Our travel adviser tackles your destination dilemmas, visa puzzles and itinerary ideas TRAVELLING TO THAILAND AFTER THE TRAGEDYI have been planning a holiday to Thailand for a long time but after the recent bomb attack in Bangkok I am worried about the security situation. How safe is it? - Penelope DugbarThailand has long had a security threat due to a separatist insurgency in the far south, ongoing since the 1960s but intensified since 2004. The attack this week at the Erawan Shrine, a popular tourist attraction in the busy Chidlom shopping district, which killed at least 20 people, was worrying in that it was aimed specifically at tourists.The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has urged tourists in the city to avoid the area, to remain vigilant and to report anything suspicious to the police.Likewise, many governments have long-standing warnings about security in Thailand and these have been repeated, not hardened.At the time of going to print, the British Foreign Office was advising travellers to monitor the news and take extra care. It had not issued any warning against travel to Bangkok, but was advising against all but essential travel to the provinces of Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat and Songkhla, 1,000km south of Bangkok.The US, Canada and Australia have all issued similar warnings.Travel to and within Thailand is unaffected, and life for tourists in the country continues more or less as normal. You may experience more security at transport terminals but that should make you feel safer. This could extend to places such as Khao San Road (the backpacker area) and all other places where tourists tend to congregate.mini_story_image_hleft1TRUE OR FALSE: YOU CAN'T DRAW CASH IN KOREAIn September, I'm joining a small group for a six-day tour of North Korea. I'm told that cellphone reception is almost non-existent and there are no ATMs. Neither of these things worry me as I don't own a cellphone and have never used an ATM, but what currency should I take? I'm thinking it will probably be like a trip I took in 1986 to Albania, when all the Christmas cards I took were confiscated. What should I not take? - Philip EngelenWell, for other readers I should mention that foreign tourists can take cellphones into North Korea but they may need to buy a local sim card to make calls. Credit cards are of no use and there are no ATMs, so take euros, though you can also use Chinese yuan, US dollars or Japanese yen.As an organised tour is the only way you can visit the country, all of your expenses will be pre-paid and you will only need cash for incidentals such as water, snacks and tips.The North Korean won can be bought but many shops catering for tourists want foreign currency and so you may struggle to get rid of it. If you are on chronic medication, take your doctor's prescription along with you. North Korea is intolerant of illegal drugs and narcotics. Take out comprehensive travel and medical insurance before you travel.Do not take in any literature that is critical of the state or any religious material. You can take a camera, of course, and your official guide will tell you what you may or may not photograph: this seems to vary according to the guide but it is not as strict as some say. Don't express negative opinions of the country, or at least do not indulge in debate or criticism of it. Showing any disrespect to its leaders, past or present, is a criminal offence. Avoid taking pictures of anything military or subjects that could embarrass the state. Finally, no, don't take your Christmas cards along for a unique stamp, but you can buy and send postcards home.story_article_right1CONCERNS ABOUT APPLYING FOR A UK VISAI need to apply for a UK visa but am concerned about the safety of documents after the recent loss of them in a heist, and about how complex the process is. - Joe SteenkampThe theft of visa applications and documents in a hijacking late last month is highly unlikely to be repeated, so ignore the risk. Applying for a visa is not difficult but it is detailed and makes many long for a quick return to the situation where South Africans did not need a UK visa.The online application questionnaire is quite tedious and some of the questions seem a bit ridiculous. Some say it can be a bit of a battle to know exactly which documentation should accompany your passport - they have few things that are deemed absolutely necessary but many others that can help your cause if you choose to include them.Once that is all filled in and printed, and you've gone to a store that actually knows the UK photo size and format requirements, the process is a lot smoother than it was. The agents administering the visa service are very good with keeping you up to date regarding progress, via e-mail or whichever method you choose...