Bangkok Reports

[11Bravo]

Can't really say when ever I have seen a Money Exchange anywhere in Thailand take anything other than perfect clean brand new current issue crispies, but bringing thousands in cash is so 70's Patpong anyway. Get Wise if you don't have a Thai account.

I'd be careful of Wise. I do use it frequently to transfer money between bank accounts in various countries, but I think there are some severe limitations on how much per day you can take out on the card itself. Fine if you have a bank account in Thailand (or elsewhere), but money "on the card" doesn't seem so readily accessible. All I can say is, research BEFORE you depend on.

From early November 2022 to early December 2022, various times of day and early evening, I'd be at Asoke BTS station. The SuperRich exchange counter in the BTS station was ALWAYS crowded, and by crowded, the line always stretched back on the ramp to Terminal 21's doors, almost to the doors themselves. Sometime back, there was a discussion of better places to exchange cash. Searching Exchange might help find it. But if you enjoy queues, Asoke's SuperRich might be the place.

It has been a long time since I stopped using currency bills, due to the many potential problems, as you mentioned above.

I now use mostly ATM debit cards, and the best one seems to be the Charles Schwab debit card. They even reimburse you the fees. I still carry a small amount of currencies for emergency.

Agreed. My bank charges $3 for an external transfer, e. G. , from bank to Schwab account, takes 3 days. Schwab transfer in, from my bank to Schwab, is FREE, and takes 4 days to clear. No brainer. Schwab usually catches the ATM fees for reimbursement at the end of the month. Still, best to keep those receipts, and as suggested earlier here by someone, take a picture of each on your phone in case those small slips get misplaced. If Schwab hasn't caught the fees, submit, and be reimbursed. Best deal going, but believe it is restricted to US.

As stated, carry one or two backup ATM bank cards just in case anything goes south (see below).

I'm so old I remember AMEX traveler's checks fondly. But cash? I do carry some but, as you say, spending some time in my wallet, they end up creased and that can cause problems. I've used the Charles Schwab card for a number of years, in a number of countries, without a problem.

Well one. In China, I didn't realize that the decreasing number on the ATM, counting down, was a timeout timer, and since I was trying to figure out why the ATM was not taking my PIN, it reached zero. ATM ate my card. Saturday, 17:00, September 30, with the MAJOR holiday starting the next day. Had train tickets and hotel reservations in another city, leaving that night on an overnight train. At that time of year, train tickets and hotel reservations, if you don't have, you won't get. Went into the bank, ready to close, my PRC companion explained the problem. Manager called. Explained that policy was not to open the ATM until it was scheduled to be restocked with cash. But ... she made an exception, excused herself, came back 10 minutes later with my card. Showed her my passport, card returned. Never used that banks' ATM's again, but I do owe that manager a debt of gratitude. Carry a backup (I always did, even if it has non-reimbursable fees), and if you ever see a counter counting down on an ATM, hit the return card before it reaches zero.

[NewImage]

My T levels are low eventhough I eat healthy and exercise. I've thought about jumping on TRT but once you're on it you're on it so I'the prefer to hold off on that until maybe late 40's.

I tried TRT with patches and didn't notice any real change but that was just through my GP who didn't really care that much.

New doc sent me to Endocrinologist. Put me on drug that stimulates testosterone production in body naturally. Its called clomiphene citrate.

Over about 6 months my T count went from 5 (very low) to 17 which is average. Doc says raving 18 yo is 31).

For me no side effects, helped with my moods too, more energy and stronger at gym (but not steroid type improvement).

I am a healthy 60 yo, very very fit, non drinker, non smoker and have a good diet. My downfall was stress and issues in childhood.

It worked for me.

NI.

[Pute Nut]

I am in my fifties (look younger)

We all do. ISG average is about 10 years. Mongers have good genes, well worth spreading like Djinghis Khan.

[Allover]

I'm like Lefeu, I use strictly ATM debit cards. Fidelity is just as good as Charles Schwab. I separately carry a regular bank debit card as backup (e.g., Wells Fargo or PNC or whatever you have). I recently read on a Facebook travel group that a woman lost her credit card in Thailand and didn't have proper emergency contact information to get her card replaced. Be sure to bring a paper copy of your card numbers, passwords, and emergency phone numbers. Never get too low on cash because it can take 4 to 6 days to get an emergency replacement card delivered to you in Thailand. The "overnight" delivery of replacement cards is just one step of the process, there are multiple other steps and the time adds up.

