JiveTalker

If you look at the past year, the baht's gains have been mostly against the US dollar. Here are Bangkok Bank's comparison of exchange rates for buying of TT (Telegraphic Transfers).

14-Mar-2006

$US: 39.05

GB Pound: 67.55

Euro: 46.58

$Aus: 28.51

14-Mar-2007

$US: 35.01

GB Pound: 67.41

Euro: 46.05

$Aus: 27.26

This says more about the weakening $US than about the baht. And it says a lot about the Iraqi war costs, which is currently costing the US taxpayers $1.5 BILLION PER DAY! As they say, a billion here, a billion there, pretty soon you're talking real money.

There's something not quite 100% with those figures. I track GBP and the rate has never been that low during the past year. GBP has traded consistently in the 70 to 75 range during 2006, onshore. During the recent climb in the dollar it has matched a climb by all Asian currencies so I'm not sure about the data shown here.

Hmm I was thinking the same thing. On xe.com the baht was about 68-71 to the GBP last year and today it's round about 63. The lowest I have ever seen it. Friends here on holiday have noticed that their money doesn't go quite as far as it did.

Any tennis players here? I started playing at 49 in '79. I weighed 238 pounds and in 6 months I loss 53 pounds of lard. It was a great lifestyle change for me. I'm now 76 and I still play at about a 3.5 level but a knee injury hampers me somewhat. I'll be coming to Phuket in June of this year. Maybe we could schedule a match. I've queued at Wimbledon 39 times to get tickets to that fabulous tournament. Go to the URL below and read my Wimbledon stories. I have a how to do it there that will save you a bundle.

Someone told me too much samsung rots yer head.

Mebbe they had a point.

Patters is much cheaper, so not really a comparison if you are comparing prices.

Not at all!

Still visit Patong (semi) regularly. Don't pretend Phuket is some kind of upmarket exotic hideaway like many on here though.

Rough and ready.

I still prefer Phuket to many other places in Thailand I have visited, I have been coming to Phuket for the last 15 years, and I'll keep on coming.

I'm sure we all agree Phuket is a wonderful place to visit. However, it IS NOT as much fun as it used to be. Sure, if yer after a "wham bang thank you mam" couple of weeks you'll be fine. However for many people that stay long term, it's going downhill. In the same way that Samui is not the peaceful paradise it once was.

Beach chairs 100 baht a pop this year.

Pool in Soi Bangla up to 30 baht.

Tuk tuks.... don't even think about getting in one for less than 100 baht.....

Pattaya all over again. Sad but true.

Don't suppose there is any chance at all this classic FA Cup tie will be shown anywhere in Thailand?