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Originally Posted by cooperspooky
Don't bring travelers checks. Many money exchange places either have a sign up saying they won't cash them or they won't have a price listed which means they probably won't. If you do find one that does they charge 33 baht per check, which on top of what you paid for them in the first place is a joke. Just use your ATM, put your valuables in a room safe and you'll be fine.
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Traveller's checks are insured against theft or loss. That is why I like them. If you lose them or they are stolen, you can get reimbursed. The charge per check the I have paid is as low as 21 Baht, up to 33 Baht according to soe receipts I looked through. That is a pittance, much less than the charge for using the ATM. I have never been charged on penny to get the checks.
As far as money exchanges not cashing them, then what are those lines of people doing at the money exchange. Did they all bring their home currency in cash with them to change. I think not. How many people bring their whole holiday spending money with them in cash? Very few, indeed, IMHO. I have never had a bank or exchange think twice about cashing a traveller's check.
As for ATM cards, they are a fine way to go, if you don't mind the extra expense. I figure that for the amount of money I spent on my last tour, that extra expense would have amounted to over $200 and that is money I would rather spend elsewhere.
But the biggest reason, I don't choose to rely on an ATM card is that I have lost so many of them. I have lost count of how many I have lost, possibly as many as 10. No big deal here. Phone the bank, they send you another. If I was in LOS and depending on my ATM for funds, then I would be up shit creek without a paddle.
I do bring an ATM card(also known as a debit card BTW), a credit card, and a small amount of cash, but rely mostly on traveller's checks.
But, of course, whatever way works best for you, then that is the way to go!
