I need to go to Bangkok for work--anything of numismatic interest there?

Longacre

I need to go to Bangkok for work for 3 days pretty soon. Is there anything of numismatic interest there? I will be staying at The Oriental Hotel, so if anything is within walking distance, that would be even better. I would really like to try to find some examples of counterfeit trade dollars (as crazy at that sounds). However, I was in China last year, and when I went through US Customs, they pulled me out of line and asked specifically if I bought any “knockoff” products while in China and searched my bags. I am not sure if a counterfeit trade dollar is a “knockoff” product, but I am not sure if I want to risk it.

Also, on a non-numismatically related topic, I’ve traveled all over the world, and I usually rate the places I visit based on the food. When I was in Shanghai, I was looking for General Tao’s chicken or something like that. To my horror, I found out that the Chinese food in China is nothing like the Chinese food here. I was offered Sea Cucumbers at almost every meal, unfortunately. Thankfully, the hotel had M&Ms and Snickers bars, which I survived on for 3 days. Is the Thai food any better?


PS. Is there a good website where I can see what Thai coins and currency looks like?

Justhavingfun

Welcome to Bangkok, Longacre.

Before I got my apartment, I used to stay directly across the river from the Oriental, at the Peninsula, which I preferred for the (much) better food and the more casual atmosphere (I'm a short-pants and t-shirt fellow, and that's verbotten at the Oriental). Anyway, I know the area fairly well and if you turn left out of the Oriental and walk up the Soi (small street) the Oriental fronts on, in about three minutes you'll come to Chareon Kreung, a main street. Turn left and in 5 to 10 minutes you'll come to a section with dozens of silversmiths. About six of them carry coins -- and it will say so in the store front. Most beautiful modern proofs going for bullion plus 50% but some of them also carry some of the interesting old coins from previous kingships.

Hard to tell you what to look for, because I'm just learning myself. I have my office manager and secretary tag-teaming me to teach me how to read, write, and speak Thai so I can collect Thai coins. When you see the Thai script, you'll understand what a tough nut that is to crack.

Regarding the food, Thai cuisine is spectacularly good. The two best restaurants in the area are the River Cafe at the Peninsua (The Oriental has a boat which will take you there and pick you up), and Tongue Thai. Tongue Thai is a few short alleys up towards Chareon Kreung, and then a left. I have very, very fond memories of the place. I hope it's still as good. You have to specify whether you like it spicy or not. "Mi pet khop" is not spicey. "pet khop" is spicey to American taste buds. "pet mach mach, Khop" is nuclear -- the way the Thai like it for themselves. "Khop" is the honorific you use (assuming you're a guy). If you're a gal, the honorific is "Caa".

When are you coming? I have a 5-star chef on my payroll. Speaking of which, she just said "Geen chao tawn yen" -- time to eat dinner.

Two last points ... (1) Bangkok is the safest city I've ever been in for walking. I walk all over and I walk down the soi's, the alley's off the alleys, and then the alleys off the alleys off the alleys -- and I've never once been bothered. I do it in the daytime, midnight, whenever. (2) If you're looking for female companionship, don't let them send you to Pat Pong: Very, very sleezy. Ask for a hotel limo to take you to Nana, or better yet, Soi Cowboy, or even Sukhumvit Soi Saam sibp Saam (Sukhumvit soi 33). But be careful, more than one of my colleagues and/or guests has lost his heart to one of the beauties there, and I mean beauties.



Good luck and best wishes,



Just having fun.