General Reports

[QUOTE=ThailandBound; 1396646]Dear all.

I booked my flight to BKK about a week ago! Its in September, for 6 weeks (I like to plan waaay in advance). This is my first time to Asia. I'll be in BKK from 14th to 28th ish and then want to see phuket, Pattaya, koh samui, hua hin, hat yai and maybe chiang mai and more places north. Also some places 'off the beaten path' if possible.

I had about 4million questions but thanks to this site and others I have about half a dozen left unanswered and am hoping for a little guidance.

* Firstly, if any brits, yanks, ozzies, canadians are over there when I am maybe we could meet up for a beer? I'm not looking for a travel partner exactly, just someone who perhaps is in the same boat as me. The majority of my trip will be solo, but it may be cool to meet up for a day or 2.

* Hotels: There seems to be many great 'guest-friendly' hotels but say if I book a 'regular' hotel for 2 people then pick up a girl for overnight, will the 'regular' hotel give me nay hassle?

* ATM's: Are they all safe to use? Is it similar to UK with the Link logo? Do you guys take 1 card or spread it out over many?

* Getting around: I have a motorbike licence for Uk. Seems easy enough to get the international licence. Is it a good idea to rent a moped in Thailand? Or is public transport good / cheap enough?

I was going to add some questions about girls but I'll save that for another post. Plenty of time.

Any advice, hints, tips, suggestions, critiques most welcome.

Thanks in advance.

David[/QUOTE]Be careful! Thailand is a very addictive drug. To the right guy, it's far stronger than crack cocaine! But, done right, it's far more enjoyable.

1. I'll be there next month, but probably not in September. So, can't take advantage of your kind beer offer.

2. Always book a hotel for 2 persons. Too many cheap bastards try to book a single, and then [url=http://isgprohibitedwords.info?CodeWord=CodeWord140][CodeWord140][/url] and moan if the hotel wants a guest fee. Just book for 2 and avoid the hassle. I've only been hassled a bit once. In Pattaya, once, at the A-One hotel, I booked a room for two. The lady explained that if I were to bring a lady back to my room I would be charges X. 000 baht (can't remember the amount). I pointed out that I'd booked a room for two. She looked confused and conferred with her associate. She came back and said that it was OK, but she'd have to leave her I'd at the desk. Standard Operating Procedure for many hotels. Anyway, I've booked "local" hotels all over the place there, and this is the only time the question came up. Just book for 2.

3. ATMs are all over the place, especially in BKK. Take 2 cards, just in case. I had a card eaten by a machine in MBK years ago. Very unsettling feeling. Note that most banks there charge a 150 baht fee for foreign withdrawals (about $5) , and many western banks do the same. CHeck with your bank first. AFAIK, only AEON bank charges no fee. You'll play hell finding one of their ATMs. With a $10 fee every time you make a withdrawal, I found it cheaper to take a bunch of $100 bills, stash them in the room safe, and exchange at the banks in the malls.

3. I have had a motorcycle license since the '80s, but won't ride in TH, except for an occastional motorbike trip to the market in a rural town. You'll want to research how many tourists are killed on motorbikes every year in TH. Especially in Phuket. Often alcohol is involved, both on the part of the rider and the part of the truck driver who flattens the rider. Think twice about it.

4. You didn't ask, but do not fall in love with a bar girl. Period. Have fun, get a nice one to take you upcountry and look around. Treat her kindly. Pay her as agreed. But do not try to turn her into a "regular" girl or a wife. You have been warned!

[QUOTE=Phordphan;1397466]3. ATMs are all over the place, especially in BKK. Take 2 cards, just in case. I had a card eaten by a machine in MBK years ago. Very unsettling feeling. Note that most banks there charge a 150 baht fee for foreign withdrawals (about $5) , and many western banks do the same. CHeck with your bank first. AFAIK, only AEON bank charges no fee. You'll play hell finding one of their ATMs. With a $10 fee every time you make a withdrawal, I found it cheaper to take a bunch of $100 bills, stash them in the room safe, and exchange at the banks in the malls.[/QUOTE]In December 2012 AEON charged the THB150 fee. However, their ATM's allow larger withdrawals (THB40, 000) than other banks. An AEON branch is located in the lower level of the Terminal 21 shopping center. AEON ATMs can be found on level 2 at MBK, level 2 at the Siam Center and in the basement parking level of Siam Paragon. Superrich1965 offers the best exchange rates, better than any of the banks. A branch is located at the Chit Lom BTS platform.

[QUOTE=Phordphan; 1397466]Be careful! Thailand is a very addictive drug. To the right guy, it's far stronger than crack cocaine! But, done right, it's far more enjoyable.

1. I'll be there next month, but probably not in September. So, can't take advantage of your kind beer offer.

2. Always book a hotel for 2 persons. Too many cheap bastards try to book a single, and then [url=http://isgprohibitedwords.info?CodeWord=CodeWord140][CodeWord140][/url] and moan if the hotel wants a guest fee. Just book for 2 and avoid the hassle. I've only been hassled a bit once. In Pattaya, once, at the A-One hotel, I booked a room for two. The lady explained that if I were to bring a lady back to my room I would be charges X. 000 baht (can't remember the amount). I pointed out that I'd booked a room for two. She looked confused and conferred with her associate. She came back and said that it was OK, but she'd have to leave her I'd at the desk. Standard Operating Procedure for many hotels. Anyway, I've booked "local" hotels all over the place there, and this is the only time the question came up. Just book for 2.

