Varying Postal Rates

[brahmburgers]

The main post office near the newly re-located clock tower seems to be reasonably fair for postal rates. Same for the small post office south of the night bazaar - about 1 km on the right, across (and next to) hardware stores.

The P.O. at the crossroads past BanDu, at the SE corner of the turn off for Rajapad U., may be ok, but their scale seems to record a slightly higher weight - therefore a bit higher postage charge.

The mailing service right outside Tops department store downtown, across from the Night Bazaar entrance, is not good. The worker there first quoted 950 baht for a small package to be airmailed to Canada. If I had paid (as many farang pay such things without thinking twice), she would have taken the money - end of episode. Instead I protested firmly that was "paeng Pai" (too expensive). She wasn't trying to rip me off, but instead was dull-headedly trying to do her job. She made a tel.call and, did some more figuring, and came up with a cost of Bt.170. I knew that was also too much, and walked out. The next day I went to the main P.O. and the same package was Bt.145 - the correct amount.

I went to the head man upstairs at the main P.O. and tried to make him aware of the probelm at Tops, but my Thai is not good and he had no idea what I was talking about.

Also: why can't Thailand issue a 19 baht stamp? A significant proportion of letters mailed are mailed overseas, and the most common rate is 19 baht for the first 10 grams. each 10 grams increment is an additional 9 baht. I like using stamps, because I'm a collector and also Thai stamps are often very beautiful (though printed overseas?) - and recipients enjoy getting them. However, each letter I send has to have between 3 and 9 stamps. Heck, it even adds to the weight, and possibly added postage.

(when are they going to set the time on the clock tower?).

[sceadugenga]

Interesting comment about the PO at Tops. I usually only mail cards and letters there but have noticed the price varies for similar items. I posted six cards for 150 baht total a couple of weeks back which is on a par with what the village postman demands to take letters for me.

The same week a large paper back book arrived from a friend in Surin with 27 baht postage stamped on the package.