dekdee's Blog

I'm planning on taking my children, aged five and seven, to northern Thailand this October or December. I visited the hilltribe villages there many years ago as a backpacker. Last week I read horror stories about the increased risk of malaria in north-east Thailand and the resistance of mosquitoes to the prophylactics available . Which other areas are at risk and what would you recommend for my children?

Alton, Hampshire Dr Larry Goodyer replies: Prophylactic medication against malaria is not necessary when visiting most areas in Thailand. It is not a problem in urban areas or resorts and only rarely encountered in rural regions. The exceptions are a few border areas. The important risk areas are found on the borders of Cambodia and Burma, although the incidence of malaria can vary depending on the season. In fact, some of these destinations are militarised zones and are not often visited by travellers. The problem is that malaria has become resistant to the usual prophylactic medication, including mefloquine, in these regions. The alternative medication, doxycycline, cannot be taken by children. Medical facilities in Thailand are generally good and advice regarding risk and problems with malaria can be sought from local clinics. Apart from malaria, mosquitoes can carry other diseases of which you should be aware. Dengue fever is on the increase in Thailand and the mosquito species responsible tends to bite during the day. Japanese B Encephalitis is a risk when visiting some rural areas in the north, but is only really a problem between May and October. Use insect repellents on exposed skin and reapply them at least every four hours.Try to wear long sleeves and trousers when going out at night, at which time the mosquito that carries malaria is likely to be around. Use a knockdown spray or other device for killing mosquitoes in the room before going to bed. If not sleeping in an air-conditioned or well screened room, then sleep under a mosquito net that has been treated with an insecticide. Avoid the high-risk areas I have mentioned and make sure that you take measures to avoid mosquito bites. It would probably be best to stick to the usual tourist centres if you are with children. For more information on travelling with children, ring Nomad travel pharmacy for our free leaflet. Dr Larry Goodyer is superintendent of the Nomad Pharmacy (3-4 Turnpike Lane, London N8; Tel: 0181-889 7014), which specialises in catering for travellers' needs. I WANT BETTER COMPENSATION I arranged return flights to New Zealand with Trailfinders and asked for special assistance for my disabled daughter, Lydia. Unknown to me the return flight was at 19.30 from Auckland to Los Angeles, and not at 23.50 as I had been advised. I was stranded in Auckland with my three children and had to find my own accommodation overnight and another flight the following day. This meant that my family missed their stopover in Los Angeles where we were to meet a friend who had a hotel booked for us in Long Beach and a trip to Disneyland for the Sunday. I claimed compensation from Trailfinders, but they blame another organisation called Galileo who have since offered compensation of only pounds 220, pounds 111 of which I had spent on hotels anyway. Can you help? Catherine Harker Oxford Ian Skuse replies: From the correspondence you have sent to me, there can be little doubt that someone has made a mistake in giving you the wrong departure time for the Auckland to Los Angeles flight. Trailfinders investigated your complaint with Galileo, which is one of the airline's reservation systems for flight seats, to try to establish how you could be given an incorrect time for the return flight. Their investigation shows that Qantas advised of a change in flight some time in August last year, but information on the computer can only be checked for up to six months. Galileo cannot explain why the correct flight time was not passed on to you. As a consumer, you have no direct relationship with Galileo, and any claim you might bring would have to be aimed at Trailfinders. The sums offered are very low indeed, especially as I am sure your children were bitterly disappointed in missing out on Disneyland. The Travel Editor adds: After taking Ian Skuse's advice, Mrs Harker held out for increased compensation of pounds 911, which she has now received. Ian Skuse is the senior litigation partner with Piper Smith & Basham, which has specialised in advising the travel industry for over 20 years (tel: 0171-8288685).

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Tokyo, Japan, Aug 10, 2006 - (JCN Newswire) - On August 24 ANA will plant its third forest overseas, this time in the northern Thai city of Chiang Mai. The forest of Jack Fruit and other trees used in Thai cooking will be planted in the grounds of M2 T. Sa Ha Korn Primary School, in an event involving two hundred pupils of the school and people of the locality. It is expected that up to 20kg of seed will be used, growing a forest of 800 trees.

