What are the preparations to be done for my first foreign tour to Bangkok/Pattaya and Singapore during Dec. 09?

We are travelling to Bangkok/Pattaya/Singapore during Dec 09 for 10 days. We are travelling abroad for the first time. Need guidance on Weather/ Clothes to carry/Packing restrictions on Air Travel/Precautions on foreign soils. We are travelling in group and hotel and Travel arrangements are already done. Please give your inputs for my preparations
We all are coming from Mumbai and all are Indian residents.

You should get travel vaccinations as a first priority.
-Typhoid
-Tetanus booster
are both 100% essential.
I would then consider a HepA&B vaccine as a high option.
You will not need malaria medications. Any special pharmaceutical medications that may be of a narcotic nature (even as much as codeine) can be difficult to get in Thailand. Take a Doctors letter with you for all medications. (that said almost everything else is available over the counter in any pharmacy.)
It is highly unlikely but there are other mosquito born pathogens (tghe chances of you getting one are outrageously unlikely… but it does happen.) Therefore bring a good quality mosquito repellent with you.
Bring an electrical plug converter with you for your appliances. ie:hair dryer or shaver.
You should register your travel with yoru countrys embassy.
Maintain copys (scanned colour copys are best) of all your documents (drivers licence, Passport inc: the visa pages, and teh ID page.etc etc) do this X2 and leave a copy at home with a friend or family.
Try to avoid shopping at the shops the tour guide will take you to.
If I was you I would do almost the entirity of my shopping at Chutuchuk market in Bangkok. (it will take the good part of a day to get around the whole thing it is huge, haggle a lot and buy all your clothes and gifts here. Go to MBK if you want large size shoes or genuine fashion labels & quality copys…once again haggle hard.)
Clothing- It is always warm in Thailand. I would pack only a few easy to wear & wash clothes and some sandles that are both easy to remove and comfortable to walk in. (as often you will be required to take your shoes off before entering a building.)
I would take a small lightweight raincoat (purse size) Clothes are very very cheap.. buy them there dont take with you anymore than the minimum.
When you arrive in Bangkok go to a Tesco/Lotus or Big C and buy all your toiletries.
Save buying any quality electrical products till you get to Singapore. (ie notebooks etc) Genuine software is very cheap in Thailand IF you can find a genuine outlet.(MBK)
Precautions:
Only get in meter taxis (these have a little red light in the front bottom corner of the windscreen.)
In every hotel have teh reception write down the address of the hotel on a card in Thai and if you leave get them to write down your destination in thai… to avoid any confusion and ensure you always get home. Do not get in Tuk Tuks. (unless the ride is going to be like 40 baht or 60 for a long trip.. for everyone traveling.. not each.)

Some basic prices to indicate if you are getting ripped of-
A short taxi trip- 60 baht.
a long taxi trip- 140 baht.
a high quality hotel room- 1000thb per night +++
good quality 500thb+
good ladys shoes 200thb
cheap ladys shoes 100thb
copy sunglasses eg rayban 100thb
pirate DVD 100thb (often they will give you VCD for this price.)
pirate software 100thb (or less)
Real DVD boxed set for a series etc 600-1200thb (depending on release)
tshirt 80-220thb
summer dress 130-250thb
shorts-60-250thb
nice shirt -180-300thb
copy brand name shirt-200thb
handbag brand name copy – 200thb-1000thb for large extremely good copy.
Hand made leather shoes at MBK 900-1600thb
brand name sneakers 900-2000thb model dependant.
quality wallet brand name copy – 100thb
belt brand name copy – 100thb

Change your money when you get to Thailand. Keep it in a safe place. Perhaps use travel cheques.
Thailand is very safe dontlet anyone worry you its not.
The less you bring with you… the more room you will have to bring back shopping.
Sex should be avoided (if humanly possible) as there is an extremely high rate of HIV. Use discretion, caution and protection.

Have a lot of fun!
Sawadee na krup

Malaysia World Drums Festival 2008