Chiang Mai Airlines

Air Andaman
2nd floor, Airport. (053 278 766)

Air Asia
Chiang Mai International Airport, Chiang Mai. (02 515 9999)

Air Mandalay
Doi Ping Mansion,148 Charoenprathet Rd. (05 381 8049)

Bangkok Airways
2nd floor Chiangmai International Airport Office. 0 5392 2258.

Lao Aviation
240 Prapokklao Rd. 0 5341 8258

Mandarin Airlines
2nd floor Chiangmai Airport, 0 5320 1268

Lao Airlines
Nakornping Condominium, Huaykaew Road, A Muang, 0 5322 3400.

Orient-Thai Airlines
Chiang Mai International Airport, T Suthep, A Muang, Chiang Mai 0 5392 2159

Silk Air
Imperial Mae Ping Hotel. 0 5327 6459

Thai Airways International
Airport Business Park, Mahidol Rd., 0 5392 0920 ; Airport Office, 0 5327 0222

Chiang Mai Banks
Banking hours are from 0830 - 1530, Monday to Friday. Exchange booths open much longer and available around Chiang Mai. ATMs are everywhere but do sometimes fail.

Business hours
Private offices are open from 9 - 5, Monday to Friday. Government offices open from 8.30 - 4.30 and banks from 9.30 - 3.30.

Chiang Mai Climate
The cool season is from late October to end of February with an average temperature of 21 degree Celsius. The coldest months are December and January. The hot season is from early March to the end of May with an average temperature of 29.9 degree Celsius. The hottest month is April. The rainy season is from early June to the end of October with an average temperature of 25.5 degree Celsius. September is the month that it rains a lot.

Chiang Mai Consulates
China (053 274 614)
India (053 243 066)
Japan (053 203 367)
USA (053 252 629)

Cultural norms
Show respect for the monarchy, and criticism is an offence. Stand for the King's anthem whenever played in public and at cinemas. Do not point with feet or touch the head and eat with your right hand. The Buddha is an image to be respected and you must not hang anything from the Buddha or even pose in the same photograph. Inside temples wear appropriate clothing. If things are not going your way resist the temptation to lose your temper, it does not work and very upsetting to Thais. Use a positive friendly style and things will happen.

Drugs
Punishment for possession of drugs is a very serious offence resulting in death sentences in certain cases in Thailand. Nightclubs can be raided and all patrons tested for drugs by giving a compulsory urine test.

Electricity
Electricity is 220V and uses flat or round two pin plugs without an earth.

Chiang Mai Emergency numbers
Ambulance 191; Police 191; Tourist Police 1155 and Fire 199.

Fire Service
Emergency call 199 Municipality Fire Station 1, Wangsingkham Road, T Changmoi, A Muang, Chiang Mai 50300. 0 5325 9191. Chiang Mai Gate Fire Station Chiang Mai Gate, Bamrungburi Road, A Muang, Chiang Mai 50000. 0 5327 7582. Changphuak Fire Station 71 Soi 4, Changphuak Road, T Sripoom, A Muang, Chiang Mai 50300. 0 5322 2852.

Foreign exchange
There is no limit to the foreign exchange that can be brought into Thailand but only $10,000 can be taken out unless you have declared a larger amount on arrival.

Chiang Mai Health
Health in Chiang Mai isn't a high risk problem, and the health care system is good. Chiang Mai is deemed malaria-free but you may be at risk if you are planning a trip down the Mekong river to Laos or other lowland areas. The malarial strains here are considered immune to western prophylactics such as Larium. There is a malaria centre alongside the outer western flank of the moat near Chiang Mai Ram 1 hospital. Dengue Fever has similar symptoms to malaria and is spread by mosquitoes occupying stagnant pools of water in urban areas. Incidents have been isolated and occur between July and October. There is no prophylactic available yet and if untreated the disease can sometimes be fatal.

Thailand has generally been very successful in its campaign to limit the spread of HIV and AIDS in a country that has a reputation for its sex industry. Condom usage is essential and widely practiced. The tap water is not drinkable, and bottled water is widely available and cheap.

Drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration, especially if out in the direct sun. Symptoms include fever, fatigue, breathing difficulty and a dry mouth. Rehydration salts and drinks will help. Diarrhoea is common and a mild bout during your trip is common. This usually results from eating unhygienically prepared food too much chilli in your food, contaminated water or unfamiliar spices and herbs. Anti-diarrhoeal medication is widely available in Thailand. The runs usually pass within 24 hours and keep well rested and rehydrate. If you have been vomiting or suffer a severe case, then report immediately to the hospital. Hepatitis exists in a variety of strains affecting the liver.

