General Reports

[Tiger 888]

Can someone who understands currency conversions please shed some light on this for me?
I tried to exchange 2,500 AED (United Arab Emirates) into Thai Baht. I was offered 19,000 THB and some change. I thought that was much too low. i was expecting around 25,000 THB.
Here is my reasoning. I understand there is a difference in the buy and sell rate, but it shouldn’t be that huge.
1US$ = 3.6 AED
1US$ = 36 THB
( I am rounding off the numbers for ease of calculations.)
So, in essence, it is 10X exactly.

I took 2,500 AED, and came up with 694 US$
Then I took 694 US$, and converted it into THB, and came up with 25,000 THB.

Why would I be given only 19,000?
XE.com, by the way, shows that a direct conversion, not converting first into US$ should be 24,962 THB.
I went to 3 different money changers along Suk.
(I took my money back, and went to the Bank of Giotto).
Thanks G

1Ball, the best rate you can get at Superrich. that is where all the small money changers change themselves. For the US Dollar they normally have a spread of 10 to 15 Satang, means they buy USD at 37.10 they will sell at 37.20. Call them for information.
With an "exotic" currency the situation might be not as pleasant.

Another place is Vasu on the corner of Suk soi 7/1. But with larger sums I have heard of scams there. So be aware.

A very nice tool is
http://www.oanda.com/convert/classic
there for today it says :
Thursday, November 2, 2006
1 Utd. Arab Emir. Dirham = 9.98844 Thai Baht

you can see the real rates between any currency pair at any given day in th past or today (even years back).

[Sevastopol1]

1 Ball, according to your reports you come around in the world. However budget planning seems not to be your strengh. As Retired Army said, the direct cash exchange is a rippoff.

I thgought it is common praxis to pick the local currency from ATM's. If you have to much currency of a country you might not go back soon, then you should pay part of your hotel bill by such cash (and only keep what you need for Taxi etc.) before leaving the country. Never change back.

Thought this was common praxis.

regards

Brain666

who would never rechange his remaining baht as I will ome back for sure.

What chance do I stand withmy local currency!!!!!

[Brain666]

Can someone who understands currency conversions please shed some light on this for me?
I tried to exchange 2,500 AED (United Arab Emirates) into Thai Baht. I was offered 19,000 THB and some change. I thought that was much too low. i was expecting around 25,000 THB.
Here is my reasoning. I understand there is a difference in the buy and sell rate, but it shouldn’t be that huge.
1US$ = 3.6 AED
1US$ = 36 THB
( I am rounding off the numbers for ease of calculations.)
So, in essence, it is 10X exactly.

I took 2,500 AED, and came up with 694 US$
Then I took 694 US$, and converted it into THB, and came up with 25,000 THB.

Why would I be given only 19,000?
XE.com, by the way, shows that a direct conversion, not converting first into US$ should be 24,962 THB.
I went to 3 different money changers along Suk.
(I took my money back, and went to the Bank of Giotto).
Thanks G

1 Ball, according to your reports you come around in the world. However budget planning seems not to be your strengh. As Retired Army said, the direct cash exchange is a rippoff.

I thgought it is common praxis to pick the local currency from ATM's. If you have to much currency of a country you might not go back soon, then you should pay part of your hotel bill by such cash (and only keep what you need for Taxi etc.) before leaving the country. Never change back.

Thought this was common praxis.

regards

Brain666

who would never rechange his remaining baht as I will ome back for sure.

[Piper1]

1Ball - exchange rates can vary due to supply and demand in a particular country. UAE Dirhams are not in demand in Thailand, so you get offered less for them. Better to exchange in Dubai, where both Dirhams and Baht are in demand (or hang on to them for next visit here).

BTW - none of the exchanges at BKK airport had Dirhams, so I had to exchange my TB back in Dubai.
_____

PS - leave my personal banker out of this! (The only reason I haven't mentioned my "Giotto's Bank" story is out of concern that suddenly he'll find himself in the same sitiuation with 100 other guests!)

[Retired Army]

Can someone who understands currency conversions please shed some light on this for me?

I don't think anyone understand the process. All I know is it's a rip-off. That's why I recommend using an ATM to get THB. The rate is about the best you are going to get anywhere.

[1Ball]

Can someone who understands currency conversions please shed some light on this for me?
I tried to exchange 2,500 AED (United Arab Emirates) into Thai Baht. I was offered 19,000 THB and some change. I thought that was much too low. i was expecting around 25,000 THB.
Here is my reasoning. I understand there is a difference in the buy and sell rate, but it shouldn’t be that huge.
1US$ = 3.6 AED
1US$ = 36 THB
( I am rounding off the numbers for ease of calculations.)
So, in essence, it is 10X exactly.

I took 2,500 AED, and came up with 694 US$
Then I took 694 US$, and converted it into THB, and came up with 25,000 THB.

Why would I be given only 19,000?
XE.com, by the way, shows that a direct conversion, not converting first into US$ should be 24,962 THB.
I went to 3 different money changers along Suk.
(I took my money back, and went to the Bank of Giotto).
Thanks G

[Nuevo]

I am going to be in Ubon Ratchatani soon, for reasons unrelated to mongering--but I was wondering--has anyone been there since the coup? I have not been there before at all, and would appreciate some advice on how and where to find prime pussy there. Any bars, etc? In particular, is bareback sex available for farangs in Ubon? Thanks for your help!

Bareback sex is available everywhere in the LOS. Stupidity is available everywhere in the world. Use a condom dude and have fun.

N1

[Retired Army]

Hi Guys :

While I am in BKK I also want to try other nationalaties like russians or Indians.

Where is the hang out place to find other than Thai's in BKK.

