For the past three weeks, I have been tossing “stuff” in my suitcase in preparation for a 3-week vacation in Khon Kaen, Thailand. These are the things I will need there, but don’t need here on a daily basis. Things like, my portable DVD player, digital camera, books and magazines, gifts, and other miscellaneous items.

Now it is time to get down to the nitty-gritty. I did my laundry last night so that I would be all set to start packing my clothes.

There isn’t all that much to pack when going to Thailand. I will bring two pair of jeans, two pair of slacks, ½ dozen dress shirts and another ½ dozen T-shirts. Six pair of underwear and 6 pair of socks, along with one pair of shoes, a couple pairs of shorts and one pair of shower slippers, should complete the wardrobe.

My travel toiletry bag is always packed. I just need to make a quick inventory and insure that I have the essentials and I will buy the rest when I arrive.

The other electronics will get packed right before I leave. I will bring my laptop and cable along with my cell phone and charger. These are usually the last two items I pack and they go in my carry-on bag.

The gifts I bought for my girlfriend, her mother and brother will take up the bulk of the two suitcases. Hawaiian print material, T-shirts, candy, stuffed animal, sleepwear, and some small knick-knacks will round it out.

My carry-on backpack will hold the laptop and cell phone as mentioned earlier, along with the noise cancelling headphones, camera, a book and a magazine, some mints and gum. Of course, the ticket, passport, itinerary, some Hawaiian chocolate macadamia nuts, and other small items will fill up about half of the bag.

When I get to the airport, I will stop by the duty free shop to pick up some cigarettes, so I will have to leave room in my carry-on for them. And, if I see something nice, I may get another gift for my girl.

When I arrive in Bangkok, I won’t have to worry about currency conversion right away. I still have some Baht remaining from my last trip. This will easily see my through my first night and then I can exchange some cash to Baht in Khon Kaen.

I have already notified my credit/debit card company that I will be in Thailand and what the dates are so that they don’t put a hold on my card. And I have some dollars with me just in case. I like to have multiple streams of money to access. I don’t like traveler’s checks because of the cost and only being able to cash them during business hours at a bank. Debit ATM card is the most convenient way to get Thai Baht for me.

I will get out my checklist and go over it once again. But, I think I am just about ready to go.

All I have to do is get through 3 more days of work, wait for my 0430 shuttle, and then the 15 hour flight and I will be on a glorious vacation with my girlfriend. Amen.

Larry Westfall is a frequent traveler to Bangkok - Pattaya - and Phuket and books his hotels in Thailand through Thailand Accommodations
Travel101Tips.com your guide to planning your holiday in the sun…
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Safety Tips To Use When In a International City

By: Larry Westfall

Safety on the Street
Use the same common sense traveling overseas that you would at home. Be especially cautious in (or avoid) areas where you may be more easily victimized. These include crowded subways, train stations, elevators, tourist sites, market places, festivals and crime-ridden neighborhoods.

Don’t use short cuts, narrow alleys or poorly lit streets.

Try not to travel alone at night.

Avoid public demonstrations and other civil disturbances.

Keep a low profile and avoid loud conversations or arguments.

Do not discuss travel plans or other personal matters with strangers.

Avoid scam artists by being wary of strangers who approach you and offer t be your guide or sell you something at bargain prices.

Beware of pickpockets. They often have an accomplice who will:

* jostle you,
* ask you for directions or the time,
* point to something spilled on your clothing,
* or distract you by creating a disturbance.

Beware of groups of vagrant children who create a distraction while picking your pocket.

Wear the shoulder strap of your bag across your chest and walk with the bag away from the curb to avoid drive-by purse-snatchers.

Try to seem purposeful when you move about. Even if you are lost, act as if you know where you are going. Try to ask for directions only from individuals in authority.

Know how to use a pay telephone and have the proper change or token on hand.

Learn a few phrases in the local language or have them handy in written form so that you can signal your need for police or medical help.

Make a note of emergency telephone numbers you may need: police, fire, your hotel, and the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. Some countries have tourist police that speak multiple languages and are used to working with tourists.

If you are confronted, don’t fight back — give up your valuables.

Be aware of scam artists. They exist in every country in the world. If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. There are many reports online of gem scam artists that may have accomplices from your home country. Don’t try to make a fast buck; you will wind up losing many, many dollars.

Do not even think of getting involved in drugs or drug trafficking. You do not want to spend the rest of your life rotting in a foreign prison. Remember, you have to follow the laws of your host country and you may not be afforded the luxuries that criminals back home receive.

