General Reports

Just a quick question to those who are in Thailand right now.

I need the info as I will need to do a major transaction involving Thai bahts, the difference could be quite a lot.

What is the current exchange rate for Canadian dollar with Paper Notes (NOT traveller's cheques) at the local Thai banks and street money changers?

With online currency exchange websites, the current rate is about $1 cdn to 33.2 baht. But I know from past experience that the actual rate may be higher once you're in Thailand?

thanks in advance for your replies guys.

Tonedog

Today at breakfast with the GF in Grand President, in walks a past Australian boxing world champion "Jeff Fenech" now a boxing and perhaps Muay Thai trainer, and a lot heavier than his boxing days. Of course he can't be compared to Thai hero Khaosai Galaxy and his career came to an early end due to consistent broken hand injuries. Jeff lost his world title to Azuma Nelson.

However he brings back memories of the nightmare fight for Thais.
In 1987 Jeff challenged WBC's world Jr. Featherweight champion, Samart Payakaroon (Thai). Samart struggled to make the weight and was down on power. Samart managed to run away from Jeff somewhat in the early rounds, but in the 4th round Jeff mauled him againsts the ropes and knocked him out taking another world title in a higher weight class than his previous world title, all too easily.
Unfortunately Samart was held is disgrace by the Thai people and never really forgiven. But Jeff had many early round wins in his career.

One evening went to posh garden restaurant with the GF and spent 2500 Baht including one cocktail drink each.
The food was generally very ordinary (not Thai food). Must have a new chef as was previously better. Won't go back of course. I must have been crazy to waste this much money.

Last night we got food off the street.
BBQ'd Chicken leg, 4 porks sticks, 2 chicken gizzard sticks, Hor mok pork (a curried pork jelly set with egg), nam prik (chilli dip), some green vege., Som Tam salad, and a lot of fruit for the grand total of 140 Baht. The two of us coudn't eat it all. Had left overs for next day.
It was far more delicious than the expensive restaurant and under 10% of the price (although missing drinks as drinks were in the fridge already). Food suitable for keeping the weight down also.

[QUOTE=Tonedog]Just a quick question to those who are in Thailand right now.

I need the info as I will need to do a major transaction involving Thai bahts, the difference could be quite a lot.

What is the current exchange rate for Canadian dollar with Paper Notes (NOT traveller's cheques) at the local Thai banks and street money changers?

With online currency exchange websites, the current rate is about $1 cdn to 33. 2 baht. But I know from past experience that the actual rate may be higher once you're in Thailand?

Thanks in advance for your replies guys.

Tonedog[/QUOTE]Rate at the exchange booth next to nana plaza last night was 34. 2 for canadian dollers but I got my best rate for Sterling at the airport, maybe worth a look for your dollers.

[QUOTE=Tonedog]Just a quick question to those who are in Thailand right now.

I need the info as I will need to do a major transaction involving Thai bahts, the difference could be quite a lot.

What is the current exchange rate for Canadian dollar with Paper Notes (NOT traveller's cheques) at the local Thai banks and street money changers?

With online currency exchange websites, the current rate is about $1 cdn to 33.2 baht. But I know from past experience that the actual rate may be higher once you're in Thailand?

thanks in advance for your replies guys.

Tonedog[/QUOTE]The rate is higher here in LOS.

On Soi 11 today you could get 3512 Baht for 100 CDN$ in bank notes from
one money changer.

On the same street, w/i a block of the first, another was giving 3490 baht.

BTW, the rates for travellers checks were 3547 and 3551 Baht. So if you can
get TCs before leaving Canada it seems you'll get a better rate here. My bank
in Vancouver issues them to me at no charge.

Thanks guys for the info on the local exchange rate for Canadian $$

I will make it a point to exchange Bahts once I'm in LOS.

Tonedog

Got another question to you fellow travellers...

It's been a few yrs since I have been to Thailand. With the new airport, I know there have some changes...

1. In the past, the Airport busses that left DM airport were about every 20-30 mins interval.
--With the new AE3 leaving Suvarn Airport, how frequent is the bus, 30mins, hourly??
--And how long is the ride from the airport to about Asoke/Nana area on Sukhumvit?
--When about is the last bus leaving the airport?

2. I read on this forum that one can take a metered taxi from Suvarn Airport to about Nana area for about 200 Baht. Can anyone else confirm this--going either way, from the airport or to the airport?

thanks fellas.

Tonedog

[QUOTE=PinkPearl]The rate is higher here in LOS.

On Soi 11 today you could get 3512 Baht for 100 CDN$ in bank notes from
one money changer.

On the same street, w/i a block of the first, another was giving 3490 baht.

BTW, the rates for travellers checks were 3547 and 3551 Baht. So if you can
get TCs before leaving Canada it seems you'll get a better rate here. My bank
in Vancouver issues them to me at no charge.[/QUOTE]


But you also need take into consideration that by using TC there is an extra charge of, I think, 30 baht per transaction.

[QUOTE=Mick Licker]One evening went to posh garden restaurant with the GF and spent 2500 Baht including one cocktail drink each.
The food was generally very ordinary (not Thai food). Must have a new chef as was previously better. Won't go back of course. I must have been crazy to waste this much money.

