ATM's or travelers chq.Book hotel in UK or not

[seamus]

OK guys touch down in BK on sunday march 9th at 15:55.Now what is the best way to take money out there,I know cash is a NO-NO,so is it easier with travelers Chq's or just atm's as & when i need cash ?
Thanx In advance ,just incase i dont get back to ya within a few days.Also only booked a room for 4 nights as to not tie me down,good idea or not ?
& who's up for a beer,gonna meet up with Ms Faa,so anybody else up for a few cold ones ?


Cheers Seamus

[Naang Faa]

Hi Seamus,
I hope your flight arrival is more accurate than mine was
ATM's good,it's all i ever carry..don't know about hotels much
haven't stayed in a hotel in BKK for years...last one was
Century Park near Victory Monument .....never ever again,
so rude to the girls i nearly slapped the guy on the reception..
stormed out in the end with 9 nights still booked...
I'm over it now though!...see you soon
x

[stogie bear]

Why is cash a 'no no?' Don't worry about it. You won't be mugged!

There are ATMs, currency exchanges and banks everywhere you want to go.

Travelers checks are an expensive way to change cash...

Four nights with Naaaang Faaa? Well, none of us can help you there...

[Monkey]

For me if I'm only staying 2-4 weeks it's ATM and book room on arrival, and then only for 1-2 nights to see how it is before commiting to a week or so.

I tend to be fairly unsure of what I'm doing with regards to the wheres and whens so this approach suits me.

BBK for a night or 3, then Pattaya or Samui or Phuket depending on mood and the weather.

If I'm staying longer then a big wad of cash to change as/when needed or if rate looks like it might drop then I'll change the lot. Better rates in Thailand than UK and no ATM fees and crappy charges added on.

not that I'm kee nieow or anything...

[rxpharm]

Here's a post from last year that talks about the various options, advantages and disadvantages: Traveller's Cheques, Cash or ATMs

[Naang Faa]

Four nights with Naaaang Faaa? Well, none of us can help you there...

good one Stogie Bear
x

[seamus]

Sorry Ms Faa,didnt mean to start a romour LOL
Thanx Stogie,I took all cash to Indonesia last year & had No problem apart from sharp young Bali boys trying to short change me !
Monkey I'm with you thats why i didnt bbok more then 4 nights !
& cheers rxpharm i will give that a read !
So where do most BM drink or meet up these days as Guess seems not to be in favour these days ?

[Naang Faa]

Sorry Ms Faa,didnt mean to start a romour LOL

No worries,i thought it was funny...
x

[jet712]

On a similar subject, a question for my Irish brethren or anyone who feels like contributing.

I brought US dollars on my first visit to Los...it was before the Euro came in and Irish punts weren't convertible.

Purely out of habit I've continued to bring dollars ever since so what I'm wondering is whether I'm just overcomplicating things by buying dollars in Ireland and exchanging them for baht in LOS.

Do most Thai currency exchanges offer good rates on the Euro ?

[katoeylover]

Yes - better rates than you would get in Eire or anywhere in the UK. Just bring euros and change them either at Bangkok Airport or any of the booths downtown

[azza33]

Money is always my first option now...

Why... simply i find the exchange rates offered in thailand
are much better than here in Australia.

Never have i felt threatened or worried that someone was going to mug me in my 7 trips to thailand.

check out the exchange rates here as a guide

http://www.bot.or.th/BoThome....e_e.asp

For example i'd get 24 to the aussie if i changed cash in Oz, yet in thailand i'd get 29 and no fees.

So i usually take 1000-1500 aussie in cash and then resort to ATM when i am broke.
I never change cash in my own country anymore.

ATM have too many fees and charges these days -- basically they suck!! 10 years ago they were the best option - sadly no longer.

Each hotel usually has a safe.. just make use of it.

Cash is still king imho.

[jet712]

(katoeylover @ Feb. 09 2008,08:28) Yes - better rates than you would get in Eire or anywhere in the UK. Just bring euros and change them either at Bangkok Airport or any of the booths downtown

Thanks KL, sounds like a much simpler solution.

I will miss seeing all those dollars though...the US tourist industry must be booming with the exchange rate the way it is.

[bigmick22]

(jet712 @ Feb. 09 2008,00:16) On a similar subject, a question for my Irish brethren or anyone who feels like contributing.

I brought US dollars on my first visit to Los...it was before the Euro came in and Irish punts weren't convertible.

Purely out of habit I've continued to bring dollars ever since so what I'm wondering is whether I'm just overcomplicating things by buying dollars in Ireland and exchanging them for baht in LOS.

Do most Thai currency exchanges offer good rates on the Euro ?

I always rely on ATMs for my money - I think I was getting approx 50 baht to the euro in January which is about right

bringing cahs or travellers cheques seems to be too much hassle

I travel a lot with work (it's been years since I spent a full month just in Ireland) and always rely on ATMs ... even in the back-arse of rural China

[ciobha]

The exchange rate in Thailand is actually aboout 3 to 5 baht better than that in the UK on sterling.
I would advise anyone visiting LOS to exchange a minimum amount at home,and use their ATM card once in Thailand.3 to 5 baht may not sound like much,but it certainly mounts up over the period of a holiday.

[Guest]

(bigmick22 @ Feb. 09 2008,10:32) I always rely on ATMs for my money - I think I was getting approx 50 baht to the euro in January which is about right

That's good, because I only got 48 bath/euro (Rabobank/Netherlands).