19 and goung to Thailand

[thebody]

Hi,

I have a 19 year old son going to Thailand for 10 weeks(until money runs out). He is travelling with a friend. They land in Bancock and hope to travel to Cambodia and then South..

Any advice.. got malaria prescription as may go to jungle areas but wheres the cheapest to buy them???.

Also thinking of giving him an old moblie with sim and getting him to buy a Thailand sim over there to keep in touch???

Getting mesh and a lock for backpack??

Anyone got any advice on these or other matters, obviously am worried sick.. he has access to about £1400.. and will let his bank know before travel.. obviously must be lots of cashpoints in capital but what about elsewhere?? will that be enough cash for that long.. will be stopping in back pack hotels.. sorry rambling but any advice welcome..

twopeople thanks and I know you are quite right.. he has sorted a lot out but I am a clucky hen and am really checking up on everything he has done. also he is working shifts of 9am to 11.30 in local pub to top up cash so not a lot of time.

Thanks for money advice.. sounds good..

Hiya, I went to Thailand by myself when I was 20, so 10 years ago now. It is a friendly place and I found the locals very welcoming and never had any problems.

I've heard stories about people being offerred snacks/drinks in Bangock and the food/drink is drugged and the victims wake up later with all their money gone. Not sure if its an urban myth but probably worth not accepting food and drink in the street, even a boiled sweet.

Make sure he writes stuff like passport number and card numbers down and leaves a copy of these numbers with you incase he loses them/is robbed. Might be worth having 2 cash cards for 2 different accounts and hide one in the depths of the backpack and keep the other so if he loses one he has another. Though if his friend is with him may not be as important.

There weren't many atm;s when I went and I used traveller's cheques but things have moved on and I would imagine there are a lot of atm's now. Little island I went to now has a McDonalds and starbucks and a Boots! Tell him to check out the Lonely Planet forums as there will be a lot of advice and info on there.

In hostels tell him to check out emergency/fire exits before he goes to bed. I'm paranoid about that sort of thing. Hope he has fun.

www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-living-abroad/travel-advice-by-country/asia-oceania/cambodia

At the very least he should register with the Foreign Office "Locate" service they offer.

He should also have a return ticket for the UK. It is irresponsible to keep travelling until the money runs out. He and his friend should always travel together and not separate.

Caution is advised when crossing between Thailand and Cambodia (see above FO advice on Cambodia).

Your son also needs to be aware of the following (again from the Foreign Office website on travelling in Thailand where the political situation remains uncertain.

The line of the international border in the vicinity of the Preah Vihear temple (Khao Pra Viharn in Thai) is the subject of dispute between Cambodia and Thailand.
Fighting broke out on 15 October 2008, between Thai and Cambodian troops along the disputed border area near the Preah Vihear temple (Khao Pra Viharn in Thai). On 2 April 2009, further hostilities were reported at Veal Antri near Preah Vihear. On 19 September clashes occurred between political demonstrators and local villagers during which several people were injured. We advise against all travel to the temple The presence of ex-Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra in Cambodia, at the invitation of the Cambodian government, has raised tensions between the two countries further. You should remain alert to the local situation when travelling in other border regions, and at land crossings between the two countries.

There are two legal land border crossing points into and out of Cambodia for foreigners: Srakaew Province to Poipet, open daily 07:30 to 20:00; and Klong Yai at Had Lek, Trad Province to Koh Kong, open daily 07:00 to 20:00. British nationals need a visa to enter Cambodia (is he aware of this requirement?).

Your son and his friend need to read up on both countries (he shoudl read the UK Foreign Office's travel advice on both Thailand and Cambodia) and plan their visit with due care and attention.

This is good to read as well:-

www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-living-abroad/staying-safe/checklist

He must have adequate medical insurance cover. This is essential.

My advise for what it's worth is not to try to be a traveller. We lived in Bangkok for four years and the travellers who tried and failed to go native were tiresome. Also, tell him not to forget the people selling the noodle soup or whatever he is eating have to make a living too. Boasting about saving 5 baht doesn't make you a traveller.
Do make sure he has a comprehensive travel insurance, health, money etc.
Do advise him against drugs of any sort. In any country.
Do advise him that if he is going to use the services of bargirls, a condom is essential.
Do tell him to enjoy himself as well.

thanks for all that and lol Kreecherlivesupstairs. Will make sure he has the condoms though!!! yeak!!

Goth's drugging thing is quite important. Advise nag him never to take water, soft drink etc in a bar or cafe from an open can or bottle. He should always open it himself or see it opened.

This is not to worry you: but it's such a simple precaution. I was with someone who was drugged in this way with Coke and we had to drag him unconscious out of a bar. He was fine because he wasn't alone. Please don't worry but it is quite a handy tip.

I like kreecher's advice too: he may be a budget tourist, but he's still a tourist, and a tourist's job is to spend money and not shave off every last cent! (nb this does not apply at souvenir and fake stalls, but don't expect to buy a bunch of bananas at local prices)

Goth's drugging thing is quite important. Advise nag him never to take water, soft drink etc in a bar or cafe from an open can or bottle. He should always open it himself or see it opened.

This is not to worry you: but it's such a simple precaution. I was with someone who was drugged in this way with Coke and we had to drag him unconscious out of a bar. He was fine because he wasn't alone. Please don't worry but it is quite a handy tip.

I like kreecher's advice too: he may be a budget tourist, but he's still a tourist, and a tourist's job is to spend money and not shave off every last cent! (nb this does not apply at souvenir and fake stalls, but don't expect to buy a bunch of bananas at local prices)

oh

Also, make sure he has had all his vaccinations. Health care in Thailand is affordable and, on the whole good. Language could be a barrier though, if he is in Issan it is doubtful that he'll find English speaking staff.
Tell him to beware of Chang beer, produces the most hideous hangovers due to the formaldehyde in it (unless that was an urban myth and it was the amount I drunk). Also, if he is off the beaten track and someone offers him alcohol that he has distilled himself, advise him to refuse it.