Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Worldwide travel insurance is available at
www.lonelyplanet.com/travel_services
.
You can buy, extend and claim online anytime - even if you're already on the road.
Internet Access
You'll find plenty of internet cafes just about everywhere. The going rate is any-
where from 40B to 120B an hour, depending on how much competition there is.
Connections tend to be pretty fast and the machines are usually well maintained.
Wireless access (wi-fi) is usually available in most hotels and guest houses though
staff aren't adept at fixing downed services. Wi-fi signal strength deteriorates in the
upper floors of a multistorey building so check to see if your floor has a nearby
router.
Legal Matters
In general, Thai police don't hassle foreigners, especially tourists. One major ex-
ception is drugs, which most Thai police view as either a social scourge against
which it's their duty to enforce the letter of the law, or an opportunity to make un-
taxed income via bribes.
If you are arrested for any offence, the police will allow you the opportunity to
make a phone call to your embassy or consulate in Thailand, if you have one, or to
a friend or relative if not. There's a whole set of legal codes governing the length of
time and manner in which you can be detained before being charged or put on trial,
but a lot of discretion is left to the police. In the case of foreigners, the police are
more likely to bend these codes in your favour. However, as with police worldwide,
if you don't show respect you will make matters worse.
Thai law does not presume an indicted detainee to be either 'guilty' or 'innocent'
but rather a 'suspect', whose guilt or innocence will be decided in court. Trials are
usually speedy.
The
tourist police
( 1155)
can be very helpful in cases of arrest. Although
they typically have no jurisdiction over the kinds of cases handled by regular cops,
they may be able to help with translations or with contacting your embassy. You can
call the hotline number 24 hours a day to lodge complaints or to request assistance
with regards to personal safety.
