craigt3365

It's a world wide problem. Just because they are run by the banks, doesn't mean they are always 100% legit. Slight of hand is a very common trick. One of the worst scams that hit me was the "official" currency exchange booth run by a bank right outside the train stop in Venice. Horrible excange rates. But we'd been up since leaving the US, took the train from Milan to Venice and thought it would be a good deal. It wasn't. We were too tired and didn't pay attention.

Avoid the money changers and the "possibility" of a problem by using your ATM. Easy.

http://www.scambusters.org/travelscams4.html

http://selectitaly.com/blog/tips-travelers/5-ways-travelers-get-ripped-currency/

3. Avoid The Foreign Exchange Desk At The Airport Or Hotel

Thinking of getting your currency exchange at the airport or when you reach your destination hotel? Of course, these methods are very convenient and quick, but are they going to give you a good deal? The problem with an airport currency exchange is that they know they have a captive audience. With so many travelers using their services and needing currency exchange services before they travel, these companies can afford to offer a lower rate than you might get elsewhere. If you can, avoid changing your money up at the airport at all costs unless you need emergency cash. Buying euros online typically works out overall cheapest. A recent mystery shop from independent comparison site MyTravelMoney shows you can save up to 10% versus the airport bureau.

I didn't look at the video, but this is specificially for the Manila airport:

http://travelingvanillabean.com/1/post/2013/01/currency-exchange-tips-for-the-philippines.html

As an FYI. Just read this:

https://www.eurocheapo.com/blog/planning-a-trip-to-europe-avoid-these-10-costly-mistakes.html

Travelers waste a lot of money purchasing euros from their bank (or worse yet, from a currency exchange counter) before arriving in Europe. In most cases when exchanging money from home before a trip, you will pay dearly in fees, lousy exchange rates, or both. If exchanging a bit makes you more relaxed, go for it–just don’t overdo it.

I often arrive in Europe without a euro in my pocket. I head straight away to an ATM at the airport and withdraw cash using my American ATM card. It’s simple, and the exchange rate that I’m getting for the transaction is almost certainly better than any rate I’d get from my bank back home (especially once fees are factored in). Call your bank before you leave to ask about international ATM transaction fees, as they vary widely depending on the bank, the type of account you have (banks often wave transaction fees for premium accounts), and the type of ATM accessed abroad (your bank may have international locations or partnerships with local banks).

What if there isn’t an ATM at the airport? I’ve never experienced this. I have experienced long lines at the ATM, which has led me to use my credit card for purchases (rail or bus tickets into town, for example), until I found an ATM in the city without a line.

Interesting article and video in today's Bangkok Post. I can put a link here, but if you search for "train wreck from top to bottom", you'll find it.

Don't think I'll be doing 3rd class journeys!

wow, seems that they are finally really coming down/jailing these people but the fines are pretty pathetic, they should be seizing all their assets and selling them to compensate for all the damage and financial gains they have made.

I'm pretty sure that has happened, or is in the process. These guys were caught up in that mess with Pongpat.

There are a few banks that eat the ATM charge. USAA, Schwab, etc. I can't imagine the exchange rate here for pesos is very good. For what you'd lose, best to just hit the ATM in the terminal upon arrival. As you say, only $3-4. And for that, you could pull a fair amount of money out.

Public transport there is a notch below here. If you got the cash, a private taxi is a great way to go. Best setup by your destination hotel.

Please, no links to Russian controlled media.

Those places will be drenched at that time of year. Phuket has some lovely places if you avoid Patong and the surrounds. Khao Lak is great also, but will have the same bad weather.

Perhaps Ban Krut a bit too quite, for some, but I agree for some people it would be very peaceful! ... by May though the tides are very low in that area (south and west coasts) more swim-able waters on north end!

As said, being here for a month, one can move around a little and see what suites! ... even pop over to Koh Phangan or Koa Toa for a few days.... easy enough to do on high speed ferries and not that expensive ....

Weather usually good in May too!

Ban Kruit is OK for a week or less. Unless you are into some form of water activity. Or enjoy the solitude. We stayed there for about a week with my friend who is a kite boarder. The water was fantastic. But I've heard a real mess during the monsoons!

We also love Thung Wua Laen. Guess we were lucky then also. Great weather and NO sand flies! LOL

I've only been to one beach on KPN and one on Tao. Would love to go back and explore them again. Avoiding the craziness of the FMP, of course! 555555

Agreed that Maenam's back roads are not busy. But if you have to venture out, that main road is a bugger. We were there in May last year and it was chock a block with vehicles. Sometimes taking us 10 minutes or more to get across the road when we had to venture out. But it is a very beautiful beach and one of our favorites. But I prefer Ban Kruit. Very peaceful and very quiet.

I see fires burning all around me here in Pattaya. Some are so bad, you can't see 1km down the road. And nothing is done.

Some of the worst are the charcoal makers. Their fires burn all the time....

Samui is very crowded. The roads are crazy and full of traffic. But, it's a beautiful island with lots to do. Great beaches and clear water.

Krabi has also grown substantially. But because it's not an island, there is more room to "grow" without being too congested. In either place, you'll need transport. A scary thought on Samui, less so in Krabi.

Phuket is a very large island with lots of different options. And some fantastic beaches. Again, having your own transport is necessary, unless you'll stick to just one small area. Which you could do if you stayed in, say, Kamala.

Why not try both out? Easy to get from one to another.

