book01

Chapter 2
Welcome to Bang Cock!

this because the ride back to the airport is always cheaper by meter, although it's obviously the same distance).

Security

Thailand really is a safe place to travel to. Not that any country is crime free, but in the tourist districts, it comes pretty close. Thailand is one of the few countries that has a special police force - the Tourist Police - dedicated to the safety and protection of the tourists. All the major tourist area are protected and well guarded by the Tourist Police. You will see the Tourist Police in South Pattaya Beach Resort, in Phuket, all around the major red light district areas in Bangkok (how convenient!), and so on. You will see signs and small posters in the tourist areas which read: Tourist Police: At your Service. And so they are.

I've been traveling to Thailand now for ten years. I lived in Thailand for over two years (and again reside there now) and I can say with fulf° confidence it's a very safe place to hang out. It's certainly a hell of a lot safer than living in the Philippines or Cambodia. In fact, I feel safer living in Thailand then I did when I resided in California. Yes, I've walked the streets in Thailand all hours of the day and night and not once have I had any security problems whatsoever. I've roamed the streets alone at 1 a.m., 2 a.m., 3 a.m., etc., for years. Not once have I ever felt threatened or intimidated (except by too many girls trying to suck my dick!).

Money

The Thai currency is the Thai baht, pronounced like the English word "bought". "I bought some baht" would sound the same as, "I bought some bought". Although the Thai baht has remained stable at 25 baht per US dollar throughout the 80's and 90's, at the end of 1997 into 1998, we saw the baht go as high as 53 baht per US dollar (and settling around the mid 40's per dollar). At present (January 2000), the exchange rate settled at pretty close to 37 baht per US dollar. Expect it to continue to jump up and down.

When you arrive in Thailand, you must make use of the local currency, the Thai baht. Although any major hotel or restaurant will accept major credits cards (Visa and Master Card), most of