I would highly recommend a Schwab or Fidelity card that reimburses you for all bank fees. I would not carry a paper copy of emergency phone numbers, etc. Better to email them to yourself to avoid losing the paper. On the day I landed in Thailand last trip some dirtball in Pennsylvania cloned by Chase Bank credit card and the account was shut down by Chase. It took two weeks to get the replacement card delivered to my hotel in Pattaya. Fortunately I had a second credit card with me.

[HorseTrader]

Hi,

I am in my mid 30's and I plan to head to Bangkok in April-May 2023 & will be staying for about 4-5 nights max and return back to my home country. This is my very first time in Thailand and I'm fresh of the boat. I will be staying probably in the Ibis Sukhumvit 4 due to its proximity to Nana Plaza. Plan on hitting the bars in Nana Plaza and Soi Cowboy. Probably bang 1-2 girls per night. Will be carrying mostly USD and just enough Baht to pay for the visa on arrival and getting to my hotel by Taxi.
...
Hope to hear from fellow mongers.

Suggest you set aside 10 minutes per day to read this forum between now and April. All of your questions will be addressed with up to date information.

[CaliGuy33]

It has been a long time since I stopped using currency bills, due to the many potential problems, as you mentioned above.

I now use mostly ATM debit cards, and the best one seems to be the Charles Schwab debit card. They even reimburse you the fees. I still carry a small amount of currencies for emergency.

Yeah I'm surprised travellers still exchange money when you can just use a debit card that reimburses ATM fees. So easy and convenient. And you don't have to carry around a lot of cash, just hit the ATM all you want with fees reimbursed.

[CaliGuy33]

I am in my fifties (look younger) and have made a progression over the last couple years that I recommend but there's no going back. I was generally an ST guy. Fuck and forget. Worldwide. Just pre-COVID I started doing Seeking Arrangement in the US and a few other international cities. And I started to become addicted to "full dates" where you go to dinner, drinks, and dancing and then if you have some game and some dollars (it's not pure P4 P w the right girls) your going to have a great in room experience with possible sleepover at her discretion. And honestly if intimacy like great DFK is important these non pro girls are sooo into the experience thats just part of the whole deal cuz they like it too!

Then I started developing longer term things. Where I'the see the same girl a couple times a year when traveling or even more often at home. And then most recently my local SB turned into a mistress. I pay her rent and we are bfgf otherwise. It's absolutely amazing. I still do pay per fuck at clubs etc when I travel but it's distinctly unsatisfactory compared to having "a girlfriend" with all the benefits and none of the drama.

So if the ST life is getting mundane suggest you try out Seeking. There is a whole newsgroup for it under General other Dating Agencies. Happy to provide my getting started guide to anyone interested. Just PM me. Ps a fuck ton of work to find the gems but totally worth it.

Yeah that is what I'm thinking. Next time I go to SEA I will focus more on dating and LT and if it suits me I will start looking into SA and those types of arrangements.

Appreciate the input.

[HorseTrader]

Not only must the $100's bills be clean, no tears or stray markings of any kind; the $100's bills must now be the newest version of the USD note. The new $100's are darker and have a purple stripe that runs perpendicular..

It has been a long time since I stopped using currency bills, due to the many potential problems, as you mentioned above.

I now use mostly ATM debit cards, and the best one seems to be the Charles Schwab debit card. They even reimburse you the fees. I still carry a small amount of currencies for emergency.

I'm like Lefeu, I use strictly ATM debit cards. Fidelity is just as good as Charles Schwab. I separately carry a regular bank debit card as backup (e.g., Wells Fargo or PNC or whatever you have). As a second backup, I bring a stack of $100 bills.

The comment about the "newest" version of $100 bills is interesting. Do the money exchange places also check the pink vertical UV-visible security thread that appears just to the left of Ben Franklin's head? I've noticed that those UV security threads degrade with age. But, if the money exchange places only check for the big-bold purple stripe to the right of Ben's head, we might not need to worry about the UV visible security threads.

I recently read on a Facebook travel group that a woman lost her credit card in Thailand and didn't have proper emergency contact information to get her card replaced. Be sure to bring a paper copy of your card numbers, passwords, and emergency phone numbers. Never get too low on cash because it can take 4 to 6 days to get an emergency replacement card delivered to you in Thailand. The "overnight" delivery of replacement cards is just one step of the process, there are multiple other steps and the time adds up.

[Vendelo]

You need to go into detail. Greatly appreciated when outlier situation is revealed. No offense but 40 years age difference. ?

