Toiletries & Medical Supplies:
Toilet paper is not provided!

Photo Equipment:
Film rolls are ofen stored in straight sunlight!

Camping/Beach/Outdoor Gear:
You hardly find camping equipment or outdoor gear in a sufficient quality

Favorite Thing:

It's a must to try out a traditional massage (just think of the long flight)!

* it's healthy
* it's reliefing
* it's sooo cheap (1 hour 100-200 Bath)

The best place is probably at Wat Pho in BKK which normally is a massage school. It has a nationwide reputation.

Name of Shop:
(various)

Type:
Bath and Beauty

Description:
As it is always really hot and dusty here, you want to make shure you've got to refresh yourself once in a while. There's a solution for you: buy those towels and get your own supply as you can't buy them everywhere. I can't live without them anymore. They are supposted to be used while freezed or cooled but it works just fine without it.

What To Buy:
There are several brands and items but always in large enough measures:

* "Snow Ice Eau de Cologne Cotton Cloth Towel"

* "Refresh Terry Towel" (both manufactured by Four Star Thai - linked below)

* "Jasper Hot and cool Cologne Refreshing towel" - (manufactures by Pahthawin Co.) - my choice

The products are mostly displayed in the glass refrigdegerators.

What To Pay:
The purchase prices are around 15 Baht each. There is usually no discount given if you buy a large amount of items.

Address:
stores at big cities or large tourist places

Directions:

7-eleven has it on stock nationwide

Website:
http://www.fourstarsthai.com/facialtowel.html

Description:


>>> FOOD <<<

There's not much more danger by consuming food and beverages than in the industrial countries. The hygienic conditions are a lot lower though.

I stayed several weeks there and drank tap water as well as ice cubes (well, melted ones). Also I have aten a lot off the markets and street restaurants (if you want to call them that). There was never any problem.

>>> VIRUSES AND BACTERIA <<<

Bird flu is not common in the vicinity. There is no malaria and rarely hepatitis.

>>> MEDICAL CARE <<<

The standard ist very low. I've seen a rural hospital with a dormitory with 12 beds, just fans and insects all over the place. MDs not attached to hospitals are very rare around here. If you get ill you want to go the really big cities like Khon Kaen, Udon Thani or even Ciang Mai. The best hospitals are of cours located in BKK.

Website:
http://www.bangkokhospital.com/english/default.asp

Description:
The region is generally safe. You even don't get bothered by anyone for buying stuff or guidiance.

But there's a thread by the road traffic, 'cause the motorists drive not carefully and DUI is very common. The most dangerous situation is driving at dark (there are no road lights and more people are drunk. I've also seen some vehicles without any back lights!

Police emergency call is 191

Type:
Men's Clothes

Description:
you wanna buy the stuff not in stores which are highly frequented by tourits

What To Buy:
of course, tuxedos and stuff will not be available in the smaller cities or villages

What To Pay:
max. 1000 THB for the garmet and about 500 THB for tailoring

Description:
This is the capital of dog meat! Make shure you get your kind of food in a street "restaruant"!

Restaurant Name:
don't know but it's green all over the place

Type:
Italian

Description:
there are different styles of pizzas and they are big and tasteful even though it's a Thai restaurant after all. The prices is ok and the service quick and friendly. The restaurant is cleaner than the average ones in this town. In fact it's a bit fancy! I forgot to mention the room has a glass front with a door which is very rare to see for a restaurant around here!

Favorite Dish:
Quadro Stagioni w/extra cheese

Prices:
less than US$10

Comparative Price:
more expensive than average

Customer Satisfaction:
Satisfied.

Address:
across the bus station

Directions:
city center

Description:
this is a unique festival / exhibition of miniatures of wats made out of bee wax! It takes place in the Wat Phra That Choeng Chum Temple at Ok Phansa which is around Oct. 18th. It lasts 3 days.

Name of Shop:
Tesco Lotus

Type:
Other

Description:
Sakon has got a huge supermarket now which is named Tesco Lotus just outsite the of the town. You can easyly compare it to Cosco or Wal Mart.

What To Buy:
Here, you can buy everything but veggies and fruits.

What To Pay:
at least 2,000.00 THB

Address:
243 Saisawang Thatsengsum

Directions:
drive on the highway to the portal northbound, 100 m before it right hand

Phone:
042-731-300-9

Website:
http://www.tescolotus.net/Default.asp?Lang=English

Other Contact:
operation hours 9.00 am to 10 pm

Name of Shop:
7 eleven

Type:
Other

Description:
it's clean and convinient (western standard) - the employees hardly speak English

What To Buy:
Food for the better hygiene

What To Pay:
about 500 THB

Address:
near the Bangkok Bank

Directions:
city center

Website:
http://www.7eleven.co.th

Accommodation Name:
Chockdee Resort

Type:
Other

Description:
In 2002, my girl friend an me had a nice time in a newly built front row bungalow with sight to the shore. Unfortunately right in front of the resort, there are just rocks but the sandy beach is just 30 ft. away. The price was 500 THB (hi peak season) for the entire room with a simple bathroom, fan and insect protection gaze upon the windows. There are also bungalows with air con and without a sight to the beach available.

Unique Qualities:
facilities: just a restaurant (breakfast, too);
there's an Internet cafe run by a Swiss guy within walking distance

Prices:
less than US$20

Comparative Price:
about average

Customer Satisfaction:
Very Satisfied.

Address:
Southern terminal of Klong Phrao beach

Directions:
South of White Sand beach; North of Kai-Bae beach

Website:
http://www.koh-chang.ch/de/ChockdeeResort.htm