Thailand (Lonely Planet, 13th Edition) - China Williams [654]
Most train stations have printed timetables in English; although this isn’t always the case for smaller stations. Bangkok’s Hualamphong station is a good spot to load up on timetables. There are two types of timetable available: four condensed English timetables with fares, schedules and routes for rapid, express and special express trains on the four trunk lines; and four Thai timetables for each trunk line, and side lines. These latter timetables give fares and schedules for all trains – ordinary, rapid and express. The English timetables only display a couple of the ordinary routes; eg they don’t show all the ordinary trains that go to Ayuthaya and as far north as Phitsanulok.
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Health Dr Trish Batchelor
CONTENTS
Before You Go
Insurance
Vaccinations
Medical Checklist
Internet Resources
Further Reading
In Transit
Deep Vein Thrombosis
Jet Lag & Motion Sickness
In Thailand
Availability & Cost of Health CARE
Infectious Diseases
Traveller’s Diarrhoea
Environmental Hazards
Travelling with Children
Women’s Health
Health risks and the quality of medical facilities vary enormously depending on where and how you travel in Thailand.
The majority of major cities and popular tourist areas are well developed, however, travel to more remote rural areas can expose you to health risks and less adequate medical care.
Travellers tend to worry most about contracting exotic infectious diseases when visiting the tropics, but such infections are a far less common cause of serious illness or death in travellers than pre-existing medical conditions such as heart disease, and accidental injury (especially as a result of traffic accidents).
Becoming ill in some way is common, however. Respiratory infections, diarrhoea and dengue fever are particular hazards in Thailand.
Fortunately most common illnesses can either be prevented with some commonsense behaviour or are easily treated with a well-stocked traveller’s medical kit.
The following advice should be read as a general guide only and does not replace the advice of a doctor trained in travel medicine.
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BEFORE YOU GO
Pack medications in clearly labelled original containers. A signed and dated letter from your physician describing your medical conditions and medications, including generic names, is a good idea. If carrying syringes or needles be sure to have a physician’s letter documenting their medical necessity. If you have a heart condition, bring a copy of your ECG taken just prior to travelling.
If you take any regular medication bring double your needs in case of loss or theft. In Thailand you can buy many medications over the counter without a doctor’s prescription, but it can be difficult to find the exact medication you are taking. It is safer to bring adequate supplies from home.
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INSURANCE
Even if you’re fit and healthy, don’t travel without health insurance – accidents do happen. Declare any existing medical conditions you have – insurance companies will check if your problem is pre-existing and won’t cover you if it is undeclared. You may require extra cover for adventure activities such as rock climbing or diving, as well as scooter/motorcycle riding. If your health insurance doesn’t cover you for medical expenses abroad, ensure you get specific travel insurance. If you’re uninsured, emergency evacuation is expensive; bills of over US$100,000 aren’t uncommon. Most hospitals require an upfront guarantee of payment (from yourself or your insurer) prior to admission.
In many countries doctors expect payment in cash. Keep all documentation (medical reports, invoices etc) for claim purposes. Some policies ask you to call back (reverse charges) to a centre in your home