Your help will be greatly appreciated.

CM2 at the Siam Novotel.

[Player2]

Hi Guys :

While I am in BKK I also want to try other nationalaties like russians or Indians.

Where is the hang out place to find other than Thai's in BKK.

Your help will be greatly appreciated.

[Montecristo]

Hi!

Does it makes sense to buy a Digicam (Fuji Finepics/Panasonic FZ) in BKK? I know a electronic market in chinatown a few years ago with a lot of stuff and Pantip Plaza - but is it real cheaper? And what about guarantee things?

Thanks, SAB

You can find 6 megapixels and plus, from 7.000 baht,all around Bangkok who cares about guarantees for that price ?

When it brokes (if it brokes), you buy another one .

[SweetAndBitter]

Hi!

Does it makes sense to buy a Digicam (Fuji Finepics/Panasonic FZ) in BKK? I know a electronic market in chinatown a few years ago with a lot of stuff and Pantip Plaza - but is it real cheaper? And what about guarantee things?

Thanks, SAB

[Old Thai Hand]

Pete

The fact that you've already been in Thailand and still don't know what a "wai" is, clearly shows you need help. BTW. It's that funny thing Thais do with their hands when they greet you.

It's good that you treat BGs as human beings. That's only to be expected. But, to think that they are the same as other Thai women is a huge mistake.

OK. Some incidentals...
Thais tip, just not a lot. Also, I never give a taxi driver anything if he doesn't get me where I'm going. And, I'll rip him a new one in Thai, just for causing me trouble. Thais have bad tempers. Don't let anyone tell you all about face saving and how you shouldn't argue with them or lose your temper. Thais can be as hot-tempered as Latins.

The fact that you are walking hand-in-hand with a hooker marks her and you anyway in the eyes of Thais. Unfortunately, BGs have a "look" that instantly identifies them and therefore, by connection identifies you as a monger.
But, anyway, kissing in public is generally frowned upon, although lots of younger Thais will do a little peck in combination with the "sniff" thing that TGs do. My GF kisses me and does the "sniff" thing sometimes in public. But, somehow it's different. She doesn't look like a BG, so it rarely turns heads when she does it. It's hard to explain the difference. It just is.

Check out Giotto's thread. He created a Thai Culture board that should start to answer your questions.

[Petemcc]

What part of Thai culture/customs are you actually interested in? Are you just concerned about not "upsetting" the girls...you mean hookers? They are not exactly representative of Thai culture. So, I don't get your interest in the topic. Could you explain what it is you are eactly after?


BTW, here's a general tip for all those guys who walk in the bars and "wai" the staff and the girls: stop doing it. It's really not appropriate and you look like jerks for doing it.

My reasoning is as follows:

Girls, whether or not they are hookers are Thai, and apart from the obvious- ie fucking men for money, probably pretty much follow their culture. The girls I was with did the bowing thing, and the respect to Buddah, and the pity for afflicted people bit.

When I am with a Thai girl, I don't think of her as a prostitute. perhaps I am a moron, or kidding myself, but I treat her like a normal human being, albiet one who wouldn't normally give me the time of day if I wasn't paying her.

That means doing normal things with her, like having a meal, or breakfast, or a drink, or walking around the markets with her. I have no problem whatsoever keeping a girl happy in the bedroom, but it's the bits outside that I am concerned about. Everyone accepts that if a girl is treated well, she will treat you well. I would like to be able to interact with Thai girls, before and/or after I fuck them, without unintentionally upsetting them.

Up until yesterday I thought tipping was part of Thai culture, and now I am informed it isn't, but when I am with a bar girl, does the act of me leaving a tip for someone make me a better man in her eyes and therefore possibly deserving of extra special treatment? I just don't know. I wouldn't go out of my way to impress a girl, but I certainally wouldn't want to insult one, or make her lose face in public etc. If a BG is walking with me hand in hand down the street- and obviously not my GF, if I give her a peck on the will that insult her, or make her lose face?

There are so many questions that I don't know the answers to, and I would have liked those who understand Thai culture to give us the benefit of their wisdom. I know there is a thread on Thai women, and perhaps my reply isn't making it very clear, but this goes beyond just Thai women. It is more about Thai people and how not to upset them, and the BG in your company.

Then there is the MB taxi driver who I had the altercation with- remember? In my culture if a taxi driver doesn't fulfil his part of the contract- take you to your requested destination, he gets fuck all. Clearly, from my experience in Thailand, Thais expect something for just taking part!

You may ask how that is related to mongering, well all of us from other cultures who go to Thailand to enjoy the country and fuck the girls also have to do normal things like get taxis, buy food etc. I apreciate that doing a lot og 'Googling' may reveal teh answers to some of these questions, but first hand experience from the preverbial horse's mouth is what I prefer. OK?

Also, what the hell does 'wai' the staff and girls mean?

Pete

[Old Thai Hand]

OTH,

Pete may have hit on something IMO.

You cannot drive us moronic sextourists away from the Kingdom singlehanded, but maybe you can at least provide a little education inside a dedicated thread for those of us who hang out in this virtual cafe.

Goot ideah, mai?

I think it's a good idea too. I just wanted some clarification of what his point was...i.e. ways of respecting Thai culture, or just ways of not pissing off the hookers.

[Giotto]

Gentlemen

I know the immediate response may be RTFF, however as many of you realise, it is a huge database and it is not always easy to find answers.
...If there is a decent response, I will post this in suggestions to Jackson to see if it is worthy of a seperate thread not only here, but on other forums.

So what do you think?

Petemcc,

Let's give it a try. I created a thread "Thai Culture and Customs". Feel free to start it up.

http://www.internationalsexguide.inf...d.php?p=521224


Giotto