On-line Program Handbook :: PART I: PLANNING
Thai and Southeast Asian Studies Program

AIRFARES

Ticket prices to Thailand, both one-way and round-trip, change constantly. When making reservations and purchasing your ticket, make sure you know ALL the limitations of the ticket you purchase. Pay special attention to whether or not you can change your return dates and when the ticket will expire. Sometimes it may actually be more affordable to book a flight from your hometown all the way to Chiang Mai than it is to attempt to budget by booking a flight only to Bangkok. Unless you have plans to travel in Thailand before the program orientation, do not forget to budget in time and money for the added costs of taxis, busses, trains, and other means of transportation between Bangkok and Chiang Mai. The Thai and Southeast Asian Studies Program does not recommend that any program participants buy non-returnable, non-refundable fixed-date tickets.

PACKING

Choose what you pack carefully. After completely packing your bags you should be able to carry them by yourself three times around one city block. You must also be able to carry them up and down one flight of stairs. If you cannot do both of these, you have too much. Travel light. Almost everything that you will really need is available here, especially clothes, toiletries and stationary.

Write your name, address, and the program address on all your bags, inside and out, on firmly attached tags with a permanent waterproof magic marker. Photocopy the first two pages of your passport and put one copy in each of your bags. Assume that your checked luggage will be delayed along the way and prepare for this by carrying a change of clothes and basic toiletries in your carry-on bag. Do not forget that carry-on bags MUST fit under the seat in front of you. If it does not, it will have to be checked. A first flight to Thailand can be a long one without the personal necessities that usually go in a carry-on.

Use a money belt or neck purse and wear it inside your clothes. Do not pack or carry anything that you can not afford to lose. Do not place cameras, computers, or valuable jewelry in your checked bags.

Clean out your wallet and leave all membership cards, discount cards, and other information at home.

Insure laptop computers or other expensive equipment you plan to bring well before going to the airport. Make sure you understand the insurance coverage.

MEDICAL ISSUES

Medical Exams

All students should have a physical and dental exam before coming to Thailand. For those who wear glasses or contact lenses, make sure your prescription is up to date and bring an extra pair of glasses if possible. Medical, dental, and eye care is of good quality in Thailand if you do need it, but it helps to be prepared ahead of time. If you use a prescription medication regularly, make sure you have a copy of the prescription and bring enough medication to last for your stay. You might want to bring a small first aid kit including common medications you usually need.

Vaccinations

Please visit your school's health clinic, local health department, or private doctor to determine what vaccinations you will need to study in Thailand. DO THIS EARLY. Many vaccinations must be given over a period of several months to assure full effectiveness. You should ask your doctor for an International Certificate of Vaccinations from the World Health Organization (WHO). This is a yellow card that you should have your physician fill out completely with all of the vaccinations you get, as you get them. You should also have your physician write in all the vaccinations you have had in the past. Make sure you know your blood type and that your doctor has clearly marked it on the card. You should take this card with you when you travel to Thailand to show proof of being properly immunized if any questions come up. It is also helpful to have this record if you become ill in Thailand, so doctors can rule out as many diseases as possible. Please follow the advice of your physician when getting vaccinated.             
In addition to the above you can refer to the website of the United States National Center for Infectious Diseases (http://www.cdc.gov/travel/seasia.htm), which contains general health information for travelers to the Southeast Asia region.  When referring to this website keep in mind that while at Payap University you will be residing in the urban center of Chiang Mai and therefore warnings applicable to the rural regions of Southeast Asia simply do not apply.  As a participant in the Thai Studies Program you will spend no more than 3-5 days at a time in rural and/or mountainous areas on a small number of pre-arranged field excursions.        
Rabies
Because of the high number of stray and wild animals in Thailand, please be forewarned that a rabies vaccination will not protect you from dying of rabies if you simply do nothing after being bitten by a rabid animal. The vaccine gives you time to find medical help, particularly if you are in a rural area and need to travel some distance to a hospital. This means that even when you have had the vaccination, you must go to a hospital within a few days if any wild or stray animal has bitten you. At the hospital, you will need further treatment. If you do not have the vaccination, you must go to the hospital immediately.

