Thailand Economy and Communication
ECONOMY
Business etiquette
Business people in high positions mostly speak English, but communication problems can arise in smaller companies and businesses outside of Bangkok’s industrial belt. Business cards are required. Appointments are usually made in advance.
Bangkok
In large and international companies, people in senior positions mostly speak English, but this is less common in smaller companies. It is customary to make appointments for business meetings and exchange business cards. Punctuality is especially important (although visitors are often left waiting after arrival). You should also plan the traffic in Bangkok before you go to a business meeting. Gifts are often given to guests in Thailand, so it is appropriate to return them with a typical present from your own country. Business meetings often take place at lunchtime in a Thai restaurant. Businesspeople in Thailand dress quite formally, but since it is so extremely hot it is widely accepted that when the jacket is taken off. Quite a few foreigners work in Bangkok, and they often meet in a bar or pub after business hours.
Opening hours
Business hours: Mon-Fri 8.30 a.m.-4.30 p.m. Some offices are open half days on Saturdays.
Economy
Trade Department of the Embassy of Thailand
Petzowstrasse 1, D-14109 Berlin
Tel: (030) 805 00 40.
German-Thai Chamber of Commerce
25th Floor, Empire Tower 3, 195 South Sathorn Road, Yannawa, Sathorn, Bangkok 10120
Tel: (662) 670 06 00.
Internet: www.gtcc.org
Trade Department of the Embassy of Thailand
Kopalgasse 47, A-1110 Vienna.
Tel: (01) 748 50 20.
Thai Embassy
Kirchstrasse 56, CH-3097 Bern / Liebefeld
Fax: (031) 970 30 35 (only written inquiries).
Department of Export Promotion
22/77 Rachadapisek Road, Chatuchak, Bangkok 10900
Tel: (02) 511 50 66.
Internet: www.thaitradefair.com
Business contacts
Trade Department of the Embassy of Thailand
Petzowstrasse 1, D-14109 Berlin
Tel: (030) 805 00 40.
German-Thai Chamber of Commerce
25th Floor, Empire Tower 3, 195 South Sathorn Road, Yannawa, Sathorn, Bangkok 10120
Tel: (662) 670 06 00.
Internet: www.gtcc.org
Trade Department of the Embassy of Thailand
Kopalgasse 47, A-1110 Vienna.
Tel: (01) 748 50 20.
Thai Embassy
Kirchstrasse 56, CH-3097 Bern / Liebefeld
Fax: (031) 970 30 35 (only written inquiries).
Department of Export Promotion
22/77 Rachadapisek Road, Chatuchak, Bangkok 10900
Tel: (02) 511 50 66.
Internet: www.thaitradefair.com
COMMUNICATION
Phone
As a country located in Asia according to franciscogardening, the Thailand area code is 0066. A popular way to call abroad is with the Home Country Direct service available from various post offices and CAT centers in cities. In almost all hotels it is possible to make international calls for a fee. Public phones are not recommended as they are often located on noisy main streets. Local calls can be made in red public payphones, local and long distance calls within Thailand in blue public payphones, and green public payphones are equipped for international calls. The latter are used with phone cards. International calls via Skype, which is available in most Internet cafés, are the cheapest. Emergency numbers are: Police 191, Fire Brigade 195 and Bangkok Tourist Police 1699.
Cellphone
GSM 900 and 1800. Network operator is dtac (Internet: www.dtac.co.th). International roaming contracts exist. However, it is cheapest to make calls with a Thai SIM card. Prepaid cards are available in the value 100 – 500 THB. The Thai cellular network covers the whole country.
Internet
There are numerous internet cafés with public internet access in cities and holiday areas. Internet providers include INET (Internet: www.inet.co.th) and True Internet (Internet: www.asianet.co.th). Tourists in the tourist centers of Krabi can use the internet for free up to 2 hours per day. Krabi is the first province in which the “ICT Free Wi-Fi for Tourism” project has been implemented. Other provinces will follow in the future. Free Wi-Fi internet access is available all over Bangkok, six major international airports, some tourist centers and public buildings across Thailand.
Post Office
Airmail to Europe takes up to a week. Post Office Hours: The main post office in Bangkok opens Mon-Fri 8 am-8pm and on weekends and public holidays 8 am-1pm. Post offices in other parts of the country usually open from 8.30 a.m. to 3.30 p.m.
Radio
Since the use of shortwave frequencies changes several times over the course of a year, it is advisable to contact Deutsche Welle customer service directly (Tel: (+49) (0228) 429 32 08. Internet: www.dw-world.de) to request.
SHOP
Overview
Especially nice souvenirs are Thai silk and cotton fabrics, leather goods, silver, ceramics with green celadon glaze, dolls, masks, lacquer work as well as articles made of bamboo and bronze. The weekend market in Bangkok’s Chatuchak Park is wonderful to browse and marvel at, everything from real antiques to fighting fish is available here. Tailored clothing is also recommended and can be made within a few days.
Shop opening times: Mon-Sat 10 a.m.-7 p.m. (department stores), 8 a.m.-9 p.m. (smaller shops). Most shops are also open on Sundays.
Sales times for alcoholic beverages: Alcoholic beverages are only available in restaurants and in shops between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. and from 5 p.m. to midnight. International airports and some registered entertainment establishments have longer liquor sales times.
NIGHTLIFE
Introduction
Bangkok’s night life is world famous; Night clubs, sidewalk cafes, classical dance theaters and cinemas are open late into the night.
