Thailand. Here you can check if you need a visa.
Important: All participants are responsible for complying with the immigration regulations in force when traveling to enter Thailand. You are responsible for obtaining the visa yourself – so please do so straight away.
If you do require a visa, there is an option for some countries of purchasing a Visa on Arrival at the designated immigration checkpoints.
If you need any assistance, Olivia Akesson (olivia.akesson@softwareone.com) will be happy to assist you. Please check in advance which documents you need to enter Thailand.
Entry requirements
Population, language & religion
Approximately 72 million people live in Thailand. 450,000 of them live on the island of Phuket. They speak Thai, also known as Siamese, and often English due to a lot of tourism.
The religion here is Buddhism, which is practiced by around 95% of the population and dominates the local culture and customs. By the way the king is the most important person in the country for Thai people. They worship him and even kneel in front of his statues like in front of Buddha’s ones.
Weather & climate
The weather in April is usually hot and humidity starts to rise as it’s the beginning of the wet season. The average daily max is 35ºC (95ºF) and the average daily min is 25ºC (77ºF).
Occasional short, thundery showers can bring a little relief from the heat. It’s a particularly a good time of the year to swim in the sea, with water temperatures over 28ºC.
Here you can find the current weather forecast for April:
Time zone, phone & connectivity
Thailand observes Indochina Time all year: UTC +7.
The country code for Thailand: +66
Free Wi-Fi is available at the airports of Phuket and Bangkok for up to 2 hours per day. Also, hotels, restaurants and cafés often provide free Wi-Fi internet access to their guests.
Nevertheless, we recommend to get a data package from airalo.
Currency & cash
The local currency is the Thai Baht (THB)
1 Thai baht is made up of 100 satang.
Thailand is largely a cash economy which means it mainly deals in cash. This applies to restaurants, beach bars, markets, tuk-tuk drivers, kiosks, pharmacies or shops.
Credit cards are sometimes accepted in tourist areas, but dealers often charge fees of between 3% and 5% when paying by credit card. We recommend carrying cash which is easily withdrawn from ATMs found on most street corners and at our hotel.
You can check the current exchange rate here:
Power plugs and outlets
Thailand has 220V, 50Hz power outlets and uses Type A, B, C & O. Foreign visitors are advised to bring along travel adaptors to fit the outlets in the country.
Here you can check whether you need an adaptor:
Thai dress code & packing
Technically, you can wear what you like in Thailand - there are no official rules. Nevertheless, Thailand is a modest country, staying "more covered than not" will be appreciated.
When visiting a temple, it's important to remove your shoes upon entering. Additionally, it's necessary to dress appropriately by covering your knees, shoulders, upper arms and cleavage. Most of the popular temples provide visitors with free wraps just in case you’ve not covered up enough.
As we expect hot weather in April linen t-shirts, skirts, shorts, sandals, suncream and anything that keeps you cool is recommended. A mosquito repellent is also highly recommended as humidity is rising in April.
Please note: It can get chilly inside the buildings as they are cooled down considerably. We therefore also advise you to bring some warmer clothing such as a jacket or a light jumper.
Closer to the travel date, we will inform you of any other particular President’s Club event dress codes.
Thai New Year - Songkran
Songkran is the traditional Thai New Year, celebrated with immense joy and enthusiasm throughout the country.
As the April heat sets in, Thai people and visitors alike engage in the iconic water fights that define Songkran. The streets of Phuket transform into a watery battlefield, where people armed with water guns joyfully drench each other in a symbolic cleansing ritual that represents the washing away of the past year's misfortunes. Next to water they also use a white substance called talcum powder during the festivities. This powder is often mixed with water to create a paste that is applied to the faces of people as a form of blessing.
In addition to the water festivities, locals in Phuket partake in religious ceremonies at temples, offering prayers and making merit. Paying respects to elders and seeking blessings from monks are integral parts of the Songkran tradition, fostering a sense of community and respect for Thai cultural values.
In Phuket, this vibrant festival is celebrated on April 13.
Tipping
Tipping is a usual practice in Thailand. Although there is no mandatory requirement to tip anyone, small gratuities for great service are very much appreciated. As always, tip only where you believe it’s warranted. It’s always difficult to know exactly how much to give. A basic guideline is suggested below:
Local Guides: 10/20 USD for a half/full day tour
Housekeeping: 1-2 USD per day
Porters/Bell hops: 1 USD per bag
Taxis, street food spots: Simply round the fare upwards to the most convenient amount
Restaurants: smaller restaurants expect less, luxury restaurants are more used to North American tipping practices
Thai massage: 1-2 USD is normal for a standard massage
