Thailand (Lonely Planet, 13th Edition) - China Williams [632]
When making transport arrangements, talk to several travel agencies to look for the best price, as the commission percentage varies greatly between agents. Also resist any high-sales tactics from an agent trying to sign you up for everything: plane tickets, hotel, tours etc. The most honest Thais are typically very low-key and often sub-par salespeople.
EMBASSIES & CONSULATES
Foreign embassies are located in Bangkok; some nations also have consulates in Chiang Mai.
Australia ( Map; 0 2344 6300; www.austembassy.or.th; 37 Th Sathon Tai, Bangkok)
Cambodia ( Map; 02957 5851-2; 518/4 Pracha Uthit/Soi Ramkamhaeng 39, Bangkok)
Canada Bangkok ( Map; 0 2636 0540; www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/bangkok; 15th fl, Abdulrahim Bldg, 990 Th Phra Ram IV); Chiang Mai ( Map; 0 5385-0147; 151 Superhighway, Tambon Tahsala) Consulate only at Chiang Mai.
China Bangkok ( Map; 0 2245 7044; www.chinaembassy.or.th; 57 Th Ratchadaphisek); Chiang Mai ( Map; 0 5327 6125; 111 Th Chang Lor) Consulate only at Chiang Mai.
Denmark ( Map; 0 2343 1100; www.ambbangkok.um.dk; 10 Soi 1, Th Sathon Tai; Bangkok) Consulates in Pattaya and Phuket.
France Bangkok (Embassy Map; 0 2657 5100; www.ambafrance-th.org; 35 Soi 36, Th Charoen Krung; Consular Section Map; 0 2627 2150; 29 Th Sathon Tai); Chiang Mai ( Map; 0 5328 1466; 138 Th Charoen Prathet) Consulates only in Chiang Mai, Phuket and Surat Thani.
Germany ( Map; 0 2287 9000; www.german-embassy.or.th; 9 Th Sathon Tai, Bangkok)
India Bangkok ( Map; 0 2258 0300-6; 46 Soi Prasanmit/Soi 23, Th Sukhumvit); Chiang Mai ( Map; 0 5324 3066; 344 Th Charoenrat) Consulate only in Chiang Mai.
Indonesia ( Map; 0 2252 3135; www.kbri-bangkok.com; 600-602 Th Phetchaburi, Bangkok)
Ireland ( Map; 0 2677 7500; www.irelandinthailand.com; 28th fl, Q House, Th Sathon Tai, Bangkok) This is a consulate only; the nearest Irish embassy is in Kuala Lumpur.
Israel ( Map; 0 2204 9200; Ocean Tower 2, 25th fl, 25 Soi 19, Th Sukhumvit, Bangkok)
Japan Bangkok ( Map; 0 2207 8500; www.th.emb-japan.go.jp; 177 Th Withayu); Chiang Mai ( Map;0 5320 3367; 104-107 Airport Business Park, Th Mahidon) Consulate only in Chiang Mai.
Laos ( Map; 0 2539 6678; www.bkklaoembassy.com; 502/1-3 Soi Sahakarnpramoon, Pracha Uthit/Soi 39, Th Ramakamhaeng, Bangkok)
Malaysia ( Map; 0 2679 2190-9; 35 Th Sathon Tai, Bangkok) There’s also a consulate in Songkhla.
Myanmar (Burma; Map; 0 2233 2237, 0 2234 4698; www.mofa.gov.mm; 132 Th Sathon Neua, Bangkok)
Nepal ( Map; 0 2391 7240; www.immi.gov.np; 189 Soi 71, Th Sukhumvit, Bangkok)
Netherlands ( Map; 0 2309 5200; www.netherlandsembassy.in.th; 15 Soi Tonson, Th Ploenchit, Bangkok)
New Zealand ( Map; 0 2254 2530; www.nzembassy.com; 14th fl, M Thai Tower, All Seasons Pl, 87 Th Withayu, Bangkok)
Philippines ( Map; 0 2259 0139; www.philembassy-bangkok.net; 760 Th Sukhumvit, Bangkok)
Singapore ( Map; 0 2286 2111; www.mfa.gov.sg/bangkok; 129 Th Sathon Tai, Bangkok)
South Africa ( Map; 0 2253 8473; www.saembbangkok.com; 12A fl, M Thai Tower, All Seasons Place, 87 Th Withayu, Bangkok)
Spain ( Map; 0 2661 8284; 23 fl, Lake Ratchada Office Complex, 193 Th Ratchadaphisek, Bangkok)
Switzerland ( Map; 0 2253 0156; 35 Th Withayu, Bangkok)
UK Bangkok ( Map; 0 2305 8333; www.britishembassy.gov.uk; 14 Th Withayu); Chiang Mai ( Map; 0 5326 2015; British Council, 198 Th Bamrungrat) Consulate only in Chiang Mai.
USA Bangkok ( Map; 0 2205 4000; http://bangkok.usembassy.gov; 95 Th Withayu); Chiang Mai ( Map; 0 5310 7700; 387 Th Wichayanon) Consulate only in Chiang Mai.
Vietnam ( Map; 0 2251 5836-8; www.vietnamembassy-thailand.org; 83/1 Th Withayu, Bangkok)
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FESTIVALS & EVENTS
Thai festivals tend to be linked to the agricultural seasons or to Buddhist holidays. The general word for festival in Thai is ngahn têt·sà·gahn. See the Events Calendar ( Click here) for more information.
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FOOD
Most restaurants in Thailand are