I agree about Hotels getting more expensive. I'm hoping to tour Laos next winter and have been looking at flights to BKK and then staying there for a few days at the end of my trip. I know a lot of people say you only sleep in your hotel and as long as it's clean it doesn't have to be 4 or 5*, but I do like a bit of Luxury when possible and have noticed that the hotels I have been looking at seem to be really pricey. So I have also been looking at changing my plans and getting a flight to KL where I think I can still get something cheaper. I do like BKK though and haven't been for about 7years now whereas I've had a few visits to Malaysia over the last few years. Decisions, Decisions

One of the most disappointing things for us on our last trip (and hinted at by Fiona in her latest visit report about the Landmark) is that hotels now present bills in USD and try to charge your card in your local billing currency. This happened to us with bills from the Shangri-La and the Marriott.

It seemed to me that there was also a 'fudge factor' where the hotel was billing at the exchange rate that you would get at their exchange counter - in other words a very poor rate of exchange.

Greed is not something that I would have associated with Thailand a few years ago although we did notice a change after our and visit to Koh Samui (2005 - posted here in 2006) early http://www.holidaytruths.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=72&t=65610&p=646293&hilit=chaba#p646293 - perhaps they are learing the worst of the Western ways!

Peter

in fairness the Landmark has always done that. It was just more noticeable this time as the dollar is so weak. They also gave 3 bahts more than we could find in the places we checked. Nevertheless it was still a lot worse than I had expected. Pay as much as you can upfront- don't sign for anything.
Although we are returning to Bali this summer I had looked at other options, including Hanoi and Koh Samui. When I checked the rate for the Peace Resort I thought they had made a mistake on their site, but they hadn't. It was almost 3 times what we had paid in the past, and not much less than we were charged for the Landmark- but the Peace Resort is fairly basic Much as I love the place, the price is just not jusified. Someone must be paying it though! I did find good prices elsewhere in the resort though.

Guys,

For you info, I've just changed up some money for Thailand with ICE (International Currency Exchange). This is the number one site according to Moneysupermarket.com.

I have just got 61.6 baht to the pound with these, compared to 57 or 58 with the usual suspects - Post Office, Marks and Spencers etc. they seem to do pretty good rates.

Cheers,

TC

They do seem rather generous with their exchange rate...its above the rate given out by the universal currency converter. Mind you I always change currency in Thailand...shows about 64 baht to the pound on Bangkok Bank site today - thats somewhat better than the 58 baht the UCC has been showing.

I'm with you there Sunbear - much better rate once you get to Thailand (unless of course the GBP drops any further)

Peter

The biggest problem is the increase in the price of flights, if prices were the same as they were 2/3 years ago (instead of the rip off fuel surchages) then a small increase in the value of the baht wouldnt matter. As for the posh hotels, pay in advance that way you get a better price.

We need Ryanair to start flying to Thailand !!

I don't know about Ryanair to Thailand! You wouldn't find me on them, or on a long-haul Air Asia thanks!

But the increase in air prices is continual - I thought they had plateaued, but looking at some flights to Bali, the taxes are now £80 higher than 16 months ago when I last went.

Incidentally the combined taxes on a BA/Qantas flights to Bali (via SIngapore) is now £303.80. And you pay Indonesian departure tax locally as well!

I started working in travel in 2000, the tax on a round the world ticket was £25 (funnily enough all from the UK) and then the US, Australia etc starting adding taxes, then security charges, then everything else, you can easily add £500 on a round the world ticket now.

Incidentally, everyone uses Emirates, not because their 'ticket' prices are low - they are not - but because there is minimal Dubai airport taxes and no fuel surcharges which makes their fares £100 cheaper in taxes alone compared to other airlines. It's all madness......!

Son of Homer

We need Ryanair to start flying to Thailand

Well that's one sure-fire way of killing it off as a decent destination. Let's just add the straw donkeys and sombreros.....

Sorry

I got 61.95 to the pound last week in BKK.

I am afraid that as the Thai economy gets stronger so does the currency.With air fares increasing it is getting hard to find any bargains.

I am really having trouble this year deciding where to go.The Far East used to be so cheap.

Fancy Vietnam or Cambodia but again am put off by the long flights.

Just cannot face Europe though

Papa

Flight bargains can be had, I have just purchased my flight for next March through Flightline, direct flight with EVA Air, we paid £45 less than we paid this year with Thai Airways. Saw the post about the Landmark, I have booked for 3 nights in March, is it possible to pay them up front? or in $ cash?

Took the plunge last night.MAN-BKK with Etihad 520.00 each.Thought that was O.K.Booked direct with the airline.

sounds really good to me