Malaria

According to the WHO and CDC, Chiang Mai city is free of malaria. We therefore do not recommend taking a malaria prophylaxis when you are in Chiang Mai. Please do use insect repellant to protect yourself from mosquitoes carrying the dengue fever virus, which thrives in urban areas.
If you have a very unique medical condition that requires special attention while in Chiang Mai and you have not yet located a doctor in Thailand who can treat you, you may want to contact the International Association for Medical Assistance to Travelers for the names and locations of English-speaking doctors in Thailand. The website URL is www.iamat.org
Remember to check with the CDC or WHO before you leave for Thailand about any possible unusual health concerns that you may need to prepare for ahead of time.

Birth Control

Unless you have already made a very deep spiritual commitment to celibacy, do not be unprepared. Bring condoms. Bring your birth control pills if you already take them. Be aware that HIV/AIDS is a dangerous problem in Thailand. Hepatitis, syphilis, gonorrhea, herpes, warts, and chlamydia are also very common. Don't think "it can't happen to me" because it hasn't happened yet. If you enter an intimate sexual relationship with anyone you meet while in Thailand, it is inexpensive to get comprehensive STD testing at most clinics. Condoms are available at 7-11 stores. Abortion is illegal in Thailand.

Food Poisoning

Be careful about what you eat, especially when you first arrive. Although most restaurants and foods in Chiang Mai are clean, you must proceed carefully. Choose cooked vegetables and fruits you can peel yourself. Choose restaurants, fruit stalls, and snack stalls that are recommended by locals and are always busy. Bottled water, including bottled water from water delivery companies, is safe to drink. Small and large tube-shaped ice cubes are safe. The public water supply in Chiang Mai is theoretically clean enough to drink, but many pipes are not clean or properly maintained. We therefore do not recommend drinking tap water, but you can safely brush your teeth and wash your dishes in it. Some homes have built-in water purification systems. Ask Thais if you are not sure.
If you do get food poisoning or diarrhea, go to a clinic or hospital. Diarrhea is a common problem in Thailand and clinics can provide the best, most appropriate medications to treat it. But please do not attempt to use over-the-counter diarrhea medications to treat food poisoning.

Stress

Adjusting to living in Thailand can be thrilling and fun, but sometimes overwhelming. We suggest that you combat stress in some of the following positive ways:
     Participating in a sports club on campus
     Meditating
     Practicing yoga
     Getting a traditional Thai massage
     Hiking
     Bicycling
     Exercise/ Working out*
     Volunteering
     Talking to program staff
     Talk to a medical doctor or counselor
     Talk to local clergy
* There are many great places to jog, swim, play tennis, squash, soccer, and other sports in Chiang Mai. If you would like to jog around the Payap campus, we recommend doing so early in the morning (6:00-7:00 a.m.) or later in the evening (5:00-6:00 p.m.). There is also a good sports club with tennis courts, squash courts, and a swimming pool just across the superhighway, within walking distance of Payap. At present, aerobics are offered from 6-7 p.m. at the Carrefour parking lot.

Medical Services at Payap University

Payap University has a basic medical clinic and nurse on campus when students have class. You may visit this nurse for a referral to Payap's affiliate hospital, McCormick Hospital. You may also go directly to McCormick Hospital. When you arrive at McCormick show the student I.D. card that you will receive during program orientation for discounted or free services.
If you have medical problems while on a program excursion outside of Chiang Mai province you will have to 1) pay the bills, 2) keep receipts, 3) get an official doctor's note explaining your illness and then 4) get reimbursed from the program when you return to Payap.

ESSENTIAL TRAVEL PREPAREDNESS

Please use the following lists to check off everything you'll need to do or have ready to bring with you.