Maybe this will help:

http://tezza-thailandbeachesandislands.blogspot.com/

Just saw this:

http://www.weather2travel.com/climate-guides/thailand/krabi.php

http://www.weather2travel.com/climate-guides/thailand/ko-samui.php

That's a lot of rain. A good friend of mine moved here to Pattaya from Krabi last year. One of the biggest reasons was the amount of rain. I was in Phuket in August several years ago and it rained pretty much every day. Hard to have beach activities with that kind of weather. Even though it never rained all day, just off an on.

I'm not recommending this, but seems Hua Hin doesn't have much rain in May. Though the beaches are nothing like Samui.

http://www.weather2travel.com/climate-guides/thailand/hua-hin.php

Wow. Quite the mess, eh? I haven't been to Patong beach since just after the Tsunami. When the beach was wide open. The above video looks like Pattaya's beach. Ugh. Seems a better system of management was desperately needed.

What are you planning to do? How long is your trip? What's your budget?

In the Bangkok Post (can't remember which day) there is a pretty good listing of travel agents that do tours to Japan. I'd also recommend getting a travel guide. At least it will point out the highlights for you.

I went a few years ago and here's a few links I was using for my research.

http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/

http://www.hikejapan.com/

http://www.japantravelinfo.com/top/index.php

http://www.jref.com/travel/

http://www.japan-guide.com/

http://www.ntainbound.com/

Another thing you might consider is tour agencies like these:

http://www.worldexpeditions.com/au/index.php?section=trips&id=357

http://www.intrepidtravel.com/search/trip?f[region0]=im_field_pp_region%3A4118&f[dest]=im_field_pp_destinations%3A36555&solrsort=fts_field_pp_rating_marketing%20desc

I think this is probably best over in the Phuket sub forum. So...let's move this topic over there. OK? A link will be left here for answers also.

Topic Moved.

My friends had this problem and put a fake snake on top of their AC. 2 years now and no problems. It's a very realistic looking snake.

One of the problems with exchanging money on arrival is you are susceptible to scams. Your tired, perhaps not sure of the exchange rate, etc. IMHO, use the nearest ATM. You might pay $3-4 for the transaction, but you're getting pretty close to the best rate you can get. At least you've got cash to cover you for a few days till you sort things out.

Have fun!!

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Thanks for the replies. I've just been shown an ID card for farang that's now available. The guy that showed me his obtained it from an office next to the visa office here in Jomtien.

Interesting.

It would be good if you could ask your friend if you could take a picture of it and post it here.

I'm sure I'm not the only one who has never seen this.

Edit: If you can get a photo of it, please obscure any personal details....................

The one I use is just a copy of the front page of your passport on one side, your visa stamp on the other. Shrunk down and laminated into a wallet size card. I get it at the copy shop right outside immigration.

An inappropriate comment has been removed from view. Please abide by forum rules:

7) You will respect fellow members and post in a civil manner. No personal attacks, hateful or insulting towards other members, (flaming) Stalking of members on either the forum or via PM will not be allowed.

I only drank Krug 2 or 3 times and it wasn't a Clos... Who in his right mind would mix a Champagne beyond 1500£ the bottle with OJ?

It was a JOKE.

I can't even imagine drinking such an expensive bottle! LOL 1,000B is pushing my limit! LOL

We've got 2. Pay one 8k and the other 9k per month. 1 day off per week, 12 hours per day. They don't live here, but eat meals here. They don't speak English. And do a great job of taking care of mom. Bathing, dressing, cooking and feeding, giving meds, cleaning up, etc.

Our neighbor has offered up some young gals who I guess are nurses in training from one of the local hospitals. Also 9k/month. We've got a live in Filipino in the village who does 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. Don't know if she gets vacation time or not. They pay her about 15 or 18k/month. Speaks perfect English.

Best place to check is your local hospital. But do you really need a fully qualified nurse or just a care giver?

You should be carrying it when arriving or departing at the International Airport.

Yes, probably a good idea, arriving or departing, but I'm fairly sure we are only required to carry it when departing. If you arrive without a passport, what can they do, send your plane back up?

For international flights, the airlines is responsible for sending you back to your original destination. For domestic, it generally is not needed.

I know someone from kingpower who supplies me with all products available, at duty free prices.

I do not host weddings regulary, so single bottles are enough for me.

Champagne- wise we prefer Krug Clos D'Ambonnay 1998, but as a day to day drink, mixed with orange juice, a Krug Clos Du Mesnil 2003 is ok for us.

You seriously mix wine with juice????? OMG my wife call this "people from the mountain"!!!

Your signature down below your posts; "God is dead. God remains dead. And we have killed him."

Is SOOOO true..... You really did!!

Glegolo

A mimosa is a great drink. Especially for a Sunday brunch! LOL The ladies seem to live a kir royale. It's not bad. But I'd only do it with cheap champagne.

When we get a bad bottle, we mix it with manao soda. Quite refreshing on a hot day. We got this idea on summer when we were in Spain. Quite good:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tinto_de_verano

OP: tell us where you live. It might be easier for us to help you out.

Please stay on topic.

Again, please stay on topic and abide by forum rules. Specifically, these:

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9) You will not post inflammatory messages on the forum, or attempt to disrupt discussions to upset its participants, or trolling. Trolling can be defined as the act of purposefully antagonizing other people on the internet by posting controversial, inflammatory, irrelevant or off-topic messages with the primary intent of provoking other users into an emotional response or to generally disrupt normal on-topic discussion.

Some of you Guys worry far too much..........Bangkok Remand etc ridiculous in the extreme

In the very remote possibility that Plod asks for your Passport the simple answer is I dont carry with me but we'll go get it together right now

End of Conversation.....

Sorry, but this does happen. I can assure you. As a member mentioned above, it all depends on the circumstances. But it does happen.

As you say, if it's readily accessible by you, then no worries! But that's not the case for everybody in every situation.