Hepatitis A is spread through contaminated food and drink, resulting in fever, chills, headaches and fatigue. The best remedy is simply resting and eating properly, waiting for the symptoms to pass. Hepatitis B is far more serious and often results in 'yellowing' of the skin and leads to long-term liver problems. It is spread through contaminated blood or sexual activity. Hepatitis C, D and E are less common but can be lethal and there is no vaccination against these. Drinking alcohol during the weeks after recovery is not advised.

There are many 'street dogs' in Chiang Mai and rabies is possible. A rabies vaccine is available, if you have not had this treatment before coming to Thailand and are subsequently bitten it is advisable to report to a hospital for injections. The rabies infection can be fatal and is carried in the saliva, so a dog licking an open wound is dangerous. Immediately clean the wound with iodine. Dogs infected with rabies usually display symptoms of dementia, acting very aggressively and foaming at the mouth in the late stages.

Pharmacies are widely available and pharmacists can often provide useful advice and the correct drugs.

Chiang Mai Hospitals

Chiang Mai Central Memorial Hospital
186/2 Changklan Road, T Changklan, A Muang,
Chiang Mai 50100. 0 5327 7090,

Chiang Mai Neurological Hospital
Suthep Road, T Suthep, A Muang,
Chiang Mai 50200. 0 5322 2285.

Chiang Mai Ram 1 Hospital
8 Boonruangrit Road, T Suthep, A Muang,
Chiang Mai 50200. 0 5322 4861

Dr Wong Hospital
111/10 Soi 3, Charoenmuang Road, A Muang,
Chiang Mai 50000. 0 5324 7519

Lanna Hospital
103 Chiang Mai - Lampang Road, T Patan, A Muang,
Chiang Mai 50300. 0 5335 7234, .

Maharaj Hospital
10 Suthep Road, T Suthep, A Muang,
Chiang Mai 50200. 0 53221 517.

Malaria Centre
18 Boonruangrit Road, T Suthep, A Muang,
Chiang Mai 50200. 0 5322 1529.

McCormick Hospital
133 Kaewnawarat Road, A Muang,
Chiang Mai 50000. 0 5324 1311, fax: 0 5324 1177.

Nakornping Hospital
Maerim Road, A Maerim, Chiang Mai 50180. 0 5389 0755.

Polyclinic Hospital
157/17 Chiang Mai - Hod Road,
A Muang, Chiang Mai 50200. 0 5327 2788.

Rajavej Hospital
316/1 Chiang Mai - Lampoon Road, T Nonghoi,
A Muang, Chiang Mai 50000. 0 5380 1999

Ruampaed Hospital
21 Nantaram Road, T Hayya, A Muang,
Chiang Mai 0 5327 3576

Siem Pakdee Hospital
50 Sridonchai Road, T Hayya, A Muang,
Chiang Mai 0 5327 6084 .

St Peter Eye Hospital
150, Chiang Mai - Lampang Road, T Changphuak,
A Muang, Chiang Mai 0 5322 5011.

Chiang Mai Dental Hospital
1/42 Moo 3, Chiang Mai - Lampang Road,
T Changphuak, A Muang 0 5341 1150.

Internet
Chiang Mai has internet cafes everywhere and very good value. They are mostly open until very late. Maay are free if you buy a coffee.

Language
English is widely spoken and improves all the time.

Local laws
You should not become involved with drugs of any kind. Possession of even very small quantities can lead to imprisonment. Possession of Marijuana can lead to a prison sentence of up to 15 years plus a fine of Baht 150,000. Amphetamines and Ecstasy are regarded as a class A drugs and possession or trafficking of them carries the same penalties as, for example, heroin. Possession of 20 grams, or over, of a class A drug at a point of exit from Thailand results in a charge of illegal possession, possession for distribution and attempt to smuggle and export, i.e. trafficking. A guilty verdict usually attracts the death sentence. It is a criminal offence to make critical or defamatory comments about the King or other members of the Royal family, punishable by a sentence of 3 to 15 years. The official drinking age is 18. Bars close at 2 am prompt and is enforced.

Mobile Phones
To use your phone in Chiang Mai just buy a local SIM card which is very reasonable in price. Thailand is a good palce to buy mobile phones or repair them.

Money
The currency is the Thai Baht. Prices are generally good and a lot cheaper than most countries for the same goods. A reasonable dinner will cost about 350 baht however there is a lot of variance and it is possible to eat for 100 baht.

