Here are some miscellaneous important things to remember before departure:

• Please check your emails for a packing checklist and instructions for Thai Immigration. Please print these out, and make sure you bring a hard copy of the Thai Immigration instructions with you on your carry-on (along with a pen handy).
• Pack one back to check (less than 50 lbs., less than 62 inches combined height, length and width). You can also have one bag (and a personal item) to carry on. Make sure this is small (less than 15 lbs, and no bigger than 22″x14″x9″).
• I emailed you a packing checklist. USE IT!!! You can also modify mine, but I highly recommend you literally check things off as you pack.
• In particular, make sure you bring your Westminster ID with you, as well as a packable travel towel for our stay in the second village (Ban Nam Hom).
• Make sure you have identification on the bag. A sticker or some other mark can differentiate your bag from others for easy retrieval.
• Don’t forget your passport!
• Do you have a plan for your phone? Do you have an unlocked phone and plan on getting a Thai SIM card? Or did you enroll in an international plan and keeping your US phone number? Make sure you have a plan for this, you are REQUIRED to have a way to communicate with us at all times, not only when you happen to have Wifi access.
• Make sure you call your bank/credit card company and let them know where you will be traveling. If you don’t, they will think it’s fraud and your transaction may not go through.
• I have some suggestions on making the long flight a bit more comfortable here.
• Please go over the recent blog post for orientation details. In particular, read over the posts on baggage, personal items to bring, clothing, money, electronic items, additional items, paperwork, and a first aid kit. Again, I sent you a checklist to help you stay organized. Here are the highlights for each post:
  • Bring about 7-9 days worth of clothes. Focus on versatile pieces. Make sure you have at least one outfit that you can “dress up” for more formal occasions.
  • Call your credit/debit card companies, so that they know there will be legitimate charges/withdrawals in Thailand. Otherwise, they will mark it stolen, and you won’t be able to use it.
  • The critical personal items to bring are sunscreen (Thailand doesn’t quite have the selection we have, especially with high SPF sunscreens), insect repellant (again, not as much of a selection), any prescription medications/eyeglass prescriptions, and anything else that you are particular about. Otherwise, you can get it in Bangkok.
  • Don’t bring cash. Bring an ATM card with a memorized PIN (and enough money in the account!) You should also bring a credit card for emergencies (preferably NOT an American Express), a driver’s license and your Westminster ID. Leave everything else at home.
  • Make two copies of everything you bring (passport, IDs, etc.)What to Bring – Paperwork Leave one copy with someone at home, and bring the other copy with you. Make sure you make copies of the back as well. It’s also a good idea to upload copies on a password-protected Cloud drive (like Google Drive, Dropbox, iCloud Drive, etc.) Most are free, and it’s a good way to backup important documents.
  • Make sure you get your family and friends your Thai phone number if you are planning on getting a Thai SIM card, as well as the faculty’s. Also, make sure they have instructions on how to call you.
• Please bring a small first aid kit. I have a post about this here. The faculty are not your personal pharmacy.
• Safety issues are covered here. Health issues are covered here. Notes on motion sickness are covered here.

I think that’s it for now. If you have any questions or comments, please call me, email me, or stop by my office. See you soon!