Documents
____Passport
____Non-immigrant visa (will appear as a bar-coded sticker in your passport)
**Please note: You are NOT allowed to leave Thailand during the time you are enrolled in the Payap program
____ Vaccinations
____ Emergency health insurance, high-tech personal property insurance
____ Credit cards and ATM cards
____ Travelers' Checks
____ Plane ticket
____ Health documentation, particularly the yellow WHO card
____ International student ID card (only if you already have one)
____ Emergency contact numbers, medical information, etc.
____ Program itinerary
____ 10-12 passport-size photos of yourself in which you are wearing a white button-down collared shirt with sleeves, no glasses, and no hat (bring to program orientation)
____ 6-8 photocopies of your passport's first two pages
        ____ 2-3 photocopies of the non-immigrant visa page of your passport

Health Care
____ Prescription medications and prescriptions/Birth control (BRING IT)
____ First Aid Kit, including but not limited to:
____ Band-Aids
____ Cold relief medication
____ Moleskin
____ Antiseptic cream
____ Sunscreen
____ Tweezers
____ Scissors
____ Aspirin, Tylenol, etc.
____ Antacid
____ Tampons

Clothing
____ Drip-dry, lightweight, no-iron cotton/polyester conservative clothing
____ Lightweight waterproof jacket
____ Comfortable shoes for walking
____ Shower flip-flops
____ Flip-flops
____ Thin cotton socks
____ Hat with brim for sun protection
____ Swimsuit (women should bring a one piece swimsuit, as well as shorts for wearing over your swimsuit)
____ Underwear
____ Several short-sleeved white, button-down collared dress-shirts
____ Dark blue or black cotton/polyester dress pants (for men)
____ Dark blue or black cotton/polyester skirts (for women)
Please note: Women's clothing sizes larger than an American size 8 can be difficult to find.
Important Basics
____ Day pack
____ Moneybelt/neck pouch
____ Camera, film, batteries
____ Thai dictionary or phrasebook (we recommend the Thai-English, English-Thai dictionary by Benjawan Poomsan Becker published by Paiboon Poomsan Publishing, Berkeley, California [www.thailao.com or paiboon@thailao.com])
____ Small alarm clock
____ Watch
____ Interesting photos from home to share with new friends
____ Small gifts (postcards, key chains, stamps, card games, etc)
____ Small flashlight

Paperwork
____ Print out a copy of this on-line handbook
____ International Student Handbook
____ Name, phone number, and email address of your academic advisor
____ Photocopies of other important documents

Other Conveniences
____ Flat sheets and pillowcases that you like
____ Pocketknife (pack in checked bags)
____ Sewing kit, scissors (pack in checked bags)
____ Card games
____ Super glue
____ Small towel and washcloth
____ Something to read
____ Umbrella
____ Sunglasses
____ Plastic zip-lock bags of different sizes

Computers
Although the program discourages students from bringing expensive equipment with them to Thailand, students from previous terms strongly recommend that you bring a laptop if you have one. Insure it. As mentioned above, "don't pack or carry anything that you cannot afford to lose."

*Please do not bring 110V-only electrical appliances from home unless you absolutely must. If you do, you will need to buy a voltage converter. All Thai appliances run on 220V.

SHIPPING PERSONAL ITEMS

We strongly recommend that you do not do this. However, if you chose to, you must label the box "Used personal items-No commercial value" so you will not be taxed as if you are importing goods to be sold for a profit in Thailand.

READING LIST

  1. The Art of Crossing Cultures. 2nd Edition. Craig Storti. Intercultural Press Inc., 2002.
  2. Studying Abroad/ Learning Abroad: An Abridged Edition of the Whole World Guide to Culture Learning. J. Daniel Hess. Intercultural Press Inc., 1997.
  3. Very Thai: Everyday Popular Culture. Philip Cornwel-Smith (with photos by John Goss). River Books Co., Ltd., 2005.
  4. Culture Shock: Thailand. Edited by Robert and Nanthapa Cooper. Graphic Arts Center Publishing Company, 1991.
  5. Thai Ways. Denis Segaller. Post Publishing Company, 1985.
  6. Lonely Planet:Thailand. 10th Edition. Joe Cummings and Steve Martin. Lonely Planet, August 2003.


Thai and Southeast Asian Studies