The forest will be planted under the auspices of the Organisation for Industrial, Spiritual and Cultural Advancement-International ('OISCA'). ANA as been advised by OISCA on previous Aozora forestation projects in Matsuyama, Japan, Myanmar and the Thai island of Phuket. ANA became an official member of OISCA on September 27, 2005. This particular project will also be sponsored by Kyodo News of Japan.

As with its other forestation projects undertaken by ANA, this forest will be part of its 'Aozora' programme of corporate social responsibility activities, and will be named the Aozora OISCA Chiang Mai Forest. Aozora is Japanese for 'blue skies'.

OISCA is a UN Economic and Social Council Category I (General) Non Governmental Organisation established in 1961 to contribute to environmentally sustainable development by emphasising the interdependency of agriculture, ecology and people in developing countries. Its projects have included the 'Love Green Program' and a 'Children's Forest Programme', designed to foster interest in young people.

Both ANA and OISCA look forward to closer collaboration as partners on this and future Aozora projects.

About All Nippon Airways Co., Ltd.

All Nippon Airways, or ANA (TSE: 9202), came into existence in 1952, and over 50 years later is now one of the 10 largest airlines in the world, carrying with its sister companies almost 50 million passengers every year to 49 destinations in Japan, and to 22 overseas cities in Asia, Europe and the United States. As a member of Star Alliance, the world's foremost airline alliance, ANA passengers enjoy access to a network of over 790 airport destinations in 138 countries, and reciprocal benefits such as mileage accrual and redemption, and lounge access. For more information, please visit www.ana.co.jp.

Source: All Nippon Airways Co., Ltd.

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Copyright [c] 2006 JCN Newswire. All rights reserved. A division of Japan Corporate News Network K.K.

COPYRIGHT 2006 Japan Corporate News Network K.K.
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AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2002 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD

Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra plans to promote the northern resort province of Chiang Mai as Thailand's new aviation hub.

Thaksin reportedly wants to develop Chiang Mai into the country's new aviation centre between Thailand and northern neighbouring countries. According to Thaksin, Chiang Mai has high potential to become Thailand's new aviation centre to serve Thai and foreign tourists travelling between the province and other similar tourist destinations as Kunming in southern China, Hanoi in Vietnam, and Chittakong and Mandaley in Myanmar.

The prime minister feels that Chiang Mai could serve passengers and tourists well as it would only take 50-80 minutes to travel between Chiang Mai and the cities, using smaller aircraft like Boeing 737s, reported Xinhua News Agency.

((Comments on this story may be sent to aii.feedback@m2.com))

COPYRIGHT 2002 M2 Communications Ltd.
COPYRIGHT 2002 Gale Group

Four luxury properties showcase Thai architecture and design. Landscaping includes terraced rice paddies and pools.

-Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi. 51/4 Chiang Mai-Sankampaeng Road, 011-66-53-888-888, http://www.mandarinoriental.com, is an extraordinary theme park of a resort on 60 landscaped acres about 20 minutes east of town that re-creates a range of Thai architectural styles -- from gilded Buddhist temple to wooden rice barn. It has swimming pools, tennis courts, four restaurants, a cooking academy and spa. Doubles from $450.

-Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai. Mae Rim-Samoeng Old Road, Mae Rim, 011-66-53-298-181, http://www.fourseasons.com, is a showcase for updated Lanna architecture, designed to suggest a village in the northern Thai foothills. Pavilion doubles start at $450.

-Rachamankha. 6 Rachamankha 9, 011-66-53-904-111, http:// www.rachamankha.com, is a small, stunningly designed hotel on the quiet, west side of old Chiang Mai. Its courtyard layout was based on the chapel of a famous Thai temple in Lampang province and the decor is an Oriental-minimalist blend. Doubles from $171.

-The Chedi Chiang Mai. 123 Charoen Prathet Road, T. Chang Klan, A. Muang, Chiang Mai; 011-66-53-253-333, http://www.ghmhotels.com, is a striking new hotel on the Ping River near the Night Market. Doubles from $295.