Be smart, use common sense, and have a great vacation.

Larry Westfall is a frequent traveler to Bangkok - Pattaya - and Phuket and books his hotels in Thailand through Thailand Accommodations
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By: Larry Westfall,

Terrorist acts occur unpredictably, making it impossible to protect yourself absolutely. The first and best protection is to avoid travel to areas where there has been a persistent record of terrorist attacks or kidnappings.

Most terrorist attacks are the result of careful planning. Just as a car thief will first be attracted to an unlocked car with the key in the ignition, terrorists are looking for the most accessible targets. The chances that a tourist, traveling with an unpublished program or itinerary, would be the victim of terrorism are slight. In addition, many terrorist groups, seeking publicity for political causes within their own country or region, may not be looking for American targets. Nevertheless, the following pointers may help you avoid becoming a target of opportunity. They should be considered as adjuncts to the tips listed in the previous sections on how to protect you against the far greater likelihood of being a victim of crime. These precautions may provide some degree of protection, and can serve as practical and psychological deterrents to would-be terrorists.

Schedule direct flights if possible and avoid stops in high-risk airports or areas.

Be cautious about what you discuss with strangers or what others may overhear.

Try to minimize the time spent in the public area of an airport, which is a less protected area. Move quickly from the check-in counter to the secured areas. Upon arrival, leave the airport as soon as possible.

As much as possible, avoid luggage tags, dress and behavior that may identify you as an American.

Keep an eye out for abandoned packages or briefcases, or other suspicious items. Report them to airport authorities and leave the area promptly.

Avoid obvious terrorist targets such as places where Americans and Westerners are known to congregate.

Visit the U.S. Government web site and the country you are visiting’s web site for the latest updates and warnings. Make sure that you register with the state department web site or register at the embassy or consulate. Let your family know your itinerary and local contact phone numbers. A little bit of prevention will save you a ton of misery.

Keep a low profile, and dress conservatively. You basically want to remain anonymous and not bring any attention to yourself. It isn’t hard to do.

Be aware of your surroundings and report anything suspicious. You never know when bad things can happen to good people. You have to remain alert always.

Larry Westfall is a frequent traveler to Thailand visiting 2 to 3 times per year and saves time and money booking through Hotel in Pattaya
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Travel Tips For People With Disabilities
By: Larry Westfall,

* If a personal search is required you may choose to remain in the public area or go to a private area for your screening. If you refuse either option you will not be able to fly.

* You should be offered a private screening before the beginning of a pat-down inspection if the pat-down will require the lifting of clothing and/or display of a covered medical device.

* You should be offered a disposable paper drape for additional privacy before the beginning of a pat-down.

* You may request a private area for your personal search at any time during the screening process.

* Your companion, assistant, or family member may accompany you and assist you during a private or public screening. After providing this assistance, the companion, assistant, or family member will need to be rescreened.

* You may ask for a chair if you need to sit down during the screening process.

* You should be allowed to raise you arms out during an inspection only as far as you indicate you can.

* You should be allowed to remain in your wheelchair if you indicate that you are unable to stand and/or walk through the metal detector.

* You may request a pat-down inspection in lieu of going through the metal detector or being hand-wanded. You do not need to disclose why you would like this option.

* If you have a disability, condition, or implant, that you would like to remain private and confidential, ask the Security Officer to please be discreet when assisting you through the screening process.

* You have the right to ask a Security Officer to change her/his gloves during the physical inspection of your accessible property, before performing a physical search (pat-down,) or any time a Security Officer handles your footwear.

* Medication and related supplies that are carried through a checkpoint are normally X-rayed. However, as a customer service, TSA now allows you the option of requesting a visual inspection of your medication and associated supplies.

* You must request a visual inspection before the screening process begins; otherwise you medications and supplies will undergo X-ray inspection.

* If you would like to take advantage of this option, please have your medication and associated supplies separated from your other property and in a separate pouch/bag when you approach the Security Officer at the walk-through metal detector. Request the visual inspection and hand your medication bag to the Security Officer.

* In order to prevent contamination or damage to medication and associated supplies and/or fragile medical materials, you will be asked at the security checkpoint to display, handle, and repack your own medication and associated supplies during the visual inspection.

* Any medication and/or associated supplies that cannot be cleared visually must be submitted for X-ray screening. If you refuse, you will not be permitted to carry your medications and related supplies into the sterile area.

Make sure you check for the latest updates at the TSA web site.

Larry Westfall is a frequent traveler to Pattaya and saves money booking his hotel through Pattaya-Accommodations
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