Bus-stop bombing kills one in Bangkok

I have written a lot about Thailand and Bangkok in particular in this news blog over the last few years. However as such a popular destination, I do not think it does any harm to highlight that although the obvious threat from protestors has temporarily subsided, an underlying threat remains.


Further terrorist activity and a resumption of protest should be expected at any time in Bangkok particularly; as we have seen in the past, this can quickly spread to other parts of the country with the popular backpackers destination of Chiang Mai in the North of the country particularly prone to experiencing these types of activity.


To read more about the current situation in Thailand visit the FCO Advice – Thailand page and our previous news blog entries:


• Backpackers pack their bags and leave Bangkok in droves
• Change travel advice for Thailand
• At least 10 die and 500 injured in Thai riot


The key to safe travel in Thailand is to keep up-to-date with local news while you travel through the country and at the first sign of political protest or unrest, leave the area. Pay particular attention during any local or national elections and if there is any sign of ill-health in the king who holds a much revered place in the hearts of all Thai people.


At Safe Gap Year our Independent Travel Safety and Cultural Awareness Workshop considers issues of Travel Safety, alongside sessions on Cultural Awareness, Travel Health, Ethical and Responsible Travel, Travel Equipment, Destination Advice, Transport Options, Documentation, Travel Money and Insurance and more.


Please visit our website at http://www.safegapyear.co.uk/.


For more information on any of our services, please call us on 0845 602 55 95 or Contact Us.


To view the original article Click Here
Source – www.bbc.co.uk
Date – 25th July 2010
Submitted by – Peter Mayhew

Peru declares emergency over cold weather

Peru has experienced a torrid year, which has negatively impacted on travel to the country and highlights the need for effective preparation for independent travel.


The current extreme cold spell has been devastating for local people up and down the country; 65% of the country has declared a state of emergency, in order to free up much needed emergency funding.


The extreme temperatures in the south of the country which have reached -24C are proportionately just as severe as the lows of 9C which have been experienced in the normally hot and humid Amazon region. The people who live in both these areas will experience similar consequences to these relative temperatures; with people living in the south being used to below zero temperatures, but not -24C and those from the Amazon basin being used to 20C - 30C but not single digits.


Travellers need to prepare effectively for the variance in temperatures which can be experienced across the country normally and these extremes, which in Peru, seem to be more and more frequent occurrences.


Due to its long coastline and reliance on the effect of the offshore currents for its climate, Peru is more susceptible to the effects of global warming than most. The country is still recovering from the devastating floods which closed its most popular tourist attraction earlier this year; Machu Picchu only re-opened in April.


To add to these ‘climate’ problems, Peru is also still suffering after the a devastating 2007 earthquake.


However travel to Peru should not be discounted, the country has too much to offer for that.


Effective planning is the key to safe independent travel and a significant part of this planning should involve understanding the conditions at your destination(s). This will help you to decide the best time of year to travel and the type of equipment you might require.


Your equipment choices need to be versatile, it is simply not possible to take more than one set of equipment, yet travellers to Peru will need to prepare for both extreme heat and extreme cold…. The key is to make sure your equipment is multi-purpose and works well when combined to meet all your requirements.


If you are going to visit southern Peru at this time of year (the southern hemisphere winter), you need to expect and prepare for cold in any year. This year your preparation needs to be even more effective, otherwise you could find yourself with inappropriate equipment in extreme cold.


At Safe Gap Year our Independent Travel Safety and Cultural Awareness Workshop considers issues of Travel Safety, alongside sessions on Cultural Awareness, Travel Health, Ethical and Responsible Travel, Travel Equipment, Destination Advice, Transport Options, Documentation, Travel Money and Insurance and more.


Please visit our website at http://www.safegapyear.co.uk/.


For more information on any of our services, please call us on 0845 602 55 95 or Contact Us.


To view the original article Click Here
Source – www.bbc.co.uk
Date – 24th July 2010
Submitted by – Peter Mayhew

Deaths as dengue fever grips Caribbean

There is no vaccination for Dengue fever; the only option is prevention and treatment.


Fatalities from Dengue are rare in travellers because they are generally fortunate enough to have access to good healthcare if infected,. However it is a very debilitating disease and contracting a serious case of the fever will ruin most trips at the very least and can lead to further complications, especially if left untreated.


