Fast Facts

ATM Networks -- Note that Laos has no international ATMs; however, international ATMs abound in the major cities of most countries in Southeast Asia.

Camera & Film -- Film is easy to get in all of these countries and is usually much cheaper than in the West (the exceptions being Singapore and Hong Kong, where it costs about the same). Digital camera supplies are readily accessible.

Car Rentals -- In most places, it's best to hire a driver when renting a car because road conditions and traffic rules (or the seeming lack thereof) can make driving yourself a bit harrowing; if this sounds like a luxury, know that hiring a driver for a day is affordable, for the most part, and drivers are often great sources of local information.

Drugstores -- You'll find over-the-counter medications readily available in each country. It's best to bring enough of any medication that you require regularly, and know the generic name of the medicines you carry, in case you lose one or run out.

Electricity -- Most countries run on 220 volts, with two-pronged (flat or round) plugs. Use a converter for U.S. appliances (some hotels actually run on 110 volts), and use a surge protector for a laptop.

Etiquette & Customs -- Customs vary, but in the mostly Buddhist and Muslim countries of Southeast Asia, modesty in dress and conduct is the general rule.

Appropriate Attire: Though the cultures and religions of the many nations of Southeast Asia are often more different than alike, they all agree on respect for one another and staying covered in public. Ratty or revealing clothes are out of place here, as anywhere.

Business Etiquette: Be on time, shake hands when greeting, and look people in the eye: The basics are all the same here, but it gets tricky when different cultural modes of thought and communication come into play (volumes are written on the subject). You might have to change your definition of "Yes" and "No," for example.

Gestures: Throughout Southeast Asia, a scooping form of the wave that Westerners use to say "hello" means "come here." Be aware of issues in most countries over eating with only the right hand (the left is considered dirty) or of how to offer things to people (commonly with both hands).

Photography: Be aware that there are some superstitions about photography among hill tribes. In general, it's a good idea to ask before shooting portraits or taking photos in houses of worship. Be careful not to photograph police or military installations or activity.

Internet Access -- The Internet is accessible just about anywhere and everywhere you'll travel. The farther you are from urban centers, the slower the dial-up connections (at slightly inflated prices), but the region's boom in young backpackers and local online gamers means that you'll find a cybercafe in nearly any location. Avoid hotel business centers, when possible, as they charge exorbitant rates.

Language -- English is spoken just about everywhere in the countries of Southeast Asia, and wherever you go, you'll be sure to find helpful folks eager to practice a few phrases on you (certainly touts and people who want your tourist dollars will know a few words). Don't let this distract you from picking up some of the local lingo; a little goes a long way.

Laundromats -- Laundromats are few and far between, but affordable laundry service is available everywhere. Though often prohibitively expensive in large hotels, a short walk usually brings you to a local launderer where you'll pay by the kilo (extra for delicate items that require special care or ironing). Do not expect same-day service, as most places rely on air drying.

Liquor Laws -- Drinking ages vary (in most countries, it's either 18 or 20), but you won't find too many constraints placed on the purchase or consumption of alcohol in the region. Bars in the major cities are open late and, in some rural areas or at beachside, are mandated only by the whims of the owner. Beer, wine, and liquor -- both familiar imports and local rice-based varieties -- are sold anywhere and everywhere.

Lost & Found -- Be sure to tell all of your credit card companies the minute you discover that your wallet has been lost or stolen, and file a report at the nearest police precinct. Your credit card company or insurer might require a police report number or record of the loss. Most credit card companies have an emergency toll-free number to call (collect) if your card is lost or stolen; they might be able to wire you a cash advance immediately or deliver an emergency credit card in a day or two.

Visa -- cardholders should call tel. 800/847-2911 in the U.S. or 410/581-9994 collect. MasterCard holders should call tel. 800/307-7309 in the U.S. or 636/722-7111 collect. American Express cardholders and traveler's-check holders should call tel. 800/221-7282 in the U.S. or go to the nearest Amex representative.

If you need emergency cash over the weekend when all banks and American Express offices are closed, you can have money wired to you via Western Union (tel. 800/325-6000; www.westernunion.com).

