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Travel Tips

Traveling to Thailand

Editor’s note: Global business, and subsequently, global business travel, continues to expand. In response, CWT Traveler will provide to readers insights and tips on traveling from North America to other countries around the world. This month’s installment focuses on Thailand.

In business:
- Allow plenty of time between appointments. Travel within the city of Bangkok can be difficult, especially during the rainy season. Gridlock is very common and Thai businesspeople often conduct business from their cars. Thai cities have passenger service on canals, so when street traffic is stalled, consider commuting by boat.
- The best time to schedule business travel to Thailand is between November and March. Most Thai businesspeople vacation during April and May.
- Visitors should be flexible and patient in business dealings, as Thais do not follow the same persistent work schedule as other cultures. Visitors also should not be overly assertive, as that may be considered impolite.
- When dressing for business, men should wear a lightweight suit or slacks and a jacket, white shirt and tie; women should wear plain, conservative dresses or suits. Women should not wear black dresses, a color the Thais reserve for funerals or mourning.
Good to know:
- Thailand is seven hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (G.M.T. +7), or twelve hours ahead of U.S. Eastern Standard Time (E.S.T. +12).
- The traditional Thai greeting is called a “wai” (pronounced “why”) and can be used for both meeting and departing. Hands should be pressed together as though in prayer, arms and elbows should be kept close to the body, and the head should be bowed to touch the tips of the fingers. The height of the hands determines the level of respect being given. The higher the hands, the more respect being shown; however, fingertips should never extend above eye level. Thais will also shake hands with Westerners.
- Visitors should avoid marking private documents and information “confidential.” This may only bring more attention than desired.
- Visitors should never point their foot at anyone or cross their legs with one leg resting on the other knee, as both are considered extremely rude. Never point or move something with the foot.
Safety and Security:
- The U.S. State Department is concerned that there is an increased risk of terrorism in Southeast Asia, including in Thailand. American citizens traveling to Thailand should therefore exercise caution, especially in locations where Westerners congregate, such as clubs, discos, bars, restaurants, hotels, places of worship, schools, outdoor recreation venues, tourist areas, beach resorts, and other places frequented by foreigners. They should remain vigilant with regard to their personal security and avoid crowds and demonstrations.
- Please contact your CWT travel counselor or click on the State Department Website below for the latest security information for travel to Thailand – http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_1764.html
Sources: travel.state.gov, “Kiss, Bow, or Shake Hands: The Bestselling Guide to Doing Business in More Than 60 Countries,” by Terri Morrison and Wayne A. Conaway. Published by Adams Media of Avon, Massachusetts.

Know before you go
It’s important for travelers to check travel warnings and health advisories before heading to their destinations, and there are several helpful resources available online.

Travel.state.gov: Here, travelers can find travel warnings, country-specific information, and travel alerts. Travel warnings are issued when the U.S. Department of State decides to recommend that Americans avoid travel to a certain country. Country-specific information includes news on immigration practices, health conditions, minor political disturbances, unusual currency and entry regulations, and crime and security information. If an unstable condition exists in a country but does not warrant a travel warning, it may be included under an optional section: Safety/Security. Finally, the travel alerts section includes information about terrorist threats and other potential risks to the security of U.S. travelers.

Cdc.gov/travel: This Website includes helpful information to assist travelers in deciding the vaccines, medications, and other measures necessary to prevent illness or injury during international travel.

Who.int/ith/en: The World Health Organization advises “Travelers may encounter sudden and significant changes in altitude, humidity, microbes and temperature, which can result in ill-health. All people planning travel should become informed about the potential hazards of the countries they are traveling to and learn how to minimize any risk to their health.”

Sources: travel.state.gov, cdc.gov/travel, who.int/ith/en

CWT Traveler

Travel Tips

Traveling to Thailand

Know before you go