3. ATMs are all over the place, especially in BKK. Take 2 cards, just in case. I had a card eaten by a machine in MBK years ago. Very unsettling feeling. Note that most banks there charge a 150 baht fee for foreign withdrawals (about $5) , and many western banks do the same. CHeck with your bank first. AFAIK, only AEON bank charges no fee. You'll play hell finding one of their ATMs. With a $10 fee every time you make a withdrawal, I found it cheaper to take a bunch of $100 bills, stash them in the room safe, and exchange at the banks in the malls.

3. I have had a motorcycle license since the '80s, but won't ride in TH, except for an occastional motorbike trip to the market in a rural town. You'll want to research how many tourists are killed on motorbikes every year in TH. Especially in Phuket. Often alcohol is involved, both on the part of the rider and the part of the truck driver who flattens the rider. Think twice about it.

4. You didn't ask, but do not fall in love with a bar girl. Period. Have fun, get a nice one to take you upcountry and look around. Treat her kindly. Pay her as agreed. But do not try to turn her into a "regular" girl or a wife. You have been warned![/QUOTE]GREAT post Bro PP! I especially appreciate points (2) and (4)! THANK YOU :)

I have to beg to differ. Aeon was NOT charging the 150 bt fee. Least not in the T21 location and Paragon nor Khon Kaen. And this was as of January 2013. Citibank at Asoke and its other location in Central World started up with that nonsense 150 bt fee. This was using a USA based debit card.

[QUOTE=Paul Kausch;1397497]In December 2012 AEON charged the THB150 fee. However, their ATM's allow larger withdrawals (THB40, 000) than other banks. An AEON branch is located in the lower level of the Terminal 21 shopping center. AEON ATMs can be found on level 2 at MBK, level 2 at the Siam Center and in the basement parking level of Siam Paragon. Superrich1965 offers the best exchange rates, better than any of the banks. A branch is located at the Chit Lom BTS platform.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=Jgm005;1397595]I have to beg to differ. Aeon was NOT charging the 150 bt fee. Least not in the T21 location and Paragon nor Khon Kaen. And this was as of January 2013. Citibank at Asoke and its other location in Central World started up with that nonsense 150 bt fee. This was using a USA based debit card.[/QUOTE]Interesting. I just now went online to check my December 2012 statement and was indeed charged a THB150 fee by AEON, and the location was at Terminal 21; and since my trip I have read on the same general travel blog on which I first learned about AEON that they had changed their policy and were now charging the THB150 fee. Perhaps after the first of the year they returned to their earlier policy. At any rate your experience is more recent than mine and presumably reflects the current policy.

Well, I am not sure what was happening on your end. I live in Nongbulamphu (Esan) and went back to 11/2012, 12/2012 and 01/2013 and no ATM surcharge when I used a AEON ATM. And in that period I used AEON ATMS in Khon Kaen, Udon Thani, T21 and Paragon. And there were many withdrawals for that is how I fund my Thai Bank Account. I can tell if there is a fee based on the fact I get reimbursed for a ATM fee. Plus I always check the exchange rate I am getting vs that shown via XE. COM. None, other then when I used a Thai bank. I am state side now so I do not have any thing more recent since 31 Jan 2013.

[QUOTE=Paul Kausch;1397670]Interesting. I just now went online to check my December 2012 statement and was indeed charged a THB150 fee by AEON, and the location was at Terminal 21; and since my trip I have read on the same general travel blog on which I first learned about AEON that they had changed their policy and were now charging the THB150 fee. Perhaps after the first of the year they returned to their earlier policy. At any rate your experience is more recent than mine and presumably reflects the current policy.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=Jgm005;1397683]Well, I am not sure what was happening on your end. I live in Nongbulamphu (Esan) and went back to 11/2012, 12/2012 and 01/2013 and no ATM surcharge when I used a AEON ATM. And in that period I used AEON ATMS in Khon Kaen, Udon Thani, T21 and Paragon. And there were many withdrawals for that is how I fund my Thai Bank Account. I can tell if there is a fee based on the fact I get reimbursed for a ATM fee. Plus I always check the exchange rate I am getting vs that shown via XE. COM. None, other then when I used a Thai bank. I am state side now so I do not have any thing more recent since 31 Jan 2013.[/QUOTE]I'm glad your spared the fees and sad I'm not. I have no explanation and am inclined to blame it on BofA; they're one of my default scapegoats.

[QUOTE=Paul Kausch;1397497]In December 2012 AEON charged the THB150 fee. However, their ATM's allow larger withdrawals (THB40, 000) than other banks. An AEON branch is located in the lower level of the Terminal 21 shopping center. AEON ATMs can be found on level 2 at MBK, level 2 at the Siam Center and in the basement parking level of Siam Paragon. Superrich1965 offers the best exchange rates, better than any of the banks. A branch is located at the Chit Lom BTS platform.[/QUOTE]Those greedy bastards! Damn!

