10 replies to this topic

[The Rear Admiral]

Hey guys -- first trip coming up, staying at Dynasty Inn Pattaya and DIG in BKK. Going to bring a bunch of US $ travler's checks -- wondering where the best / closest / safest place is to cash them into baht. Any tips?

Thx.

-T.R.A.

[koykaeng]

There are plenty of dedicated Money exchange booths everywhere you go. Whatever you do, don't exchange at the hotel !

Whilst you are staying at the DIG in Bangkok, you can change your money in Soi 4, close to Nana Plaza.

In Pattaya, if you leave the Dynasty Inn, and turn right, you will find a number of exchange booths situated on Pattaya 2nd Road.

The exchange rates at the airports seem to be relatively competitive from what I've seen lately, so if you need a few Baht to get going, you can always change something to get started.

Cheers
Koykaeng

[sev7en]

Admiral, i advice you to use a Visa card instead. I was thinking cheques before my trip too, but its as easy as back home to get cash and use the atm´s with your bank home charging you about 4-5 aus dollars per transaction.

[The Rear Admiral]

Thanks KK and rickard1.

Good advice.

[Phil Lander]

Admiral, i advice you to use a Visa card instead. I was thinking cheques before my trip too, but its as easy as back home to get cash and use the atm´s with your bank home charging you about 4-5 aus dollars per transaction.

Last two trips I used my normal bank card and also loaded up my Visa before I went so I'd have two different cards to use in case I lost one of them , saves a lot of hassle that way.

[stonefre]

Another disadvantage of Travelers Checks is you have to have your passport to cash them. I don't like ot risk losing my passport or having it stolen so I usually leave it locked up at the hotel. And of course I forgot it one time when I needed it to cash the checks. I used Traveler's checks my first trip but knew that would not happen again when I saw there were ATM machines every block or two. Second trip observation: ATM's a little too convenient.

[chopped]

I previously used traveler's cheques from Oz. Once i did the calculations you get ripped off. Shit exchange rate when you buy them, then on top of that you are charged a percentage to get them. The charge to cash them in Thai is minimal. If you do not use them and have to cash them in when you get home do not leave it till you get to the bank, i think they charged me $15 for one, not happy Jan.
For the last half a dozen trips i have taken a certain amount of cash with me and then use cards from ATMs. I draw out enough for at least a few days, maybe a week is better or in 20K baht bunches as the seem to charge you each transaction.
I follow a few rules though. Don't get cash when it's to late ot you are to drunk if possible. I try and do it in the day, straight back to the room or safety card and extra cash secured. Only ever seem to carry around 4-6K baht and no cards and a copy of my passport. If you lose it or it get ripped you lost bugger all.

[TravisPitt]

You can't walk more than a block or two anywhere in Pattaya without seeing bank money exchange booths. Or, you can go inside bank branches, for more security, I sometimes use the one inside Royal Garden for this. Many won't cash VISA traveller's checks, all will cash AMEX. Using an ATM on a daily basis can get costly, your home bank will charge a fee as will the Thai ATM, you get hit at both ends...personally, I NEVER carry more than a nominal amount of cash, for emergency purposes, much too risky, I have been ripped off before and I am VERY experienced in Thailand...

[batman4ever]

well...even that it is a bit more expensive...i always use the amex travellers checks... why??
because...IF you only has the atm card...and you loose it...it WILL take some time to get money from abroad...and that can be hard...especially in the weekends... with TC.... you call amex...within 24 hour you got new cheks delivered..

regarding the rates...actually you get better rates from TC...than you do with cash....

they dont expire...so if you have some left...just save them for next trip... :wink:

its also much more easy to realise..hov much you have spend...and how much you have left...i sometimes forget when i use atm...

and even IF you do want to trust your atm...i would STILL recomend to at least bring about 3-500 $ in TC`s...why...because then you have a reserve if something happens.... :wink:

[jotarokujo]

I have always used debit card from ATM last trips.
But is really convenient travel cheques for the change?

At what time close the Money exchange booths in Pattaya?

[The Rear Admiral]

I have always used debit card from ATM last trips.
But is really convenient travel cheques for the change?

At what time close the Money exchange booths in Pattaya?

there were a ton of places within 1-3 blocks of my hotels in Pattaya and BKK that took Travelers Checks at decent rates. it was easy (just bring your passport). the Amex ATM card sounds good though.