henrik2000

Thanks, that website is great indeed for cash rates in some places in downtown Bangkok and for credit card rates. But they don't show other places like airport or other cities, right?

I've been short-changed at least twice at hot-country airports, one time being in BKK, as described above (where upon my protest the teller immediately provided another bill, as if he had been aware of the short-changing all along, as also described above). In my country, i don't need airport banks or money-changers and am not aware of any short-changing in downtown banks. Usually at the booth, after receiving my bills i would move 50 cm to the side to count my cash; so i am still at the counter and halfway in view of the teller. I feel shy to block the queue for my counting-business. If SuperRich has the counting-machine in view of the customer - as said above - that would be a great thing (if it isn't pandered with).

Hi all, thanks for lots of useful hints! (and some misunderstanding). For me it would be very convenient to exchange big cash right at the airport, before going straight to the boondocks. I had heard (but not made fully clear here) that the exchange booths near Rail Link/BTS have very competitive rates (so, not typical bad airport rates). Maybe i can research more about that with the link provided above.

Hello, after touchdown at BKK Suvarnabhumi airport (at regular office hours) I want to exchange considerable Euro money cash into Thai Baht cash. I found the following undated advice, would you agree: Best exchange booths are in "Exchange Zone" in the airport's basement "Floor B" near Airport Rail Link Best exchange rates there are offered by Super Rich and Kasikorn (can be easily compared, of course) Other exchange booths on other levels have worse rates What do you think about that? No use of credit card intended here, also if somehow ok no other same-day exchange trip in downtown. After that, is it easy enough to return from Rail Link area to arrival hall, where I whish to buy a SIM card and meet a contact? And: How to quickly count all the 1000-Baht-bills I receive? I can't count bills quickly like a pro cashier. Till I have counted through the THB bills in front of the crowded exchange booth, they may have serviced 3 other customers and won't accept any protest from me, claiming I have hidden missing bills. Or not? Once before at Bkk airport, I already claimed a missing bill and I got it swiftly without any fuss, as if they had known about the underchanging all along. But that was about a smaller amount i could count quickly. (Aware of cash import limits.) Thanks!

Thanks, great hint. (I remember, how in the middle of Isaan Nowhere with motorcycle i stood in front of huge Thai-only road signs at a road junction, and it was before GPS navigation, and i stopped a Thai moto rider and asked: "Now, which road to Khon Kaen please na khrap?" "But there's this big sign, don't you see?")

Hello, which Android-Apps are good for an immersive Thailand tourist? I will soon travel 1-2 months upcountry with rental car and many village trips. Little English spoken. I already do have guide books and phrase books (I like print). Also on the phone I have Google Maps, apps for Open Street Maps (like Osmand), G Translate incl. offline function. I have a new Google Pixel phone with amazing speech recognition locally offline, but am not sure if it is useful for Thai language. I already do speak basic Thai (enough for small talk, tourist practicalities and ordering less spicy foods). But I cannot read Thai and don't want to learn reading it, but I'd love to informally improve my spoken Thai (not systematically). Do you actually use any useful Android apps for Thai language (not online resource) Android apps translating pictures of Thai signs into English Android apps for Thai food (with built-in photos and pronounciation) whatever else, but no need apps for travel tips, accomodation or navigation A one-off payment (not subscription) for a useful app would be ok. Obviously, there are many such apps in the Play Store, but before trying around I'd love to hear your recommendations. I prefer apps that work locally without internet connection (have enough storage space) don't spy around my phone (55) aren't flooded with ads and stress-factors Thanks for your recommendations from real life!

Hi all, thanks for more input! SSCC, thanks for detailed directions! I might try there, as i plan to visit Decathlon and Fascino nearby. Sometimes i don't understand the voucher systems in those food courts, but perhaps i'll manage. I'll watch out for the lady cooks and their specific signs. Steamed rice should be available? (And promised, the post-prandial coffee won't be from Starbux.)

Hi all, thanks for input! I'm with you there! (Even if I thought, Asians like to prepare the food conveniently consumable - except for crab, maybe.) Yes, i noted that in the provinces it's hard to come by, that's why i posted a question for Pattaya. But once upcountry it was made by request happily, and the cook proudly showed me her coconut grater.

Hello, do you know a good place for tom kha gai (ต้มข่าไก่) in Jomtien (preferred) or Pattaya? That's chicken (the animal) in coconut milk, a mild dish. It's often called a "soup", but I would eat it over good steamed rice. I love that dish and it's not everywhere. What I'd prefer: Coconut milk grated freshly in-house (not from can or tetrapak; but could be freshly made from market) No flashy tourist joint, no snobbery, no white table cloth. Can well be even street food ambiance, but relaxing furniture is welcome. I speak basic Thai and am very comfortable in a Thai-frequented place Healthy organic ingredients very welcome Good coffee and simple fruit (un-refined) welcome post-prandially Thanks for your recommendations! -- Source of pic: https://hot-thai-kitchen.com/tom-ka-gai/

Great, thanks a lot!

