Planning Your Trip

1. When to Go

Phuket’s peak season lasts from November until May. Temperatures rise in April and May before the rainy season, which lasts from June to October. Even during September and October, when rainfall is at its heaviest, Phuket receives plenty of sunshine and island activities continue unabated.

2. What to Take

You will be able to buy just about anything you need on Phuket, so if you forget something, you can simply go shopping when you arrive. However, it is best to bring prescription medicines from home. If you plan to visit Buddhist temples, wear long pants and shirts that cover your shoulders.

3. Online Planning

The Tourism Authority of Thailand website provides a wealth of information to help you plan your trip, including interactive maps, suggested itineraries, and special holiday travel deals. Candid reviews of hotels and tour companies can be found on many web message boards, while other sites provide detailed descriptions of beaches, activities, and other attractions.prac_infowww.tourismthailand.org

4. Vaccinations

Immunization against polio, tetanus, hepatitis A and B, and typhoid is recommended. Travelers to remote, rural areas should get vaccinations for Japanese encephalitis, hepatitis B, diphtheria, rabies, and tuberculosis. Rare, local cases of malaria have been reported on Phuket and Phang Nga, but none in the major tourist areas.

5. Passports & Visas

Many passport holders are granted tourist visa exemptions, valid for 15 days. Visit the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website (www.mfa.go.th) to view eligibility. Visas on arrival are also available for some nationalities. Tourist visas, applied for at consulates or embassies outside of Thailand, generally allow for longer stays of three to six months.

6. Customs and VAT

Travelers are permitted to bring up to 200 cigarettes (or 250 g/900 ounces of tobacco or cigars) and a liter of alcohol into Thailand. Many goods purchased in Thailand qualify for a VAT refund. When you shop, look for stores that display the “VAT Refund For Tourists” sign.

7. Tourist Offices

The official Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) office is located in Phuket Town. All major tourist areas have designated tourist police to ensure that your visit is as safe and pleasant as possible. For tourist police assistance, call 1155.prac_infoTourism Authority of Thailand • 73–5 Phuket Road, Phuket • 07621 2213www.tourismthailand.org

8. Time Differences

Thailand is 12 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time and 7 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time. The country does not observe daylight saving time.

9. Electrical Appliances

Electricity in Thailand is 220 volts, 50 Hz C. Many wall sockets are designed for flat prongs, such as those from the US and Japan, as well as round prongs, such as those from European and Asian countries. Visitors are advised to bring their own adapters and converters, although both can be purchased on Phuket.

10. Language

Thailand’s official language is Thai, which features five tones and an alphabet that reads from left to right. Regional Thai dialects are still spoken, although central Thai is considered the official version. Although English is widely spoken in most tourist areas, learning a few basic words of Thai will help cultivate good relations with your local hosts.

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