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Spoken and written Thai is largely incomprehensible to the casual visitor. However, English is widely understood, particularly in Bangkok where it is almost the major commercial language. English and some European Languages are spoken in most hotels, shops and restaurants in major tourist destinations, and Thai-English road and street signs are found nationwide.

The time in Thailand is seven hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (+7 hours GMT). Six hours ahead of most other European cities like Berlin, Paris, Rome, Vienna, etc.

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.

The electric current is 220 volt AC (50 cycles) throughout the country. Many different types of plugs and sockets are in use. Travelers with electric shavers, hair dryers, tape recorders and other appliances should carry a plug adapter kit. The better hotels will make available 110-volt transformers. However, most European and American plugs fit in the Thai plugs.

Tap water is clean but drinking from it directly should be avoided. Bottled water is recommended.

Light, cool clothes are sensible and a jacket is needed for formal meetings and dining in top restaurants. Shorts (except knee length walking shorts), sleeveless shirts, tank tops and other beach-style attire are considered inappropriate dress when not actually at the beach or in a resort area.

Thailand has been expanding its information service for residents and tourists alike through the Internet system. Services are now available at Thailand's leading hotels and at the many " Cyber-Cafes " that are cropping up in all major tourist destinations.

At present, all telephone numbers (for local calls and long distance calls within the country) have nine digits.

• For Bangkok calls, 02 is added to the existing numbers i.e. 0 2694 1222.
• For provincial calls, an area code is added to the existing numbers. For example, area code for Chiang Mai is 053 = 0 5324 8604; area code for Phuket is 076 = 0 7621 1036.
• For mobile phones, After September 1,2006, all Thai mobile phone numbers will be extended to 10 digits. Simply add an 8 in the middle of the existing two-digit prefix, followed by the existing seven-digit number. For example, numbers starting with (66) 01 will become (66) 081 XXX XXXX
• The new system has no effect on international phone calls.
• The international dialing code for Thailand is +66.
• When making international calls to Thailand, add +66 and omit the leading 0.
• When making international calls from Thailand, first dial 001 + country code + area code + telephone number
• If calling Laos or Malaysia, there is a special code which is charged at a semi-domestic rate.
• When calling Laos, first dial 007 + 856 + area code + telephone number.
• Direct assistance: 1133 (local), 100 (international)

International Roaming Mobile Phone : A Subscriber Identity Module Card (SIM Card) is now available for Thai and foreign customers who are traveling around for work. The SIM Card must be used in conjunction with a Digital GSM mobile phone within the 900-MHz range or a Digital PCN mobile phone within the 1800-MHz range. In this way you can easily acquire a local number and be available for fairly cheap rates.

There is an official or required dress code for an internship student at Cobra. We provide you polo shirts when you stay here. Internship students wear these polo shirts with long pants (e.g. Jeans).

You can arrange your own transportation through our Training Departments through e-mail at interns@cobrainter.com; telephone 66 38 454 219 and Cobra will pick you up from the airport. During the internship period, you can use Cobra bus service same as our employees

During internships period, Cobra arranges you an accommodation for about 6,000 Baht per month including electricity and water supply. Internship student have to pay the exceed expense by themselves. Usually the internship students stay in Bang Saen which is directly on the beach and app. 30 min away from Cobra.

Internships student get some allowances from Cobra during the internship period up to special arrangement and abilities. This will be discussed by the department manager where you will work.

You must attend the Orientation that is offered you immediately you arrive from our Training Department. During orientation you will become familiarized with Cobra and the policies and procedures that need to be followed while staying Cobra International Co., Ltd.

After orientation, each internship student is assigned to work in respective area, Manager in that area is a contact person for both internship students and company.

Please feel free to contact Cobra International with any questions or concerns you may have with regards to arriving at Cobra International Co. Ltd.
Phone: 66 38 454 219 ext. 374
Email: interns@cobrainter.com.

