Holiday travel the safe way

Your Money - Tuesday December 18, 2007

Holiday travel the safe way

A bit of advance planning goes a long way when the roads, rails and skies start to get crowded

NINA SUEBSUKCHAROEN

It's that happy, silly season again when lots of people blow the cobwebs away and get ready to travel to various places to mark Christmas and New Year. But getting away and back can be problematic, if not downright dangerous. unless the journey is carefully planned.

For a start, it's far better in Thailand to travel by train than by bus, especially in light of the large number of road deaths that inevitably take place during long vacations, says Frank DeSomer, operations manager of the security consultancy Peak Systems International Company.

''I don't recommend taking a bus. Drivers of these big buses they are notorious for crashing,'' says Mr DeSomer, who follows his own advice by avoiding buses and only flying when he goes to Phuket. ''The train here is fantastic. It's clean, it's safe, it's fun.''

While a lot of us have a lackadaisical attitude toward travelling by road, Mr DeSomer emphasises that driving is relatively risky in Thailand.

''Driving here is one hundred percent alertness one hundred percent of the time _ it's an offensive and defensive job. You have to pay attention all the time,'' he says, adding that he's pleased the government has banned the use of mobile phones while driving. ''I hope they enforce it.

Given the risks, if one is renting a car or hiring a driver, extra care should be taken. ''For driving, if you're going to hire a service, hire a reliable, recommended safe company. Good maintenance of the vehicle, a driver who has not been driving for a day _ an experienced driver who is well-rested.''

If you plan a long drive yourself, make sure you take your car to a service centre beforehand. Have them check the brakes and inspect the tyres for any bald spots while also ensuring the right air pressure. Make sure the engine is well-tuned and change the engine oil if necessary.

''I'm not saying rebuild your car before you take a road trip, just make sure it's roadworthy and ready to go, throw in a couple, maybe four litres of water in the boot, throw in a couple of blankets because if you get stranded you want to have a blanket or two. Throw in some food _ it might be nice to have some snacks in the car, especially if you have kids _ keeps them busy.''

In the rush to get away, many people also forget basics such as road maps, and will assume that there'll always be a place to stay at the destination. That's not always the case at peak periods. ''Don't go to a tourist town like Chiang Mai without reservations because you don't want to be driving around in the middle of the night looking for a place to stay.''

Packing for air travel, of course, comes with its own challenges these days because of heightened security concerns. It's much safer to keep valuables in a carry-on bag than in checked luggage, and as for liquids of any kind, forget it.

''Don't take liquids, don't take aerosols, don't take cologne, put these in your checked baggage. You know airlines are strict and in the holiday season it's going to get worse. They are going to get really, really strict.''

The internet can be a gold mine of information about travel safety and also a source of information on the latest airline security rules and even individual airlines' safety records and procedures.

Those travelling abroad should also get into the habit of using the Net to check on weather at their destination, especially in cold-weather countries where a snowstorm could cause flight cancellations or delays. ''You can call the hotel and say, 'You have bad weather but don't cancel my room _ we're going to be a day late' or whatever, this just makes life better for you.''

One can also check Thai embassy web pages for information on everything from crime to safety regulations in the countries one plans to visit. Mr DeSomer, an American, notes that US embassies maintain an Overseas Security Advisory Council that publishes articles on safety and security every day. ''And the British have their version; most embassies have some branch or department for security for their nationals in that country.''

Perhaps the most important responsibility when travelling is taking care of children, and Mr DeSomer stressed that it's important to take along something appropriate for their age to keep them busy, whether it's a video game, a colouring book or a laptop computer.

''Children are very mobile and while you may be worried about making a connecting flight or changing airports, your children should be your number one priority when you're travelling,'' he says. ''There are lots of people out there who are looking for you to lose the attention of your child _ kidnapping has happened before and continues to happen at all different ages.''

Mr DeSomer added that he would go so far as to tie a string to one's wrist and the other end to a baby stroller. Some parents use stretchy cords attached to body harnesses on their children. ''Well, until the child comes of age that you can turn your back on him or her, I think it's a good idea. But to say you should put your kids on a 'leash' until they are 12, no, I mean, that's parenting.''

Mr DeSomer also advises people not to travel alone. ''The thing is, and I love Thailand, but Thailand has crime and I think the buddy rule is a great thing.

''Look out for one another, something as simple as crossing the road, someone watching your back for that motorcycle, in any situation [it helps to have] another set of eyes looking out for you.''

Bangkok Post