Chiang Mai Pharmacies
Peeramit Pharmacy 1st Floor, Chiang Mai Pavilion, 145 Changklan Road, A Muang, Chiang Mai Roongkasem Pharmacy 125/3 Changklan Road, A Muang, Chiang Mai 0 5327 4312. Salaya Pharmacy 153 Moonmuang Road, A Muang, Chiang Mai 0 5321 3033. Open daily Siam Drug and Micromart G floor, Central Airport Plaza, Mahidol Road, A Muang, Chiang Mai 0 5390 3575.

Chiang Mai Police
The emergency number is 191. Airport Tourist Police Office 60 Moo 3, Airport Road, A Muang (0 5392 2191). Arcade Tourist Police Office 2 T Watket, A Muang, Chiang Mai (0 5324 2664). Night Bazaar Tourist Police Changklan Road, T Changklan, A Muang, Chiang Mai Central Police Station 169 Ratchadamnoen Road, T Phrasing, A Muang, Chiang Mai (0 5327 6040). Traffic Police Office 28 Praisanee Road, A Muang, Chiang Mai (0 5324 6101).

Safety
Personal safety is relatively good. Incidences of petty stealing are naturally greater in tourist areas, though Chiang Mai is safer than most popular spots. Effective tourist Police are always on duty here. Risks to consider include: gem scams, reckless driving, irresponsibility towards risky activities, poor hygiene during food preparation and sexually transmitted illnesses. So far the Thai police have done a commendable job in minimising risk of terrorist activity.

Smoking
Smoking is prohibited in all public areas and on public transport but allowed in designated areas of restaurants and bars.

Telephone
You must dial the full number in Thailand and so in Chiang mai dial the 053 as part of the number. The incoming number for Thailand from overseas is prefixed by 66 and then drop the 0. For overseas dial 00 and then the number, dropping the zero. Public call boxes accept coins and cards. Pre paid mobile phone SIM cards are available and mobiles work well.

Time
Chiang Mai is seven hours ahead of GMT. In the winter this means that Chiang Mai is 7 hours ahead of London and 12 hours ahead of New York. Tipping

Tipping
is not required. However tips after a meal are accepted with thanks and 10% would be the maximum. A smaller amount is very acceptable and if you do not feel like tipping then do not! Tipping is also appreciated for room services, porters, tour guides and for taxis rounding up the fare is very appreciated due to the low rates on the meter.

VAT refund
A VAT refund is available at the airport on departure to anyone who has been in Thailand less than 180 days, is not an airline crew member. A VAT refund only applies to good taken out of Thailand within 60 days of the date of purchase. Goods must be purchased from stores displaying the "VAT REFUND FOR TOURISTS" sign. You must complete a VAT refund form PP10) in the store and attach the original tax invoice to the form. The value of each item must be at least B2000 and a total of B5000 spent. You will need your passport with you at the time of purchase.

The form with invoices should be presented first at the Customs Desk before check in and then again at the VAT desk after immigration where payment will be made.

Thailand Visas
Visas are not required for stays of up to 30 days from many countries, including Australia, UK and USA. Tourist visas can also be obtained at the airport on arrival for certain other countries provided you have a confirmed outward ticket and extra passport photos. Do make sure your passport is valid for more than 6 months after you arrive.
Immigration Office (053 277 510)

Worship

Bahai Center
84/11 Wangsingcome Rd., (Muban) 0 5325 2382.

Chiangmai City Christian Community Center
28 Wiang Kaew St. 0 5341 6179

Chabot of Chiangmai,
88 Sridonchai Rd.

Chiang Mai Community Church
First Thai Church, Jaroenrasd Rd. 0 5324 2860.

Chiangmai First Church,
Duangtawan Hotel. Loi Kroh Rd.

Christian Outreach Center
Maida Rd. 0 5327 5041.

Church Of Christ
32/13 Huay Kaew Rd. 5322 1553.

Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter Day
Saints Busara-khamkond Rd.

The Acts Church Of Chiang Mai.
0 5340 4046.

Hope Of Chiangmai Church
115/1-5 Rajdamnern Rd., 0 5320 6979.

Islamic Mosques,
(Sunpakho Chang Puak, Ban Hor, Changklan, Nong Ban)

Jehovah's Witnesses
9/1 Soi 4, Prapokklao Rd., 0 5380 4983.

Payap University's Church
Mae Kow Campus. 0 5324 1255

Sacred Heart Cathedral
225 Jarernprathet Rd., 0 5327 4146.

Seven Fountain Catholic Chapel
97 Huaykaew Rd., 0 5321 1076.