Do you mean morning hours by that? Thanks! (Sorry, not completely clear to me.) If you happen to know if they have an English website with the vaccing schedule, i'd be interested too. Thanks!

Yes, will do. Anyway would have been nice to locate a place online. Some spas are very upmarket with oodles of fancy ayurvedic treatments offered online etc. - but not Ashiatsu.

Thanks again for that term. Online-search for "Ashiatsu massage" and some such in Pattaya and Bangkok didn't bring any useful results, neither on Google nor Google Maps, just a lot of false positives including a soapie place. The only places that finally had "Ashiatsu" in their names or menus where in Bali and Italy. Or maybe I used the wrong way to search. There's a Thai-English massage-booking site where as "Massage Therapy" you can explicitely select "Ashiatsu", but the site is not fully functional obviously, tried in 2 diff. browsers, anyway it's not useful (at least as long as i don't sign up, which i didn't).

Another Isaan Music restaurant might or might not be Tara E-Sarn (here on Google Maps) in a triangle between N-Pattaya, Naklua and "Sanctuary of Truth" (or how would you describe the location?). From the G Maps info, i can't fully reckon if there's regular live music, but perhaps not regularly.

Thanks for the update. I noted in 2016 that the place didn't have any action at all before midnight, or maybe before 1 a.m.. So like ZAB, it sadly seems to be gone. ZAB was much more fun though, even if on WS.

I had said that above, but the real name is actually "Ban Morlam". It used to be behind Rompho Market in Jomtien, roughly next to "S Club Pattaya" which is on G Maps, but "Ban Morlam" is not. But it was there on the ground in 2016.

Thanks, that's a great hint! It's not the one i was after initially, but i will certainly visit the place soon and hadn't been aware of it at all.

5 years ago there was a Thai live music pub at the very northern end of Pattaya Walking Street. Location back then: Coming from Beach Road, you enter Walking Street, and the Thai live music pub was almost immediately to your right (the side closer to the water). It used to be on Google Maps, and now it's not. The location would have been about where Google Maps now shows The Old Weed Man (no affiliation) (Old Weed Man on Google Maps, to show the circa location of that music pub). That Thai live music pub could have been overlooked, because it had a long dark entryway. It played mostly luukthung/morlam and wasn't what you expect on Walking Street. Do you know if that pub Is still there Moved Vanished completely? -- Otherwise, Thai live music (luukthung/morlam, pleua chiwit) seems to be increasingly thin on the ground in Patts? Jomtien used to have "Baan Isaan", but seems to have disappeared from Google Maps too. Kum Pun (soi 2) closed years ago. There was also "Chem Isaan", quite open-air with rattled bamboo furniture, and quite lame, somewhere "inland" maybe north of 2nd road. The discoes have some live music, but not my style. I am not looking for western rock-oldie-covers. (I know all the Tawan Daengs etc. in Bkk, Isaan etc.) For any suggestions for Thai live music in Patts, I hear you. Thanks!

Thanks, great hint.

Thanks, good idea. Anyway i'd prefer a therapist who has previous experience.

Well anybody then would say "Sure khaa", wouldn't they? Even if unexperienced. (If I don't smell too terrible.) Anyway thanks for the map!

So, nobody knows a thing?

Hello, do you know of a massage place in Jomtien (preferred), Pattaya or Bangkok where the therapist walks on your back (thighs, bum, shoulders)? This may be one individual therapist's special skill regularly done by all therapists in one establishment, with high handrails installed I believe this is more usual in Vietnam, but I won't be there. But if you happen to know other places in Thailand or Laos, I'd be interested too. Also in how you felt afterwards. Thanks! PS Another thing i like is a heated dry towel over my eyes when lying on my back. It seems rare in Thailand.

Thanks Encid, i had tried these vendors before. As mentioned above, I think they are ok when you don't have much music already and any music is wanted. In my experience, they - tell wrong information to make a sale - don't know anything about the CDs Anyway it's important that they have a marker pen to write artitsts' names in English onto the CD covers, which usually only show Thai script, at least for luukthung.

Hi all, thanks for recommending GT Rider and links. Indeed i just ordered their "Golden Triangle" map (described here). But for my travel planning that map is even too detailed and maybe too motorcycle-specific (for hi-res details i can also zoom into Open Street Maps (or into Google Maps, if i need a McDonalds)). Anyway it's good that they look closely at road conditions - in the PH there were smooth roads on GPS that weren't passable at all irl. As for GT Rider being too detailed: it seems GT rider have no map that includes Nan and Phrae. They only cover the exciting motorbiking destinations further north, that is "Golden Triangle", and then some places further west, near Chiang Mai. Of course as a motorcyclist or maybe any motorist out for that area, you're lucky to get such a detailed map, but still i'd like Nan and Phrae and maybe Phitsanoluk covered together with Phayao and the northernmost border areas. Anyway good hint, and the GT Rider map for "Golden Triangle" is on its way to me.