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NECESSITIES GUIDE
- Get an Electric Plug adaptor for
European/Japanese-style plug holes in your country to recharge
your all important mobile phone and laptop
 European
plug with two circular metal pins
 Japanese-style
plug with two parallel flat blades
- Electricity: 230V 50HzHz
- The Country Dialling Code for Thailand
is 66.
- Protect your precious documents
& laptop with an umbrella. Any time from June to mid-November
is the monsoon season in Thailand.
- Prepare mosquito repellents, malaria
tablets & get a vaccine for Japanese B encephalitis, especially
if you intend to visit rural Thailand. Pack light-coloured clothing,
long trousers (shorts are taboo for religious locations anyway)
& long sleeves shirts. The health issues to look out for in
Thailand are as follows:-
Dengue fever
The Aedes aegypti mosquito, which
transmits the dengue virus, is most active during the day, and
is found mainly in urban areas in and around human dwellings.
Signs and symptoms of dengue fever include a sudden onset of high
fever, headache, joint and muscle pains, nausea and vomiting.
A rash of small red spots sometimes appears three to four days
after the onset of fever. Severe complications do sometimes occur.
You should seek medical attention as soon as possible if you think
you may be infected. A blood test can indicate the possibility
of dengue fever. There is no specific treatment. Aspirin should
be avoided, as it increases the risk of haemorrhaging. There is
no vaccine against dengue fever. Travellers are advised to prevent
mosquito bites at all times by wearing light-coloured clothing,
long trousers and long-sleeved shirts; using mosquito repellents
containing the compound DEET on exposed areas and refraining from
using perfumes and aftershave.
Malaria
A potentially fatal disease spread
by mosquito bites have symptoms ranging from fever, chills, sweating,
headache, diarrhoea, abdominal pains to a vague feeling of ill-health.
Seek medical help immediately if malaria is suspected. If medical
care is not available, malaria tablets can be used for treatment.
If you do contract malaria, be sure to be re-tested once you return
home as you can harbour malaria parasites even if you are symptom
free. Thailand's more susceptible areas for malaria include northern
Kanchanaburi Province (especially Thung Yai Naresuan National
Park) and parts of Trat Province along the Cambodian border (including
Ko Chang).
Japanese B encephalitis
Another mosquito-transmitted viral
infection of the brain is a risk only in rural, rice-growing areas,
& is thought to be a very low risk for travellers. However,
it can be fatal, & may cause permanent brain damage in those
who recover. There is an effective vaccine, & you should take
measures to avoid mosquito bites.
Rabies
Many animals can be infected with
rabies (such as dogs, cats, bats and monkeys) & their saliva
that is infectious. Any bite, scratch or even lick from a warm-blooded,
furry animal should be cleaned immediately and thoroughly. Scrub
with soap and running water, and then apply alcohol or iodine
solution. Medical help should be sought promptly to receive a
course of injections to prevent the onset of symptoms and death.
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