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[Guest]

One for the mainly.....

Where do you get your £'s for trips to LOS? From Travelex online and pick-up at the airport or M&S etc etc? Is is a good deal to withdraw from ATM's in LOS?

TIA

BN

[stogie bear]

20,000 Baht from an ATM machine is almost exactly 300 Pounds... I know because I did it today!

[Guest]

TY Stogie....

Travelex are giving 19,200 for £301.09.. a rate 0f 63.77bht to the £ and XE.com are quoting to around 19,200 for £299.01.

Hmmm it seems the ATMs may be a little cheaper.

[Road Runner]

Hello Boknaai,

I use a Nationwide Flex Account card.

It works in any ATM in Thailand and there is no charge for the withdrawls.   Also unlike most other cards you don't get stung on the exchange rate.

If your own debit card works in Thailand you may get the same deal  -  but when I investigated about 12 months ago this was the only account that offered these benefits.


EDIT:-  Hello Boknaai,  I just spotted from another post that you travel in only a few days.

I would suggest you pick up some travellers checks as a get you home backup  -  but otherwise use a debit card in Thailand.
You can use a credit card for cash but they stick you either a fixed charge (£1.50 - £2) or 2% on the exchange rate    


RR.

[stogie bear]

Hmmm it seems the ATMs may be a little cheaper.

That's almost 900 Baht savings on me using my Abbey ATM...

KL is smart... He deposits money into my account and I give him the cash when he gets here!

[neil324]

(Road Runner @ Jun. 13 2007,04:12) Hello Boknaai,

I use a Nationwide Flex Account card.

It works in any ATM in Thailand and there is no charge for the withdrawls. Also unlike most other cards you don't get stung on the exchange rate.

If your own debit card works in Thailand you may get the same deal - but when I investigated about 12 months ago this was the only account that offered these benefits.


EDIT:- Hello Boknaai, I just spotted from another post that you travel in only a few days.

I would suggest you pick up some travellers checks as a get you home backup - but otherwise use a debit card in Thailand.
You can use a credit card for cash but they stick you either a fixed charge (£1.50 - £2) or 2% on the exchange rate


RR.

I open a second flex account, request a cashcard not debit, dont think the exchange rate is quiet as good it uses the Cirrus system and not visa, but doesnt matter as much if you lose it

[Guest]

in the exchange booths you get about 67 baht to the pound at the airport aswell i think

[stogie bear]

I think it's more like 65, but has anyone checked the Thailand airport rates recently?

[Road Runner]

At the moment you get about 62 Baht/£1 in the UK.   The Bank of Thailand rate is presently 67.5 Baht/£1.   That is very roughly what you will get at an exchange booth.


Hello Neil324,

Unless things have changed in the last 12 months (and I'm pretty sure they have not as I keep a close check!)  you will still get a better rate with a Nationwide Flex Account card.
They call it a 'Cashcard'  -  it's a nice name but it IS a debit card. It DEBITS money from your account.

Visa and Mastercard both charge you £1.50 - £2.00 up front or 2% on the exchange rate  -  it varies between banks but they all sting you one way or another.
American Express average about 2.5% depending in which country the card is issued in and I can't remember which one it is but one of them steals 3%!
I think it's the Diners card  -  Dining on what?  -  the customers bank accounts I guess!
DEBIT cards are a better bet in general but NOT all of them!

RR.

[69billy]

I have been using the Nationwide Flex Account card for the last 2 years and you do get very good even better rates at ATMs....and no charge..I think its only the Nationwide who don't charge..all the other banks do,debit card or not....

[Guest]

TY very much everyone! RR, yes I will be using a debit card. I will mix it up a bit. I will buy a few Bht here and take some £'s with me too and I will use my card. That way I have the best of both worlds and am properly hedged .

[katoeylover]

No- dont buy any in the UK. There is an exchange booth straight after immigration in the arrivals hall. Change there. you will save at least 8% on UK rates, guaranteed.

[69billy]

(Boknaai @ Jun. 13 2007,10:40) I will buy a few Bht here

Thats a big NO NO...

[Guest]

OK, you talked me out of it . I will just take TC's.

Thanks a mil guys......

[Road Runner]

Hello Boknaai,

Just get enough as a take you home backup.  I won't come up with a figure as I don't know your circumstances.
Allow enough for meals and drinks for about half your time in LOS.   You can normally refund the T/C's in the UK for no charge.
If you do use them in Thailand you will get charged 30Baht/cheque.  The issuers will tell you that this does not happen -  but it's a Bank of Thailand tax so you will have to pay it.

I normally pay the hotel either with cash from an ATM or sometimes by credit card to prove to the UK taxman I have been to LOS.
Avoid using a credit card anywhere except ATM's, hotels and big department stores.
The Thais are essentially honest but the criminals are as good at computer theft as anywhere!

RR.