Nov 15 2008, 05:24 PM
QUOTE(stimix @ Nov 15 2008, 08:22 AM)
Wha..That's my dream epic journey..probably will try after my retirement 
Suprisingly from your question, u hv not step-in to Thailand & now u are planning to drive all the way to Golden triangle
For sure it's safe, I hv drove in few times oledi and the furthest so far was up to Krabi only
For sure u need to change to Bath-lah...USD is not really well accepted in Thailand...furthermore u need to convert twice which is a waste of commission you pay to the money changers
Thailand things are no longer cheaper as what it was 10 years ago..almost similar to M'sia..infact certain products such as Electronics are even more expensive there. Food is cheap in Bangkok & Chiangmai but not in hatyai/krabi/Phuket.
Petrol? - Huh...super duper expensive!! It's fluctuate a lot..in Feb 2007 it was 26bath/ltr, in Nov 2007, price increased to 32bath/ltr. in Mar'08,price was at 38bath/ltr...now probably down oledi but not sure how much....Cool shopping place probably is the nite bazaars at ChiangMai...cheap & interesting range of native products & cheap native massages!! U can't believe that foot massage only cost ~70bath in Chiangmai!
I have stepped into thailand 10 years ago but i was just a primary school girl. I remember i bought a cute cup-glass cost Thai Bath 50 Suprisingly from your question, u hv not step-in to Thailand & now u are planning to drive all the way to Golden triangle
For sure it's safe, I hv drove in few times oledi and the furthest so far was up to Krabi only
For sure u need to change to Bath-lah...USD is not really well accepted in Thailand...furthermore u need to convert twice which is a waste of commission you pay to the money changers Thailand things are no longer cheaper as what it was 10 years ago..almost similar to M'sia..infact certain products such as Electronics are even more expensive there. Food is cheap in Bangkok & Chiangmai but not in hatyai/krabi/Phuket.
Petrol? - Huh...super duper expensive!! It's fluctuate a lot..in Feb 2007 it was 26bath/ltr, in Nov 2007, price increased to 32bath/ltr. in Mar'08,price was at 38bath/ltr...now probably down oledi but not sure how much....Cool shopping place probably is the nite bazaars at ChiangMai...cheap & interesting range of native products & cheap native massages!! U can't believe that foot massage only cost ~70bath in Chiangmai!
Thanks for the advise about the changing money part. Also that's for the infos about the rough cost of goods there. I guess i will need a map to navigate my way to the golden triangle. Well would take photos for you all? hehe.. Also, any1 wanna join in this so call private expedition.. feel free to tag along
The more the merrier? 
..just lemme know aite. Will reveal the dates.. hehee.. hmm so yalah, i guess thats about it.. i just need a map ..Hope wont get lost lol..
Added on November 15, 2008, 5:33 pm
QUOTE(vermins @ Nov 15 2008, 10:48 AM)
Well, looks like you got most of your answers already.
In terms of safety, its just about as safe as Malaysia and most places really, though crime hasn't been spiking as much there as it is to here. If you are worried about the political agenda/ruckus going on there, its nothing really, just a lotta talk and more talk and more media hype. My parents are living in BKK and they don't even flinch.
Change from RM to Baht, changing currency multiple times means you lose out on the profit margin earned by exchangers, so you actually lose more even if another currency is stronger when changing.
Nice to buy? Err well, that really depends on what you like no? Though I'd suggest foods and cultural stuff you can't get here. Mangoes, especially the sour/harder ones are great there, but its not in season now. Just try and absorb as much as you can of Thailand and bring back whatever you like
Petrol isn't subsidized there and is going at THB28.59 a litre (bout RM2.85). And that was just last month. Supposedly some cuts will be coming but it won't ever go below THB21.
Anywho, have fun and stay safe!
I read that Bangkok there is riot or some ruckus going on? However thanks for the info that its nothing really serious. N thanks for the explanation regarding exchanging currency. In terms of safety, its just about as safe as Malaysia and most places really, though crime hasn't been spiking as much there as it is to here. If you are worried about the political agenda/ruckus going on there, its nothing really, just a lotta talk and more talk and more media hype. My parents are living in BKK and they don't even flinch.
Change from RM to Baht, changing currency multiple times means you lose out on the profit margin earned by exchangers, so you actually lose more even if another currency is stronger when changing.
Nice to buy? Err well, that really depends on what you like no? Though I'd suggest foods and cultural stuff you can't get here. Mangoes, especially the sour/harder ones are great there, but its not in season now. Just try and absorb as much as you can of Thailand and bring back whatever you like
Petrol isn't subsidized there and is going at THB28.59 a litre (bout RM2.85). And that was just last month. Supposedly some cuts will be coming but it won't ever go below THB21.
Anywho, have fun and stay safe!
Bring back whatever i like.. hehe ok. Btw, will i get taxed if i bring back.. lets say.. a bag or perfumes or shoes .. those kinda thing? Any guidelines to know which items will be taxed and what will not be taxed?
Thanks guys for all the info. It means alot! *Hugs*
This post has been edited by sezretz: Nov 15 2008, 05:33 PM
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cant wait to buy everything...i heard if i bring 1500rm can buy a whole wardrobe at chatuchak...got budget coz the hotel we stay also quite cheap. my only concern is the weather now that you guys mention it...got different from malaysia meh?
never again will i give in to such selfish demands of friends HHAHAHAHA 
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