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Dear all,
A small query, normally I carry us $ for all my travels however this time I will be carrying euros, but should there be an issue in terms of exchange rate, will I get the equivalent ie. 1 us$ = 30thb, similarly will I get 1 euro = 43. 5 bath as the exchange rate may suggest or is there a chance of losing any money on this account, kindly suggest?
Citizen
[QUOTE=Citizen; 1145354]Dear all,
A small query, normally I carry us $ for all my travels however this time I will be carrying euros, but should there be an issue in terms of exchange rate, will I get the equivalent ie. 1 us$ = 30thb, similarly will I get 1 euro = 43. 5 bath as the exchange rate may suggest or is there a chance of losing any money on this account, kindly suggest?
Citizen[/QUOTE]Just check this foreign currency exchange rate website and you will exactly know what to expect!
[url]http://bankexchangerates.daytodaydata.net/default.aspx[/url]
[QUOTE=Cunning Stunt;1144969]Was in there last night. It seems to have been taken over by East Asian clientele. One or two lookers but I think they are only interested in the 3-2-1 crowd.[/QUOTE]Talking out my arse again! Went back in there again late last night (Beer Garden was closed) and almost immediately pulled this fresh young part timer (or so she claimed). Great fun as well. Only trouble is that I needed a splint on my tongue this morning. She gave a cracking BJ and CIM but insisted that I repay the favour, which being a gentleman, I of course proceeded to do.
[QUOTE=Citizen; 1145354]Dear all,
A small query, normally I carry us $ for all my travels however this time I will be carrying euros, but should there be an issue in terms of exchange rate, will I get the equivalent ie. 1 us$ = 30thb, similarly will I get 1 euro = 43. 5 bath as the exchange rate may suggest or is there a chance of losing any money on this account, kindly suggest?
Citizen[/QUOTE]You are kind of overcautious.
By using € instead of US$ you will have the equivalent.
The only downside starts when you change the US$ into € then into TBH. As anywhere in the world, the exchange operation takes its stake, regardless whether the bank claims "no commission" (they get their fee though a slight different rate)
[QUOTE=Citizen; 1145354]Dear all,
A small query, normally I carry us $ for all my travels however this time I will be carrying euros, but should there be an issue in terms of exchange rate, will I get the equivalent ie. 1 us$ = 30thb, similarly will I get 1 euro = 43. 5 bath as the exchange rate may suggest or is there a chance of losing any money on this account, kindly suggest?
Citizen[/QUOTE]To know which currency has the most favorable exchange, you need to look at the spread. That is the difference between buy and sell rates. The bigger the spread, the more money the exchange is trying to make. Of course, you have to look at the spread as a percentage to the exchange rate. In certain countries, eg Argentina, the dollar exchanges with a very small spread (even less than %1) , while the euro and other currencies exchanges with wider spreads. I think in Thailand the spreads are very close to each other, however there can be always a small difference. In reality, for the average money exchange, it is negligible.
There must be 1, 000 posts about exchange rates in the General Thread.
Why answer a guy who was clearly too lazy to do his own research? Joint point him to the correct thread and happy reading.
[QUOTE=Rocksoff;1145140]Yes, as I said, big beer for 120. But if I want to go to three places, one drink each, I end up paying the same (3x120) as I would pay in a farang area...[/QUOTE]
I know and like I said in my previous report, those Thai go-go bars are a bit less interesting for those who are into bar-hopping.
[QUOTE=Rocksoff;1145140]Personally I don't care that I get a bigger bottle of beer, the less beer I drink the better for me...[/QUOTE]
Sure, but in Thai go-go bars, you would usually share your big bottle of beer with your girl as it is the usual routine in these places. No lady drink pressure there, which is a big plus and that often largely compensates sitting, ice and cold towel charges.
[QUOTE=Rocksoff;1145140]In the end, I don't find the Thai places all that much cheaper. If you make a quick mission, one bar, one girl ST, maybe they're 300 or 400 baht cheaper, say around 2100 (1600 + 200 room + 150 beer&ice + 120 sitting) vs 2500 (1500 + 600 bf + 300 room + 100 drink) , everything considered, excluding tips.
Here we're strictly talking about the Saphan Kwai joints...[/QUOTE]
You forgot to include (at least) one lady drink in the tourist-oriented bars as it is very unlikely that you don't offer at least one before "barfining" a girl there. So, in your scenario, a Thai go-go bar is at least 500 or 600 baht cheaper (which is not bad at all, considering that, on average and IMHO, the girls are more attractive in Thai establishments) and it is even much cheaper (comparatively) if you keep your girl for a LT session.
As already discussed, many other options are better value for ST (such as Chinatown streetwalkers and certain freelancers, for instance). I just mention them again here as some members might be too lazy to read the previous posts and could start another discussion about how less expensive are those other options.
But that's not comparable with what you can get (again, on average) in the Thai go-go bars.
[QUOTE=Rocksoff;1145140]... but all in all I have to say the farang-oriented places in Bangkok are more well-run, better value for money, have tons more girls, and are much naughtier...[/QUOTE]
For similar or comparable quality, I don't think that the Farang-oriented places are better value for money. Granted, Thai places are a bit less interesting for those who are into bar-hopping, and of course, much more girls are available in the tourist-oriented venues and those venues are naughtier. Thai venues are not for everyone (you have to know the ropes and speak at least some basic Thai, etc.), and the girls available there are of another kind (according to me, they are on average more attractive, better-mannered, younger, less spoiled, less vulgar, but I reckon, also poorer performers usually).
