Travel Tips - Cambodia - Thailand - April 2006

BEWARE of Thailand - Cambodia University Serves Food For The Mind - Cambodia's Funny Money - ATM Machines Now in Cambodia - Thailand's Jewelry Scams - Getting Around Bangkok - Angkor Wat - Beware of Bangkok & Phuket THAILAND Tailors - Dr. Beat In Siem Reap, Cambodia - NR Top 10

Saturday April 29, 2006 - National Radio Text Service

BEWARE OF THAILAND

As readily available on news reports Thailand is undergoing some political unrest. Thailand has a history of this problem and caution is advised.

The same type of situation came about in the early nineties that resulted in a show of force in May 1992 by police and the military to contain protesters. It resulted in nearly 50 deaths and hundreds of injuries.

We were there just before and after that outbreak and all was calm. It was as if nothing had ever happened.

Prior to the conflict it was like the calm before the storm. On the surface, to a traveler, the same type of calm existed after.

Caution is advised. Check with your embassy for information. Being careful is better than being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

PANNASASTRA UNIVERSITY FILM FESTIVAL... IS ON!!!

If you're traveling to Cambodia, the Film Festival Cinema Cambodia at Pannasastra University will be held on a Saturday, May 27, 2006, at the University Rooftop Amphitheater on Norodom Boulevard near the Independence Monument..

Festival organizer Dr. Raymond Leos said, "The emphasis of this year's festival is on providing a comfortable and supportive venue for young Cambodian filmmakers to show their work, and to share and network with others."

CAMBODIA UNIVERSITY OFFERS FOOD FOR THE MIND

When traveling to a non-English speaking country it is difficult to find a library with English language books and magazines. That problem has been resolved in Phnom Penh, Cambodia where Cambodia University has an Internet service and library with books and magazines in English that is open to the public.

The Internet service is open from 8am to 8pm seven days a week. The rates are 1000 riel for a half hour and 1500 for one hour.

The schools TOSHU FUKAMI library is open during the week Monday through Friday the from 7:30am to noon AND in the afternoon from 2 to 8pm. Saturday and Sunday it is open from 7:30am to noon and 2-6:30pm.

The university is located near the Independence monument at #143-145 Preah Norodom Boulevard. Tel: 023-993-276.

ECSTATIC PIZZA MOVED:

FYI… Ecstatic Pizza has relocated. It is now located at #132F Norodom Boulevard between streets 308 & 294 near the Independence Monument. It is located between the University of Cambodia and Pannasastra Universities on the south side (Pannasastra University side) of the street. Open 9am - 11pm - Tel 023-365-089.

CAMBODIA'S FUNNY MONEY

As the saying goes…if it ain't broke don't fix it.

A couple of years ago the 50-riel note was introduced to the Cambodian public. It wasn't well received.

WHY??? Good Question

The note valued at just over 1 US cent can easily be confused with the 500-riel note valued at 12 ½ US cents

Those who had one wanted to get rid of it as fast as possible. Vendors and super and mini markets were dumping them on patrons.

Another reason is carrying 50-riel notes takes up a lot of room.

When a customer complained of receiving a pile of BRAND NEW 50-riel notes for change the vendor replied, "Give it to the beggars."

NOW FAST FORWARD

A new 1000-riel note has been released.

What's wrong with that?

Answer: The old 1000-riel note is brown. Its value is around 25 US cents. It is easy to recognize being the only brown note in Cambodian currency.

The new 1000-riel note is blue note is confusing to a traveler or a not so familiar foreigner. It has a bright blue color on one side and a not so bright blue color on the other.

As it ages it gets dull. The notes it can easily be confused with other blue notes.

The 100 riel note is valued at just over 2 1/2 cents. If you snooze on this one you really lose.

The 5000-riel note is valued at US $1.25. The 10,000-riel note is valued at US $2.50.

There is a 50,000-riel blue note that is seldom seen valued at around $12.50.

Why the change??? GO FIGURE.

DR BEAT IN SIEM REAP

Dr. Beat Richner is most notably known for two things... building children's hospitals in Cambodia and playing the cello. Dr. Beat performs in Siem Reap in the auditorium of Jayvarman Hospital Saturday nights at 7:15pm.

