My Thai Blog

Thai customs are quite demanding concerning the rules on carrying medicines, food and various substances into Thailand. Let’s talk about what’s forbidden so you do not have problems. Please understand that there are official rules, and if some dude claims that he managed to bring in one of the prohibited drugs or more alcohol than allowed then he was really lucky, but you may not be. Read more

In Thailand, another ban is now in action – this time a ban on smoking at popular beaches. And if you think that this is a playgame, it’s not. The punishment for a violation is 100,000 baht ($3,100) fine or 1 year in prison. Read more

Thailand is concerned about the increase in the number of quadcopters having no registration. Back in 2015, the Ministry of Communications issued requirement for registration of quadcopters weighing more than 2 kilograms. But people mostly ignored it. In fact, only about 350 of 50,000 quadrocopters were registered.

Read more

I will tell you the prices in Thailand (or more accurate, in Pattaya and Phuket) for clothes, food, excursions and transportation during high season. First of all, Pattaya is cheaper than Phuket. On average, prices are lower by 20-30%, and the cost difference cost of transport may 2 or 3 times as much. Pattaya is actually a small town with suburbs (Jomtien, Naklua), so the length of the resort is about 20 km. Phuket is a large island of more than 20 km width and  about 50 km. Therefore, the sights are scattered over a large area, which affects the prices of excursions. Read more

THB exchange rate for USD

You can see the current rate right below:

Currency Converter USD/THB: Mon, 16 Sep.

Exchange rate in Pattaya

Where can you get a good exchange rate in Pattaya? The best option is yellow T.T. CURRENCY EXCHANGE. They look like this:

Also Siam Bank has a good rate, the exchange kiosks look like this:

There are very many on the Beach Street (Central Festival, Pattaya Shopping Mall), Walking Street (left side), there are also on Second Street.

The best exchanges in Phuket for USD to THB

Attention: in Phuket only exchange where you see the sign “Currency Exchange”. If there is no “Currency Exchange” sign they will charge an additional commission. This can be either a fixed amount or % of the exchange.

Generally, there are no problems with exchange of dollars in Phuket. There are several options.

Currency exchange in Patong. In the southern part of Patong, to the left and right of the entrance to the Ocean Plaza (yellow building) there are two currency exchange points with excellent rate.

Here it’s on the map (red circle at the bottom):

Good exchange rate is at:

• Singapore UOB

• TMB bank

• Kasikorn Bank

Note that these exchanges in Phuket do not work around the clock but from 8 am to 10 pm. Other exchanges work at night but the rate is much worse there. Also at the hotels they often exchange dollars at a very unprofitable exchange rate. Do not rush to change money, go out and look for the color of profitable exchanges.

About possible fraud at the exchanges of Pattaya and Phuket

What I will write about happens rarely and usually in private exchanges. Chance to run into such an insolent deception at the bank exchange is minimal. Nevertheless, it is better to be warned.
The most common frauds:

1. When transferring money, the operator “drops” one of the bills at his feet and gives you less amount. As you understand, it is hard to prove the fact of such fraud. Therefore, the recommendation: do not give dollars in a bundle. Give money bill by billl and count together with the operator. Such fraud was noticed in Phuket in Tesco Lotus near the Central Festival Phuket.

2. “Breaking” banknotes. This trick is old as the world, here is how it’s done in Russia. The guy folds half of the bundle and puts it in his pocket unnoticeably while distracting the cashier’s attention by talking much.

3. Incorrect amount. Often, tourists do not count bahts and this is used by money changers. How not to be decieved? Just turn on the calculator on the phone and calculate how much it should be, then count money without leaving the cash register.

I hope the above recommendations will help you make a fine and safe exchange of US dollars.

Moving around in Thailand is different to what we are used to. In many cities, and Pattaya is not an exception, the most commonly used transportation is tuk-tuk. Typically, the cost of a tuk-tuk is about 10-20 baht, depending on the route. Tuk-tuks go by established routes and usually will send a signal letting you know that they can pick up a person. They stop if you rise your hand.
Read more