New Zealanders are permitted to enter Thailand for 30 days without a visa.
Business visitors are eligible to apply for one-year multiple-entry non-immigrant business visas valid for visits of 90 days at a time. Business visitors with a non-immigrant business visa will be granted a temporary stay and work permit for up to 90 days.

Business people with a non-immigrant business visa will be permitted to conduct business meetings in Thailand for stays of up to 15 days (90 days for APEC Business Travel Card holders) without a work permit. A notification procedure still applies.

If you are going to be a regular visitor, it will pay to have a look at getting an APEC Business Travel Card which provides accredited business people with streamlined access to participating APEC countries.

Immigration New Zealand has more information.

Bangkok has a tropical climate. On an average day, the temperature rises to 34°C. March, April and May can see maximum daily temperatures of 38°C or higher. November, December and January are the coolest months, with 29°C as a maximum temperature. Humidity is usually high. The rainy season lasts from June to October.

The national and official language is Thai. English is widely spoken and understood in business circles in the major cities particularly in Bangkok.

Thai is spoken by about 80 percent of the population. Within Thailand, there are four major dialects - southern, northern, north-eastern and central.
Central Thai or Bangkok Thai is taught in all schools. English is also taught in all public schools.

• For information on using interpreters see culture and languagee

Thailand is five hours behind New Zealand except during daylight savings when the difference is six hours. To find out the current time in Thailand, go to www.timeanddate.com. Note that Thailand does not have any daylight savings time.

Usual business hours are 8am to 5pm Monday to Friday. Banks are open from 8.30am to 3.30pm Monday to Friday.

Government offices are open 8.30am to 12 noon and 1pm to 4.30pm Monday to Friday.

Public holidays:

• New Year's Day
• Makha Bucha Day
• Chakri Day
• Songkran Festival
• National Labour Day
• Coronation Day
• Wisakha Bucha Day
• Royal Ploughing Ceremony Day
• Asarnha Bucha Day
• Buddhist Lent Day
• H.M. the Queen's Birthday
• Chulalongkorn Day
• H.M. the King's Birthday (Substitution Day)
• Constitution Day

World Travel Guide has the dates these holiday fall on.

The Bank of Thailand has information on which types of organisations take what public holidays. 

The Baht is divisible into 100 Satang. Coins come in six denominations: 25 and 50-Satang coins (worth very little) and one, two, five and ten-Baht pieces.

Note denominations are 20, 50, 100, 500 and 1,000 Baht.

To get up to date currency rates see www.xe.com

Thai people will judge you on your clothing and accessories, so ensure that your shoes are always highly polished. Business attire is conservative.

Men should wear dark coloured conservative business suits. Women, conservative business suits or dresses.

If you are planning to visit Thailand, consult the New Zealand Government’s travel advisory website for travel updates.

New Zealanders are advised to conform to any restrictions and instructions issued by the local authorities to contain the spread the influenza A (H1N1) virus.

While the general level of health and nutrition is good, some tropical diseases are a problem. The incidence of AIDS has levelled off due to educational awareness campaigns by the Royal Thai Government. However, Thailand is still considered a high-risk country, especially among prostitutes and intravenous drug users.

Malaria is a problem in rural border areas, but generally not in Bangkok, major cities or major tourist destinations. Dengue fever outbreaks occur periodically throughout the country. Rabies is also a risk to consider due to the large number of abandoned animals roaming the streets.

Excellent medical treatment is available in Bangkok, with good to adequate treatment available throughout the country.