An incident I saw this morning (see point 1) has prompted me to write a short list of SERIOUS advice/tips for anyone coming to Thailand for the first time. I am avoiding the "how much to pay" and "wear a condom" stuff whcih has been covered many times.
1. If you are from a country where they have Zebra/Pelican crossings please do NOT assume the black an white things across the roads here are the same. Motor vehicles here have no obligation to stop for you if you are crossing on these. They are simply "desiganted crossing zones" - technically if you cross at any other place you are jay-walking and can be fined, but in reality you never are. I saw a farang girl saunter across Pattaya Tai this morning and she was whacked almost immediatly by both a car and a motorbike. Fortunately she was OK but only 2 months ago two (Norwegians I think) were killed crossing Sukhumvit road in Bangkok.
2. Never travel here without adequate insurance.
3. If you hire a motorbike PLEASE wear a helmet and get insurance - you travel/medicare is invalidated if you have an accident on an uninsured bike.
4. If you use a motorbike tax again wear the helmet. Also ask them to drive slowly (cha cha). Usually they won't but it does tend to make them not drive like maniacs as they are aware you are concerned.
5. Chonburi province has the 2nd highest indidence of Dengue Fever in Thailand. Last year over 230,000 reported cases in Thailand. Less than 1% are fatal but it will ruin your holiday if you let it go untreated. Its not known as "break-bone" fever for no reason! If you think you are vgetting "flu" get a blood test at one of the many doctors - 500 baht could save your life.
6. Never drink the water here - avoid swallowing tapwater when showering and cleaning teeth.
7. Be respectful of Thai culture and traditions - read a travel book before you come.
8. Wear a shirt at ALL times (poolside and beach is OK). It is highly disrespectful to "bare shoulders" (male and female) in Thailand let alone a bare chest and exposed beer gut!
9. GO TO BANGKOK - most BMs here prefer Pattaya but you should always give some time for this wonderful and exciting city, especially if it might be your one and only trip to Thailand.
There are countless others but I will let a few others have a go now rather than suffer writers cramp.
Lets stay of the dont fuck ladyboys stuff - indeed stay off anything to do with sex as that is covered elsewhere.
1. If you are from a country where they have Zebra/Pelican crossings please do NOT assume the black an white things across the roads here are the same. Motor vehicles here have no obligation to stop for you if you are crossing on these. They are simply "desiganted crossing zones" - technically if you cross at any other place you are jay-walking and can be fined, but in reality you never are. I saw a farang girl saunter across Pattaya Tai this morning and she was whacked almost immediatly by both a car and a motorbike. Fortunately she was OK but only 2 months ago two (Norwegians I think) were killed crossing Sukhumvit road in Bangkok.
2. Never travel here without adequate insurance.
3. If you hire a motorbike PLEASE wear a helmet and get insurance - you travel/medicare is invalidated if you have an accident on an uninsured bike.
4. If you use a motorbike tax again wear the helmet. Also ask them to drive slowly (cha cha). Usually they won't but it does tend to make them not drive like maniacs as they are aware you are concerned.
5. Chonburi province has the 2nd highest indidence of Dengue Fever in Thailand. Last year over 230,000 reported cases in Thailand. Less than 1% are fatal but it will ruin your holiday if you let it go untreated. Its not known as "break-bone" fever for no reason! If you think you are vgetting "flu" get a blood test at one of the many doctors - 500 baht could save your life.
6. Never drink the water here - avoid swallowing tapwater when showering and cleaning teeth.
7. Be respectful of Thai culture and traditions - read a travel book before you come.
8. Wear a shirt at ALL times (poolside and beach is OK). It is highly disrespectful to "bare shoulders" (male and female) in Thailand let alone a bare chest and exposed beer gut!
9. GO TO BANGKOK - most BMs here prefer Pattaya but you should always give some time for this wonderful and exciting city, especially if it might be your one and only trip to Thailand.
There are countless others but I will let a few others have a go now rather than suffer writers cramp.
Lets stay of the dont fuck ladyboys stuff - indeed stay off anything to do with sex as that is covered elsewhere.