Currencies

Travelling to other countries meaning changing different currencies. Here're some of the currencies used throughout the whole trip.

Cambodian Riels

Exchange rate: 4000 riels = RM3.2 = US$1

Although Riels is the official currency for Cambodia, people in Cambodia still do tradings in US dollars. As US$1 is about 4000 riels and 10cents is 400 Riels, Cambodians always return the change in Riels rather than the US coins.

Other than that, it's quite hard to recognize Riel notes as the same value may have various colour and design. Took me quite some time to actually get used to it.

Thai Baht

Exchange rate: 10 Baht = RM1

Thai Baht is a very stable currecy and is widely used in the whole of Thailand. It's also very easy for calculation [for Malaysians] as it's about ten times the value of Ringgit.

They have 20, 100, 500 and 1000 Baht in notes while 1, 5, 10 Baht in coins. It's quite easy to recognize but collecting coins as change is tedious. I shall get rid of all the coins before I leave Thailand.




Lao (Laos) Kip

Exchange rate: 8500 Kip = US$1, 2500 Kip = RM1 *edited*

Honestly, I don't know how Kip looks like yet because I'm still in Thailand. But I heard that USD is also widely accepted like Cambodia. So I shall see when we get there.




US Dollar

Exchange rate: US$1 = RM3.2

USD has been a standard in converting currencies in the world. As it's also being accepted in Cambodia and Laos, sure do we preprared ourselves with some US Dollars. It can come in quite handy.



That's all for now. I should be riding on a slow boat to Laos now. Billy, out.

* All exchange rates are as of June 2008
* All exchange rates are in approximation only