Mail -- Postage rates are comparable to those in Western countries, though service Is often less reliable and very slow, especially from the developing countries of Laos and Cambodia. Express services such as DHL and FedEx are growing in number and abundant in large cities. Many souvenir or antiques dealers can arrange shipping on items large and small.

Newspapers & Magazines -- In the major urban centers like Singapore and Bangkok, foreign-press material is available everywhere. There are also good local English-language papers, like the Bangkok Post or the Nation, Singapore's Straits Times, and the Wall Street Journal Asia, that will keep you connected. Don't pass up small-press editions or Time Out guides to local happenings and attractions; expat newspapers are also a good glimpse into daily life in each country.

Passports -- Allow plenty of time before your trip to apply for a passport; processing normally takes 3 weeks but can take longer during busy periods (especially spring). And keep in mind that if you need a passport in a hurry, you'll pay a higher processing fee.

For Residents of Australia: You can pick up an application from your local post office or any branch of Passports Australia, but you must schedule an interview at the passport office to present your application materials. Call the Australian Passport Information Service at tel. 131-232, or visit the government website at www.passports.gov.au.

For Residents of Canada: Passport applications are available at travel agencies throughout Canada or from the central Passport Office, Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Ottawa, ON K1A 0G3 (tel. 800/567-6868; www.ppt.gc.ca).

For Residents of Ireland: You can apply for a 10-year passport at the Passport Office, Setanta Centre, Molesworth Street, Dublin 2 (tel. 01/671-1633; www.irlgov.ie/iveagh). Those under 18 and over 65 must apply for a 3-year passport. You can also apply at 1A South Mall, Cork (tel. 021/272-525), or at most main post offices.

For Residents of New Zealand: You can pick up a passport application at any New Zealand Passports Office or download it from the website. Contact the Passports Office at tel. 0800/225-050 in New Zealand or 04/474-8100, or log on to www.passports.govt.nz.

For Residents of the United Kingdom: To pick up an application for a standard 10-year passport (5-yr. passport for children under 16), visit your nearest passport office, major post office, or travel agency or contact the United Kingdom Passport Service (tel. 0870/521-0410; www.ukpa.gov.uk).

For Residents of the United States: Whether you're applying in person or by mail, you can download passport applications from the U.S. State Department website at http://travel.state.gov. To find your regional passport office, either check the State Department website or call the National Passport Information Center at tel. 877/487-2778.

Restrooms -- Public restrooms can be a bit of a shocker for first-time visitors. Especially in rural areas, toilets often flush manually, with a few scoops of water from a larger cistern, and paper is to be deposited not in the toilet, but in a separate wastebasket. Standards of cleanliness vary, but many public toilets would make a run-down roadside gas station in the U.S. seem like a temple. Squat toilets are common, but most major hotels have amenities familiar to the Western visitor.

Smoking -- The region is more or less a smoker's paradise, and there are few restraints on the habit in most destinations. In fact, in rural areas of the developing countries, smoking is even allowed on buses (a bit much, really). New laws in Bangkok ban smoking in restaurants, and similar rules are in place in the larger cities. If you're a smoker, be sure to read the rules before heading to Singapore.

Taxes -- Each country has its version of a VAT tax added to restaurant and hotel bills. It can go as high as 20%, so be sure to inquire beforehand.

Time Zone -- The countries of Southeast Asia are between 7 and 8 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time. That means 12 or 13 hours ahead of New York, and 3 or 4 hours behind Sydney.

Tipping -- Though not as common as in the U.S., a small gratuity for taxi drivers, bellhops, and restaurant staff is appreciated.

Useful Phone Numbers -- U.S. Dept. of State Travel Advisory tel. 202/647-5225 (manned 24 hr.); U.S. Passport Agency tel. 202/647-0518; U.S. Centers for Disease Control International Traveler's Hot Line tel. 404/332-4559.

Water -- Apart from in urban Singapore, don't drink the water. Buy inexpensive bottled drinking water, available everywhere. Some restaurants serve safe, treated ice and water.