Phuket

Fluff · #1 03-02-2004, 11:27

Hi guys!
Newbie here with some questions. Are there plenty of places to exchange cash for baht, and ATM machines around in Patong? What are the general opening times for the money exchange places too. We're actually staying in Kata, are there any money places/ATM's there?
Thanks guys.

djaust · #2 03-02-2004, 12:26

Hi Fluff
Yes to all your questions. There are plenty of money exchanges in Patong and more than enough in Kata. The latest I have seen one open is about 10.30pm but others may have seen some open later. You will certainly not have any trouble locating them around the whole island. Because things stay open later naturally they open a bit later as well so dont expect them to be open until about 11.00am. Hope this helps a little, have fun!

beped2 · #3 04-02-2004, 00:53

[quote=djaust]Hi Fluff
Yes to all your questions.QUOTE]
Sure. Lotsa ATM. But not all of them work all the time... There was one occasion: Me, with to fantastic girls on my arms, realizing I was going short of cash... Was trying 6 ATMs before I found one that was online.

r3aps · #4 04-02-2004, 01:15

[quote=beped2]

Quote:

Originally Posted by djaust

Hi Fluff
Yes to all your questions.QUOTE]
Sure. Lotsa ATM. But not all of them work all the time... There was one occasion: Me, with to fantastic girls on my arms, realizing I was going short of cash... Was trying 6 ATMs before I found one that was online.

no matter when i have been i have found that only bank of bangkok works for me.every time i try getting cash out of others it refuses me any funds.any1 else have this problem?one of my mates had exactly the same problem as me as well.dunno if it to do with my bank in uk which is natwest.
steve

Shagrath · #5 04-02-2004, 02:14

I have had problems with the ATM`s erasing the information in the magnetic-strip on my cards two times. I`ve been warned about using the older machines and stuck to the new ones, but it still happened.
Now I only use the Thai military bank exchange service on the beach-road, near the Immigration office, who have a direct phone-line to Visa.
(You need to bring your passport. A bit akward, but it works.)
Haven`t paid much attention to the exchange-rates, so you might want to check it out first.

butterflyblonde · #6 04-02-2004, 02:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by r3aps

no matter when i have been i have found that only bank of bangkok works for me.every time i try getting cash out of others it refuses me any funds.any1 else have this problem?one of my mates had exactly the same problem as me as well.dunno if it to do with my bank in uk which is natwest.
steve

I usually find bangkok bank the best too , also i never had a problem with Siam banks Atm's either , to the left of the main bangkok bank on rat-u-thid road there is a bank whose name i forget (the bank is bright yellow) you cant miss it , i did have 'atm not online' problems there but after a few attempts got my money , just remember to take a 24hr overseas Credit card helpline number with you so you can call your bank if your'e stuck ( i use HSBC and find them generally well accepted by all banks) Each time i go thailand now i find myself taking less and less in travel cheques because i have found after the exchange rate and bank taxes (last november were crap ) you dont end up any worse off with your credit card and taking those cheques and your passport is a pain in the **** anyway. Also worth noting for UK people out there : my regular account card with HSBC is a switch maestro, you can use one of these in the Siam Commercial bank the same as using it back home in the hole in the wall , just look for the switch maestro sign that matches and i think cirrus cards work the same , check with your banks for info

Tarzan · #7 04-02-2004, 05:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fluff

Hi guys!
Newbie here with some questions. Are there plenty of places to exchange cash for baht, and ATM machines around in Patong? What are the general opening times for the money exchange places too. We're actually staying in Kata, are there any money places/ATM's there?
Thanks guys.

ATM machines in Patong? Oh yes, Patong is full of them.
The thaigirls calls them Farang and they gathered in the bars along Bangla Road in the evening...

IRISH JONNY · #8 05-02-2004, 15:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tarzan(sweden)

ATM machines in Patong? Oh yes, Patong is full of them.
The thaigirls calls them Farang and they gathered in the bars along Bangla Road in the evening...

NICE ONE TARZAN.
I NEVER THOUGHT OF MYSELF AS AN ATM...................
JONNY

PDM3 · #9 05-02-2004, 16:44

Hi All

I have always used the ATM just to the right of the PS Hotel on Rat-u-thit Rd

There is also a Money Exchange Booth right by the ATM machine.

