Job Discussion Forums

[littlesarah53]

Hi there,

I will be coming to Thailand at the beginning of June to start a course at T&T in Phuket, and have a few general questions .

Firstly, medical insurance - is it better for me to take out a years backpackers insurance from the uk, or is it better to arrange Thai medical insurance ( i read about Buba medical insurance on another thread ) when I gat there.

Secondly, just how wet/ colder does it get during the monsoon season?
I have spent six months in India, and am guessing that it is a similar climate, but it did get decidedly chilly in some places. So do i need some warmer clothes / long sleeved tops etc.

Also i have read threads which mention the clothes that a teacher should wear,but what about outside school hours? What to you guys wear when you go out in the evenings? Is it the general beach bum look, or are a nice pair of jeans more in order?
I know i sound like a fashion victim, so please forgive me, but i also have a really cool pair of calf length cowboy boots - question is, will i ever wear them? I don't want to lug them around in my backpack ( as much as i love them) if i really am not going to wear them.

And lastly, all of you from the uk, is there any item that you can think of that you can't get easily in thailand, that i should think about bringing over?
I would also be happy to bring any SMALL items over for any of you that are desperately missing something.

Thanks for any info.

[tedkarma]

First of all, welcome! (Uh, once you get here anyway . . .)

Insurance - lots of opinions floating around - Do a search on this forum. But, I recommend KW Batten out of the UK. I've used them for years - in four different countries. You can find their e-mail address lower down on this page of my website: http://phuketdelight.com/medical.htm There are also other medical resources/searches there.

My own opinion is that most people here carry too little insurance - and I guess because I am a bit older, I like to not have to worry about minimal coverage - if I developed a serious illness.

Weather: It never gets cold - nothing like India. Early in the morning in the "winter" - right before sun up - if you are riding a motorcycle in a T-shirt, you will notice (once you get used to being hot all the time!) that it is a bit cool. The most you will ever need is a light windbreaker. Worry more about freezing your b*tt off in the movie theater!

Dress: Thailand - outside BKK - and especially on Phuket - has mastered the art of casual dress. On Phuket - you can pretty much wear whatever -and you will see whatever. You might find the boots hot and sweaty. If you plan on staying on Phuket and wish to network and get known a bit - then the nice jeans are a good idea - instead of the patched shorts. But you'll find people very tolerant of pretty much anything. We are, after all, used to the big fat Europeans riding around on motorcycles with no shirts - or walking around in their Speedos with their guts hanging out!

Since we have a big Tesco here - and several other places coming on line - there are very few things you can't find here.

For more things Phuket - check out my site: www.PhuketDelight.com

[laben18]

little,

i am a new arrival and just bought BUPA insurance at their head office on soi convent off silom .

its cheap compared to the west .

and , really , can u put a value on peace of mind ?

if ur gonna buy it , contact me and i will give u my agent's contact info ; she was good .

[tedkarma]

If you want to check out BUPA - they have an office in Phuket Town - on Phang Nga road - on the south side of the road heading east - just after the Royal Phuket City Hotel.

Particularly if you are going to ride a motorbike around the island - get good coverage.

[kenkannif]

Sarah,

Your provider will be able to help with Insurance this end if you wish them to. I have an excellent policy here (so far I've paid our 30K or so (over two years) and claimed back nearer 90K!) with Bangkok Life Assurance!BUPA isn't bad! although check with BUPA about motorcycle cover as I've heard they often only pay out 50% if you prang a bike!

Phuket probably has a reasonable supply of Brit goods, but Marmite, Branstons pickle, rice pudding, all day breakfasts in a tin, mushy peas (and jellied eels), pot noodle's, Jaffa cakes, Dr Pepper (a can for me please), Cadbury's creme eggs, good cheese, good sausages (although you'll probably be okay with these two in Phuket as well as black pudding!) etc. are hard to find here in regards to food. Everything else is pretty easy to get here. Although I've just asked my parents to bring me some boxer shorts and good socks over (and a sausage making machine).

Good luck!

[Zanada]

I'll be in Thailand for a week. I was wondering if it is recommended to "rent" a motorbike for an evening ride in Cities such as Pattaya, Bankok and Phi phi?
Would you need a Liscense? Is it safe?

Thanks
Z