TRAVEL ALERTS AND WARNINGS

[onesp1ng]

yeah that's true. good advice doc...

[doc]

There have been a rash of deaths here in the Phuket area over the past few weeks. Three individuals have died after experiencing a sudden dysenteric illness characterized by severe vomiting or diarrhea. What made this suspicious was the fact that two of the initial deaths, were from the same hotel on Koh Phi Phi, in fact, they shared adjoining rooms. A third death, and a fourth severe illness was nearby within a close timeframe.

Now, another death occurred in Patong, Phuket. Same story.

It's too early to tell what the cause is of this, but it's starting to look less, in my eyes, of an infectious illness such as cholera, and more like a poisoning. It seems that only foreigners are affected, it seems that there are no mild to moderate instances of disease, and it appears that all victims were drinking in bars prior to their sudden illness. Cholera and these other infectious agents generally don't kill people so rapidly; and cholera outbreaks, along with other bacterial and viral infections, tend to infect people equally, and with varying degrees of illness.

This all sounds like some crazed whacko poisoning people in bars.

One always needs to be careful in any drinking establishment, to "protect one's drink", and to be watchful of events and people in their surroundings.

[doc]

Embassy Message
April 30, 2009
Subject: Warden Message: H1N1 Influenza A (Swine flu)

This warden message alerts U.S. citizens to the latest information regarding human cases of H1N1 Influenza A ("swine flu"). As of April 29, the World Health Organization has not reported any cases of H1N1A influenza in Thailand. The Thai government has advised the public to avoid travel to Mexico and certain parts of the U.S. The Thai government is also using thermal scanners to monitor passengers arriving at international airports throughout Thailand.

For further information about H1N1 influenza, including steps you can take to stay healthy, please consult the following:

* Department of State information at

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_pandemic.html

* United States Centers for Disease Control website at

http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/

* World Health Organization website at

http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/en/index.html

* Thai Department of Disease Control, Bureau of Emerging Infectious Diseases website at http://beid.ddc.moph.go.th/eng/


For the latest security information, Americans living or traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department's Bureau of Consular Affairs Internet web site at <http://travel.state.gov/>, where the current Worldwide Caution, Travel Alerts, Travel Warnings, and health-information resources can be found. Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or, for callers in other areas, by calling a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).

American citizens traveling or residing in Thailand are encouraged to register with the Department of State at https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/ui/ or with the U.S. Embassy.
The Embassy is located at 95 Wireless Road in Bangkok. The Embassy website can be visited at http://bangkok.usembassy.gov/embassy/wwc/recent.htm. The American Citizen Services Unit of the U.S. Embassy can be reached by phone at 66-2-205-4049 and by e-mail at ACSBKK@State.gov. The after-hours emergency telephone number is 66-2-205-4000.

[master splinter]

Gross, thats pretty stupid. Mosquito repellent and chemicals from fluorescent light bulbs? Don't they have weed?

[Maestro]

another good reason to drink beer

[doc]

A new form of local drug abuse in Thailand.

'8 x 100' sweeps the South

PHUKET: A new recreational drug cocktail known as “8 x 100”, a direct descendant of the “4 x 100” that came to prominence in 2006, is now sweeping the Deep South, security officials say.

Thanu Neuang-uthai of the Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC) for Region 4 said that he had visited many provinces in the region and found that the drug was spreading fast among youths.

Lt Thanu heads the Region 4 Psychology and Communications Team, which is responsible for dealing with drugs and illegal immigrants in the South.

The original “4 x 100” used the indigenous krathom leaves (a prohibited stimulant) as one of the major ingredients.

Since security forces have cracked down on the trade in krathom, youths have moved on to a complex new formula comprising longkong leaves, cola, ya bah (methamphetamines), cough medicine, mosquito repellent, florescent chemicals from tube lights, tobacco and yoghurt, Lt Thanu explained.

The new mixture, first reported in Songkhla’s Chana District, has since spread widely around the South and has now reached Ranong, Chumphon and Surat Thani. Many youths believe the longkong leaves used in the mixture act as an aphrodisiac, Lt Thanu said.

There are as yet no known reports of the drug being used in Phuket.

