GBP to THB Exchange Rate On The Way Down....

Sad news for ex pats in Thailand who rely on bringing Sterling into the country for their living costs. Sad news for tourists from the the UK hoping to holiday in Thailand.

The same goes for people from the Eurozone as well.

It looks like Sterling and the Euro are dropping like a stone against the us dollar, and therefore against the Baht ( again ). I am not an expert in any shape or form, but it does not need one to tell me that the UK economy is in dire straights no matter what the pathetic and untrustworthy UK government says. Now that certain Eurozone countries may need bailing out as well, and the UK banks are directly involved, things are going to get worse.

Then, in addition, if you have any savings in the UK and are hoping that they might start making a bit of money instead of losing value, you are unlucky ! It looks like the 0.5 % interest rate is here for months to come.

Batten down the hatches, stock up on mama noodles and sangsom, and say goodbye to frequent nights out !! I hope it doesn't happen but all the signs are there....

Yet Another Farang Con Man - Do I Look Like A Mug ?

I obviously need to change my appearance as I must look like a real mug.

For the second time this month I have been the target of a farang fraudster. This was at 2100hrs today when I was in Villa Supermarket at Phrom Phong. I was getting some pork pies from the chiller when a young guy, no more than 23 years of age, walked up next to me. He selected some chilled pasta and asked me if it was halal. I looked at him and shrugged my shoulders and he said, 'oh you don't work in this shop then'.

This immediately set alarm bells ringing as I was holding a yellow shopping basket full of groceries, 2 carrier bags from the Emporium, and a camera in its large case slung over a shoulder. LOL.

He quickly moved on to ask the price of the item in US dollars. I told him it was about 2 dollars. He then asked if he could pay in dollars and not baht and opened a large wallet exposing what must have been about 300 x 100 dollar bills. I think I was meant to be impressed.

Then he asked if I had any baht in my wallet and could he see some. I looked at him and laughed. Then he asked if I would change some USD into Baht for him at the exchange rate of 20 baht to 1 dollar. I laughed again.

He went on to say that he was from Dubai and that he had just arrived in Bangkok from the airport. He said he had given the taxi driver 100 dollars as he did not have any baht. When I asked him why he hadn't changed any money at the airport, and where was his luggage, he didn't answer.....he just put down the pasta and walked quickly out of the shop.

What's the betting that the dollar bills were counterfeit :)

He was about 20 - 23 years old, pale complexion, and looked middle eastern. He had short dark hair, was about 5ft 5 ins tall, of slim build and dressed in smart but casual clothes. He was wearing black sandals.

I believe in things happening in three's ...what will the next scammer try ?

Farang Fraudster or Beggar - Thong Lor

At Christmas time in 2008 I was at Thong Lor BTS station withdrawing some cash out of an ATM. I can remember it well. As I was taking the cash from the dispenser a white guy walked up to me and engaged me in conversation.

I was immediately suspicious ( as is my nature ) and was on my guard. He wanted to know the way to Pattaya. I explained his best bet would be to go to Ekkamai and get the bus. He asked me how he should get there and I said it was just one stop away on the BTS. He promptly asked me for the fare as he did not have enough money because he had left his travellers cheques in Pattaya. He would reimburse me later if I gave him my bank details !

I declined in no uncertain terms and walked away.

Now, today, the same guy came up to me again ! This time I was waiting for a friend
on the corner of Sukhumvit 36 and Suk Road ( Thong Lor ). I recognised him straight away but he clearly didn't recognise me.

This time he asked me where he could cash some travellers cheques. I was laughing inside and told him to get the BTS to Phrom Phong and go to the currency exchange booths there. He felt in his pockets and said he didn't have the fare and could I help him out with a hundred baht. I burst into laughter and 'politely' told him to walk.

So he did.

He was white, about 40 - 45 years old, 6ft tall, medium build and spoke with an American accent. He was reasonably dressed.

Has anyone else experienced similar ?