Traveling to Phuket, Thailand? What needs to be paid attention to

Things you should pay attention to when traveling to Phuket, Thailand

1. Thailand entry and exit instructions

Thailand entry and exit card (fill in English pinyin):

Note: After getting off the plane, submit your passport and immigration card at the immigration counter in the arrival hall. After verifying the information, you will receive an arrival coupon. Make sure to keep the other exit slip as it will be needed when leaving customs. Be sure not to lose it.

2. Best Travel Time

November to April is the peak tourist season in Phuket. During this period, the temperature is suitable and the rainfall is small. The most beautiful Similan National Park on the island will also be open to welcome guests during this period; April is the "Songkran Festival" that attracts Thailand's attention, which should not be missed. However, hotel and itinerary fees will increase by about 15% during this period.

April to September is the rainy season in Phuket. Especially from June to August, it rains almost every day, which will have a certain impact on the itinerary. In September, Phuket will also hold a vegetarian festival that flaunts asceticism. Perhaps, it is also a good choice to experience the tropical style under the harsh sun.

3. Currency

Currency: Thailand’s currency is Thai Baht (Thai Baht), and there are roughly several ways to exchange it:

1. The most cost-effective one is At domestic Bank of China, if you make an appointment in advance, the exchange rate is about 1:5.

2. When swiping your card at a local ATM machine with the UnionPay logo, please note that the deposit balance in the ATM machine shows the amount of Thai baht calculated based on China UnionPay's foreign exchange rate at that time, not the RMB balance. The exchange rate is calculated based on the selling price of Thai baht announced by the Bank of China on that day.

3. There are currency exchange booths marked Exchange on the roadside. The exchange rate is slightly lower, but it is very convenient. Currency exchange booth opening hours: 9:00-20:00 every day.

4. Time difference

The time difference between Thailand and China is 1 hour. For example, it is 11 a.m. Beijing time, and Thailand time should be 10 a.m.

Five. Five Bank Cards

1. UnionPay Card

In Thailand, UnionPay credit cards can be used at POS machines in many stores. Kasikorn Bank ), Thai Military Bank (TMB), Thai SCIB Bank, Bangkok Bank, Siam Commercial Bank, Siam City Bank, United Overseas Bank (UOB), Thai King Bank ( Krung Thai Bank)*** You can directly withdraw Thai baht with UnionPay cards at more than 8,000 ATMs. It is recommended to withdraw cash from the Kasikornbank ATM in Thailand. The service of this bank is very good. The ATM machine has a full Chinese operation interface and its logo color is green.

1) China UnionPay has opened POS card swiping and ATM cash withdrawal services in Thailand. All merchants with the "UnionPay" logo can accept UnionPay cards. There is no handling fee for swiping cards or withdrawing funds overseas, and currency conversion fees ranging from 1% to 2% are waived.

2) The handling fees of all banks in Thailand are the same: 150 baht for every 20,000 baht. By analogy: 75 baht for 10,000 baht. Each card can withdraw up to 40,000 baht per day. Some banks can withdraw up to 40,000 baht per card per day. Only 20,000 baht can be withdrawn.

2. Credit card

Credit cards are generally accepted by high-end hotels, restaurants and other commercial institutions in Thailand. These places accept 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 offices in Thailand. However, a 1.5% handling fee will be charged.

1) Credit card withdrawals require interest or higher handling fees. It is recommended to use debit cards for ATM withdrawals;

2) Credit cards are subject to credit limit limits, which may exceed the credit limit. It will result in high fees, so it is recommended to use a debit card when making large purchases

3) In addition to withdrawing cash, UnionPay cards can also be used to make purchases in most large shopping malls and stores in Thailand

6. Tax refund

Tax refund in Phuket is generally only available in large and formal shopping malls. The tax refund amount is 7%. Starting from 2,000 baht, you can ask the merchant to issue a tax refund form. Most merchants within 2,000 baht are No tax refund form will be issued.

When handling tax refund at the airport, a handling fee of 100 baht is required for each tax refund form. For example, for a tax refund form for a product worth 2,000 baht, the refunded tax is 140 baht, the handling fee is 100 baht, and the actual amount returned is 40 baht. Therefore, try to collect tax refund forms with receipts from the same department store to reduce handling fees. You need to apply for a tax refund form directly at a store or shopping mall after shopping. You need to fill in your passport information on the tax refund form. You need to carry your passport with you when shopping, or remember your passport number. Apply at the airport with your tax refund form (not just the receipt).

7. Communication

1. Telephone card

Truemove card: used more and has a better reputation, Happy card: secondly, 1-2-Call card : The tariff is relatively expensive and the application range is not wide.

It can be purchased and recharged at 7-11 convenience stores, telecom business halls and even airports.

