Has anyone exchanged money at swampy recently?

[Jake_Sully]

I'm curious what rate they gave for USD. Also are there any ATM's at swampy where you can withdraw baht upon arrival before jumping into a cab?

Thanks.

[Road Runner]

The exchange rate at the airport exchange booths is usually very close to what is shown on the Yahoo Finance exchange rate converter  -  at the moment 31.36 Baht/US$.

There are ATMs beside several of the exchange rate booths you see as you exit the customs checks.
They offer the Bank of Thailand exchange rate which is usually about 0.5 Baht/$ better but take they take about 1.5-2% or I would guess about $3 off you for each transaction.

The rate you get at the exchange booths on Sukhumwit also offer the Bank of Thailand exchange rate is better than the airport booths  -  or about the same as you see on Yahoo.
BUT  the rate fluctuates daily and as my terak points out is usually  better on a Monday than it is for the rest of the week  - I have no idea why and it's not always true.


Arriving from the US your best bet at the moment is to take one or two $100 dollar bills and change them at the booth at the airport to pay for the taxi and most of your first night,

After that I think for US citizens that travellers checks are probably the best option as your banks screw you on the ATM charges.
Remember that there is a 33 Baht charge for each check used so get the largest denominations you are comfortable with.

RR.

[rxpharm]

Exchange rates at the airport booths are pretty much the standard rates that each of their banks post. You can check the various rates from the internet home pages of Bangkok Bank Exchange Rates, Siam Commercial Bank Exchange Rates, Kaisokorn Bank Exchange Rates.

Siam Commercial Bank have the most exchange booths at Suvarnabhumi Airport. If you use the ATMs you will be charged the 150 Baht Thai bank fee for use of a foreign ATM card, plus whatever fees your bank charges for using a non-branch ATM. Better to take some US $ bills to exchange - you will get better rates for $50.00 and $100.00 bills.

I agree with RR's comments about traveler's cheques if you can get them commission free.

[Snick]

Normally I use exchange agents in the city, but last time I left I was in a rush (right after red riots !), and I used the airport exchange booths...the rate was good. Rate does vary on what you are changing, a $100 bill is best, $50 the rate is a little worse, Traveler's checks are same or worse than $100 but with fees added.

There are many ATM available, BUT you will get hit with a 150 baht fee for using a foreign ATM (plus whatever your bank will charge you). So if you go the ATM route, take out 20,000 baht.

best plan, bring $1000 or so in cash, change at airport. Use ATM if you need more. I haven't use a travel's check in 8+ years.

[Road Runner]

Yes I forgot about the 150 Baht charge on the ATM machines!

I bet it's against the international agreements between the banks but so is the 33 Baht tax on the travellers checks!

RR.

[Jake_Sully]

Thank you guys, I'll use the exchange rather than the ATM's then upon arrival. And yes I haven't used TC's in forever..

[Road Runner]

Jake this thread is worth a quick skim through as there are several comments about cash/TC/ATM transactions in Thailand.

RR.

[kahuna]

(Snick @ Aug. 27 2010,06:53) There are many ATM available, BUT you will get hit with a 150 baht fee for using a foreign ATM

Not at Aeon...But I don't believe that they have a branch or ATM at the airport...

[rxpharm]

No Aeon ATMs at the airport, it's not one of their listed locations. Also no Government Savings Bank ATMs which also have no 150 Baht fee.

[Snick]

(rxpharm @ Aug. 27 2010,11:42) ....Also no Government Savings Bank ATMs which also have no 150 Baht fee.

The pink government saving bank is now charging the fee

[jadeite]

Even in the current situation I feel travelers cheques are the worst option, carrying every single disadvantage. Remember there are 3 ways to beat the 150 baht ATM fee:

1. select an ATM that does not charge the fee as mentioned above
2. make a cash advance from inside the bank with your card rather than the ATM machine outside
3. use a brokerage type ATM card such as fidelity, schwab, etc; they never get charged a fee no matter which atm you use.

150 baht fee just isn't an issue if you do it right which any expat should already be doing.

[kahuna]

I did exchange 100 USD at TMB coming in yesterday...But I can't remember what the
exchange rate was...And I tossed the receipt...It was less than 31 though...Truth is
the rate changes 4 or more times a day...So why be worried about pennies...

The best way that I've found, even for the infrequent visitor is to open a bank account
here...Takes 10 or 15 minutes at Kasikorn...You can transfer trip money in from your
home country bank before you arrive and just use your Thai bank's ATM/debit card for
which there is no fee...BTW, they issue you a debit card on the spot...If you lose it, walk
in a get a new one...Carry the one card with you...Leave all your other ATM, Credit, Cash,
etc., in your room safe...

The only charges are gonna be what your home country bank and your Thai bank can
squeeze out of you when you make the transfer...

I think Kasikorn will keep the account open if you leave a balance of only around 2000
baht...I'm sure other Thai banks are similar...

If you insist on using your home country bank's ATM/debit, credit cards, etc...Call your bank
before you travel...Might save you a few inconveniences down the road...

[pacman]

Unless you ask, the exchange booths won't give you small denomination notes, apart from what they need to make up the total. Always ask for 10 x 100 & 10 x 20 baht notes.

Handing over 1000 baht notes to taxi drivers, food carts, etc, you'll be amazed how many can't give the change. They hope the farang will just wave them away I suspect.

And Kahuna is right about advising your bank you will be in Thailand. My bank automatically stops any transactions going through until I contact them to say it is OK, it's MEEEEEEEE.......      

[manarak]

change 50 USD at the airport to pay the taxi.
(or the bell bus for 200 baht, my favorite!)

in Bangkok, use Vasu near Nana station.
Best Rates in Town, you might save even more than 1000 baht if changing 1000 USD.