Bangkok
Useful Information
Tourist
Information Services
Tourist
information is available at the Tourism
Authority of Thailand head office in Bangkok, local offices
in 22 major cities (listed in the back cover) and the TAT
information counter in Bangkok
Airport and at every airport where
there is a TAT local office. They provide maps, brochures
and useful information on tours, shopping, dining and accommodation.
All TAT information offices are open seven days a week from
8.30 AM. To 4.30 PM.
Business
hours
Most
commercial concerns in Bangkok operate
on a five-day week basis. Government offices are generally
open between 8.30 AM and 4.30 PM with a noon to 1.00 PM lunch
break, Monday through Friday, except on public holidays.
Private
businesses maintain much the same hours - perhaps 8.00 AM
to 5.00 PM, with certain exceptions. Many stores open 12
hours a day, seven days a week.
Business
Centers
Certain
major hotels provide fully equipped business centers for
visiting executives. Services customarily include secretarial
work, typing, photocopying and fax facilities, conference
rooms and reference libraries.
Embassies
Some
50 countries maintain embassies, consulates or legations in
Bangkok. Most are concentrated around the Sukhumvit, Ploen
Chit, Witthayu and Sathon Road areas. A complete list of such
missions is featured in the Yellow Pages of the English edition
of the Bangkok Telephone Directory.
Press
Thailand's
English-language newspapers, the Nation, the Bangkok Post and
Thailand Times keep readers abreast of local and international
events. It also carry daily listings on concerts, exhibitions,
displays and cinematic offerings.
Complimentary
weekly tourist publications such as This Week, Explore Pattaya,
etc., contain additional information with emphasis on dining
and nightlife attractions. Beer bars, cocktail lounges and
pubs are mostly concentrated in the Sukhumvit, New Petchaburi
and Silom Road areas.
Major
English language magazines and newspapers such as International
Herald Tribune, Wall street Journal, Newsweek, Time and Asia
week are readily available at hotel newsagents, supermarkets,
department stores and leading bookstores.
Tourist
police
The Tourist
Police was set up to coordinate with the Tourism
Authority of Thailand in providing safety for tourists.
Its responsibilities are receiving and acknowledging claims
and complaints; to conduct investigations and action as
coordinator of tourist security protection. At present,
some 500-tourist policemen are stationed in major tourist
areas such as the Grand Palace, Pat Pong and Lumphini Park.
Email
Address : tourist@police.go.th
Address
and Telephone Number of the Tourist Police in Bangkok Office:
Address:
26/56 TPI Tower Bldg. 23 Fl., Chantadmai Rd.
Tungmahamek, Sathorn, Bangkok 10120
Phone:
02-678-6800-9
Fax: 02-678-6829
Address:
Don Muang International Airport, Wipawadee Rangsit Rd.,
Don Muang, Bangkok
Phone:
02-535-1641
Medical
services
All
tourism destinations and provincial capitals have hospitals
and clinics staffed by well-trained doctors and nurses. In
case of emergencies, ambulances can be summoned form any
private hospital.
International
SOS Assistance
Helpline-Phone : 02-655-7241
24 hour assistance for evacuation and medical emergencies.