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lrw301jl
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Hello everyone,
This is my first post on this forum. I am very thankful for all the great advice that all the memebers have put on here. I am coming to LOS on 29th of July, I can't hardly wait. There are couple questions, I like to ask since I am a newbie. So is it better to bring USD cash or TC. I was thinking bring half and half of each. Should I bring all big bill (100's or 50's). Should I exchange all my money at the airport, since I read on other post that it really doesn't make that much of difference than the banks in town. I am going to be here for about a week. Can anyone give advice of much money would I need? I was thinkg bring about $1200.00 USD. I think this would provide me alot of fun. I am staying at the Majestic suites on SUK road. What does everyone think about this place? I am up for any kind of advice that you veterans have for me as a rookie. I will post more questions later on and I will definetly post my first trip to LOS for the forum.
Thanks,
LRW301JL
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Thai Girls : Meet Sexy Thai Girls
Posted on: 1:07 pm on July 2, 2003
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ducksnutz
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Most if not all money changers will only change larger notes and seeing as bringing larger notes also reduces the size of your wallet, only bring hundres, withdraw from your bank prior to travel in 100's. You can change it at airport as I have always found the rate to be good, but often the rate in town is just a little better and it might mean a few free taxi rides or meals if your on a budget, that can help. $1200 should be fine for a week, but always remember the more the merrier, also being first time, maybe you will want to lash out with plenty of gals, bring extra in reserve or have your ATM card accessible for O/S use just in case. I have been told the Majestic Suites are good, so should be fine and certainly close to all the action. Do some searching here and you should find lots of current info, especially on your hotel.
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Bangkok Women : Meet Sensual Bangkok Women
Posted on: 1:31 pm on July 2, 2003
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jimaz
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I never ever bring cash or TCs to LOS (except pocket change), but use my VISA/Mastercard debit cards in the ATMs. This will also give you a better exchange rate (unless your bank charges a fee for overseas withdrawals).
Just make sure you don't type the wrong pin number three times in a row as I did in Hong Kong once - bye bye card...
Jim in Az
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Thai Girls : Meet Sexy Thai Girls
Posted on: 1:38 pm on July 2, 2003
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haam sup
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Bring all Amex TCs, except stuff a US$100 note deep in your wallet for emergencies. You get better exchange rates on TCs. Keep some small US currency, for your return trip (parking, airport food, etc). 1 US$20 should be fine.
Exchange 1 or 2 $100 TCs on arrival, and keep the rest in your safety deposit box at the hotel, with the TC receipts in a separate place. That way, if you lose the TCs, you can get them replaced.
ATM card for cash is more convenient, if your bank isn't fee-happy, but if you lose the card you're screwed. For a short stay of a week, I wouldn't bother.
By now, you must have read all the hotel reviews around: it's a matter of your own taste and priorities. I would NEVER stay at the Majestic, because the rooms are like dark shoe-boxes, though they seem to be clean. Many people swear by it, though.
I like something a bit upscale, like the Grand President, although I'm not sure what has happened there - they seem to have priced themselves out of the niche they were in.
I would STILL rather stay at the Nana, vs. the Majestic, as I know enough to ask them for a decent room. And I really like the beds. I can ignore the shortcomings in favor of a large window and a free paper and breakfast, with hot-and-cold running Thai Girls 24/7/365 in the lobby and surrounding areas...
Also, I have heard of things disappearing from the Majestic recently - I have NEVER had so much as a satang go missing at the Nana, let alone anything of value. So keep your stuff out of harm's way...
have fun,
haam sup
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Bangkok Girls : Meet Sexy Bangkok Girls
Posted on: 1:46 pm on July 2, 2003
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Vancouver Jay
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ducksnutz- 50's and 100's get a slightly better exchange rate than smaller bills. Also make sure that they are the new style bills because some FX places won't take the old style.
haam sup- dark shoeboxes? Did you see rooms on the Sukhumvit side of the house? Those are pretty cramped, skytrain blocks the like and the smoked glass doesn't help. You also can't open the windows. But the rooms on the other side that overlook NEP are kind of nice and the difference in price is trivial.
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Thai Women : Meet Matured Thai Women
Posted on: 9:27 pm on July 2, 2003
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tglover2
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Hi there,
I would suggest that you bring 100's and trade it at the local banks (they're everywhere). Lots of fake t/c lately and the banks don't like them as much as before. Also..you have to pay extra for the t/c, right? Change 100 at the airport and I never have problem losing my money before. Thai people are very nice imo
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Bangkok Women : Meet Beautiful Thai Girls
Posted on: 9:41 pm on July 2, 2003
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haam sup
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VJ,
Yep. A friend was staying there, and he had a 'room' on the Sukhumvit side. I wasn't impressed at all, and will put up with the sleaze of the Nana for an upper floor room with a view...
hs
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Bangkok Girls : Meet Attractive Thai Girls
Posted on: 9:48 pm on July 2, 2003
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CalEden
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The first time I traveled to Asia I was going to use only ATM card. Even went to my Bank and informed them of my itinary in Asia and intent to use ATM card. My sister in Japan reccomended TC's, I reluctently complied. I used the ATM card in Asia and the bank stopped allowing withdrawals. This was a weekend had to wait until Monday US (almost 3 days) to straighten the matter out. Cost me a overseas call. If I didn't Have TC's I would have been screwed.
I get American Express TC in $500 increments. Big enough so your not exchanging everday. If you have American Express Gold Card you get the checks free. No exchange fee if you cash them at American Express. There is American Express Money Changer at the airport. Last booth where your Tilac waits for you to come out of immagration. In Bangkok American Express is in the IBM Building.
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Thai Girls : Meet Active Thai Girls
Posted on: 10:01 pm on July 2, 2003
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neuasot
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It's ATMs for me. TCs aren't worth the extra effort.
I'll cash a few $100 at the airport exchange and ask for some small bills for the tollway and tips. I keep a hundred or two stuffed away for emergencies.
I also call my credit card to make sure they clear it for overseas purchases before I leave. Some banks will put a hold on your card as soon as they see an overseas charge and its a time consuming hassle to clear it.
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Thai Women : Meet Matured Thai Women
Posted on: 10:45 pm on July 2, 2003
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sbxabyss
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yeah my two trips over i just did the ATM thing except for the second trip - i took $1500 (100's). it wasn't the smartest thing to do (who knows i could have gotten rolled up by a band of savage of LB's for traveling alone & having all that cash on me 555) but for the most part didn't have issues, well...
always that one exception. It was the money exchange / bank at the emporium on ground floor. They wouldn't take some hundreds b/c they had been folded over twice in my wallet and so they had four creases when opened up. These were brand spankin' new fresh off the boat $100 bills issued from citibank.
Other than that, the rest of bkk, koh samui and pattaya were fine. i wonder if i had not looked part thai and more american would there have been an issue? anyways, i think thats another thread...there he goes again playin the race card.
you're probaly better off not to do like me & take TCs with ATM...i'm just a fool whose luck hasn't ran out yet.
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Bangkok Girls : Meet Attractive Thai Girls
Posted on: 11:42 pm on July 2, 2003
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