Thong Pha Phum National Park

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Jan 182013
 

Thong Pha Phum National Park (อุทยานแห่งชาติทองผาภูมิ) includes rich forests, mountains, rivers and waterfalls. Sharing a border with Burma (Myanmar), the park can be found in the Thai districts of Amphur Thong Pha Phum (อำเภอทองผาภูมิ) and Sangklaburi (อำเภอสังขละบุรี). It covers an area of 1,120 sq. km.

The park has steep limestone mountains with rocky outcrops and spectacular views. It supports a range of tropical forest habitats that are rich in native wildlife, including elephants, mountain goats, tigers, bears, buffalo, barking deer, civets and many species of birds.

The national park has a visitor centre and accommodation including a camp site. Flooding can present a danger during the rainy season and leaches can be a nuisance unless suitable protection is worn.

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Thailand travel vaccinations, injections and advice

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Dec 272012
 

If you are travelling to Thailand then you should check current advice for immunisation and injections BEFORE travelling. Of course many travellers and long-stay visitors do not take any injections or medication but it is always a good idea to be fully informed so that you can make a good decision.

Be aware that all people including visitors and locals are vulnerable to tummy upsets and diarrhoea. I have worked with many Thai people and upset stomachs (ท้องเสีย – tong see-a) are absolutely commonplace. Of course, this depends on where they eat.

In my uninformed opinion with no medical training it is always a good idea to carry some rehydration salts (น้ำเกลือแร่ – nam glua rae) which are very cheap to buy and can be found at any Thai pharmacy or convenience store including 7-Eleven and Family Mart. However, these are not a substitute for obtaining professional medical treatment which is usually cheap and readily available.

Guidebooks and medical staff from western countries tend to advise against use of un-bottled water ice in drinks but I have never knowingly found this to be a problem. On the other hand, I would agree that fresh cut fruit can be a problem.

More travel advice can be found on the NHS website.

Lastly, as one wise farang once quipped, “Never trust a fart in Thailand.”

Three Pagodas Pass immigration checkpoint closed (May 2011)

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May 302011
 

Over the weekend I visited Amphoe Sangkhlaburi and the Three Pagodas Pass in Kanchanaburi province. As up-to-date visitor information was difficult to come by before making the trip, I will post some observations here.

This information was accurate as of May 29, 2011.

Probably most important for many potential visitors, the immigration checkpoint at the Three Pagodas Pass is officially closed. Tourists are not allowed to cross the border into Burma (Union of Myanmar) although appearances would suggest that some locals may be allowed to cross. Tourists have previously been given permission to make very short trips into Burma by depositing their passports at the border. Continue reading »