Best Money Changers at Bangkok

Thailand’s currency is in Baht (B), the bills are denominated in One Thousand (1000), Five Hundred (500), One Hundred (100), Fifty (50) and Twenty (20) and the coins are in Ten (10), Five (5), Two (2) and One (1).

Should I bring USD? Peso? or Baht?????

In my case, I brought some Philippine Peso with me and majority of my money are in USD, which I bought in the Philippines.

I arrived in Bangkok with only US Dollars and Philippines Peso in my pocket. So my first order of business is to find a money changer with a reasonable exchange rates. According to Mr. Google, exchange rates at the airport are uniform with little or insignificant differences. But upon reading more from the internet, I learned that a specific money changer has more favorable rates than the others. It is located 3 floors from the arrival area; it is near the entrance to the Airport Rail Link. 

It's the green one on the left side!

The name of the Money Changer is Kasikorn Bank (Green in color). I only exchanged a hundred dollar since the rates offered outside is a lot favorable than those that can be found in the airport.

So where and what is the BEST Money Changer in Bangkok?

What: Super Rich Thailand

Super Rich (Thailand) Co. Ltd.

Super Rich Thailand near Big C at Ratchadamri is the best place for money exchange in Bangkok. The exchange rates are the best in the city. It has its own building and dominantly GREEN in color. The currency exchange process starts with taking a copy of the customer's passport. (Photocopy machine is available on the right side of the entrance). The customer is then asked to write his/her phone number on the passport copy and sent on to stand in one of the queues. At the counter, they will count the money in front of the customer (in original currency) and give a token to that customer and wait for his/her number to be called. The place is air conditioned, and cool drinking water is also available.

You can visit them from Monday to Friday, exchange hours is from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM. They are also open during Saturdays and Public Holidays from 9:30 in the morning until 4:30 in the afternoon.

Where: Read below for the directions on how to get to Super Rich (Thailand), Ratchadamri

Getting to Super Rich Thailand is easy. You can either get down at Ratchadamri or Siam BTS stations. Ask someone for directions to Big C. It is walking distance from both stations but Siam is a bit closer. From Siam Station, Super Rich Thailand can be found before crossing the bridge going to Pratunam. Walk past Big C and at the next street, turn right and again ask someone for Super Rich Thailand. It is very close from there.

Important Note

On your way to Super Rich Thailand you will pass by the Super Rich (1965), it is also a money changer but it should not be mistaken for the real Super Rich Thailand. The Super Rich (1965) is dominantly orange in color and also offer better rates than the others but Super Rich Thailand is still the best!

Here is their exact address and contact information:

Super Rich (Thailand) Co., Ltd.

45-45/1 Soi Ratchadamri 1,

Ratchadamri, Patumwan, Bangkok

Tel No.: 02 254 4444

Website: www.superrichthailand.com

Border Crossing via the New Direct Bus from Thailand to Cambodia and vice versa

A few years ago, border crossing between Thailand and Cambodia was a real nightmare for tourists! Thanks to the direct bus plying Bangkok-Siem Reap, the border crossing got a lot easier and safer!

The New Direct Bus From Bangkok to Siem Reap (vice versa)!

The first step is to purchase your ticket.

There are two ways for you to do this. You can directly purchase tickets from Mochit Bus Terminal but remember to do it in advance for a safer bet and to ensure your seats. The alternative and more convenient way of purchasing a ticket is online through Thai Ticket Major. Between the two, I chose to book my ticket online through Thai Ticket Major weeks before my trip to Bangkok. This method is more convenient since my estimated time of departure to Siem Reap is the day after my arrival at Bangkok, hence, there might not be enough seats left for me if I personally purchase the ticket at Mochit. If you prefer to purchase your ticket online, like I did, here is the website where you can book ticket and process payments: http://www.thaiticketmajor.com/bus/index.

A Review of NapPak Hostel: The Perfect Place to Stay at Khao San Road

Months before my trip to Bangkok, I have been really busy finding the right accommodation. 

The reception area! Welcome to NapPark Hostel!