The original “4 x 100” contained krathom leaves, cough medicine, mosquito repellent coils and cola. The addition of chemicals from florescent lights had previously been reported in some areas.

Kretek cigarettes from Indonesia, which contain a mixture of cloves and tobacco, are also becoming very popular among young people in the South. Many youths reportedly believe these to act as an aphrodisiac, as well.

The report also mentioned a trend for getting high off a mysterious powdered drink, called "Ovaldi", in a sachet similar to Ovaltine. It comes from a neighboring country. According to the report, youths in the South burn the powder while still in the plastic sachet until it is completely reduced to ash, and then snort it.

The report did not say what effects the youths hoped to get through this practice.

Phuket Gazette

Local police are "requesting" urine samples from locals and tourists, in the Patong area bars.

[daodejing]

Excellent, sounds like we could learn a thing or two.

[doc]

It's Thai government in action. Not a problem.

In the US, we elect a shitty president and we're stuck with him for eight years.

In Thailand, they have a coup, and put another one in within days.

Far more efficient.

[daodejing]

Wow. So, whats with all the beef in bangkok Doc?

Surely this has got to be deeper than israel vs palestine?

[doc]

Happy New Year, and here is our first advisory.

January 12, 2009

This warden message alerts U.S. Citizens traveling to and residing in Thailand that tomorrow, January 13, 2009, at approximately 9:00am, a large gathering of demonstrators protesting Israeli and U.S. policies related to the ongoing situation in Gaza is expected to march from
Lumpini Park to the U.S. Embassy on Wireless Road. The demonstration is expected to conclude at approximately noon.

When the demonstrators arrive outside the front entrances to the Embassy compounds, the Embassy may be forced to close to visitors. This means that there is a possibility that American Citizen Services may be closed for part or all of the morning hours, even to those who already have an appointment. We will continue to have public hours in the afternoon from 1:00pm to 2:00pm. We will endeavor to help all people who arrive by 2:00pm. We ask Americans to exercise caution if you are going to be in this vicinity or in the area of any demonstrations.

We wish to remind American citizens that even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and possibly escalate into violence. American citizens are therefore urged to avoid the areas of demonstrations and to exercise caution if within the vicinity of any
demonstrations.

[doc]

The People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), who had previously entered and forced the closure of Suvarnabhumi and Don Muang airports in Bangkok, have now departed those premises. Airport authorities have begun the process of reopening the airports. Due to the lack of demand and the upcoming reopening of the airports, the Department of State will not be pursuing charter flights at this time.

As always, please contact the American Citizen Services Unit of U.S. Embassy (contact details below) if you need assistance or information.

Americans in Thailand, or those with plans to travel to or transit through Thailand, should monitor local media and contact airlines for the latest departure/arrival information. We understand the inconvenience this situation has placed on American travelers to Thailand, and we continue to monitor the situation very closely. It is our understanding from Thai immigration officials that those individuals who have stayed in Thailand beyond the time permitted by their visa due to the airport closures will not face penalties when they depart the country.

In addition, the following numbers may be helpful for additional information:
Ministry of Tourism Aid Center: 1414, 02-356-0720, 02-356-0729
ATTA (Association of Thai Travel Agents): 02-134-4263
Thai tourist police emergency line: 1155
Suvarnabhumi International Airport hotline: 02-132-1882, 02-132-1888
Suvarnabhumi International Airport flight inquiries: 02-132-0000, 02-132-9328-9
Don Mueang Airport: 02-535-1669
Don Mueang Flight inquiries: 02-535-1616
Tourism Authority of Thailand: 02-652-8313-4
United Airlines Reservations: 02-353-3939, www.united.com
Northwest/Delta Airlines: 02-660-6999, 02-660-6900, www.nwa.com, www.delta.com

We wish to remind American citizens that even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and possibly escalate into violence. American citizens are therefore urged to avoid areas of demonstrations, and to exercise caution within the vicinity of any demonstrations.

[doc]

The Department of State is evaluating whether to charter aircraft to facilitate the onward travel of American citizens seeking to depart Thailand. Americans who would like to take a U.S. government chartered flight from Bangkok to another airport in the region, such as Singapore, where they would then make their own arrangements to connect to onward flights, are requested to read through this message and respond as noted below.