Now there are agents on the Internet who can buy Thai phone cards in China, and the price is cheaper than buying in Thailand. They also provide special usage guidance and instructions, which is very cost-effective and convenient.

For most tourists, we recommend DTAC Company’s Happy Tourist SIM card, a phone card specially launched for tourists. You can purchase a 7-day unlimited 3G traffic package at a price of 299 baht, including a 100 baht call charge. You can make calls to China or Local calls in Thailand take about 100 minutes. If it exceeds 7 days, you can purchase a recharge card and activate a limited Internet package of 49 Baht/day (250M traffic/day) or 199 Baht/week (1G traffic/day).

To call China’s landline: 004086+domestic area code (0 is omitted, if the Beijing area code is 010, dial 10)+landline number, 1 baht/minute; to call China’s mobile phone: 004086+mobile phone Number, 1 baht/minute; text messages to Chinese mobile phones are 5 baht/piece, and MMS messages are 15 baht/piece.

Call a local number in Thailand: Thailand number, 1 baht/minute; send SMS to local Thailand for 3 baht/piece, send MMS 5 baht/piece.

Users of China Telecom, China Unicom and China Mobile who have opened international roaming can use their mobile phones to make calls in Thailand

TIPS:

There is no need to use GPRS abroad. If you are waiting for the data function, be sure 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, and the Internet speed is relatively slow, but it can cover the entire island of Phuket. Currently, the main network companies are TOT, TureMove and 3BB. Hotels in Phuket will provide Wi-Fi services. Usually five-star hotels require payment for the Internet, about 30 baht/hour. It is more convenient to surf the Internet on mobile phones, and you can directly purchase data and call packages. Currently, DTAC company has launched a 299 baht tourist card, which can enjoy unlimited Internet access and 100 baht phone calls within 7 days. You may wish to rent a portable wifi at the airport or online before going abroad, which will make roaming abroad more convenient.

8. Tipping

Phuket is the place where tipping culture is most popular in Thailand. In addition to most high-end hotels and restaurants that will add a 10% service charge to the bill, there are other places where tips may be required, such as tour guides for sea tours, waiters for meals, drivers who pick up and drop off the airport, and room cleaning staff, at least 20 baht. Of course, these are not necessary, but more of a courtesy. In addition, when tipping, do not give coins, because coins are given to beggars, but if there are coins in the change you get after dinner, you can leave them directly in the checkout folder as a tip for the service staff.

9. Power socket

Conversion plug: The voltage in Thailand is 220V. Most hotel power plugs are two-phase flat plugs, and only a few are two-phase round plugs. But if the charging equipment For those with three holes, you can bring your own conversion plug for emergencies.

10. Important telephone numbers

1. Emergency center: 1691

2. Medical assistance: 1669

3. Fire alarm: 199< /p>

4. Call the police/emergency help: 911

5. Tourist police: 1155, 24 hours a day, speaks English.

Thailand’s international dialing code is: 66

Phuket’s local area code is: 76

Tips

1. Be sure to wear sunscreen< /p>

Penguang Island’s ultraviolet rays are very strong. If you don’t take sun protection, it is easy to cause sunburn. Experienced tour guides will repeatedly emphasize sun protection to tourists before leaving the group. If you don't follow the tour guide's advice, tanning will be a minor issue. However, if you accidentally get sunburned, not only will you not be able to play in the water, but you will also suffer severe pain while sleeping. This will greatly affect your mood for the rest of the journey.

2. Stay away from rip currents

A rip current is a narrow and powerful jet-like current that flows outward in a direction perpendicular or nearly perpendicular to the coast. go. Although this stream of water is not long, it is very fast. The flow rate can be as high as more than 2 meters per second, and the duration of each stream is two to three minutes or even longer. Rip currents are also called recirculating currents. Rip currents can easily wash people away from the coast, leading to tragedy.

3. Be careful of underwater bombs

When snorkeling, don’t just indulge in the bizarre underwater world. Be sure to pay attention to the dangerous submarine bombs - sea urchins - hidden in the ocean. If you accidentally step on it, you will be greeted by screams and unforgettable pain. If you accidentally step on it, tap the soles of your feet with a wooden board until the spikes are discharged. Remove the sea urchin thorns and then wipe the area around the wound with an ancient Thai herbal ointment to relieve pain.

4. Stay away from monkeys

Whether it is at Monkey Beach or the Big Buddha in Phuket. If you see monkeys, just give them a wide berth. Although they are lively, cute and quirky, the number of cases of monkeys hurting people has been increasing in recent years. After all, monkeys live in the wild and are wild and difficult to tame. Moreover, travel insurance will not cover any scratches or bites caused by monkeys, so it’s better to be careful.