Kanchanaburi Business Travel Guide

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What is considered polite in your country is probably considered polite in Thailand, too. However, there are a few cultural pitfalls, mainly social and religious taboos, the breaking of which can cause offence. [more]

Kanchanaburi's natural beauty has attracted hundreds of tourists year after year, never the less it still preserves many pristine national parks and virgin forests. The economy of Kanchanaburi depends mostly of sugar, agricultural products and jewellery. The economic growth of this region has been 10% year over year. The area, due to its international historical value, has been protected for years.

Residents of Kanchanaburi are primarily involved in agriculture and farming. Well irrigated fertile land yields rice, sugarcane, maize, vegetables and fruits. Cattle, poultry, beef and dairy products are also raised for local consumption as well as export. The limestone mountains are rich in phosphates, lead, iron and precious and semi precious stones.

Their ancestry is Thai with significant Karen and Mon minorities. The rural population enjoys living in harmony with nature, preserving their traditions and customs carried for over 500 years. A treasure in folk music and dances are still performed today, you should see at least one Mon dance.

The geography of the area is mostly mountainous with high plains, bordering with Myanmar to the west Tak and Uthai provinces to the north; Nakhon Pathom and Suphan Buri to the east and to the south with Ratchaburi Province. It is the 3rd largest province with about 19,500 sq km in area. The mountain range of Thanon Thongchai is the natural border with Myanmar. From this range the important rivers Mae Nam Kwai Noi and Mae Nam Kwai Yai are borne and form the Maenam Mae Klong giving birth to famous waterfalls and harbouring an abundant animal life.

Business etiquette

There are certain things about the Thai people you should know before going or conducting any business in Kanchanaburi:

Farangs or Foreigners are not expected to understand their beliefs, as such making mistakes when trying to conform to their traditions will be excused and laugh about. In Kanchanaburi dignity and public image count for 2 thirds of life; rather than loosing face they laugh. To conduct business successfully in Kanchanaburi is best never to criticize a Thai not even if they are late. Thais are very friendly and nice but they are not punctual just give them a lot room postpone and re schedule dates and deadlines. Remember, patience is your virtue.

Thai people are very religious and they have strong beliefs and traditions. They do not expect foreigners to have their same beliefs but are expected to be respectful of theirs. National Monuments, Palaces and Temples are places of respect, have shoes not sandals, long pants not shorts and long sleeve shirts when visiting these places.

Take your shoes off before entering the following places: the inside of a wat, someone's home, before standing at the same level as the Buddha image, eating on a mat, entering a monks' quarters, and going into a sacred room. These are all extremely important.

Monks are highly regarded holy men, even traffic stops when they cross the streets out of respect, so one should salute with a "wai", a gesture where the hands are placed together at chest height and the head is bowed forward slightly. The height, at which the hands are placed, is of particular significance; the higher the rank of the person being saluted the higher the hands are placed, for example when saluting a monk the hands go to the nose level, reserving the highest to salute Buddha. The typical height for a wai is at chin level, used to salute people of equal rank. Women should never touch a monk, his clothes or belongings, so women should use a male intermediary when handing something to them.

The head is the holiest part of the body while the feet are the least. Never touch someone's head in public and never use you feet to point or show the bottom of your feet or shoes to anyone particularly in public places or while conducting business.

Most Thai homes will have a spirit house at the entrance or around the property in a prominent area; they are in many cases a small house resembling the architecture of the main house, offerings of incense and flowers are placed to keep bad spirits away.

The monarchy is regarded with great love and high respect, so never criticize them especially in public palaces. Thais are not very punctual but they have a strong sense of public image and dignity, never criticize a Thai for being late, or you will be crossed.

In business every body uses business cards and addresses a Thai man or woman by their first name, not their last name, using the prefix "Khun" instead of Mr. or Mrs. Like: Khun John or Khun Susan. In Kanchanaburi is not considered informal or too familiar to call people or Thais by their first name. Thais greet westerners with a hand shake but the formal way is with a wai.

Business attire despite of the tropical weather is expected, for less formal occasions a shirt and tie will do. In most cases people in Kanchanaburi will speak limited English; this is true in business too. If you are presenting a gift don't make it footwear since it is considered disrespectful or anything that comes in a set of six as it is considered an unlucky number. Wrapping paper should be red for prosperity and good luck, in Kanchanaburi most gift boxes are made in shades of red.

Government and Business times

In Kanchanaburi, typical business hours are: For banks and financial institutions, Monday through Friday 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.; private business, Monday through Friday from 8:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. and the few department stores are usually closed on Sundays but open for the rest of the week between 10:00 am and 7:00 pm. Smaller shops usually keep longer hours and are often open seven days a week.

Important Government offices and services

Government offices are open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 pm. They close for lunch from 12:00 noon to 1:00 pm.

• Immigration Bureau
  
  Mae Nam Mae Klong Rd (on the road over the bridge just south of Tesco Lotus)
  Office hours: Monday through Friday from 8:30 am through 4:30 pm and is closed weekends
  http://www.immigration.go.th
• Tourism Authority of Thailand Central Region 1
  Saeng Chuto Road, Kanchanaburi 71000
  Tel: (034) 511 200 or (034) 512 500
  Office hours: Daily from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm
  http://www.tat.or.th
• Kanchanaburi Bus Terminal
  Tel: (034) 511 182
• Kanchanaburi Railway Station
  Tel: (034) 511 285
• Tourist Police
  Tel: (034) 512 795 and (034) 512 668
  The Tourist Police can be contacted anytime, anywhere in Thailand be telephoning 1155. In Kanchanaburi there is a Tourist Police office towards the northern end of Saeng Chuto (034 512 668) and they also have a few booths around town (though not necessarily with anyone in sight).
  http://tourist.police.go.th
• Kanchanaburi Post Office
  Locaged 1 mile south of the TAT office on Thanon Saeng Chuto Road
  www.thailandpost.com

Other important services:

• Thanakan Hospital
  20/ 20 Thanon Saeng Chuto
  Tel: (034) 622 366 375
  The government hospital is located at the southern end of town/li>
• Kanchanaburi Memorial Hospital
  111 Mu 5 Saeng Chuto
  Tel: (034) 624 184 193
• Phahonphonphayuhasena
  572 /1 Thanon Saeng Chuto
  Tel: (034) 622 999

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