Tips for visiting Phuket

What should I pay attention to when I come to Phuket? Many people only pay attention to superficial problems when traveling. In fact, there are many things that they don't know very well. So today, Bian Xiao tells you what taboos you have in Phuket, what you need to prepare and so on.

currency conversion

Thai baht can be exchanged at airports, banks, hotels and foreign exchange offices in tourist attractions in Phuket.

Method of obtaining Thai baht:

1. Domestic direct purchase is the most cost-effective exchange rate. Bank of China can exchange Thai baht directly. Generally, you need to make an appointment in advance and bring your ID card to the local branch of China Bank.

2. After arriving in Thailand, the ATM with UnionPay logo is preferred, and you can withdraw Thai baht directly with your bank card (Thailand has only one ATM 200 meters away from the street, which is very convenient). It should be noted that the ATM withdrawal amount shows the Thai baht amount calculated according to the foreign exchange rate of China UnionPay at that time, not the RMB amount (there are five types: 1000, 2000, 3000, 5000, 10000). When withdrawing money, the issuing bank will charge a certain handling fee (the minimum handling fee for each transaction is 10 yuan, and the minimum handling fee for ICBC card is 12 yuan, that is, no matter which of the above five transactions you withdraw, the handling fee is 12 yuan, and it is recommended to withdraw more than 5,000 yuan at one time). Explain that the tour guide in Thailand will tell you that there is a 20% handling fee for ATM withdrawals, which is completely nonsense. It will cost you nearly 20% to exchange 1:4.2. By the way, there is also a charge for ATM inquiries. Every time ICBC 4 yuan.

3. Exchange US dollars in China and Thai baht in Thailand. There will be a certain exchange rate loss. Generally not recommended.

4. Directly exchange RMB in Thailand, and the exchange rate is lower than the above method. The Chinatown in Bangkok may be slightly better, and the probability of being slaughtered is higher.

5. Again, general convenience stores in Thailand can't pay by credit card (UnionPay) and don't support RMB payment. However, 5 yuan RMB can be used to pay all kinds of tips (Thailand is a tipping kingdom, and accommodation, various entertainment items, shemale photos, thai massage, etc. all cost 20 baht. ). It is suggested that more 5 yuan banknotes can be exchanged in China for future use.

Thai baht exchange channel:

You can exchange money at the bank, and there will also be exchange kiosks opened by banks in Patong Beach, Kata Beach, Kalong Beach and Phuket Town. In addition, some well-known hotels can exchange foreign exchange, but less than banks. Opening hours of the exchange hall: 9:00-20:00 every day.

The business hours of domestic banks in Thailand are usually 8:30- 15:30 from Monday to Friday and closed on Saturday and Sunday. In busy streets where foreigners gather, such as Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Pattaya and Phuket, there are many exchange offices directly under banks. In these exchanges, the business hours are all until 20:30 in the evening, and some even stay open until late at night. It should be noted that some banks do not accept $96 and above.

: communication

1. Prepaid SIM cards can be purchased at 7-Eleven convenience stores, and the shops selling SIM cards also sell prepaid cards.

2. Call the domestic landline in Phuket: 0086 (the first number is 0, no need to dial).

Call domestic mobile phone in Phuket: 0086 mobile phone number.

Domestic telephone landlines in Phuket: 006676 phone number

Call domestic Phuket mobile phone: 0066 (the first number is 0, please do not dial).

3. Internet cafes are very common in the local area with low fees; The hotel's internet fee depends on the hotel. Please consult the fee before use.

: religious/customary taboos

1. Temples, churches, palaces and high-level entertainment places are all recognized as formal occasions. You must wear dignified and tidy clothes when entering, and you are not allowed to wear topless clothes, slippers, shorts, mini skirts, sleeveless tops or other inappropriate clothes.

2. Don't touch the monk with your fingers, especially the woman sitting next to the monk in the car, and don't shake hands with the monk.

3. Never climb the Buddha statue to take pictures, and never do anything disrespectful to the Buddha statue; Don't give cash when you meet a monk, because it is against the monk's precepts.

When entering Buddhist temples, Muslim temples or private houses, tourists need to take off their shoes and be careful not to step on the threshold.

