When Bangkok was built over 200 years ago, gold was as popular as ever. As Bangkok grew in population and prosperity, small time merchants, mostly of Chinese descent, would purchase chains or bracelets with any spare money, as a hedge against bad times. If conditions got difficult, they would trade the precious chains for cash to continue the business. People who had emigrated from chaos elsewhere to relatively peaceful Bangkok knew firsthand that the bar, not paper, is a true store of value. Early Bangkok precious metal traders were concentrated in the Yaowarat district of Bangkok, as well as the Silom section by the Chaophraya River. When you visit these two areas, you will still see some old two-story buildings where the ground floor shops, painted bright red, are lined up with glass case cabinets filled will yellow metal chains of all sizes. They also carry rings, bracelets, amulet casings, and pins.

Today these merchants are really metal traders and brokers. They sell gold in jewelry format and bullion formats. They will also buy back them from their customers in both formats. When they buy back from you, there is a small transaction fee, at current prices approximately one hundred baht per half ounce. A half ounce of the yellow metal in Bangkok is about twelve thousand five hundred baht today. So a hundred baht transaction fee is pretty small when you trade bullion for cash. For foreigners in Thailand, one confusing aspect of Thai bar is the system of measurement. The weight unit for Thai gold is called baht. One baht is about half an ounce or 15.16 grams. Adding to the confusion, the Thai paper currency is also called baht. Thus one bar baht is about twelve thousand five hundred baht. It sounds confusing, but it is nonetheless accurate.

Gold in Bangkok is of high grade, though somewhat less than standard international investment grade. Bullion is 96.5% pure. By contrast, Swiss bullion is 99.99% pure. A jewelry such as a wrist watch bands might be a bit less pure to enhance the sturdiness. The price of the bar is set daily by the Thai Gold Traders Association. Practically all bar transactions are done in cash. You walk into a metal shop, tell them how many baht of the yellow piece you want, and pay them in cash. By the way most metal shops do accept credit cards as well. With all the uncertainty in international markets, it might not be a bad idea to have some bullions stashed away for a rainy day. It has stood the test of time as a store of value. It will continue to be popular in Bangkok for a long time to come.

There are many means of transportation as we all know. Lets assume you are a seasoned traveler, so you can setup a flight inbound. Airport is a great place to start, and lets save some headache, cash, and raise the safety bar from transport experts just waiting at the exit like hungry sharks. Get through the immigration point, you have your bags in hand, running shoes on, a bit jet lagged, this will help. Head right out the front, look for the sign Sky Train, the first safe and low cost way direct into Bangkok, and no traffic problems at all. It is scheduled to open 100% by this August 2010.

By Sky Train you will go downtown Bangkok to near Sukumvit road. You can get off just about anywhere desired. Find your destination point, hotel location or other. Plot a course, and look up the Sky train stop nearest your destination. You can also e-mail your hotel in advance, ask the right questions, away you go, almost a seasoned expert at this point, and a survivor. Taxis are every where. They start at 35 baht/ approximate 1 us dollar for about 5 minutes, or 2 kilometers. Sometimes just nice to take an air conditioned break. He will ask you in Thai Ba-Ni’, which means where do you want to go. Best to have a hotel name, or card with a map on the back.

Inner City travel. My favorite is the Sky Train, built back about year 2000. From the upper level, not only is it cheap around the main city, but good for the budget, one way about $1.50 US Dollar, or 50 baht. Not only do you stay above the city and traffic, you get a bit of a view, and notice tall buildings which will help get your bearing straight for next time. Also within the city, you can take a 3 wheeled Tuk-Tuk. Now they are not cheap, start at 40 baht, but you have to experience this once in Bangkok, night is best, much cooler, a short distance is advised.

General safety tips, passports are worth gold, there are serious pick pocket folks about in the crowded malls. Be smart. Gold necklace also a nice grab and go item, easy to change to baht, just use common sense. Food is great, every where you go there is food. The best, is the wide range of travel cost from simple guest houses, to 5 star hotels located everywhere. You can travel extremely reasonable for those on a tight budget. Enjoy your travels to Bangkok, be smart be safe.