Thai life is punctuated by many holidays. Most of these festivals feature a spectacular parade, followed by evening performances of traditional theater and dance. JANUARY IN JANUARY Don Chedi Memorial Fair (Suphanburi) Week-long commemoration of Prince Naresuan’s victory over the Burmese (late January). King Mengrai festival (Chiang Rai) Festival celebrated in the north in honor of King Mentirai, founder of the Lan Na kingdom, with a parade and sound and light show (late January – early February). Phra That Phanom Festival (Nakhon Phanom) This week-long festival takes place around the most sacred stupa in north-east Thailand (late January). Chinese New Year (Throughout Thailand) It is the main festival of the Chinese community, celebrated with more festivities in predominantly Chinese towns, such as Nakhon Sawan, a few hours north of Bangkok. In Sampeng, Bangkok’s Chinatown, the festivities are in full swing. Bo Sang Umbrella and Sankampaeng Handicrafts Festival (Chiang Mai) A cultural event organized to honor and celebrate the local community responsible for making Thailand’s most famous umbrellas, which are skillfully painted and meticulously handcrafted using Sa fabric, an indigenous plant also known as mulberry bark. FEBRUARY IN FEBRUARY Giant Straw Birds (Chainat) Holiday celebrated in the south, which features giant...Read More
To help you prepare for your trip to Thailand, we’ve put together this page with all the practical information you’ll need. All you have to do is let yourself be guided and enjoy your stay… If you need any further information, please do not hesitate to contact us. Passport Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your planned return date. The passport is valid for 10 years for an adult and 5 years for a child, and must be renewed at your local town hall. We advise you to scan and photocopy this document, keeping one copy for yourself and one for our office, to facilitate administrative procedures in the event of loss or forgetfulness in Thailand. Visas French nationals do not need a visa for stays of less than 30 days.If you wish to extend your stay beyond 30 days, please go to this address beforehand to obtain a 60-day tourist visa: Royal Thai Embassy8 rue Greuze75116 PARISTel. : 01 56 26 50 50www.thaiembassy.fr/fr/ Insurance Check that your travel insurance covers medical expenses, including repatriation, as well as loss of luggage and money. Keep all receipts for your expenses, and report loss or theft to...Read More
Time Difference Thailand fits into a single time zone, 7 hours ahead of GMT.When it is 12 o’clock in Bangkok, it is 5 or 6 o’clock in the morning in Europe, depending on whether it is summer time or winter time.When it is 12 o’clock in Bangkok, it is 10 o’clock in the morning in Reunion.When it’s 8 p.m. in Bangkok, it’s 9 a.m. in Montreal. General Capital : Bangkok ( Krung Thep in Thai) with about 10 million inhabitants Location : Between 6 and 21 parallel North Area: 513,115 km2 (12 x larger than Switzerland) Extension : North-South 1,650 kmEast-West 800 kmNarrowest point Isthmus von Kra (approx.15 km wide) Countries bordering : West and North: MyanmarIn the North- East : LaosIn the East : CambodiaIn the South: Malaysia Topography : In the North: mountainous and rich in forestsIn the North-East: high peaks and richly woodedIn the center: very fertile due to the Chao Phraya river and its tributaries Population / Religion Thailand now has around 70 million inhabitants, of which around 75% are Thais. Almost 95% of the Thai population is Buddhist. Language Thai is the official language of the country, and comes in different dialects. The business language...Read More