Where can I use the internet service?
Cobra provides you the apartment where has the internet service which can connect to the wireless LAN computer.

How can I use the cellular phone?
In Thailand, the cellular phone systems are Digital CDMA, GSM 900 and GSM 1800. You can buy the prepaid SIM card here to use with your phone of any of these systems that has unlocked the IMEI code. If locked, you can unlock it in Thailand; however, you yourself have to pay for the service charge.

Can I use the ATM card of my country in Thailand?
If your bank joins with ATM Pool or Cirrus, you can use your ATM card at any ATM booth that shows these symbols. For the charge fee, it depends on your bank rate.

Most cards in the world will work here and it is better than come with a big amount of cash. Best to bring only a small amount to just be able to pay a taxi or some food in the worst case. After that better to find an ATM.

Foreigners who wish to work, conduct business or undertake investment activities in Thailand must apply for a Non-Immigrant Visa at the Royal Thai Embassies or Royal Thai Consulates-General. Various categories of the Non-Immigrant Visa are currently provided to meet the needs and qualifications of individual business persons. These include business visa Category “B”, business-approved visa Category “B-A” and investment and business visa Category “IB”. Holder of this type of visa wishing to work in Thailand must be granted a work permit before starting work. The visa fee is 2,000 Baht for single-entry with three-month validity and 5,000 Baht for multiple entries with one-year validity.

Nationals of certain countries are required to apply for a visa only at the Royal Thai Embassy or Royal Thai Consulate-General in their home/residence country or at the designated Royal Thai Embassy or Royal Thai Consulate-General. Travellers are advised to contact the nearest Royal Thai Embassy or Consulate-General to find out where they may apply for a visa to Thailand before departure. For more information on contact details and locations of the Royal Thai Embassies and Royal Thai Consulates-General, see http://www.mfa.go.th/web/10.php

Non-Immigrant Visa Category "B" (Business Visa) is issued to applicants who wish to enter the Kingdom to work or to conduct business.

Foreigners who wish to work in Thailand must provide the following documents:

• Passport or travel document with validity of not less than 6 months.
• Completed visa application form.
• Recent passport-sized photograph (4 x 6 cm) of the applicant taken within the past 6 months.
• Evidence of adequate finance (20,000 Baht per person and 40,000 Baht per family).
• Letter of approval from the Ministry of Labour. To obtain this letter, the applicant’s prospective employer in Thailand is required to submit Form WP3 at the Office of Foreign Workers Administration, Department of Employment, Ministry of Labour Tel. 02-2452745, or at the Provincial Employment Office in his or her respective province. More information is available at http://www.doe.go.th/workpermit/index.html
• Copy of Work Permit issued by the Ministry of Labour and alien income tax or Por Ngor Dor 91 (only in the case where applicant has previously worked in Thailand).
• Corporate documents of hiring company in Thailand such as:
  • Business registration and business license
  • List of shareholders
  • Company profile
  • Details of business operation
  • List of foreign workers stating names, nationalities and positions
  • Map indicating location of the company
  • Balance sheet, statement of Income Tax and Business Tax (Por Ngor Dor 50 and Por Ngor Dor 30 of the latest year)
  • Value-added tax registration (Por Por 20)
• Document indicating the number of foreign tourists (for tourism business only), or document indicating export transactions issued by banks (for export business only).
• An alien who receives a Non-Immigrant visa can work in Thailand once he or she is being granted a work permit. An alien in violation of the Immigration Act B.E. 2522 (1979) concerning taking up employment without work permit or the Royal Decree B.E. 2522 (1979) concerning holding employment in certain restricted occupations and professions shall be prosecuted and imprisoned or fined, or shall face both penalties.

Upon entry into the Kingdom, applicant or his or her appointed representatives must apply for a work permit at the Office of Foreign Workers Administration, Department of Employment, Ministry of Labour in which the applicant will be obligated to pay income tax accordingly. If the applicant’s associated company is located in the provinces, the applicant must apply at the Employment Office of that province.