Last night we got food off the street.
BBQ'd Chicken leg, 4 porks sticks, 2 chicken gizzard sticks, Hor mok pork (a curried pork jelly set with egg), nam prik (chilli dip), some green vege., Som Tam salad, and a lot of fruit for the grand total of 140 Baht. The two of us coudn't eat it all. Had left overs for next day.
It was far more delicious than the expensive restaurant and under 10% of the price (although missing drinks as drinks were in the fridge already). Food suitable for keeping the weight down also.[/QUOTE]

Mick

Thanks for allowing us to live through your experiences! The food at the garden was good last year, But Expensive! Across from GP is a german biegarten down the street 50 yards towards Suk is a street vendor thats excellent. The favorite place to eat when staying in that area. Very Clean as well.

Many things you report on and do are similiar to my experiences there in BKK.
I really appreciate your reports. Hows the GF friend thing going? Sure seems to be alot of free time based on your reports throughout the forum!

Did you get a chance to look at the KEY on Soi 19? Just concerned about my next 30 day stay and the conditions of this hotel.

Keep up the good reports and enjoy

[QUOTE=Rikusa]Mick

Thanks for allowing us to live through your experiences! The food at the garden was good last year, But Expensive! Across from GP is a german biegarten down the street 50 yards towards Suk is a street vendor thats excellent. The favorite place to eat when staying in that area. Very Clean as well.

Many things you report on and do are similiar to my experiences there in BKK.
I really appreciate your reports. Hows the GF friend thing going? Sure seems to be alot of free time based on your reports throughout the forum!

Did you get a chance to look at the KEY on Soi 19? Just concerned about my next 30 day stay and the conditions of this hotel.

Keep up the good reports and enjoy[/QUOTE]
The garden restaurant that has gone downhill badly (food-wise) is "Zanzibar". Definitely not recommended.

I should have been at the German restaurant. Its looks popular although most customers are drinking more than eating I think.
Alternatively there is Italian and Japanese nearby, that might be worth trying.

I didn't try "The KEY" after some reports of not girl friendly, and I wanted to use it for mongering.
But GP here at 2199 Baht per night including breakfast for 2 is quite O.K. with free internet, a kitchenette and a swimming pool and girl friendly.
Grand Business Inn (also Soi 11) is a little cheaper, but beds a bit hard and no swimming pool, and breakfast not included. So GP is a really good deal, I think.

[QUOTE=OldHarry]Rate at the exchange booth next to nana plaza last night was 34. 2 for canadian dollers but I got my best rate for Sterling at the airport, maybe worth a look for your dollers.[/QUOTE]Old Harry,

Can you believe the damn canadian dollar is stronger than the USD if you tell me 6 yr ago when the $ 1 USD is to the Can $ 1.6 I will never believe you .

Fast eddie 48

[QUOTE=Tonedog]Got another question to you fellow travellers...

It's been a few yrs since I have been to Thailand. With the new airport, I know there have some changes...

1. In the past, the Airport busses that left DM airport were about every 20-30 mins interval.
--With the new AE3 leaving Suvarn Airport, how frequent is the bus, 30mins, hourly??
--And how long is the ride from the airport to about Asoke/Nana area on Sukhumvit?
--When about is the last bus leaving the airport?

2. I read on this forum that one can take a metered taxi from Suvarn Airport to about Nana area for about 200 Baht. Can anyone else confirm this--going either way, from the airport or to the airport?

thanks fellas.

Tonedog[/QUOTE]I used the ae3 on my last visit, took 90 mins in morning rush hour traffic to get to nana skytrain stop. I think they run about every 30 mins, but are well air conditioned. Don't know when the last one leaves but I got a bus back which arrived at the swamp around 23. 00 after a much quicker jorney in the evening traffic.

[QUOTE=Fast Eddie 48]Old Harry,

Can you believe the damn canadian dollar is stronger than the USD if you tell me 6 yr ago when the $ 1 USD is to the Can $ 1.6 I will never believe you .

Fast eddie 48[/QUOTE]Changing sterling for us dollars I can now get almost 2. 1 dollars / pound. That will make my next us trip very nice considering it was only a few years ago I could only get 1. 6 dollars / pound. Not so nice for those going the other way.

[QUOTE=Fast Eddie 48]Old Harry,

Can you believe the damn canadian dollar is stronger than the USD if you tell me 6 yr ago when the $ 1 USD is to the Can $ 1.6 I will never believe you .

Fast eddie 48[/QUOTE]Almost all currency had been going stronger compare to the U. S. But the cdn dollar had simply skyrocketed because of the huge petroleum reserve in western Canada that are now being extracted (2nd proven reserve in the world)

1$ cdn = 1. 07$ U. S. Today and predicting it will reach 1. 10 by the end of the year

Guess I might cross the border and be mongering in the states if the trend continue.

[QUOTE=Tonedog]
2. I read on this forum that one can take a metered taxi from Suvarn Airport to about Nana area for about 200 Baht. Can anyone else confirm this--going either way, from the airport or to the airport?
[/QUOTE]
Leaving the airport, there is an extra 50 Baht charge. But use a metered public taxi, pay the tollways (if you choose to use them), and the extra 50 Baht, and a small tip if you choose.

Should be able to get to the airport by metered taxi for about 200 Baht (and possibly less) I guess assuming start at say Nana and enter expressway. but still have tollway charges.

In the end the exact price doesn't matter except to compare an all inclusive price offered by someone. I probably wouldn't accept an offer over 300 Baht for going to the airport, unless in a big hurry. Of course most offers will be much higher so its easier just to use the meter.