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Sawasdee! Welcome to Centara Hotels & Resorts, a rich collection of 4 and 5 star hotels and resorts throughout Thailand: Bangkok, Hua Hin, Krabi, Samui, Phuket, Trat, Hat Yai, Chiang Mai, and Mae Sot.
Since 1983, our company has been committed to providing our guests with the finest hospitality standards that Thailand is so reknown for.
Our country is rich with culture, foods, and heritage, and has beaches and sight to rival anywhere in the World. We boast a colorful Thai lifestyle second to none, from the heartbeat of the capital, Bangkok, to the tranquil paradise of Koh Samui.
Whether for a relaxing break, business stay, or convention event throughout this directory, you will find hotels and resorts to meet your every need and desire.
Come discover the World of Centara Hotels and Resorts where "We put you first" is not just our motto, but it is our passion.
We look forward to welcoming you for a most enjoyable stay very soon. |
 Country Name: Kingdom of Thailand, meaning "Land of Freedom"
Country Name in the past: Kingdom of Siam
Capital City: Bangkok (Krung Thep, meaning "City of Angels")
Head of State: H.R.H. King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX of the Chakri Dynasty)
Language: Thai (English is widely known)
Religion: Buddhism (95%), Muslim (4%), others (1%)
Currency: Baht (THB)
Time: The time in Thailand is seven hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (+7 hours GMT)
Electricity: 220 Volts AC
Weights & Measures: Metric system |
Geography: The kingdom of Thailand, covered 513,115 square kilometers, lies in the heart of Southeast Asia, making it a natural gateway to Indochina, Myanmar and Southern China. Its shape and geography divides into four natural regions: the mountains and forests of the North; the vast rice fields of the Central Plains; the semi-arid farm lands of the Northeast plateau; and the tropical islands and long coastline of the peninsula South.
The country comprises 76 provinces (Changwat) that are further divided into districts (Amphur), sub-districts (Tambon), and villages (Moo Bann). Bangkok is the capital city and centre of political, commercial, industrial and cultural activities. It is also the seat of Thailand's revered Royal Family, with His Majesty the King recognised as Head of State, Head of the Armed Forces, Upholder of the Buddhist religion and Upholder of all religions.
Thailand is a constitutional monarchy with His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej, or King Rama IX, the ninth king of the Chakri Dynasty, the present king. The King has reigned for more than half a century, making him the longest reigning Thai monarch. Thailand embraces a rich diversity of cultures and traditions. With its proud history, tropical climate and renowned hospitality, the Kingdom is a never-ending source of fascination and pleasure for international visitors. Thailand is well known and famous in ancient unique history, tradition, and culture. Also, Thai people are very friendly, kindly, and smilingly as its reputation "The Land of Smile."
Climate: Thailand enjoys a tropical climate with three distinct seasons-hot and dry from February to May (average temperature 34 degrees Celsius and 75% humidity); rainy with plenty of sunshine from June to October (average day temperature 29 degrees Celsius and 87% humidity); and cool from November to January (temperatures range from 32 degrees Celsius to below 20 degrees Celsius with a drop in humidity).
Much lower temperatures are experienced in the North and Northeast during nighttime. The South has a tropical rainforest climate with temperatures averaging 28 degrees Celsius almost all year round.
Neighboring Countries: Myanmar (North and West), Lao P.D.R. (North and East), Cambodia (Southeast), and Malaysia (South)
Population: Thais are well-known for their friendliness and hospitality. A large majority of over 62 million citizens of Thailand are ethic Thai, along with strong communities whose ethnic origins lie in China, India and elsewhere. About 8 million people reside in the capital city of Bangkok.
Government: Thailand has had a constitutional monarchy since 1932. Parliament is composed of 2 houses, The House of Representatives and the Senate. Both representatives and senators are elected by the people. A prime minister elected from among the representatives leads the government.
Tourist Information: The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) sponsors a number of useful publications about Bangkok and the rest of Thailand including its own Holiday Time in Thailand. Tourist publications about the country provide useful information about things to see and to do, along with a useful calendar of festivals and events taking place in Bangkok and throughout the country.
Visa: Nationals from 41 countries* can now stay in Thiailand for up to 30 days without an entry visa. For visitors from 20 countries*, temporary tourist visa valid for 15 days may be obtained at any of the 23 designated immigration checkpoints including the five international airports at Bangkok International Airport (BIA) or Don Muang Airport, Chiang Mai International Airport, Hat Yai International Airport, Phuket International Airport, and Chiang Rai International Airport. (* For more details, please contact the Thai Embassy/Consulate in your country or visit Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kingdom of Thailand.)
