MM

Isn't ANZ a bank outside Thailand? Why would you use exchange rates at a bank outside Thailand rather than sending your country's currency to Kasikorn (in your case) and having it exchanged here?

Here's Kasikorn's rate sheet for today..the TT rate is slightly above the cash rate for the NZD. The USD3 rate is 0.28 baht more, so on a large transaction ($10,000) that would be 2800 baht gross difference, minus 500 baht to Kasikorn, minus $25 (in my case to my US Bank), I'm ahead over cash by 1490 baht, or about $45 USD. There's a shag and a drink or two on Soi 6. Wire transfer is the way to go, IMO.

If you send the funds in USD rather than Thai baht, you will get the best rate..better than cash at an exchange booth generally.Having your bank convert to Thai baht gives you a horrible exchange rate.

How much are the fees for a $10,000 wire transfer? I've never heard of them being higher than $50...in my case, I pay $25...on a $10,000 transfer, that is a very small amount compared to getting a better exchange rate than cash in country.

I use my internet for many other things besides video streaming and TRUE's fiber product 30/3 at half the price of my 3BB service and twice the speed, is compelling.

Damn, and I just scheduled a switch to TRUE internet from 3BB.

Yes, shishas are under attack by the government, and they are subject to a new edict from the powers that be, but they are still quite common in the Walking Street area, especially around what is called Marine Plaza, at the south end of Walking Street. The map here shows "Maleen Plaza", and all around this area are bars with shisha being used openly.

Discrimination on race, religion and national origin is well-entrenched in Thai society. There might be an anti-discrimination law of some sort on the books, but getting anyone in authority to do anything about it would probably be an exercise in futility, especially a small business. I recommend you just let it go and smoke shisha somewhere where your business will be appreciated. There are plenty of places where shisha smoking can be done without hassles all over Pattaya.

What's TQ got to do with this thread?

Saw it when it first came out (in my second decade)...what a treat that was. David Niven

A mod with a heart!

Exactly. I went last year, and couldn't really tell the difference from their Sunday roast at 1/3 the price and the Xmas lunch aside from the basic average prawn cocktail and an average dessert. Topped off the dull, expensive lunch with a slightly more expensive but much more exotic and delicious Xmas dinner at Casa Pascal. 999 is taking the piss, as you Brits say. Oh, wow..check out the 499 for a Thai meal.

I think waiting another 18001 years is a good idea

Just on the topic of Jomtien Second Road, the horrid condition of the road in front of Rompho Market southbound is finally being addressed.

Mr. Stapleton sounds like he doesn't exercise much caution himself. This is not the original post...due to a bug in invision, when I moved replies to this topic, the ones that predated the OP were made into the first posts... Topic was started by Gawd Elpus in post 2.

1 1/2 hours for 7k baht...and we think the girls are raking it in LOL

I had to go back to Immigration today to pick up my passport, so I stopped here again for a breakfast. I confirmed that Gonzo's observation was correct with regard to the bread platform on which my scrambled eggs with salmon were placed....Roggenbrot..sure enough, 160b for a 1kg loaf. I spoke to the baker/owner(?) about how to keep bread fresh, since that's a big loaf and it might take a while for me to work through it. I usually end up tossing most of the bread I buy after a few days because I can't eat it before it gets hard. He suggested slicing it into pieces and placing them in a zip lock bag and then freezing them. He said, once defrosted at room temperature, they are fresh and usable. Great idea! That means I can have bread whenever I want, rather than going to get fresh when I need it. In short, he was a very fine fellow to talk to. I got some pictures of the sandwich boards they have out front, and also a picture of my breakfast, The Farmer's Omelette...potatoes, onions, eggs, bacon and other goodies. I love potatoes and eggs, and putting them together makes a nice, hearty meal. I really do like this place..it's so very clean and well-done inside. Service is decent, though the staff are not completely familiar with the menu it seems, so I have to point at what I want rather than name the dish. One nice touch is that the bathroom has the hi-so individual cloth towelettes for use at the sink...newly laundered and fresh smelling for your individual use. I see this typically in Swiss (and now German restaurants), and after looking at some of the common "public" cloth towels left for customers in bars and restaurants around town, it's a relief and a pleasure to find some places that eschew such a filthy practice.

Thanks..I was wondering what bread that was. It was very tasty and went well with the scrambled eggs :

On my way to Immigration today, I decided to take the 2nd U-TURN south of Soi 9 on Jomtien 2nd Road so I could take a look at this bakery. I missed my time at Immigration, but got some pics of some of the offerings. Lovely place, highly recommended...clean, reasonable, superb baked breads as well as desserts... I had the scrambled eggs with salmon on bread along with a cinnamon roll and a bottle of water...215 baht, IIRC.

I've used them frequently for liver function testing, and I have to say, nearly every time I go there, I have horrible, painful, purple swollen bruising at the site where they draw the blood. It's been so bad, that I now prefer to use Bangkok Pattaya Hospital lab results, because they have a better success rate at hitting and keeping the needle in the vein. It costs a lot more, but the after-effects are tolerable.

Well, since this change has turned into a non-starter, I'm going to go for the double parking discussion. Soi Buakhao double parked wrong way...must make delivery!

LOL. Now that is funny.

Thank you, Idefix! So, jacko, it's too early to call a halt to the rains. Let's have some more

Spartacus

Uh, right. Your opinion lodged and noted.