Thailand Expats

landofsmiles · #1 16-05-2008, 18:14

Been all over Patong early afternoon...4 different main branches of Banks...not one of them could sell me any Ringgit!! So anyone in future wanting any, start looking well before midday on a friday.

So as I'm arriving early evening sunday in KL anyone know somewhere I'll get a reasonable exchange maybe near KL Sentral? I know I can get some at Phuket or KL airport but the rate won't be good.

Nautilus · #2 16-05-2008, 18:29

I failed to change Baht to Ringgit at Patong until i found one small exchange booth that got it. Don't know why.

Anyway if you are in KL, try those shopping complex at Bintang Walk. I normally change at Sungei Wang, there are some money changers at the main entrance.

Not sure near KL Sentral, sorry.

Checked the rate this afternoon, not good for me.

Dodger · #3 16-05-2008, 19:39

Why not just use the ATM machine?? never take any Riggots with me, always just pop down and get a few ringgies from the local hole in the wall!!

landofsmiles · #4 16-05-2008, 19:54

Do you need to tell the bank your card is going to be used in another country?

Dodger · #5 16-05-2008, 20:03

No just used my normal Kasikorn ATM card, not even a visa one. Did the sam ein Singers as well, I asked before I went and they said all ATM's are useable.

The Loop · #6 16-05-2008, 20:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by landofsmiles

Do you need to tell the bank your card is going to be used in another country?

I never do.Been to about 15 countries the last 12 months and used the card,no problems.

Simbo · #7 17-05-2008, 10:59

There are Indian money changers by the monorail at KL Sentral and also scattered around Bukit Bintang. They are giving 10 to one at the moment, better than the banks.

landofsmiles · #8 17-05-2008, 13:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simbo

They are giving 10 to one at the moment, better than the banks.

10 to one what?

faultytowers · #9 17-05-2008, 13:16

Quote:

Trying to buy Ringgits on a friday

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simbo

They are giving 10 to one at the moment, better than the banks.

Quote:

Originally Posted by landofsmiles

10 to one what?

Just a wild guess , but could it possibly be................Ringgits !!!!!

landofsmiles · #10 17-05-2008, 13:39

OK, 10 Ringgits to 1 what?

You don't get RM10 to 1 baht/1GBP/1US$

Presumably Simbo meant to say 10 baht to 1 Ringgit.

The Loop · #11 17-05-2008, 13:42

I`d think so.

When changing ringgit back to baht,its roughly 10 baht to 1 ringgit.

landofsmiles · #12 17-05-2008, 13:47

Ok he's just leaned over his balcony and given me a tap on the head. All is now clear :-)

Simbo · #13 17-05-2008, 14:39

Errrm all the info was there (as far as I'm aware Sentral hasn't moved from KL)- FT managed to work it out!!! For the slow of thinking I changed B5000 and got R500= 10 to one!!! I thought hangovers kicked in on Sunday not Saturday!!!

landofsmiles · #14 17-05-2008, 14:43

Maybe I was having a "blonde" moment. Anyway, what is "saturday' and "sunday"?? Every day is the same out here.

Simbo · #15 17-05-2008, 14:50

Arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrh- its all a blur!!

Nautilus · #16 17-05-2008, 15:20

Simbo you still in KL? Yeah it's better rate from Baht to Ringgit at the moment, not the other way round , sad sad sad.

Simbo · #17 17-05-2008, 15:26

Yeah just waiting for docs to arrive from the UK. Pos Malaysia to UK- 56hrs door to door, Return- 72 hrs and counting!!! Factor in Holiday on Mon and it could be a lot more!!! Grrrrrrrrrrrrrr just want to get back to LOS now.

Nautilus · #18 17-05-2008, 15:29

555, yeah public holiday in KL. Where have you been to these few days?

I am at the pub now. Boring hot day.

visa2003 · #19 17-05-2008, 15:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simbo

Yeah just waiting for docs to arrive from the UK. Pos Malaysia to UK- 56hrs door to door, Return- 72 hrs and counting!!! Factor in Holiday on Mon and it could be a lot more!!! Grrrrrrrrrrrrrr just want to get back to LOS now.

That nasty rash and discharge come back again .... has it???????

Simbo · #20 17-05-2008, 17:29

5555555555555 it will do soon if I don't get back to LOS- suffering withdrawl symptoms. For nautilus- I popped down to Singers for a couple of days to take care of a few things, just monging around now. got a good price for a disk as previously discussed ( Carrefour of all places!).

Nautilus · #21 17-05-2008, 17:38

WTF !!! Carrefour? 5555555, i have never shopped there for electronics, you mean the one in Singapore?

Just passing time now, probably watch the FA Cup tonight.

Simbo · #22 17-05-2008, 21:46

Yep, 160gb ext HDD- 109 Sing. Happy with that.

landofsmiles · #23 18-05-2008, 19:04

There you go! Knew it would happen. I try to use my HSBC Visa Gold Card in an ATM machine in Sentral and get Transaction Denied :-( ...and I know what's going to happen when I get back to Thailand and try to use it there again. It will be blocked because they've seen someone trying to use it in another country.

Anyway, the Moneychangers' rate under the LRT station isn't too bad at 9.7.

Simbo · #24 18-05-2008, 22:15

Yet when you phone them in advance they say you don't need to let them know and there's no problemo- next minute blocked card- fekkin idiots.

landofsmiles · #25 19-05-2008, 09:25

I think they have my card flagged from a year or so ago when I must have used one of those ATMs in Patong that had been tampered with and I had it blocked back then. I hate phoning HSBCs "call centre" too. You get queued for 20 minutes then end up speaking to some Indian in Bombay.

Not such a good exchange rate in the Suria mall under the Petronas Towers...only 9.2 compared to 9.7 at the LRT station.

Just hit another problem though. Just been up to the Thai Embassy, wondered why as I approached there was no queue outside, to find it closed for Wesak Day :-( Lucky I'm here for 3 days.