So, for those who have a similar taste than mine in the local women, that's without doubt a great alternative. For the other punters who enjoy the naughty atmosphere of the tourist-oriented places and who don't speak much Thai or don't know how to behave among the locals in their venues, don't go there. Just keep in mind that what you can find in tourist-oriented venues is often substandard quality by local standards, so, please, at least, don't pay much more than what the Thais pay for (on average) much more attractive women (which was my main point at the beginning of this discussion).
Nic F, please don't preach me, and I won't preach you, OK?
In addition I will throw in a free share of the non-existent multiowner Patong resort that I'm trying to sell in the Pattaya forum.
(smileys)
[QUOTE=New Old Guy;1145626]Nic F, please don't preach me, and I won't preach you, OK?[/QUOTE]What? You can't possibly be that self centered are you? My comment wasn't even for you.
Has Songkran finally finished in Bangkok? How sad, what a pity, never mind. Was getting a bit fed up of walking around drenching wet and looking like a freshly painted picket fence. Made the mistake of going to Sala Daeng last night. Pure madness but as good as attending a wet t-shirt competition with tons of soaking wet young ladies running around squealing.
[QUOTE=Cunning Stunt;1145694]Has Songkran finally finished in Bangkok? How sad, what a pity, never mind. Was getting a bit fed up of walking around drenching wet and looking like a freshly painted picket fence. Made the mistake of going to Sala Daeng last night. Pure madness but as good as attending a wet t-shirt competition with tons of soaking wet young ladies running around squealing.[/QUOTE]Anyone else know? Me and my bros are in town and want to check out the Songkran craziness.
Also, went to Nana last night. Seemed weird. ALOT of ladyboys. The girls were a little standoffish to my friends. We go there around 1am though. So they were all probably trying to go home.
Cowboy 2 nights ago seemed like all coyotes. Although one hot one was willing to go ST for 3800. I told my friend to not do it though.
Annie's was a good time for all. Went yesterday afternoon for a massage. Slim pickings at 3pm, but we made do. Haha.
Friends wanted to go to Poseidon because they read that the girls were so hot there. I told them I hadn't really heard any great reviews about it but they went anyway. Only one girl there, so they went back to Annie's. Again, slim pickings, but 2 did partake.
Anyway, I know my report overall sucks, but you guys know everything already. My first time here and it's been a blast. I'd be back often except for the crazy flight time.
If anyone has any questions, I'm in country til Wednesday so let me know.
DB
[QUOTE=Goyave; 1144923]Of course, it is possible to act slightly differently, but the common practice in the Thai-oriented places is that you first choose one or several girls who then, will entertain you, pour your drinks, etc. In those places, the owners don't earn much on drinks, but you are charged a (reasonable)"sitting fee" based on the time spent with the girl (s). So, that's why you are expected to choose (relatively) quickly at least one girl when you intend to stay some time in those places.
If there is no good chemistry with the girl you've chosen, it is, of course, still possible to change (or to get an additional girl) , but it's not always the best thing to do (mostly because of the "face issue" in Thailand) as your "second choice" will know, well. That she was not your first selection (yes,
[url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Song_of_la_Palice"]Jacques de la Palice[/url]
Was a Frenchman too)! That's why it's often better (IMHO) to go to another place if there is no good chemistry with your first option. [/QUOTE]I could try, but I can see this business model will not suit my style.
I would probably have to choose more than one girl, and decide later which ones to eliminate.
I am also concerned about likely lack of drink varieties in these places. I don't drink beer and don't want to buy a bottle of whisky. I usually severely limit my alcohol intake.
[QUOTE=Syzygies;1145714]... I am also concerned about likely lack of drink varieties in these places. I don't drink beer and don't want to buy a bottle of whisky. I usually severely limit my alcohol intake.[/QUOTE]
Yes, I also believe that there is much more different beverages available on average in the tourist-oriented places. If you don't want to drink something with alcohol, Coke, Pepsi, and fruit juices (for instance) are usually available in Thai establishments.
[QUOTE=Chill Out;1144261]Where are those establishments? Why don't we hear about them more in this thread?[/QUOTE]Talking about this, last Tuesday (12/04) I went to Sutthisan Wanchai. Hit the first and third places on the left, walking in from the main road.
The first place was a truly horrible time machine. The smell of stale aircon, roaches and spilt beer brought me back to places I had long forgotten. 4 ladies. 3 of which looking older than me. A fourth one passable, but Burmese and understanding absolutely zilch of what I was saying, no matter what language I tried.
Large Heineken + 3 lady drinks = 420 THB. Walked out fast.
The third one was better. 1980's disco style, dark, girls in underwear dancing on a small stage (all these I saw were quite doable) , serve decent food as well. Large [email]beers@120[/email] Bath apiece. No surcharges. The place does karaoke too, if you want to try.
Walking back I stopped in front of the second place. Looks like a Chinese restaurant with darkened windows. A very cute girl in working uniform chatting on the phone outside. Will try next time.
Just spent 12 days in Thailand. With out this forum I would have been lost.