How much extra cash did you need or, for those who are scheduled to go, taking? Specifically the area in and around Dr Chettawut's.

Thanks.

LIT, who is crossing her fingers as it looks like it may actually happen now

Oooooh, LIT!  I have no idea about the answer to your question.  But I'm SO excited for you.

Kristi

Thats brilliant LostInTime, congratulations! w00p w00p!

I stayed at the Bann Siri Ramma hotel, which worked out about $25 a night and that included breakfast. Food is cheap and there are some good restraunts near by. There is a 7-11 and a pharmacy, just a 2 minute walk down the road.

There is a big shopping centre about 15 minutes taxi ride away, with plenty of cheap electrical stuff and some larger Dept stores.

Phone cards are fairly inexpensive and it is easier to by a cheap mobile with a local SIM card when there.

Remember to keep 500 Baht for the airport tax.

I reckon you can survive on $35-40 a day (which includes the hotel).

Buffy

Thanks everyone and especially thank you for the info Buffy. What I have earmarked will be enough then and that is a relief to know.

This is not a done deal yet but I have gone from an absolute refusal to loan me the money to loaning me exactly how much I wanted and I should be able to finish up the paperwork and have the money in hand in two weeks. The passport will be another issue all together and I am still trying to figure out what to do for that (long story).

So a lot could go wrong but if everything goes right this will so rock.

LIT, I'm so happy for you. When I went I used my credit card. It worked over there but that was 3 years ago. There were ATM's in a lot of places. I used the one at the hospital and also they had places for money exchange and I used it there too. Before I left I got 100 dollars worth of bahts which I believe at the time was around 4300 bahts. I only had to use my credit card twice for exchange of money, that was because we went shopping after surgery. There are all kinds of places that are American stores. There was a starbucks right around the corner from our motel. We found their coffee was better than starbucks. I know everything will go OK for you. It will take time to get your passport, but I heard they were making it a lot easier now. They fired the guy in charge and got someone else.
Sheila

The dollar-to-Bhat rate is sucking swampwater right now, and as each day passes, the dollar buys fewer bhat.  Is there a strategy to deal with this, or do you just eat the sucky exchange rate ?

Karen

P.S., WayTaGo, LIT

Thanks everyone.

Right now it appears that everything is on track. I have to decide whether or not to clear up a few things first or just go as soon as I can. Honestly I would like to get a few things straightened out first and those things will eat up about $3K but my tax return should make up the difference.

It also appears that I should not have any problems with obtaining a passport and traveling. Keeping fingers crossed.

And yes,the dollar is weak right now. It is one of the factors of why oil is so high.

The one thing that really stinks though? When I was first scheduling surgery I was planning on spending on $2K more and going to Montreal. That was a long time ago though. Will be happy just to have it all done and out of the way.

Posted on: July 30, 2007, 08:05:26

---

Other shoe may have dropped, again. Now I will know in 48 hours. It's the name thing that is scaring them off. Blah. I will keep thinking happy thoughts though. 

Good Luck!

Chettawut does nice work. Call me if you get lonely?  LOL.

Quote from: Thundra on July 31, 2007, 02:57:47 PM
Good Luck!

Chettawut does nice work. Call me if you get lonely?  LOL.

Thanks and deal. I should know by the end of next week whether or not I will be able to swing going this year or next. really hoping everything comes together this year.

In Sept. of last year I spent USD $1,300.00 on the hotel, food, misc. spending costs. During my time at the Baan Sirri for the month I was there from srs with Dr. Chetawut.
Rashelle

good luck to you, i was there in the service

Thanks Rashelle and gween. I have budgeted in the hotel and then another few hundred for food and entertainment. I am hoping that it will be enough but if not then I will have either Master Charge or Lady Visa with me.

Quote from: Karen on July 28, 2007, 12:15:05 AM
The dollar-to-Bhat rate is sucking swampwater right now, and as each day passes, the dollar buys fewer bhat.  Is there a strategy to deal with this, or do you just eat the sucky exchange rate ?

Karen

P.S., WayTaGo, LIT

If you are afraid of the exchange rate getting worse, you could, of course, exchange your dollars now. The Thais are every concerned about the overvalued Baht. I wouldn't worry too much as long as your surgery cost is locked in.

I also stayed at the Baan Siri Rama Place. Dr Chettawut Books the room for you so you pay about $25 a day. Breakfast at the Baan Siri is about $2.50 U.S. Lunch and Dinner a bit higher, but still affordable. For a months stay at the Hotel, cost me about 1,436.00. That included my room, my meals, and computer usage. Another tip for Taxi's. They refer to the hotel as Bangkok Rama Place.

You are also able to do alot of bargaining in Thailand in the market places and the stalls in the Seacon Square mall. Don't be afraid to bargain they will either work it out with you or say no. It does not hurt to try. It worked well for me. I was able to bring home alot of souveniers for friends and family. Bargaining helps you to save some money.

Some people are not to thrilled with Thai food, McDonalds and Kentucky Fried Chicken delivers to Baan Siri. There is Sizzler Steak house at the mall (Seacon Square) on the 4th floor, Great food there. If you get delivery be sure to give them your room number or meet them in the lobby, if the hotel collects it for you, they will charge a small fee. Good Luck!

P.S. Use the skytrain to avoid heavy traffic if going to see shows etc.

Thanks.

I do not like a lot of different foods and detest seafood so I will be looking for and eating mostly Western dishes. My trip will be about 25 days in duration and he has already given me the rate on the hotel. I am waiting for 21-30 days out before getting the plane ticket. Most of that is due to the fact that I have no idea what will happen during the passport process. I will be doing that the first week of October and am curious how it will play out. Once that is done, I will be ready to roll. I am going to take enough to cover if I need a graft, the hotel, and a little spending money and have access to an account via the 'Net if I need any additional wired to me.