Thai Air News from Connectedglobe.com Issue 42 dated 22 August 2006

THAI is adjusting some special security arrangements for passengers on every THAI flight to the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Australia, the Philippines, Indonesia, Sri Lanka as well as all domestic flights effective August 16, 2006 onwards.

Passengers are allowed to bring carry-on baggage on all international and domestic flights EXCEPT :

1. 
   
   • Passengers traveling to the United Kingdom are allowed to bring only 1 piece of carry-on baggage sized 45x35x16 cm.
     
   • All passengers traveling from the United of Kingdom to the United States of America will not be permitted to bring any carry-on baggage, and the only listed personal belongings allowed will be items such as pocket size wallets, pocket size purses and travel documents essential for the journey, such as passports, travel tickets and etc.
     
2. Passengers are restricted from carrying liquids or gels of any size in the cabin of the aircraft, including lighters for the UK route and lighters and spray for the U.S. route, but these may be transported as checked baggage. Prescription medicine with a name that matches the passenger’s ticket; and up to 4 oz. of non-prescription liquid medications are permitted.
   
3. Cell phones or mobile phones, electronic devices of any kind, such as computer notebook or MP3 player, are permitted to carry onboard. However, using of those devices onboard must comply with onboard Safety Instructions.
   
4. Passengers traveling with infants may carry baby food and milk onboard.
   
5. Any duty-free liquids or gel goods purchased by passengers and crew are requested to be sealed and in good condition, also receipt must be shown. However, for U.S. route, liquids, gel and spray items purchased at duty-free shops are not permitted onboard.
   

THAI would like to request passengers traveling to the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Australia, the Philippines, Indonesia, Sri Lanka and all domestic flights to strictly follow the security regulations. For more information please call 0-2356-1111or 0-2628-2000, 24 hours a day.

The new "Sky Train" to Tibet is a novel way to visit this fascinating and remote country. It is without doubt a marvellous piece of engineering and bristles with high-tech equipment. Flat screen TVs, vacuum flush toilets, and oxygen outlets provide comfort inside while solar powered refigeration units outside keep the ground frozen to provide a stable track.
Tibetan rights groups and environmentalists have asked travelers to boycott the train while the Chinese press says the train will pull the "cork out of the bottleneck that has held the region's development back for decades."

The China Internet Information Center has some excellent photographs of Tibet in their "Tibet Through a Lens" section, which forms part of their site on the "Tibet Autonomous Region".

Be prepared to find Mount Everst referred to as "Mount Qomolangma" which is a transliteration from Tibetan, meaning "goddess of mountain."

There is no better way to get the feel of a place than to talk to people who have been there. The Tibet Travel Blogs are postings from real travellers giving their own personal impressions of Tibet. Many include photographs and so you get a non-commercial "warts and all" view of what it is like to travel in Tibet. For my money it's a much better read than all the commercial travel sites and official information.

Politics is something I avoid in this magazine. However, if you want to know more about the story of Tibet you are inevitably confronted with sites having a political slant. I have therefore included this site and the following site to enable you to see the story of Tibet from different points of view.
This site includes:

• His Holiness the Dalai Lama
  
• The Panchen Lama
  
• Tibetan Buddhism
  
• Tibetan Government on Controversy Surrounding Dorjee Shugden Practice
  
• Songs for Official Ceremonies
  
• Tibetan Musicians
  
• Tibetan Medicine and Astrology
  
• Tibetan Muslim
  
• Tibetan Women
  
• Films and Videos on Tibet
  
• Tibet House Trust
  

This site, in newspaper style, is very comprehensive and also has lots of photos. The point of view is somewhat different from the previous site, as is the emphasis. It includes sections on:

• News
  
• History
  
• Travel
  
• Music
  
• Culture
  
• People
  
• Religion
  
• Unspoiled Land
  
• Art
  
• Folk Custom
  
• Society
  

Finally, I can't leave out an article on the beautiful language of Tibet. Here is a site all about the written, spoken and sung language together with a downloadable Tibetan font.

For useful books on travel in Tibet, you will find a comprehensive listing with prices and reviews on my books page (with links to buy direct from Amazon.com) on:

Hotel accommodation in Tibet is plentiful and using a reputable agent can secure you substantial discounts. Agoda can usually find you a good deal and you can check their availability below.

For flights to Tibet originating anywhere in the world use this ConnectedGlobe link

• ConnectedGlobe links to information on Tibet and South East Asia
• TravelShop for all your Tibet travel needs