I think the difference between your experience and JGM005, is that he has a Thai bank account. I believe this pesky fee is only for foreign accounts. It appears that AEON may have joined the dark side.

I appreciate the pointers on ATM locations. Their web site, in April 2012, only showed their main office and the Asoke MRT station. I looked all over ther f*cking station and didn't find it. GF does her banking at the Big C in the Suk area, and they had one. The T21 location sounds like the handiest location, but if they're now charging the fee, there's no point.

Agree on the Superrich rates.

Sorry but that is incorrect. If you read my original post I said I was and am using a USA based ATM card (State Farm Bank) to pull money from AEON (with no 150 bt fee) to feed my Thai account. Thanks.

[QUOTE=Phordphan; 1397733]Those greedy bastards! Damn!

I think the difference between your experience and JGM005, is that he has a Thai bank account. I believe this pesky fee is only for foreign accounts. It appears that AEON may have joined the dark side.

I appreciate the pointers on ATM locations. Their web site, in April 2012, only showed their main office and the Asoke MRT station. I looked all over ther f*cking station and didn't find it. GF does her banking at the Big C in the Suk area, and they had one. The T21 location sounds like the handiest location, but if they're now charging the fee, there's no point.

Agree on the Superrich rates.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=Phordphan; 1397733]Those greedy bastards! Damn![/QUOTE]So the bank has to finance the cash machines, rent sites, have staff to fill them, monitor the accounts, provide you with an ATM card and you expect all that for free? And you complain about a small fee for the service.

Go back a decade or two to travellers' checks which you paid for up front both for the cash value and for the actual check and then got charged a fee for exchanging them into local currency.

For some reason everyone expects banks to provide a range of services for free forgetting that your minimal transactions all cost the banks money. Count yourself lucky that banks.

Bother to provide these services when they could be focussing on international investment banking and not retail consumer based banking.

[QUOTE=Jgm005;1397739]Sorry but that is incorrect. If you read my original post I said I was and am using a USA based ATM card (State Farm Bank) to pull money from AEON (with no 150 bt fee) to feed my Thai account. Thanks.[/QUOTE]Chales Schwab Bank (not brokerage) Visa Debit cards refund all ATM charges. Even from Thai ATM machines.

[QUOTE=Scorchin1470;1397799]So the bank has to finance the cash machines, rent sites, have staff to fill them, monitor the accounts, provide you with an ATM card and you expect all that for free? And you complain about a small fee for the service.[/QUOTE]Don't you think Bank's have been taking the Royal [url=http://isgprohibitedwords.info?CodeWord=CodeWord140][CodeWord140][/url] in the last few years? IMO they should be keeping their heads down for a long time to come.

Regards,

BJ

[QUOTE=Phordphan; 1397733]Those greedy bastards! Damn!

I think the difference between your experience and JGM005, is that he has a Thai bank account. I believe this pesky fee is only for foreign accounts. It appears that AEON may have joined the dark side.

I appreciate the pointers on ATM locations. Their web site, in April 2012, only showed their main office and the Asoke MRT station. I looked all over ther f*cking station and didn't find it. GF does her banking at the Big C in the Suk area, and they had one. The T21 location sounds like the handiest location, but if they're now charging the fee, there's no point.

Agree on the Superrich rates.[/QUOTE]I still use AEON because they allow a larger withdrawal (THB40,000). I always make the maximum withdrawal and use the ATM less frequently.

[QUOTE=Scorchin1470;1397799]So the bank has to finance the cash machines, rent sites, have staff to fill them, monitor the accounts, provide you with an ATM card and you expect all that for free? And you complain about a small fee for the service.[/QUOTE]Fully agreeing. Wondering if those guys work for free.

[QUOTE=Scorchin1470; 1397799]So the bank has to finance the cash machines, rent sites, have staff to fill them, monitor the accounts, provide you with an ATM card and you expect all that for free? And you complain about a small fee for the service.

Go back a decade or two to travellers' checks which you paid for up front both for the cash value and for the actual check and then got charged a fee for exchanging them into local currency.

For some reason everyone expects banks to provide a range of services for free forgetting that your minimal transactions all cost the banks money. Count yourself lucky that banks.

Bother to provide these services when they could be focussing on international investment banking and not retail consumer based banking.[/QUOTE]Last I recalled, all the US banks got massive taxpayer bailouts after playing fast and loose with the housing mortgage market. All with the assistance of Uncle Sam. That's my tax money they took, then refuse to lend to anybody. And, yes, I have a bunch of money in these banks and still get dinged $5 for a foreign transaction fee. The US banks don't have to support Thai ATMs. Why the hell do they need to add insult to injury?

I can understand the Thai banks charging a fee. I don't have a problem with it, but 150 baht seems a bit steep. But my main gripe is the extra $5 the US banks charge just for the privelege of accessing my money.

I just changed banks. I'll see what Chase's policy is.