I'm going to Thailand

Wilso, The HIV/AIDS rate in Bangkok is very high. The temptation will be high, because a man will approach you almost every (other) street and ask if you want a "young girl." The risk is too great, and the temptation everywhere you go.

"Thailand, though, is also a reminder that success can be relative. Its well funded, politically supported and comprehensive prevention programmes have saved millions of lives, reducing the number of new HIV infections from 140,000 in 1991 to 21,000 in 2003. None the less, one-in-100 Thais in this country of 65 million people is infected with HIV, and AIDS has become the leading cause of death.2"

24 hours from now I'll be on my way. 4 of the last 5 days I'll be in Chiang Mai. Picked up a web booking, return from Bangkok for $110!

WOO HOO!

YAY, have a grrrrrrreat time!!

My ride to the airport will be here in 90min. Time is crawling!!! I want to go.

Reading this now, I can only hope you are gone!!

Oh, I'd say so, osso!

How exciting, Wilso's first trip outside of Oz!

Hi guys, just found this net kiosk terminal at the airport. I've got an hour until boarding. So far the whole experience has been pretty smooth and painless.

Yippy !! Have a great time and look fwd to hearing all (and I mean all) stories !!

Do you want me to PM the "juicier" one's?

Wilso, there's been a very recent (last half hour) travel warning for Oz travellors in Thailand .... Concerning southern areas, not where you're headed, the north. It might be a good idea to access Oz government travel info on the net as you're planning your movements in Thailand.

Good luck & have a great time!

With respect, Olga, I don't think one should regard too highly those warnings. They tend to be out of date, and represent a very tiny risk. Usually, it means those areas are better than others because people have been warned off, and the hotel owners are delighted to offer you a discount!

No, this was a NEW, urgent one issued this afternoon. I don't want to cause alarm. I just think it'd be a good idea for Wilso to keep an eye on what's being said.

I'm in the foyer of the hotel I'm staying at. Just taking a few minutes out to absorb. Culture shock and sensory overload!!! Held pythons, fed elephants, drank cocunut milk and eaten mangoes at the floating markets. It's an unbelievable place. I haven't stopped in two days. It's already been worth the trip.

I agree with Clary; those warnings are over-done IMHO. The likelihood that something bad will happen is so remote, it's safer to be at your planned destination than it is to be at home driving your car. Just take the normal precautions you would in any large city in the world; don't broadcast the amount of money you have out in the open - as I have seen some tourists do. Otherwise, you should be fine. I'm traveling to Bali in August; the US State Department has travel warnings to Bali for Americans. I know about the bombings a few years ago that killed over 200 Aussies there, but there hasn't been anything since then. Besides, it's unlikely that our group will be in a night club venue where Aussies and Americans seem to congregate. If anything, I'll be sitting in the hotel bar with some of my travel companions to have some drinks in the evenings.

Wilso, glad you are having such a rich time, good that you took the step...
CI, I wish you a great trip to Bali..

Wonderful, Wilso!

And you missed the worst of the rains! Good timing!

(Whoops! )

c.i.

The reason I was concerned is that the Oz government tends to be very reluctant to issue travel warnings. Something to do with the sensibilities of our Asian neighbours whose countries often rely heavily on tourism for income. Anyway, the warning I mentioned DID sound serious... & unusual in it's degree of warning. Normally such warnings don't make the news. This one did. However the areas of southern Thailand mentioned seem quite remote & off the normal beaten tourist track, so ...

Oh & have a samosa in the Lotus Cafe in Ubud for me, c.i.! I've spent many a pleasurable hour in that place!

olga, Will do! Wish you could join me.