ThaiROP 2012

 
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Financial Matters

Salary

Summer 2012 summer research salaries will funded at the level of $3,500 for a 10 week period of work.

Before you leave for Bangkok:

    • Contact the UROP Office to arrange for your salary checks to be automatically deposited into your bank account. That way you will be able to access your money via an ATM while in Thailand.
    • Notify your bank and credit card carriers that you will be traveling in Thailand and possibly other Asian countries during the summer months. 

 

Airfare to/from Bangkok, Thailand:

  • Your airfare from the US to Bangkok, Thailand will be covered up to a limit to be determined on an annual basis. 
  • You are responsible for any costs associated with travelling to/from your home and the US international airport where you book your flight to/from Bangkok.

 

Expenses @ CRI:

There is no charge for the following CRI services:

  • CRI van transport between CRI and the Suwannabhumi International Airport, Bangkok.
  • Private room and bath, for the duration of your Thai-ROP work program.
  • Daily room and bathroom cleaning and provision of fresh towels and bed linen.
  • In room cable television (note: very limited English channel service is provided).
  • Residence pool & fitness center.
  • Thai-ROP lounge, which has office equipment (internet ready computer with Skype capability, printer, fax), satellite television, DVD player, and kitchen/dining/lounging facilities.
  • Internet services in the lobby of the CRI Residence Hall.
  • Personal use of laundry machines at the residence (users must provide their own detergent).
  • Daily breakfast at the CRI Residence Hall dining room.
  • Weekday lunch at the CRI Cafeteria (coupons valued at 50 baht/meal will be provided on a weekly basis).
  • Local transportation by CRI van to/from public transportation (Sky Train and/or Metro Subway), by request.

There will be a charge for the following goods and services provided by or through the CRI Residence:

  • Personal laundry service (pick-up, wash, fold, iron, delivery).
  • Dry cleaning.
  • Room telephone calls made to locations outside of CRI.
  • Meals ordered from CRI, the Ramada Inn and/or area take out restaurants.
  • Taxi service.
  • Some travel expenses associated with CRI sponsored trips off campus (such as meals & lodging).

The following information has been adapted from the Lonely Planet: 

Currency:

  • The exchange rate for the US dollar to the Thai Baht (฿ or THB) will vary over time. You can determine the current exchange rate using this currency converter.
  • Select US Dollar, then Thai Baht, then press convert.
  • For buying baht, US dollars are the most readily acceptable currency and traveler checks get a better rate than cash. 
  • Credit cards are becoming increasingly acceptable in quality shops, hotels and restaurants. Visa is the most useful, followed by MasterCard.
Changing Your Money
  • Banks or legal money-changers offer the best rates. 
  • ATMs that accept Visa and other credit cards are widespread throughout Thailand, and many exchange booths will give you a cash advance on your credit card. 

Cost of Living

Thailand is a relatively inexpensive country to visit thanks to advantageous foreign currency exchanges and an affordable standard of living. 

  • Visitors staying in comfortable hotels and eating at restaurants should budget around ฿600.00 - ฿700.00 a day outside Bangkok and around double this amount when in the capital.
  • Items sold by street vendors in markets or in many shops are flexibly priced - that is, the price is negotiable. Thais respect a good haggler. Always let the vendor make the first offer then ask 'Is that your best price?' or 'Can you lower the price?’ This usually results is an immediate discount from the first price. Now it's your turn to make a counteroffer; always start low but don't bargain at all unless you're serious about buying. Negotiations continue until a price is agreed - there's no set discount from the asking price as some vendors start ridiculously high, others closer to the 'real' price.
  • Tipping is not generally expected in Thailand. The exception is loose change from a large restaurant bill; if a meal costs ฿488.00 and you pay with a ฿500.00 note, some Thais will leave the change. It's not so much a tip as a way of saying 'I'm not so money-grubbing as to grab every last baht'. 
  • At many hotel restaurants or other up-market eateries, a 10% service charge will be added to your bill and tipping is not expected. Bangkok has adopted some standards of tipping, especially in restaurants frequented by foreigners. 

 
 

 

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