THAILAND Issuing Authorities The Royal Thai Embassy 248 Hill Street, Arcadia, Pretoria 0083. P O Box 12080, Hatfield, Pretoria, 0028. Tel: 012 342 5470 ext 49 Fax to email: 086 607 9663 Submissions : Mon-Fri 0900-1200 Collections: Mon-Fri 1400-1600 ONLY ONCE THE VISA IS READY. PLEASE ENQUIRE. Web: www.thaiembassy.co.za E-mail: visa@thaiembassy.co.za Applications cannot be emailed - the email address is purely for enquiries. http://www.thegsa.co.za/visa-and-country-info/2708-thailand-country-guide&print=1 Page 1 of 9
Visa Requirements South African tourists who wish to visit the Kingdom of Thailand may now enter without a visa and are permitted to stay no longer than 30 days providing, on arrival, they can produce a confirmed onward air-ticket and/or confirmed travel arrangements proving that they will leave the Kingdom within 30 days of arrival. Tourists holding South African passports who wish to stay in the Kingdom of Thailand for more than 30 days and not exceeding 60 days can apply for a tourist visa at the Royal Thai Embassy in Pretoria. If entering by land, however, they get granted 15 days AND they are not allowed to make land/border crossing on the visa exemption more than twice in a calender year. For business (as in meetings with Thai company) SA passport holders DO require a business visa. REQUIREMENTS FOR : Business visa : (non-immigrant "B" visa) 1. Complete and sign TWO visa application forms. Please note: A separate form is required for each passport holder, regardless of age. The application form MUST be signed by the APPLICANT personally, unless applicant is a minor. 2. The applicant's physical passport (which should be valid for at least SIX MONTHS from the date of application) and a copy of passport (the data page with your photo and name) 3. TWO recent colour photographs - recent (3.5 x 4 cm) 4. Certified copy of your ID document (not the same as your passport - for example ID document or driver`s license). 5. Travel document - one of the following : photocopy of return air ticket / e-ticket / return flight reservation / flight itinerary 6. Proof of bookings for accommodation in Thailand 7. Bank statement, current 3 month statement, with a balance equivalent to 20,000 Baht (approx ZAR9 000) per person, or 40,000 Baht ( approx ZAR16 000) per family. (Please check latest rate of exchange) 8. One of the following : a) signed employment confirmation letter in your country of residence b) Business Registration Certificate (CC, etc if self employed) c) Letter confirming you are a student from your educational institution d) Letter stating you unemployed, have sufficient funds for your trip and will return to your home country after your holiday. Letter must be signed and dated. 9. Deposit slip or swift transfer copy for visa application fee. 10. * Sport participation (Transit 'S' visa) : Letter of invitation stating participation in sport activities. http://www.thegsa.co.za/visa-and-country-info/2708-thailand-country-guide&print=1 Page 2 of 9
* Attend Conference/Seminar/Meeting/Company Training (Non-Immigrant ED visa) : 1. letter of invitation from the organizers 2. A copy of their company registration document. * Conduct Business (Non-Immigrant B visa) : 1. Letter of invitation from your business counterpart in Thailand on the company letterhead 2. A copy of their company registration document. * Employment / Work (Non-Immigrant B visa): 1. Letter of employment from your prospective employer on the company letterhead, a copy of their company (or school) registration document 2. the WP3 (pre-approved work permit) letter. (see www.thaiembassy.org/pretoria/en/ ) 11. NB NB FOR MINORS: (under 18 years of age) A certified copy of the child's unabridged birth certificate showing both parents' names. A certified consent letter signed by both parents. Certified photocopies of parent's passports. In case of Divorce, Child Custody Letter from court in respect of the child is required. COST FOR BUSINESS VISA : R950 IMPORTANT: 1. Visa applications are NOT processed on the same day. 2. Method of visa payment : strictly deposit into embassy bank account only. Account name: Royal Thai Embassy, Pretoria Bank: First National Bank Account number: 6219 757 3415 Account type: Cheque Branch code: 251345 (Brooklyn) Swift Code: FIRN ZA JJ Reference: Applicants last name and initials (include copy of deposit slip with application) Visas will NOT be processed until the payment shows in the account on their online statement. If passenger has transferred from another bank, the payment can take 2-4 days to clear. No refunds will be made. Payment and application must be made in the same month. Payment will NOT be accepted if made the previous month. (EG payment cleared 31 Aug, applying for visa on 1 Sep. Payment will have to made again in that case.) NBNB The visas issued by the Embassy or Consulate entitle visa applicants to ENTER Thailand and must be used within 3 months from date of application. http://www.thegsa.co.za/visa-and-country-info/2708-thailand-country-guide&print=1 Page 3 of 9
Visa Processing Time PROCESSING TIME: The Embassy requires a minimum of 4 working days (after submission of complete application) to process visa, and in some special cases the processing time can be longer. Please allow at least 2 weeks before travel to apply for the visa. http://www.thegsa.co.za/visa-and-country-info/2708-thailand-country-guide&print=1 Page 4 of 9