BEWARE OF BANGKOK & THAILAND TAILORS:

Thailand is known for its abundance of tailor shops. A tailor made suite can be a good buy. That's the good news.

The bad news is some tailor shops lure customers through their doors by advertising that they will give the tourist a package deal that includes two suits (or more), shirts and ties for $99 to $199.

When you request the promoted package you are shown old material that has been sitting on their shelves for years that the tailor can't sell. More expensive material is then pointed out to you. The price increases radically.

If you express that you have little time and are leaving the country you may be told that you can pick it up in one or two days

Give yourself enough days/time to see if the garments fit. Also give yourself enough time for the alterations to be done properly. If you leave Thailand before the clothes fit to your satisfaction, factor in how much it would cost to have the alterations completed in your country.

Many tailor shops are using brand names without authorization and are not affiliated with the brand. A full story on Thailand tailors is forthcoming.

ATM MACHINES NOW AVAILABLE IN CAMBODIA

This past summer of 2005 ANZ Bank began business in the country. They have provided what many travelers need most…. ATM machines.

They are located in several areas in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap at Star Mart stores. In Siem Reap there is one located on Route No. 6 near the Sokha Angkor hotel.

1. JIM MURRAY 2. Kobe Bryant & NBA Trivia 3. Cambodia's Royal Palace 4. Zico Leads Japan To World Cup. Who is Zico? - 5. Grammy Music Awards Show 6. Teerathep Leads Thailand to SEA Games Title 7. Thailand Impressive against Premiere Club Sides and Real Madrid 8. Australia's Carins Brothers Rugby 9. DON KING, HBO Picture's... 10. SUPER BOWL - Jerome Bettis Steelers Dynasty -- Full Story NR Top 20

THAILAND'S ELITE CARD

For $25,000 Thailand offers an Elite Card membership…. if you qualify. Some membership privileges include: airport transfers to your hotel, free or discounted green fees for those that play golf and the entitlement of being able to purchase 10 rai of land. Full story coming....

JEWELRY SCAM IN THAILAND

Beware of the jewelry scam hustle in Thailand. It has been going on for years. Tourists are lured by tuk tuk, taxi drivers to an office or jewelry shops and sold stones that have little or no value.

Ten years ago a tuk tuk driver in Chiang Mai took us to an office to hear about this great deal where we could make money.

The office was near the train station. Upon arrival it appeared that there was very little in the way of furnishings. The small offices contained basically a desk and chair and nothing hanging from the gray walls.

We were told that they had a customer in the US that was waiting for the package of jewelry. The sales rep said that the tax to ship the items was very expensive.

We were asked to pay a sum of money for the jewelry. Our profit was to be made when we delivered the goods to their customer.

TIP: Save your time, trouble and most of all…money.

GETTING AROUND BANGKOK

BANGKOK'S TRANSIT ANGELS BTS & MRT Bangkok's BTS Skytrain and the recently completed MRT subway train line give a traveler access to a fascinating city in a short period of time.

The two train systems connect at key areas known for dining, shopping, recreation and amusement.

BTS SKYTRAIN - ELEVATED TRAIN LINE

Operates 6am to midnight. Fares range from 10 to 40 baht.

This BTS Skytrain transit system contains two lines. They have stops that can connect you from the National Stadium, MBK and Silom Square shopping centers and the Thaksin Bridge.

Along this route you may access to the Royal Bangkok Sports Club and racetrack, the Silom business district.

Below the bridge there is an Express boat stop. The boat travels a major portion of the Chayo Phrya River with numerous stops including the Grand Palace.

BUYER BEWARE

Vendors are selling old train and bus route maps. The new ones are out so make sure you purchase a NEW ONE.

The new MRT subway line stops are on the new map.

The bus route numbers have been changed since the old map was printed. An example is the number 11 bus in now 511.

For some reason the 7-11 stores aren't carrying the maps as they did in the past. They are selling a GROOVY MAP that points out where you can have a drink in Bangkok. Why would you need that? You can drink anywhere.

The Bus map sells for 40 baht or $1. The Groovy map sells for 150 ($3.75) - 200 baht ($5). GO FIGURE

The Tourist Authority of Thailand give out the best map. It is free.

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