The capital of Thailand is Bangkok.

The main entry point is the brand new Suvarnabhumi International Bangkok Airport, located 24 km east of Bangkok (about 1 hour from Central Bangkok and 1 hour from Pattaya).

Thai, Qantas, British Airways and Emirates all offer direct services from various Australian cities.
Singapore Airlines (via Singapore), Malaysian Airlines (via Kuala Lumpur) and Cathay Pacific (via Hong Kong) offer the most popular indirect routes.

Jetstar now have direct flights to Phuket & Bangkok as well.

The currency is the Thai Bhat (Approximately 28 Thai Bhat for 1 Australian Dollar).

Main tourist highlights:
Bangkok’s has many things to offer, no matter you want from a city stay but the main attractions are The Grand Palace, the adjoining Wat Pha Kaeo, Wat Pho, The Floating Market and last but not least an array of great shopping opportunities. For further details info please refer to www.bangkoktourist.com.

Areas close by to Bangkok include day or short overnight trips to Kanchanaburi (Bridge over the River Kwai), Ayutthaya (Old capital of Bangkok) as well as the beach resorts of Pattaya and Ko Samet.

North and Central Thailand’s main attractions are Sukhothai, known for its ancient temples. Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai and the Golden Triangle area provide the main opportunities for trekking and adventure activities as well as the chance to interact with people of the numerous hill tribes that populate the surrounding countryside.

Probably the biggest highlight Thailand has to offer are the plentiful beautiful beach resorts. The main resorts on the Gulf of Thailand side are Ko Chang , Pattaya, Hua Hin, Cha Am as well as Ko Samui in the South. On the Andaman Sea coast the main resorts include Phuket, Ko Phi Phi, Khao Lak as well as Krabi and Ao Nang.

Australian passport holders do not need a visa to travel to Thailand as long as they are staying less than 30 days and they have a confirmed outbound flight from Thailand. Its not the end of the world if you overstay by a few days (just a few days) but you will have to pay a fine on departure and it doesn't look good.

Australian Embassy,

37 South Sathorn Road, Bangkok 10120.

Telephone +66 2 287 2680 Fax + 66 2 287 2029
E-mail austembassy.bangkok@dfat.gov.au Web www.austembassy.or.th

Back to Asia homepage