Applicant’s family members (i.e., spouse, parents and children who are unmarried and under 20 years old) are eligible to apply for a Non-Immigrant Visa (category “O”) and will be allowed to stay for a period of 90 days but no longer than 1 year.

Foreign citizens who hold a Transit Visa (“TS”) or Tourist Visa (“TR”) and wish to engage in business activities in Thailand may apply for a change of type of visa (e.g., from Tourist Visa to Non-Immigrant Visa) at the Office of the Immigration Bureau Office located at Soi Suan Plu, South Sathorn Road, Bangkok 10120, Tel 02 2873101-10, www.immigration.go.th. The granting of change of type of visa and extension of stay is at the discretion of the immigration officer.

The One Stop Service Centre for Visas and Work Permits was established on 1 July 1997 by authority of the Regulations of the Office of Prime Minister promulgated on 30 June 1997. The objective of this centre is to simplify visa extension and permit issuance procedures to create a good investment environment. It aims to facilitate applications of visa extension and work permits (e.g., stay permission, re-entry permit, work permit). The Centre is located on 207 Rachadapisek Road, Krisda Plaza, Dindaeng, Bangkok 10310, Tel.: 02 693-9333-9.

Foreigners who are eligible to apply for visa extension and work permits at the One Stop Service Centre are:

• Foreigner who is an executive or expert with privileges accorded to them by the following laws:
  • Investment Promotion Act B.E. 2520 (1977)
  • Petroleum Act B.E. 2514 (1971)
  • Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand Act B.E. 2522 (1979)
• Foreigner who is an investor.
  • If investing not less than 2 million Baht, he or she will be granted a 1 year permit.
  • If investing not less than 10 million Baht, he or she will be granted a 2 year permit.
• Foreigner who is an executive or expert.
  • Foreigner’s associated company should be registered with capital or possess asset of not less than 30 million Baht.
• Foreigner who is member of the foreign press must present a letter from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and a copy of an ID Press Card issued by the Department of Public Relations.
• Foreigner who is a researcher or developer on science and technology.
• Foreigner who is employed in a branch office of an overseas bank, foreign banking office of an overseas bank, provincial foreign banking office of an overseas bank or a representative office of foreign bank in which all offices are certified by the Bank of Thailand.
• Foreigner who works on the necessary and urgent basis for a period of no longer than 15 days.
• Foreigner who is an official of the representative office for foreign juristic persons concerning the International Trading Business and Regional Office of Transnational Corporation in accordance to the Foreign Business Act B.E. 2542 (1999).
• Foreigner who is an expert on information technology.
• Foreigner who works at regional operating headquarters.

What is a visa?
The visa is a document stamped or sealed in the passport. An official at the Thailand embassy or Thailand consulate grants it. The visa is evidence that you have been approved to appear at the Thailand border for final review before entering Thailand.

What category of visa does an internship need?
An internship student needs to apply for non immigrant business (non-immigrant B) visa, which allow you enter Thailand up to 90 days. Cobra International will provide you an invitation letter for apply this visa.

My visa has a statement that says "Entries." What does this mean?
This determines how many entries into Thailand this visa is good for. Sometimes there is a letter M, signifying "multiple" entries. Other times, there is a number, such as 1 or 2, signifying that you may enter Thailand on that particular visa one or two times.

What is the importance of the visa expiration date?
Your visa is valid from the date issued to the expiration date. You may enter Thailand up to and including the expiration date on the visa.

What if I am in Thailand after my visa has expired?
The visa allows you to enter Thailand. If the visa expires while you are here, there is no problem. Numerous students are currently here with visas that have expired. However, if you want to return home and again re-enter Thailand, a new visa would be required from an embassy or consulate outside Thailand.

Can I go to Cambodia or Singapore for a new visa?
You may apply for visas in Cambodia or Singapore. However, if the visa application is denied, you will not be able to re-enter Thailand and must return to your home country for a new visa.