Travelers Essentials : Business Hours
Generally speaking, Bangkok and the major tourist destinations
such as Pattaya, Chiang Mai, and Phuket generally have longer opening
hours for most services; however, operating hours for most businesses
and government services in Thailand are not dissimilar to those in most
other developed nations.
Banking Hours
Thai bank hours are typically Monday through Friday from 9:30
am to 3:30 pm, though some Thai bank branches, particularly those inside
of shopping malls, are open on weekends. Currency exchange booths in
Bangkok and other tourist destinations are open on weekends and
evenings.
Clinics and Doctors’ Surgeries
Major hospitals in Bangkok have 24 hour emergency rooms, but
typical doctors appointments should be scheduled between 8.00am and
18.00, Monday - Friday. Some larger hospitals offer off-hours and
weekend services. If you have a medical emergency you should go to the
accident and emergency department of the nearest hospital. Emergency
services can be reached by dialing 191 on any phone.
Emergency Services
Emergency services, which can be reached at 191, are generally available 24 hours.
Shops and Department Stores
Most shops are open seven days a week from 10 am to 10 pm.
Local “mom and pop” convenience stores may open earlier and remain open
until after midnight. Thai markets are open various hours depending on
the wares they sell, with wet-markets selling food products from the wee
hours of the morning until around 10am, while night markets typically
open around sunset and remain open until 10pm or occasionally midnight.
Museums and Galleries
Thailand museums and galleries are typically open from 9.00am
to 4:00pm daily. Times may vary and some museums and galleries may close
one day during the week and/or on public holidays.
Nightclubs
Nightclubs in Thailand have flexible operating hours. The
official closing times are 12/1am depending on the type of
establishment, with hotel bars given longer operating hours. Certain
clubs, particularly those in tourist destinations including Phuket and
Koh Samui, have permission to stay open until 2 or 3am.
Post Offices
The Thailand postal service is reliable and efficient.
Thailand post offices are open Monday through Friday from 8am to 4:30pm
and Saturday and Sunday from 9am to 1pm. The Bangkok Central GPO on New
Road is open Monday through Friday from 8 am to 6pm and on Saturday and
Sunday from 9am to 1pm. All Thai post offices are closed on public
holidays, though most major hotels can arrange to mail letters and
parcels on your behalf.
Pubs
Pubs are typically required to close by 1am.
Restaurants
Restaurant operating hours are highly variable and, as Thai
people love to eat, streetside restaurants frequently stay open well
past midnight. Restaurants have typically later closing hours in
Bangkok and tourist destinations than in the rural provinces.
Supermarkets
Supermarkets are typically open seven days a week from 10am to
9pm. 7-11 convenience stores, located throughout Thailand are
generally open 24 hours.
BTS Skytrain
The BTS skytrain runs daily between 6:00 am and 12:00 midnight
with frequent service throughout the day, increased during rush hours.
MRT Subway
The MRT underground Blue Line operates from 6.00 am to 12:00 midnight daily.
Frequency - Less than 5 minutes during the peak hours 06.00 - 09.00 am and 04.30 - 07.30 pm.
