Money In Thailand

Placebo Effect

Hi All,

Can anyone please tell me the best way to take money to Thailand. I hear there is a smallish daily limit (80 euro) on all atms & bank charges are fairly high....anyone with any alternative suggestions?

killbillvol2

I've never reached any daily limit - I'd usually take out €300+ at a time. I think AIB introduced some kind of limit on some of their cards if that's what you're referring to?

Bank charges are heavy outside the euro zone with all the banks (but there's an upper limit) and all ATM transactions in Thailand incur a 150 baht fee, another reason to withdraw in fairly large amounts.

The best value is to exchange €50 notes at a bank/exchange booth but how much cash do you want to carry on you?

listermint

I think the cheapest way to limit charges to to credit your credit card with cash and take out money on that / pay for items with it.

As far as i know this is the cheapest option much better than maestro / cirrus

killbillvol2

listermint wrote: »

I think the cheapest way to limit charges to to credit your credit card with cash and take out money on that / pay for items with it.

As far as i know this is the cheapest option much better than maestro / cirrus

A good option - the problem is you're not covered for a credit balance if the card is lost, stolen or used illegally.

listermint

killbillvol2 wrote: »

A good option - the problem is you're not covered for a credit balance if the card is lost, stolen or used illegally.

quite true, but keep it on you like a hawk. Or cancel immediately should it go walkies.

Cant have it all i suppose

killbillvol2

listermint wrote: »

quite true, but keep it on you like a hawk. Or cancel immediately should it go walkies.

Cant have it all i suppose

The joys of travelling

gebbel

killbillvol2 wrote: »

Bank charges are heavy outside the euro zone with all the banks (but there's an upper limit) and all ATM transactions in Thailand incur a 150 baht fee, another reason to withdraw in fairly large amounts.

Aeon bank ATM machines do not charge the 150 baht fee in Thailand. They are not as common as the others however. Citibank also have 2 branches with ATM machines in Bangkok, one in Sukhumvit near Asok BTS and another in Silom near Sala Daeng BTS.....also with no withdrawal fee. Remember this 150 baht fee is relatively small (€3.70) but adds up if you withdraw small amounts each time.

What I advise is to to put your credit card 'in credit' before you go then, as killbill says, withdraw the max amount each time. On my BOI mastercard, the most I can withdraw over there is 12000 baht which is around €303 on the latest exchange rates. No charge from the Irish banks, but of course I'd guess they get a little something on the rate.

Stinicker

Having traveled to Thailand in Feb 2011 I quickly learnt on the best ways to handle money in Thailand. I wrote this post last year about my experiences with ATM's and Credit Cards etc. there.

Be careful with cash and don't withdraw too much and only carry what you can afford to lose.

The Euro is very weak at the moment and you will not get 4,000bt for €100 now which is really a critical limit for it to surpass. Going back there myself in April and the weak Euro has me p'd off no end.

Placebo Effect

Thanks for the help, I suppose the best way would be to transfer money online onto my credit card therefore not leaving too much of a credit balance for fraud purposes.

I will have an iPad with me so this should be ok ?

emmetmurphy

Placebo Effect wrote: »

Hi All,

Can anyone please tell me the best way to take money to Thailand. I hear there is a smallish daily limit (80 euro) on all atms & bank charges are fairly high....anyone with any alternative suggestions?

try and use a money belt cause one night one of those ladyboys went through me pockets when i was hammered

Placebo Effect

yep its a money belt or one of them holsters for me..think I ll go the holster option.

killbillvol2

Placebo Effect wrote: »

Thanks for the help, I suppose the best way would be to transfer money online onto my credit card therefore not leaving too much of a credit balance for fraud purposes.

I will have an iPad with me so this should be ok ?

Yeah, that'll work.