My U.S. dollar in the toilet.

[Ladyboy_Loser!]

38.250 Baht to my good old dollar is just an outright joke. Jesus Christ, last year at this time I got 42 and change to the dollar. With all this political turmoil going on in Thailand, it's economy stalled somewhat by this I am not able to figure out why the Thai currency is so strong. I beleive it is strong against most of the currencys. Sure, sure, yeah I know it's ony less than 4 baht, that's not the point, I am wondering if it going to continue to cut into my bang for the Baht. Thailand is no longer the bargain it once was but for us die hard LB lovers what other choice do we have? Please, spare me the praisings of the Phillipines. I would eat maggots than go to that place.

[rxpharm]

It is not that the Baht is so strong as it is the US economy is not supporting the dollar strength as it once did. Just look at the huge budget deficits and tremendous growth of the national debt over the past 6 years. The current government has outspent any previous US government in history - and not only the war, but natural disasters have piled on the problems facing the economy.

If all of the foreign countries who hold a majority of the US treasury bonds all decided to cash in, that would ruin the US - but it is not in their best interest to do that for now.

Anyway, depending on what happens with the Thai government, the Baht could get weaker again - but it may be a while before you see 40 Baht/USD again.

[stogie bear]

It's true that there is a slight decline in the exchange rate compared to before, but inflation here is pretty much zero so it shouldn't make any difference to visitors.

The answer is to earn more, or at least shop around for the things you spend your DI on!

[Guest]

rxpharm

I agree with what you aid. take this in to thaught. If all the countries that owe the US would pay back their debts, the deficit would not be bad. ex...there is still money owed from WWII from alot of countries, money from loans to impovrished countries. not to mention if the us govt stopped giving foreign aide that would be a nice downpayment each year. just some food for thaught

[katoeylover]

Yes, it is the dollar that is weak - £1 : $1.76 today and we still get 70bt for the pound.

[Road Runner]

(katoeylover @ Apr. 13 2006,22:09) Yes, it is the dollar that is weak - £1 : $1.76 today and we still get 70bt for the pound.

Hello Katoelover,

If you're getting 70 Baht you're doing well.

Best I got 2 months ago was 68.5 and Yahoo is showing 66.5 at the moment.

RR.

[stogie bear]

(fedmstr @ Apr. 14 2006,04:38) I agree with what you aid. take this in to thaught.  If all the countries that owe the US would pay back their debts, the deficit would not be bad.  ex...there is still money owed from WWII from alot of countries, money from loans to impovrished countries.   not to mention if the us govt stopped giving foreign aide  that would be a nice downpayment  each year.   just some food for thaught

Absolutely, mate. Those second world war debtors are making us vacationers suffer a cruel injustice.

I say we go round their houses and throw stones through their windows!

Just a thaught!

[BAM]

http://www.xe.net/

[Road Runner]

(fedmstr @ Apr. 13 2006,21:38) there is still money owed from WWII from alot of countries,

the debate in the Commons on 28 February 2002 shows that the UK expected to complete its repayment of its monetary debt to the USA on 31 December 2006


I believe the Duke of Westminster is still awaiting payment for the state of Virginia owing from 1776.

RR.

[post-op lover]

Yep, Rxpharm is right - Bush's strategy to avoid complete bankruptcy has included a tactic of pulling the rug out from under the dollar, so that we get more foreign investment - remember the 80s and how the Japanese bought everything after the Plaza accord? - China is buying all kinds of companies and T-bills, more consumption of our products (buy American - cheap, cheap!), and less domestic demand for foreign products. It's all well and good, except that we're deeper in debt, own less of our own stuff, and can't afford to travel.

[PigDogg]

(post-op lover @ Apr. 14 2006,21:03) and can't afford to travel.

When Japan and China buy T-Bills doesn't that strengthen the dollar? So when i travel the strong dollar makes T-girls less expensive.

[Tomcat]

(PogueMahone @ Apr. 14 2006,01:34) 38.250 Baht to my good old dollar is just an outright joke.

its still pretty good in my book. I remember around 1991 i think was at one point 25baht to the dollar. I used to use dollars in those days as it was easier. Now it dont matter .

believe me 25 bahts/$ did bring tears to the eyes.

I think 40 dollars to the baht is still cheap bahts going by the last 16 years.


Enjoy life, your only dead once......

[allstar88]

70 baht to british pound let the good times roll,i remember in the 90s it was 40 baht to the pound but a year later those clever thais put bar prices  up to compensate you cant win          

[PigDogg]

(allstar88 @ Apr. 15 2006,19:34) a year later those clever thais put bar prices  up to compensate

Makes sense to me. After 97 crisis 25 baht to the dollar was no longer an appropriate exchange rate. At the same time, Pattaya punters had no objection to paying 1000 long time at 40 baht to the dollar.