People I know who have had Dengue fever tell me it is an incredibly painful and frightening experience, symptoms include pain behind the eyes which can feel like you are going blind, skin rashes and extreme pain in the bones and joints; it can take weeks of hospitalisation to recover. It should also be noted that people who catch Dengue once are at far greater danger if they contract a different strain of the disease at a later date; contracting dengue fever may give you a level of immunity from the strain you caught, but makes you more vulnerable to the other strains which are out there.


So the key is in making sure your bite prevention methods are up to scratch. With no vaccine and no cure these are the only forms of protection. Don’t fall into the common misconception that mosquitoes bite at night and more in rural areas. The Aedes mosquito which carries the virus is active mainly during the day and are actually more common in urban areas.


Areas like the Caribbean where this latest outbreak has occurred are perfect locations for the mosquito and thus outbreaks of the disease, which seems to be on the increase across the world, are not uncommon. Due to the short life-cycles of these mosquitoes, even a short period of ideal conditions can lead to an explosion of the number of carriers.


The solution is bite avoidance day and night; cover up; insect repellent; insecticide; avoiding attractants like scents and scented soaps and even smelly feet & cheese; avoiding stagnant water, even small puddles can be breeding grounds; knowing the symptoms and seeking immediate medical care if any occur.


At Safe Gap Year our Independent Travel Safety and Cultural Awareness Workshop considers issues of Travel Safety, alongside sessions on Cultural Awareness, Travel Health, Ethical and Responsible Travel, Travel Equipment, Destination Advice, Transport Options, Documentation, Travel Money and Insurance and more.


Please visit our website at http://www.safegapyear.co.uk/.


For more information on any of our services, please call us on 0845 602 55 95 or Contact Us.


To view the original article Click Here
Source – The Independent
Date – 18th July 2010
Submitted by – Peter Mayhew

British Behaviour Abroad – Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) 2009-10 Report

The report highlights the problems Britons encounter during travel which require assistance from the FCO and their in-country representatives. These include the consequences of;


• 944 Britons being arrested for drug related offences
• 19% of Britons travel without insurance
• Britons spend only an average of 25 minutes researching local laws and customs of the country they are travelling to
• The FCO dealt with a staggering (almost) 2 million consular enquiries.
• Although Spain had the highest number of consular assistance cases with over 14 a day (5283 a year), Thailand had the highest percentage of consular assistance cases per visitor / resident with over 2.6 a day (957 a year).
• Spain had the highest number of arrests (2012) but once again Thailand had the highest percentage of arrests (249 of which 68 were for drug related offences) followed by UAE (265) and USA (1367).
• Of the 3689 Britons hospitalised abroad, Spain has the highest number (3689) with Thailand having the highest percentage (199) with Greece second (471) and Egypt third (235). Many of these cases were due to motorbike accidents and drink related incidents.
• A total of 5930 Britons died abroad with Thailand (292) again the country with the highest percentage of deaths to visitors / residents.
• 27,272 passports were lost or stolen. For once Thailand (827) only comes third on the list of frequency per visitor, with New Zealand (1662) coming top and South Africa (832) coming second.


The complete report can be downloaded from the Foreign Office website (British Behaviour Abroad).


It should be noted that the figures given above are those for cases where consular assistance was sought or where incidents were reported to the FCO; they do not take into account the many people who fail or choose not to do so. We can therefore assume that to one degree or another, the actual numbers may be significantly higher.


It is highly recommended that if you get into any kind of difficulty when travelling you seek consular assistance. Even in cases where you think you don’t actually need their immediate help we would strongly advise people to make contact, as even seemingly innocuous situation can quickly spiral into serious ones.


The British embassy / consulate / high commission in the country you are visiting will be more than happy to offer assistance in whatever form you believe to be necessary (providing it is within their power / remit to do so). This means they will also be more than happy for you just to touch base with them and let them know the situation you are in.


For example if you fall ill and require hospitalisation, you may be very comfortable with the level of medical treatment you are receiving (many countries round the world have health care which easily matches that which we enjoy in the UK) and your insurance may cover your costs. The benefit of contacting the FCO representative in the country you are visiting is that if your condition suddenly deteriorates, they will already have a knowledge of your case, which will allow them to more quickly contact your family or advise you on other local medical opinions you may wish to seek.