Don't touch other people's heads, don't mess up other people's hair. The locals forbid outsiders to touch the heads of children (especially young monks). Only kings, monks and their parents can touch a child's head.

6. Local people think that people's left hand is not clean, and important things should be taken with their right hand; The soles of your feet are also considered unclean, so avoid putting your feet on the table when sitting; Hitting or pointing with your toes will be severely reprimanded. Never rush to the Buddha.

7. In public, it is not appropriate to make too intimate moves. In addition, nude sunbathing is only allowed on some beaches, and locals in other places don't like this behavior, which violates the Buddhist concept of Thai people.

: ordinary telephone

1. China Embassy in Thailand Tel: 0066-2-24570442.

Emergency number: ambulance-254425; 20935, fire alarm 199, alarm 19 1.

Phuket needs to know about food, clothing, housing and transportation.

transport

Phuket is on the left, opposite China. Please look to the right before crossing the road and obey the traffic rules.

hotel

1. In areas with mature tourism, some hotel facilities are outdated, please understand.

Hotels usually have pay TV, telephone, pay drinks and snacks. Please ask about the cost before use to avoid misunderstanding when checking out.

The tap water in the hotel can't be drunk directly. Recommended bottled water.

4. Pay attention to safety and economy when using electricity and water, and pay attention to safety when smoking. If the facilities are damaged, personal compensation is required.

Please check your personal belongings carefully when you leave the hotel, and don't miss shopping. Phuket is the region with the largest tin mine production in Thailand, and all kinds of tin products are popular, including vases, wine vessels, ornaments and other shopping.

refund a tax

1. Tourists who buy goods in Phuket can ask for a refund of 7% VAT after returning home. On the same day, after purchasing the goods with the logo of "VAT refund for tourists" in the same store and spending over 2000 baht, you can fill out an application form for tourist tax refund with your passport and print the original tax payment certificate on the shopping day. According to the total amount of goods applying for tax refund under the same passport, if the goods are returned by airport tax refund, bank draft or card transfer, the handling fee of 100 baht and bill transfer fee will be charged.

2. After arriving at the airport, go to the VAT refund office, go through the exit formalities normally after stamping, and then show your passport and tax refund form at the tax refund counter in the departure hall. If you buy valuables such as jewelry and watches, you need to show the purchased goods when you refund the tax, so you should consider this before checking your luggage.

prescribe a diet

Thai food has a delicate balance between spicy, salty, sweet and sour, and it is rich in flavor. Visitors can choose to try it according to their personal tastes.

restaurant

1. When using the buffet, take a small amount first, and like to take more.

If you need to use a knife and fork, please hold the fork in your left hand and the knife in your right hand. It is not advisable to wave a knife and fork to talk, and the tableware should try not to make a sound.

Please understand that you may have to wait for meals during the golden holidays and tourist season.

4. Tipping/service charge: Tipping is a local custom. Waiters in restaurants and bars, room attendants, hotel bellboys, etc. Everyone needs to tip, usually 20 baht.

customs

Phuket Customs Entry-Exit and Airport Security Regulations

1. The duty-free items allowed to enter the country are: alcohol 1 kg, 250g of cut tobacco or 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars, 5 rolls of film or 3 rolls of film.

2. Passengers carrying antiques and Buddha statues out of the country must apply for an approval certificate from the National Art Office of Thailand in advance.

: safety instructions

1. Take your passport and hotel business card, remember the contact information of the tour guide, and don't go to remote places after dark.

2. Obey the traffic rules, don't cross the road, don't forcibly grab the road, and pay attention to your own safety.

Don't talk to strangers and refuse the services provided by strangers, so as not to be cheated and used.

Visitors with a medical history must take medicine with them.

Valuables such as cash and certificates must never be put in checked baggage, and must be carried with you.

6. Hotels and drivers are not responsible for the safety of valuables in guest rooms and buses. Please don't leave it in the hotel room or the tourist bus, so as not to cause unnecessary economic losses.

7. Scenic spots, hotel lobbies, shopping malls and other places where tourists gather are places where theft occurs frequently. Please take care of your belongings.