Every time I return to New Zealand and receive my Bank Statement, I wish that maybe I would have experienced problems getting Baht too. . .

Alas, never any problems. Just paying it back when I get home!!!

Cheers

PDM3

butterflyblonde · #10 05-02-2004, 16:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by IRISH JONNY

NICE ONE TARZAN.
I NEVER THOUGHT OF MYSELF AS AN ATM...................
JONNY

Yes Johnny , we are seen as ''walking Atm's'' lol

Bafana · #11 05-02-2004, 17:30

If you want to find an ATM machine ask a bargirl and she will know the nearest location of all ATM's within a 100km radius...

Failing that there is a handy one opposite Patong Beach next to a hotel just before you enter Soi Bangla.

BTW I always like getting the ATM reciept as the account balance looks like I'm filthy rich for once due to the currency conversion...

M_X · #12 05-02-2004, 17:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bafana

If you want to find an ATM machine ask a bargirl and she will know the nearest location of all ATM's within a 100km radius...

Failing that there is a handy one opposite Patong Beach next to a hotel just before you enter Soi Bangla.

BTW I always like getting the ATM reciept as the account balance looks like I'm filthy rich for once due to the currency conversion...

Isn't that a pleasant surprise. I almost fell over the first time that happened.

PDM3 · #13 05-02-2004, 18:08

Just be careful when getting money out of an ATM, if you happen to have a BG /or (especially) FL with you.

Make quite sure she does not get your PIN No. (watching over your shoulder).This has (thank Christ!) not happened to me, but I have been told first hand by a friend of mine that his card went missing, along with the BG shortly after withdrawing money from an ATM and returning with her to C & N Hotel.

When they reached his room, he went into the shower, and when he got out (all horney, and ready for action) She was gone, along with his wallet and ATM Card.

He lost about 20,000 Baht, and of course, his card. Police did not want to know!

Cheers

Pdm3

Fluff · #14 06-02-2004, 05:14

You've all been helpful....just dont want to turn up with shit loads of cash, but also dont want to run out either! lol
Packing our bags as we speak and flying from Oz to Phuket tonight...cant wait!

Will give you all a report of our visit when we get back!
Fluff

tomyam · #15 07-02-2004, 09:45

Some information for frequent visitors to Thailand

I used to experience some of the problems with banking/ATMs posted on this thread when I first started to visit Thailand esp. the charges made to my account on foreign withdrawals.

Last Year I decided to open a Thai bank account mainly to benefit from currency fluctuations.

The main advantages of this is that you can decide when to transfer funds from your home account (in my case the UK) to your Thai account ie. when the £ is strong against the Thai Baht as it is at the moment. (£1 = 72Baht for telex transfer) and vice-versa when £ is weak you can simply transfer back to the UK

Example.. Transfer £10,000 to your Thai A/c before you visit = 720,000 baht
lets say that you spend 70,000 Baht over a 2 Week period , you will now have 650,000 Baht in the a/c , just wait for the rate to drop back to £1 = 65 baht , then transfer the money back to Sterling. You have just had a free holiday in LOS , hell , you might even take the teerak to the gold shop next time..LOL .. not to buy , mind you , just to look !!

All you need to open an account in Thailand is a Thai address (nominee)

freshc · #16 07-02-2004, 20:17

I haven't heard anyone mention travellers cheques? Is this not advisable? Can you get them changed in the banks? Anywhere else?

Coolhand · #17 07-02-2004, 20:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by freshc

I haven't heard anyone mention travellers cheques? Is this not advisable? Can you get them changed in the banks? Anywhere else?

No problem with travellers cheques, easily changed; however, you must take your passport with you when you change - with the increased risk of it getting half-inched if you change money on your way out on a night on the piss.

freshc · #18 07-02-2004, 21:06

Great. Cheers for the advice. I plan to take a combination of Thai Bhat and travellers cheques and my ATM card.

butterflyblonde · #19 07-02-2004, 23:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fluff

You've all been helpful....just dont want to turn up with shit loads of cash, but also dont want to run out either! lol
Packing our bags as we speak and flying from Oz to Phuket tonight...cant wait!

Will give you all a report of our visit when we get back!
Fluff

Hope you have a great time , when you return and give us a report , dont forget to post a few thai bar girl pics too