The following are some point worth considering in relation to above snapshot of this report:


Drugs – Avoid illegal drugs at all costs and avoid association with others who may be using / dealing illegal drugs. Availability does not indicate legality and it can generally be assumed that those drugs which are illegal in the UK are illegal in all other parts of the world (in places such as the UAE even many drug which are sold under prescription in the UK are illegal). Do not believe those who tell you that drug use is tolerated; they are either kidding themselves as a drug user; kidding you to ‘impress’ you; or involved in marketing (selling) illegal drugs. In many countries the penalties for drug possession can be significant and even association with drug users can land you inside a very unpleasant prison cell.

Alcohol – Alcohol plays a significant part in many injuries, accidents and fatalities in travellers. When travelling we tend to have a more care-free (invincible) attitude then when at home; which considering the risks in most other countries are higher than in the UK, is actually the exact opposite of the approach we should be taking. Alcohol plays a part in many social activities and there is no particular problem with this in itself; however you should take significantly more care and be aware of the relative strengths (sizes of measures) of alcohol and moderate your consumption when abroad. Avoid mixing alcohol with: unfamiliar locations / people; drugs (illegal & prescription); driving / traffic; especially driving scooters / motorbikes; water (being in or on); heights; cultures & countries where it is illegal or not tolerated; ‘extreme sports’ (skiing, diving, riding etc.); confrontation; more alcohol… Be aware that being under the influence of alcohol or drugs is likely to invalidate your insurance.

Driving - Road accidents continue to be a significant cause of injury and death abroad, with insufficient care being taken by many travellers in regard to safety equipment which they would routinely use in the UK; these are often ignored on roads where the risks are significantly higher and where local road rules / conditions may be unfamiliar. Make sure you are insured and use the appropriate protective equipment even if locals don’t; over 1.2 million people die on roads around the world each year with over 70% of fatalities being in resource poor countries.

Travel Health – Ensure you visit your GP or travel clinic at least six to eight weeks prior to departure in order to allow enough time to complete any course of vaccinations they recommend. For malaria areas always use prophylactic drugs prescribed by your doctor and ensure you finish the course (this may be up to 4 weeks after travel, but is the most dangerous time as far as contracting malaria goes). Take bite avoidance measures as viruses like Dengue Fever cannot be vaccinated against and no vaccination is 100% full-proof; it is vital to have a combination of vaccinations and proactive prevention measures to ensure the best possible protection. Take out comprehensive travel insurance and make sure you are covered for the areas you intend to visit, the activities you intend to take part in and that your insurance will pay out if you need to be repatriated; make sure you tell the insurance company of any existing medical conditions as these may invalidate your insurance if not disclosed.

Rape & Sexual Assault – the FCO reports 132 cases of rape and 140 cases of sexual assault of which were notified. The numbers reported will certainly significantly misrepresent the actual number of such cases in travellers. Although drink / food spiking will be used in a significant number of cases of sexual assault, this is certainly not the only methodology and such assaults are often accompanied by violence or the threat of violence. It should also be noted that a significant number of these assaults will be carried out by ‘fellow travellers’ and that the drug most commonly used in ‘drug assisted sexual assault / rape’ is alcohol. Stick with people you trust and be careful who you trust; it is better to be self-reliant than to rely on someone you have only recently met.

Documentation – Copy all vital documents, take two copies with you, keep them separate from the originals (I keep a copy in the lining of my daypack and backpack) and leave a copy with someone you trust at home; so that if everything goes missing you can be faxed / emailed a copy. Never allow your passport to be used as a form of security against hire / rental or to secure your accommodation.

FCO – The Foreign & Commonwealth Office can and will provide very useful advice and guidance both prior to and (through their representatives in-country) during travel. However travellers must be self-sufficient and should not rely on the FCO for material assistance. They cannot intervene or supersede local laws and law-makers; they can’t fund you even in the case of serious emergencies; they can not issue ‘get out of jail free cards’. They will help you and your family and friends help yourselves and offer you vital support and advice to assist you in resolving your predicament.