Under U.S. law, an American citizen receiving U.S. government transportation assistance is required to pay for the cost of travel at the rate of the most recently available full fare economy ticket. Therefore, American citizens who choose to fly on this charter must either pay prior to departure with a personal check or sign a promissory note (an Emergency Loan Application and Evacuation document <http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/80109.pdf> ) for the amount
stated and reimburse the U.S. government for the flight within sixty days. Cash and credit payments can not be handled. American citizens who depart Thailand on a U.S. government charter will be individually responsible for booking and paying for their onward travel from the transit point to their final destination. Americans will also be individually responsible to pay for their own accommodation at the transit point should an overnight stay be required before connecting to the onward flight. However, U.S. Embassy officials at the transit point will be available to provide information about local hotels and may be able to facilitate onward travel arrangements if assistance is needed.

Commercial flights continue to depart Thailand through airports outside of Bangkok, although space has been limited. While more commercial flights will become available as the Bangkok airports reopen, the backlog of demand may continue to make departure travel arrangements difficult for the near future. American citizens may choose to wait until regular commercial flights
are available using their already purchased tickets. We anticipate that the charter flight will cost approximately $550 (though this may change depending upon the transit point destination).

American citizens in Thailand who would like to depart Thailand by charter should contact the U.S. Embassy in Bangkok immediately to alert us of your interest. Your response will help us evaluate whether charters are a viable option and how many charters would be needed.

Please note that at this time no final decision has been made on the use of charters.

The American Citizen Services Unit of the U.S. Embassy can be reached by phone at 66-2-205-4049 and by e-mail at ACSBKK@State.gov. If that number is busy, please call 66-2-205-4000.

[doc]

November 26, 2008
The State Department alerts U.S. citizens to the continuing large-scale political demonstrations in Thailand that have resulted in the disruption of services as well as isolated incidents of violence. At this time, Bangkok's international and domestic airports have ceased flight operations due to the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) protests at those locations. It is unclear when normal flight operations will resume. Americans in Thailand should avoid travel to these airports until airport operations return to normal. Americans in Thailand, or who have plans to travel to or transit Thailand, should monitor local media and contact airlines for the latest departure/arrival information. This Travel Alert will expire on December 1, 2008.

[doc]

Wednesday, November 26, 2008
At this time, Suvarnabhumi International Airport has ceased all flight operations due to the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) protest at the airport. We advise Americans to stay away from the airport given the potential for violence and civil disobedience. It is unclear at
this time when normal flight operations will resume. Please contact the airlines for the latest departure/arrival information.

We wish to remind American citizens that even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and possibly escalate into violence. American citizens are therefore urged to avoid the areas of demonstrations, and to exercise caution if within the vicinity of any demonstrations.

[doc]

Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Reports indicate that PAD protesters are currently at both Suvarnabhumi and Don Muang airports. PAD protesters at Suvarnabhumi airport are currently (as of 17:30 Tuesday evening) blocking some taxi cab access on the main road to the airport. This situation may change, as protesters may move to a different site that will allow normal traffic to the airport to resume. Traffic from the airport is not affected.

Currently, incoming flights are not affected, but departing flights are starting to be delayed. People who are going to the airport this evening may want to find alternate routes to the airport, including Bang Na - Trat highway, should allow extra time, and contact their airline for updated information. PAD protesters at Don Muang airport are not affecting access to the airport or flights.

Approximately 5000 supporters of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) gathered late in the afternoon at the Royal Thai Armed Forces Command Headquarters located in Lak Si on Chaeng Watthana Road. As of 17:30, this number had dissipated to 2500 and continues to decrease. Traffic flow on the expressway between the Sukhumvit corridor and Chaeng
Watthana remains normal, but traffic is highly congested on Chaeng Watthana Road. The Royal Thai Armed Forces Command Headquarters is located approximately 5 kilometers east of the International School of Bangkok (ISB).

We wish to remind American citizens that even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and possibly escalate into violence. American citizens are therefore urged to avoid the areas of demonstrations, and to exercise caution if within the vicinity of any demonstrations.