Taking your children upcountry will make them healthy and give them a good opportunity to have new experiences.
One of the most important jobs you have as a parent is to keep your child safe when riding in a vehicle. Proper use of additional safety equipment helps keep children safe in case any accident happens because safety belts and airbags are made for adults and not designed for children.

An important thing for travelling with children is the “car safety seat”. Thai law does not require use of the car seat but it is a law in many countries.

There are different types of car safety seats. The type of seat your child needs depends on its age, size, and type of vehicle. To make sure your child is using the most appropriate seat, read on.

1 Infant car bed: Its shape looks similar to a basket. The infant car bed is designed for babies, especially babies who are delivered ahead of schedule. Car beds allow babies to lie down while travelling. Position your baby’s head toward the middle of the car and away from the door.

2. Rear-facing infant seat: It is designed for children younger than three years old. Place a rear-facing car safety seat in the back seat of a vehicle and never place it in the front seat that has an air bag. All infants should always ride rear-facing. Infants are at greater risk of injury in crashes because their heads are fragile, their neck bones are soft and the ligaments that help support the neck are stretchy. A rear-facing seat will support your infant’s head, protecting his or her head, neck and spine ­– and spreading the force of the crash across the back when there is any hit in the front of the car.

3. Forward-facing child seat

It is designed for older children who have outgrown their rear-facing car safety seats. Place a forward-facing car safety seat in the back seat of a vehicle. It is best to ride all children forward-facing. This type of seat may be designed to convert from rear-facing to forward-facing seats.

4. Booster seat

Booster seats are for older children who have outgrown their forward-facing car safety seats. Booster seats are designed to raise the child up so that the lap and shoulder seat belts fit properly.

With so many vehicle and safety seat models available, you may be confused about choosing a child safety seat correctly. You should ask sellers to install the seat in your car before making any decision. If possible you should have your child sit on it to check if it fits his or her weight and height.

Most mothers in Thailand carry the children on their lap and sit alongside the father, who drives the vehicle. If there is an accident both mother and child will be in danger. Unexpected incidents can happen anytime, during short or long-distance drives. Using car safety seats will help fathers drive comfortably and confidently without worrying about safety.
All children should ride in car seats from the time they are born.
Children under 10 years of age must always ride in the back seat. Also never allow two children to share seat belts.

Travelling long-distance may affect the eating, sleeping, and even defecating habits of your child. But do not be worried. They will adjust within a few days and return to their usual habits when they arrive home.

You should not forget to take along your child’s favourite toy, blanket or towel. Prepare some activities or toys to play with them during the ride. It can prevent them from disturbing fathers’ while driving.

Also be well-prepared with food and defecating equipment for children, especially wet tissue.
When your child reaches an age where he or she can be responsible, you should buy a bag or backpack for the child to manage his or her belongings. This will reinforce a sense of responsibility and ownership.

Pregnant women must avoid travelling on long trips or undertake primitive rucksack or too adventurous journeys in the first and last three month of pregnancy.

Try to limit the amount of time you are cooped up in the car. Keep travel time to around five to six hours. Use rest stops to take short walks and to do some stretches to keep the blood circulating and prevent cramp.

Pregnant women, who are driving, should keep your seat as far back from the steering wheel as you can and allow your feet conveniently put on the brake and the accelerator.

For the best protection in a vehicle wear a lap–shoulder belt every time you travel. The safety belt will not hurt your baby. You and your baby are far more likely to survive a car crash if you are buckled in.

When wearing your safety belt always wear both the lap and shoulder belt. Buckle the lap belt low on your hipbones, below your belly. Never put the lap belt across your belly. Place the shoulder belt across the center of the chest (between your breasts)—never under your arm. The upper part of the belt should cross your shoulder without chafing your neck. Never slip the upper part of the belt off your shoulder.

Safety is the most important thing whenever you travel with children and pregnant women. If you are careful and have proper planning it can prevent you from unexpected incidents.