Bangkok

trunch69 · #1 30-06-2005, 02:39

We are going to Thailand for the first time in September and need to know about what money to take. Is it best to have U.S dollars or sterling travellers cheques and if the exchange rate will be much better over there than here.
What is the weather really like in September? I have read conflicting reports about it.
Any replies would be helpful

marc26 · #2 30-06-2005, 02:49

you supposedly gte the best rates when you use an atm. it will cost you 5usd to use it but i realized that travelers checks, at least in the us, ending up costing that much too

steve@thaib · #3 30-06-2005, 03:08

Hi mate, I have found that the best method is to use cards over there. You will get a good rate and the purchase protection is worth having. You can find ATMs all over the place which will allow you to draw money on a switch card (maestro or cirrus symbol on the back of your card) and you can use visa\mastercard in all the ATMs as well.

There is an exchange bureau on every corner as well which tend to give good rates; you are never stuck for cash.

I tend to get 5000baht or so in the airport this end then I have some cash in hand when I get there, but you get a crap rate there so don't get too much.

Have a great trip

jamus · #4 30-06-2005, 03:35

Since your in the UK take a look at the nationwide flex account. They dont charge extra fees for using atms abroad and you get business exchange rates as well.

Theres a chane the thai bank may charge a fee but its not happend to me yet.

Pentire · #5 21-08-2005, 15:40

Travelling from the UK i tend to take a mixture of Travellers Cheques & Cash, both in the largest denominations available so in the case of TC's that is £200. The problem with TC's is you have to pay for them, (£1000 costs £20.00) Then when you cash them you need your passport plus you have to counter sign every one of them so in order to minamize this procedure the £200 TC's are perfect. The £50 notes are quick & easy with no ID required.

Also, it is worth pointing out that when ever possible you should use the exchange kiosks before the evening rush hours, around Brunch time is perfect.

faultytowers · #6 21-08-2005, 22:24

American Express Travellers Cheque Card

Has anybody got one of these, seems a good idea. You basically preload it with the ammount of cash you want ( up to £3000), and can use it like normal travellers cheques or at an ATM. You can withdraw £250 per day from ATM, fee is £1.50 which is pretty good. Has same cover as Travellers cheques, if you lose it they will reimburse. Checked there website and seems to be usable at most ATM in Thailand.

If anyone has used this before , what do you think ? Safer and less hassle than "paper" cheques, as convenient as ATM card , less charges than credit card?

I would be interested in what BMs think.

http://www.americanexpress.com/uk/tcc/index.shtml

cybernator_uk · #7 01-06-2006, 21:05

Before anyone says anything yes i know this thread is about a year old

But i did want to add a question on it. I have 2 German bank accounts and when i go LOS i want to know basically if i can use it. I do plan to cheque both the bank accounts (Sparkasse and Postbank) I was just wondering tho as there are a few Germans on here if they have had any experience in using there cards over in LOS. I know they have a maestro symbol on the front of the card and i would assume that they are probably good to use in Thailand. But i want to make sure. As my German isnt that good i am a bit nervous going into a bank and asking and making a complete tit of myself

Captain · #8 01-06-2006, 21:20

I am Belgian, got a Belgian account, and use maestro all the time in Thailand. So must be possible with German maestro cards also

cybernator_uk · #9 01-06-2006, 21:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by Captain

I am Belgian, got a Belgian account, and use maestro all the time in Thailand. So must be possible with German maestro cards also

Cheers capt. I thought it probably would work but i wanted to be sure. Obviously i will check with my banks, well ok try to. My german isnt that good

Mabus · #10 01-06-2006, 22:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by Captain

I am Belgian, got a Belgian account, and use maestro all the time in Thailand. So must be possible with German maestro cards also

Iden dito, used visa and maestro without any problem in the atm's. I kept one card at all times in the safe at the hotel. It's nice to have a back-up.

georgelondon · #11 01-06-2006, 22:44

if card has maestro symbol should be no problem using. you can check on the net where available cashpoints are located.

slimbag · #12 01-06-2006, 23:04

I used to always take all my money in cash and change it all at once at the airport and have 1000$ in tc and visa card in case of trouble. Now I have my thai bank account so I just wire in the money before I leave. And the thai bank told me you get a better exchange when wiring money in than with cash.

erik1 · #13 01-06-2006, 23:50

actually the best rate is given when you take old fashioned bank of england notes. while i was there the rate was 70.40 and while i was in thailand i used my atm with a rate of 69.45

so 1 baht per pound (well if the small difference counts)

I prefer my atm-cards

cybernator_uk · #14 02-06-2006, 01:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by georgelondon

if card has maestro symbol should be no problem using. you can check on the net where available cashpoints are located.

Cheers GL I usually take a mix of t/c cash and visa card but i when i am out there i get paid so i though ill use cash point card instead of t/c, besides they are old and dated.

georgelondon · #15 02-06-2006, 02:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by cybernator_uk

Cheers GL I usually take a mix of t/c cash and visa card but i when i am out there i get paid so i though ill use cash point card instead of t/c, besides they are old and dated.

waking up on payday is good in itself...but waking up in thailand on payday is in another league!!!

Werwolf · #16 02-06-2006, 13:23

With the master card of the Sparkasse you should have no problems.
Best go to the bank and check with them. The most banks have also someone who can speak english

cybernator_uk · #17 03-06-2006, 01:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by Werwolf

With the master card of the Sparkasse you should have no problems.
Best go to the bank and check with them. The most banks have also someone who can speak english

I dont have a sparkasse mastercard but i think the chances are it will be ok. i will double check that tho because i dont wanna go to Thailand and not be able to use it lol