Koh
Samui Travel Guide -> Currency, Tipping, Shopping and Food
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Currency
The Thai unit of currency is the Baht. The current exchange rate is ca. 35,00 Baht for 1 US$. You can change money either at the banks in Nathon, or at the money changers in Chaweng, Maenam or Lamai. The basic exchange rates are the same everywhere. It is best to bring traveller`s cheques, because they are safer and because the exchange for them is slightly better than the rate for cash . (You have to show you passport and give your address in Thailand if you want to cash a cheque.) Major credit cards
(Visa, American Express, MasterCard) are generally accepted in hotels and
the big shops.
Tipping Most restaurants add a 10 per cent service charge to the bill but an additional 5 to 10 per cent may be given, where deserved. When a service charge is not automatic,10 per cent is acceptable. There is no tipping in very simple restaurants or st food stalls. Small tips may also be given to bellboys, or roommaids. Shopping Thailand is very famous for its quality handicrafts, but most of the items offered in the shops of Ko Samui have not been produced there but in the North. (See Chiang Mai Travel Guide, Shopping Tour) Thai Cuisine is very spicy and includes curries, stir-fried dishes, interesting salads (e.g. a salad made of pomelo with shrimps), and of course many rice and noodle dishes. Specialities in Ko Samui are of course all kinds of fish and seafood. Particularly delicious are the thick coconut curries - for instance prawns in spicy red curry sauce - take care if you are on a diet, the white creamy lumps that float in the sauce are pure coconut fat! Also highly recommendable is fish braised with pepper and garlic.
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