A regular bus service is provided by the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) and its contracted operators throughout Bangkok as well as to its outskirts during 4 a.m. 11 p.m. and around the clock on certain routes. Public buses are plentiful and cheap, air-conditioned buses and microbuses are also available. A Bus Route Map is available at bookshops. For more information, please call 184.
Taxis cruising city streets are metred. They charge a minimum of 35 baht for the first 3 kilometers, and approximately 5 baht per kilometer thereafter. Make sure you have change, as taxi drivers often dont! Passengers must pay tolls in the case of using an expressway.
These three-wheeled open-air motorised taxis, Samlor, are popular for short journeys. Fares must be bargained in advance. Minimum fares, for journeys of up to 3 kilometers, are approximately 30 baht.
A sky train service, provided by Bangkok Mass Transit System Public Company Limited (BTS), is available along Sukhumvit, Silom and Phahonyothin roads. The routes connect Bangkoks leading hotels and major shopping areas such as Siam Square, Silom, Ratchaprasong and Chatuchak Weekend Market. The fare ranges from 10-40 baht according to the distance. For more information, contact the Bangkok Mass Transit System at Tel: 0 2617 7340, 0 2617 6000 or visit www.bts.co.th.
A metro service, officially called the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT), is provided by Bangkok Metro Public Company Limited (BMCL) and now available from Bang Sue via Kamphaeng Phet 2 Road, Chatuchak Weekend Market, Ratchadaphisek Road, Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre, Lumphini Park, Silom, Sam Yan to its terminal at Hua Lamphong Railway Station. The fare ranges from 14-36 baht according to the distance. Call 0 2624 5200 or visit www.bangkokmetro.co.th for further information.
The State Railway of Thailand runs an efficient rail service linking Bangkok (Hua Lam Phong is the central train station) to the rest of the country at very reasonable prices for express, fast, and ordinary trains. Limited western and southern routes out of Bangkok also operate from the Thon Buri Station, traveling to destinations as far as Kanchanaburi province in the west and Chumporn province in southern Thailand. On express trains, sleepers are available in three classes: first and second class (air-conditioned), and second class (non air-conditioned, but with fans). Advance tickets are available at all principal stations or the Bangkok Railway Advance Booking Office at Tel: 0-2220-4444 or visit www.railway.co.th for more information.
Taxis that are even more unusual, though equally convenient, are the river taxis that ply the Chao Phraya River. Some are just cross river ferries, but others serve the many landing stages on both banks and cover a route that goes up as far as the northern suburb of Nonthaburi.
With Bangkok serving as the international travel hub of Southeast Asia, the capital serves as the landing port for numerous international airlines, most with direct flights from their destinations. Some chartered and regional flights may land at one of the other international airports within Thailand, consisting of Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Hat Yai, Phuket, and Ubon Ratchatani. The country's national airline is Thai Airways. Airport departure taxes for international departures costs 500 baht/person. Local major carriers Thai Airways (TG) and Bangkok Airways (PG) fly to most major provincial airports beyond 250 k.m. distance from Bangkok.
- Thailand is a Buddhist country where Buddha images are held sacred. Sacrilegious acts are punishable by im-prisonment even if committed by foreign visitors.
- Thai people hold their King and Queen and the Royal Family in great reverence, and so won't tolerate foreigners showing disrespect to them.
- Generally Thai women are conservative, so don't touch them without their consent.
- Dress properly when entering a Buddhist temple. Miniskirts and shorts are not allowed. Take your shoes off before going inside the hall of worship. Ladies must not on any account touch a Buddhist monk, give things direct to him or receive things direct from him.
- Intimacies between man and woman should not be shown in public. Sunbathing in the nude is prohibited.
- Sawasdee, pronounced Sa-Was-Dee, is a word in Thai language which means Hello or Goodbye. Khob Khun, pronounced Khob-Khun, means Thank You.
- Call Thai people their first name; use the title Khun for adults (both men and women).
- Tradtionally, Thai people greet each other with a Wai (by pressing the palms together at the chest). If someone wais you, you should wai back (except wai-ed by a child).
- Thai people smile to express gladness and happiness, to thank for small services, to return the wai (a way of greeting) of children and inferior persons, and even to excuse small inconveniences.
- Don't touch a person's head, nor ruffle his hair. The head is the noblest part of the body. A sincere apology should be offered immediately if you touch someone's head unintentionally.
- Avoid placing your feet on the table while sitting. Never use your foot to point things out or to touch any part of the body of anyone, which is considered rude.
- Entering a Thai house, you're expected to remove your shoes.
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