I am currently seeing a girl who is 36 years my junior. When we first met and once a month, I ask her is she is comfortable with our age gap. Age means nothing to her nor her parents. She likes my maturity, that I deliver on all my promises, and trusts that I can take care of her. BTW, I am in very good physical shape so don't think any ole geezer can pull a SYT.

[Lefeu]

Fellas,

I just returned (last night) from a 14+ day trip to Thailand (6 days in BKK and 8 days in Phuket). I will write more about my trip later; however, there is one key change regarding currency conversion that I want to get out to those planning a trip in the near future...

It has been a long time since I stopped using currency bills, due to the many potential problems, as you mentioned above.

I now use mostly ATM debit cards, and the best one seems to be the Charles Schwab debit card. They even reimburse you the fees. I still carry a small amount of currencies for emergency.

[Nyezhov]

Fellas,

I just returned (last night) from a 14+ day trip to Thailand (6 days in BKK and 8 days in Phuket). I will write more about my trip later; however, there is one key change regarding currency conversion that I want to get out to those planning a trip in the near future.

Most of us know that you get the best conversion rate with $100's; however, the rules on accepting $100's have changed significantly. Not only must the $100's bills be clean, no tears or stray markings of any kind; the $100's bills must now be the newest version of the USD note. The new $100's are darker and have a purple stripe that runs perpendicular. I took $1,800 in $100's, with about half of the new version versus the old. Needless to say, I brought back around $800 USDs as they were deemed "unusable". And let me share, this wasn't some "rogue" currency office. I have been traveling to BKK for 20+ years and have learned never to stop at the first "no". I tried to convert the "old" versions of the $100's at numerous places in BKK and in Phuket. Same story.

Please closely inspect your bills for ANY stray markings, cuts or tears as this could easily impact nightly mongering activities..

Can't really say when ever I have seen a Money Exchange anywhere in Thailand take anything other than perfect clean brand new current issue crispies, but bringing thousands in cash is so 70's Patpong anyway. Get Wise if you don't have a Thai account.

[Nite_Runner]

Fellas,

I just returned (last night) from a 14+ day trip to Thailand (6 days in BKK and 8 days in Phuket). I will write more about my trip later; however, there is one key change regarding currency conversion that I want to get out to those planning a trip in the near future.

Most of us know that you get the best conversion rate with $100's; however, the rules on accepting $100's have changed significantly. Not only must the $100's bills be clean, no tears or stray markings of any kind; the $100's bills must now be the newest version of the USD note. The new $100's are darker and have a purple stripe that runs perpendicular. I took $1,800 in $100's, with about half of the new version versus the old. Needless to say, I brought back around $800 USDs as they were deemed "unusable". And let me share, this wasn't some "rogue" currency office. I have been traveling to BKK for 20+ years and have learned never to stop at the first "no". I tried to convert the "old" versions of the $100's at numerous places in BKK and in Phuket. Same story.

Please closely inspect your bills for ANY stray markings, cuts or tears as this could easily impact nightly mongering activities.

N_r.

[SiamMan]

And is your wife spending time with handsome, young and willing men elsewhere?

Even if that were the case, I would have no justification to complain. As the proverb says; "What's good for the goose, is good for the gander".

[LonelyMonger30]

Hi,

I am in my mid 30's and I plan to head to Bangkok in April-May 2023 & will be staying for about 4-5 nights max and return back to my home country. This is my very first time in Thailand and I'm fresh of the boat. I will be staying probably in the Ibis Sukhumvit 4 due to its proximity to Nana Plaza. Plan on hitting the bars in Nana Plaza and Soi Cowboy. Probably bang 1-2 girls per night. Will be carrying mostly USD and just enough Baht to pay for the visa on arrival and getting to my hotel by Taxi.

I want some help / pointers on how much money should I carry for a max stay of 5 nights in Bangkok.

-What is the average rate to pay for ST / LT?

-Average Bar fine to pay.

-Which bars to visit in the Nana Plaza & Soi Cowboy Area? (A list of few names of the bars would be appreciated).

-A good money exchange shop to use as I plan on changing USD to THB.

-A few night markets to visit in Bangkok.

-Red flags to watch out for when picking a girl to take back to the room.

-Difference between a regular beer bar to sit and enjoy a drink vs a gogo bar.

Let me know if I missed out on anything. Since its my very first time in Thailand, I just don't want to get ripped off and get into any sort of trouble being far away from my home country with absolutely no family or friends to help me out should things go south.

Hope to hear from fellow mongers.

Thanks in advance and Happy New Year 2023 to everyone reading this.

[Tom Thumbbs]

Prostate issues. Add pumpkin seeds to your diet.

Not a Cure All. Look into it.