Monkeys and other Phuket, Thailand Warning Or Danger Tips

Monkeys are cute and entertaining and found in many areas in Thailand, particularly around the temples. Bananas and peanuts are sold at stalls where monkeys frequent which facilitates their breeding, as they have plenty to eat without foraging. There is a very strong pecking order with monkeys as I found out when we visited a monkey temple. The large males can be quite savage. We saw them mostly attacking mother monkeys that were holding babies when feeding.

You may get distracted looking at or feeding one monkey and another will quickly and heavily climb up onto you and snatch food or personal items from you. They are rough and have sharp teeth. Be ultra vigilant, especially with children around. Monkey bites are vicious and many diseases/infections can be passed through the saliva or through contact including Herpes B Virus, which in 70% of human cases can be fatal.

Even though they seem people-friendly, be extremely cautious, as they are wild animals. We met a little boy in Phuket who had been looking at a monkey that was chained up and being fed, meanwhile another chained monkey came around from the back of him and tore a big gash in his leg. He ended up in a wheelchair for the last few days of his holiday.

They will also destroy any vehicles left within their area, tearing at the rubber etc. They are very inquisitive and destructive.

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UPDATE: Phuket is encountering a resurgence of Dengue Fever. Be sure to take precautions.

It is vital to carry mosquito repellent with you to any areas of Thailand, as with much of Asia, particularly if you have an allergy to mosquito bites. Although Malaria is not a problem in Phuket, it is wise to take precautions. The mosquitos that carry Malaria are the brown coloured Anopheles and Dengue is borne by the Aedes Aegypti, which is most active in the early morning and late afternoon. They tend to dwell in domesticated areas, around houses and in shade, as opposed to the Anopheles which tends to live in the jungle areas. Mosquito spray is cheap and effective, also travel sized, so be sure to carry some with you, particularly in wet areas. Mosquito spray is cheap and widely available in Phuket, so you can easily get it when you're there.

Over a million people die every year from Malaria, which can be a problem near Cambodia or Myanmar. You can take anti-Malaria medication such as Malarone as a preventative, but not getting bitten is best. Symptoms can take up to one year to manifest, so if you're worried, it is advisable to be tested when you get home just to be sure. Dengue Fever can be contracted through mosquitos in Thailand and two people in Phuket have died so far this year.

The Thai people believe that black clothing attracts mosquitos, and I guess they'd know. I do wear a bit of black, but I must admit I haven't had that much of a problem with them. I've believe they are also attracted to body temperature, pheremones and carbon dioxide which is heavy and hangs low, so be sure to spray your feet and exposed legs.

Once you hear the cicadas start their song at sundown, it's like a wake-up call for the mosquitos, so be prepared.

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Website: http://health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/ohp-fsdengue.htm

This may seem to be a superfluous tip, however I thought that with all the recent events surrounding accused drug traffickers in Asia it may be worthwhile to include.

Drug taking and trafficking are considered serious crimes across Asia. Authorities are really cracking down on tourists in certain areas of Asia. Bear in mind that Thailand DOES IMPOSE THE DEATH PENALTY for anyone found with trafficable amounts of drugs in their possession. I do not know what amounts are considered trafficable. My suggestion is to avoid drugs altogether in any country that may issue you with a death penalty. You never know how a situation may be construed - or misconstrued.

It's best not to risk your life for a moment of pleasure.

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Ko Rang Yai is a small island located just out of the Boat Lagoon Canal. It provides good anchorage and shelter from the wind and waves, so is a popular mooring spot for boaties that are avoiding low tide as the canal is too shallow for them to get through then.

There is a small resort on the island which I haven't visited, however I have spent several hours on the beach at Ko Rang, as it's such a lovely beach and we could sit under an overhanging tree to shelter from the sun whilst we ate our picnic lunch. I caught some fish from the beach too.

Now for the warning part. The sandflies are terrible here, and even though you don't notice them biting you so much whilst there, the discomfort and itching lasts for weeks. You certainly notice it afterwards! I've been on this cute little island twice and noticed the sandflies seem to come out from about 3.30 or 4.00pm. If you do wish to relax at this beach, then definitely take some fly spray to spray the surrounding area and some insect repellant.

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If you are driving in Thailand and you see anything from a large twig to a branch on the road, slow down and take care. It does not mean that a truck has broken it off a tree as it's passed by. This is the Thai version of a danger sign. It could mean that there is part of the road out, an accident or some other potential hazard.

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