The report contains very useful information and case studies on individual locations and offers a great insight into the problems other travellers have encountered in the countries featured; Australia, Canada, China, Cyprus, Egypt, France, Germany, Greece, India, Italy, New Zealand, Pakistan, Portugal, South Africa, Spain, Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates (UAE), USA. If you are visiting any of these countries it is worth a few minutes of your time to read the information on the countries you will be visiting, otherwise see the FCO Country Information page of their website, for more information on every country / territory in the world.


At Safe Gap Year our Independent Travel Safety and Cultural Awareness Workshop considers issues of Travel Safety, alongside sessions on Cultural Awareness, Travel Health, Ethical and Responsible Travel, Travel Equipment, Destination Advice, Transport Options, Documentation, Travel Money and Insurance and more.

Please visit our website at http://www.safegapyear.co.uk/.

For more information on any of our services, please call us on 0845 602 55 95 or Contact Us.

To view the original article Click Here

To view the article on the Safe Gap Year website Click Here

Source – FCO

Date – 16th July 2010

Submitted by – Peter Mayhew

Cheryl Cole being treated for malaria in hospital

Despite taking anti-malaria drugs Cheryl Cole seems to have contracted Malaria following her recent trip to Tanzania.


With proper medical care Malaria is not normally a fatal disease and it is the lack of medical care which means that in excess of 1 million people die from the disease worldwide every year. How quickly Cheryl recovers and what the long term effects are will be depend to a degree on which strain of the disease she has caught.


According to her agent, it does seem that Cheryl Cole / Tweedy (I’m not sure what the latest etiquette is in regard to her name…) was taking prophylactic (anti) malaria drugs; I can only surmise that she followed the correct dosage for the drugs she was on; dosages will vary from drug to drug.


Alongside taking the correct dosage, it is just as important that anyone on a coarse of prophylactic drugs, sees it through to the end; this will often mean taking the drugs for between 1 and 4 weeks after you return from an area of the world where there is a malaria risk. We can only assume that she also did this.


Whatever the reason for Cheryl Cole contracting malaria, it may eventually come down to the simple fact that although prophylactic malaria drugs are very effective and should always be taken when visiting areas of malaria risk, they are not 100% effective.


Malaria may not necessarily be a killer for those of us fortunate enough to have access to the excellent medical facilities such as those we have here in the UK, but it should never be taken lightly. It can be incredibly debilitating disease both in the short term and the long term; I have no doubt we will hear exactly how bad it is from Cheryl herself when she has recovered…


Preventing Malaria is about more than simply visiting a travel clinic or GP and obtaining ‘anti-malaria’ drugs, which should be just the first step of the process, in addition effective bite prevention measures should be employed.


Bite prevention sounds straight forward, slap on some repellent and off you go; but there is more to it than this if you want it to be really effective.


A knowledge of the right mosquito repellent to use; treating your equipment and clothing with insecticide; making yourself unattractive to mosquitoes with the colours and smells you give off; moving your shoes away from your bed (yes mosquitoes are attracted to smelly feet); all reduce the chance of being bitten.


The less often you get bitten, the less often your malaria medication will be tested.


It is not sufficient to just use bite prevention methods, they alone are not full-proof. It is not sufficient just to use prophylactic (anti) malaria drugs, they alone are not full-proof. It is the combination of both which offers the best protection.


Having an understanding of the various bite-prevention techniques adds a layer of protection which GP’s and Travel clinics rarely have the time to explain adequately; during Our Workshops we do.


Even when you have taken the strongest precautions, if on your return from a malaria risk area you experience flu like symptoms or lack energy, as Cheryl Cole / Tweedy did, make it a priority to visit your GP and tell them you have recently returned from a malaria risk area of the world. Malaria can remain dormant in the body for many months, so mention it even if is many months since you returned.


Cheryl’s name will now be added to the estimated 2000 British tourists who return to the UK every year with malaria; fatalities from malaria in the UK average about 9 every year.


At Safe Gap Year our Independent Travel Safety and Cultural Awareness Workshop considers issues of Travel Safety, alongside sessions on Cultural Awareness, Travel Health, Ethical and Responsible Travel, Travel Equipment, Destination Advice, Transport Options, Documentation, Travel Money and Insurance and more.


Please visit our website at http://www.safegapyear.co.uk/.


For more information on any of our services, please call us on 0845 602 55 95 or Contact Us.


To view the original article Click Here
Source – www.bbc.co.uk
Date – 6th July 2010
Submitted by – Peter Mayhew