Visa Validity Please note that the period of visa validity is different from the period of stay. http://www.thegsa.co.za/visa-and-country-info/2708-thailand-country-guide&print=1 Page 5 of 9
SA Representative SA Embassy Floor 12A, M Thai Tower, All seasons Place, 87 Wireless Road, Lumpini, Prathumwan, Bangkok, 10330 Tel: +66 (0) 659 2900 Fax: +66 (0) 2 685 3500 E-mail: saembbkk@loxinfo.co.th Web: www.saembbangkok.com http://www.thegsa.co.za/visa-and-country-info/2708-thailand-country-guide&print=1 Page 6 of 9
Travel Health Compulsory: Recommended Travel Vaccines: Yellow Fever (Dependant on Country of Origin/Stopover) Hepatitis A & B, Japanese Encephalitis (Not available in SA), Rabies, Typhoid, Tetanus, Polio Malaria Risk Thailand hosts millions of visitors every year, drawn to its fantastic beaches and aquamarine seas, as well as its rich culture, glitzy shopping malls, chic boutiques and colourful markets crammed with bargains. Bangkok is usually the first stop on a visit to Thailand, where you will encounter incredible traffic volumes, hordes of people, loads of hotels and plenty of shopping centres. Located over 700 km northwest is Chiang Mai, also a dynamic and modern city, but retaining a cultural atmosphere with temples in abundance and much in the way of handicraft shopping. Chiang Rai is pretty much Chiang Mai on a smaller scale with a more relaxed ambiance, where smokey hills and huts catch the eye. Thailand's most popular island is Phuket, a world famous dream destination with miles of sandy beaches and resorts and some of the best golf courses you'll find anywhere. Other much-visited islands include Ko-Pha-Ngan, Ko Samui and Ko Phi Phi Don. Official Name: Native Name: Capital: Currency: Language: Dialling code from SA: Time Zones: Kingdom of Thailand Muang T'hai Bangkok (BKK) Baht (THB) Thai. English is widely spoken. + 66 UTC/GMT +7 hours (5 hours ahead of South Africa) http://www.thegsa.co.za/visa-and-country-info/2708-thailand-country-guide&print=1 Page 7 of 9
Public Holidays 2018: Jan 1; Mar 31; Apr 6, 13-17, 29; May 1, 10; Jul 27, 28; Aug 12, 13; Oct 23; Dec 5, 10, 31 Side of the Road: Best Time to Go: Best For: Plugs: Drinking Water: Health: Customs: Local Offences / Laws: Left November February (cool season) or year-around for the Southern islands. Spectacular coastline, Island relaxation, Diving 220 volts AC, 50Hz. Flat and round two-pin plugs are used. All water should be regarded as being potentially contaminated. Bottled water is available. Milk may be unpasteurised. There are adequate and well-equipped medical facilities, however visitors are required to pay for these services. Comprehensive health insurance is recommended. Public displays of affection should be avoided. Dress is informal. Swimwear should be reserved for the beach and topless sunbathing is frowned upon. Public displays of anger and drawing attention to the mistakes of others is considered extremely impolite. Shoes should be removed before entering homes or temples. There are severe penalties for the possession and trafficking of drugs, and drug traffickers risk the death penalty. The use of e-cigarettes & related products is illegal. Any devices and liquids brought into the country (whether for personal use or commerce) could be confiscated, and you could be subject to a jail sentence of up to 10 years. http://www.thegsa.co.za/visa-and-country-info/2708-thailand-country-guide&print=1 Page 8 of 9
Travel Tips / Warnings: Check the local political situation before finalising travel plans and abide by any curfews imposed by the government. Avoid any political demonstrations. Travel to towns near to the Malaysian border should be avoided. Pickpocketing and bag-snatching is frequent in the main towns. Avoid obvious displays of wealth and secure valuables in the hotel safe. Avoid accepting drinks from strangers. Following the sad passing of King Bhumibol Aduladej, some events and attractions may be closed / postponed. Click here for more information. Duty Free: Prohibited Imports: Prohibited Exports: 200 cigarettes or 250g of cigars or tobacco. 1L of alcohol. Goods to the value of?10,000. Prohibited imports include obscene and pornographic objects and publications, goods displaying the Thai national flag, narcotics, counterfeit currency, fake Royal/official seals, and pirated and counterfeit goods. Restricted imports include drugs, food, weapons and ammunition, antiques and artworks, and endangered species. Any drug-related offences are severely punished and may result in life imprisonment or even the death penalty. The use of e- cigarettes & related products is illegal. Any devices and liquids brought into the country (whether for personal use or commerce) could be confiscated, and you could be subject to a jail sentence of up to 10 years. There are restrictions on the export of illegal drugs and all firearms and ammunition. The export of archaeological items or anything with historical value, religious artefacts and images of the Buddha requires a certificate of authorisation from the Department of Fine Arts in Thailand. Radio transceiver equipment, plant and living materials, live animals or products, medicines and chemicals also require a permit from the relevant government agency. http://www.thegsa.co.za/visa-and-country-info/2708-thailand-country-guide&print=1 Page 9 of 9