Here are the criteria I used in choosing what hotel/hostel I will be staying at.

Affordability. Travelling alone, affordability comes first in my list. The hostel needs to be budget friendly and should cater to the needs of a solo traveler.

Accessibility. My ideal location for a place to stay is it should be accessible from the major tourist sites, shopping districts and major transportation hub in the city.

Hospitality. When looking for a place to stay, I really look at how the crews and personnel accommodate their guest. Especially when you’re travelling solo and you don’t have anybody to depend on (talk to) but the staff at the hostel you’re staying at.

Other Factors. Since I am not a choosy person, other factors I consider (though not that important) are cleanliness, facilities, services offered (laundry and charter services) and ambience/vibe.

Dining and Shopping (More of Panic Buying and Eating) at Bangkok

Eating and shopping goes hand in hand! Especially at Bangkok where there is food available in every street and items can be bought at cheap prices. 

Shopping at Bangkok
Here is an illustration from Lonely Planet’s Southeast Asia on a Shoestring book for your reference:

Type of Business	Business Hours	Exceptions
Bars	6:00 PM until Midnight (officially)	Bars are close during elections and certain religious public holidays. Closing times vary.
Banks	9:30 AM – 3:30 PM, Mon to Fri	ATMs accessible for 24 hours
Clubs (discos)	8:00 AM – 2:00 AM	Clubs are close during elections and certain religious public holidays. Closing times vary.
Live music venues	6:00 PM – 1:00 AM	They are close during elections and certain religious public holidays. Closing times vary.
Restaurants	10:00 AM – 10:00 PM	Some restaurants specialize in morning meals and close by 3:00 PM
Stores	Local stores: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM Department stores: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM	Sometimes they are close due to certain events (Protest).

Source: Lonely Planet - Southeast Asia on a Shoestring

Night Food Trip in Chinatown, Hua Lamphong

Chinatown is a famous location for a walk tour! Aside from the mouthwatering dimsums and Chinese cuisine there are lots of things to do there!

How to get there:

The easiest way to get to Chinatown is to take the MRT to Hua Lamphong Station - the last station for MRT from Bang Sue. Alternatively you can take bus number 113 or 99 from Siam Area, MBK and Pratunam. You can also try the Chao Phraya Express boat (stop at Ratchawong Pier and walk to Sampeng Lane or Yaowarat Road). Or If you are coming from other city, the train will be the perfect way to get to Chinatown (Stop at Hua Lamphong Train Station and cross the bridge to reach Chinatown). If all else fail, take a Taxi, or Tuk-Tuk, but do some calculation first and make sure to agree with a fixed price first, before boarding the tuktuk.

My trip to Chinatown happened on my 3rd night at Bangkok. I fetch my friend Ate Nika from her hotel near BTS Nana Station before going to Chinatown. I accidentally found her check-in status at facebook and offered to meet her for dinner. She’s with Agoda and currently attending seminar training from Agoda Head Office at Bangkok. 

Samphran Crocodile Farm and Elephant Show

Tour Fee:                      750 Baht (500 for the Crocodile Farm + 250 Baht for the Floating Market)

Duration:                       Full Day Tour

Attraction & Sites:         Damuern Saduak Floating Market, Free Lunch at a Floating Restaurant and Samphran Elephant Grounds and Crocodile Farm.

Like my tour at the Ayutthaya and Bang Pa-InSummer Palace the other day, I was directed by our guide at the floating market to another vehicle – a Nissan Sentra latest model. There were 5 of us inside the car including the driver, a mother and daughter from Korea and Emily from Czech Republic. And Yes, I instantly became friends with Emily since we have a lot in common. By a lot, I mean – we have the same waist line and she was fun to talk with.

Before going to Samphran Elephant Grounds and Crocodile Farm, our driver took us first to a floating restaurant (too much floating for the day, LOL) somewhere around Bangkok. The ambience was good and the food was satisfying. But the conversation with Emily was the most memorable during that lunch. She was a college student at Czech and currently on break to tour around Thailand for a month.