-- Susan Spano

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Start the day with rice soup

09.00: Begin the day with a sumptuous spread at one of central Chiang Mai's newest hotels - the D2(1) (00 66 53 99 9999' d2hotels.com). You can choose from Thai, Western and Chinese breakfast. The locals like thick rice soup with pork, a high-energy dish that wil help you through a packed itinerary. The D2 is run by the Thai-owned Dusit Thani chain and attempts to create Chiang Mai's first contemporary design hotel. It's a great location and the rooms are cute, minimalist cubes. Doubles start at Thai baht 4,940 (pounds 70) room only.

10.00: With more than 300 Buddhist temples it can be tricky deciding which one of Chiang Mai's places of worship is suitable for morning devotion. Situated at the end of Ratchadamnoen Road, Wat Phra Singh (2), with its relaxed atmosphere and leafy charm, is many people's favourite. Established in 1345, this beautiful Lanna-style temple houses the gorgeous Phra Singh Buddha image, which supposedly originates from Sri Lanka though it's more likely it came from Sukhothai, 200 miles down the road. Look out for the signs at the back of the temple imploring good behaviour - don't say you haven't be warned.

They do a lock-in at this spa

11.00: Why not be pampered and satisfy your conscience at the same time? In an unusual rehabilitation initiative, Chiang Mai's women's jail in the middle of the old city on Ratchaw-ithi Road (3) has opened a spa (00 6617061041) staffed entirely by female prisoners. The money goes directly to the masseuse, helping them to save some money for after their release.

Lunch on the waterfront

12.30: The Chedi (4), Chiang Mai (00 66 53 253 333, ghmhotels.com), is one of the few luxury hotels in the city centre. The calm, contemporary Asian design creates a soothing haven, though its riverside location makes it prone to flooding. Pitfals aside, its location makes The Chedi a great lunch spot and the authentic northern Thai food is excelent.

It's hip to wear Thai

14.00: Hip Thais avoid Chiang Mai's trashy night market beloved of most tourists and head instead for leafy Nimmanahaeminda Road (5) just west of the old city. Take a trip down Sois 1,4 and 7(asoiisa side street) where you'll find a colection f sleek shops. A good xample of modern Thai esigncan be found at asama (00 66 53 400 422' asama-kasama.com).

Beetle on down o the museum

5.00: Want to find out al bout those nasty creepy rawlies that inhabit the ropics? Then visit the Museum of World Insects and Natural Wonders (6) 00 66 53 211891). This is run from the family home of he Rattanarithikuls, a husband-and-wife team of scientists. Manop is known as Mr Mosquito as he has discovred 18 new species.

Go abstract at he art gallery

16.30: La Luna (7) (00 66 53

306 678' lalunagallery.com) on Charoenrajd Road is one of a growing number of contemporary art galleries opening in Chiang Mai. This airy, open-plan space houses abstract works and photography from all over Southeast Asia.

Step out for a mountain climb

18.00: Travel the 10miles out of the city to scale to the top of the 5,100ft Doi Suthep mountain (8). This overlooks Chiang Mai and is where you can soak up wonderful views and a glorious tropical sunset. Further down the mountain you'll find the 700-year-old Wat Phra That Doi Suthep temple. You'll need to climb 300 steps to reach this venerated site, but it'sworth the exertion.

Relax, you've earned a drink

20.00: On your way back down from Doi Suthep stop off for cocktails at the Palaad Tawanron Restaurant (9) (00 66 53 217 073' palaadtawanron.com). It's set on the lower parts of the mountain near a large waterfall and amid thick forest. Book a terrace table at the back and you'll secure an awesome view. Palaad also offers some of the best Thai food in Chiang Mai.

Have a nightcap at the market

22.00: To sample some blue-colar Thai-style nightlife - a mix of cheap whisky, loud music and fantastic food -head to the Anusan night market (10) at Soi Anusan, just off Chang Khlang Road. Snack on everything from Chinese-inspired seafood through to chili- covered strawberries and dishes prepared by the local Muslim community: delicious banana rotis, served warm and smothered in condensed milk, are a highlight of Chiang Mai's street food. There are dozens of masseurs offering foot massages, reams of gaudy decorations and blaring Thai pop music.

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