Converting US Dollars to Thai Baht your advice for a Thailand Trip?

Question

This is a follow up to a previous question. If you were travelign to Chang Mai and Bangkok how would you handle your cash. Since this is a place where majority of the street vedors and places probally do not accept credit card. I have a 2000USD budget for my 14 day trip. How would you divide that money? Would you convert maybe $500 to Thai baht and 1000 in Travelers Checks? Or keep it in your US account and withdraw money from an ATM there in Thailand? Your advice please. It has been a while since I traveled so far out of the country.
Thanks,

Answer 1

I think some of these guys need to take a course in finance. Now days the off shore baht rate is lower then the on shore rate, I would recommend bring traveler checks your get a better rate as of now about 35.50 to 35.75 baht the off shore rate if you use a atm card is about 33 baht, in the past the on shore and off shore rate were almost the same.

Answer 2

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RE:
Converting US Dollars to Thai Baht your advice for a Thailand Trip?
This is a follow up to a previous question. If you were travelign to Chang Mai and Bangkok how would you handle your cash. Since this is a place where majority of the street vedors and places probally do not accept credit card. I have a 2000USD budget for my 14 day trip. How would you divide that...

Answer 3

Don't think about changing USD for THB in another country. If you do, they exchange your USD for the local currency then the local currency into THB. As mentioned, there is an exchange in the airport lobby just after you clear immigrations and are waiting for your bags. It's open 24/7. The bad part is, the exchange rate isn't good but it will get you started. Exchange just enough to get transportation to your hotel and have a couple THB left over. There's also an ATM machine there. Use ATM machines the rest of the time. While travelers checks give a higher exchange rate, they also have stamp processing fees attached which mean you loose in the long run. ATMs also charge a fee but, if you withdraw the max each transaction, you come out ahead. Inform your bank of the time you'll be gone so they won't cancel your card when they see overseas transactions. Also, carry a second card if possible just in case. Enjoy the trip.

Answer 4

In order to get the exchange rate under control, the Thai government has two tiers - onshore and offshore. You will probably get a better rate "offshore" at your bank or airport before you leave. US dollars are accepted almost everywhere in Thailand. ATMs are also safe, in spite of what one answerer suggested. Traveller's checks are safe, require your signature to use, and replaceable, but cost about 1% of the cash value. Cash can be stolen. I would suggest buying about 1/4 of your expected expenses in US dollar traveller's checks, about 1/4 in US dollars, and then use either ATMs or credit cards for the rest (remember that credit cards charge a fee for currency conversion). Have a good trip.

Answer 5

Hi there,
Using ATM's are fine and all are banks is Thailand are reputable. Card cloning is far more likely in the US then anywhere else and even there is a very rare event that doesn't cost you a cent.
I would take $500 cash and use the ATM everywhere else. You can draw 20 000bht each trip to the ATM so I wouldn't worry about TC's as they are just a nuisance and expensive.

Answer 6

Hi easiest will be to use the ATM card. No need to carry huge amount of cash on your person, plus the ATMs accept international cards readily and are all over the place, especially in Chiangmai and Bangkok. Even outlying towns have them too.

Just withdraw how much you need in small amounts, 10,000bahts can last quite a few days already.

The interbank exchange rate through the ATM is usually better than you get on the street. So just check with your bank on the overseas use charges. If high, then just make less frequent withdrawal and in larger amount.

Have a good holiday.

Answer 7

almost every country excepts the American dollar..So I would maybe half in American dollar cheques..a third in American dollars cash .and the rest in the currency of the countries you are going through and to..have a good trip..the conversion is
1$ =33.38000 Thai baht..okay..I would advise DO NOT USE CASH MACHINES ABROAD..only at the airports..instead go into a reputable bank..and do not use your card to pay for anything..They could clone your card and clear your account before you get out of the shop..

Answer 8

I live here and was getting my money regularly from the ATM which you can still do - except - As Nowhereman above points out - things have changed and you get a far better exchange rate by bringing traveler checks - or cash - bigger bills and higher denomination t/cs are best...

To be exact, if you used your ATM here for all the $2000 you will lose a full $100 of spending power.. - just due to this new policy of exchange.. it stinks

Answer 9

In Pattaya for two months, Sep't-Nov 2006. Use ATM carry 10,000 or 20,000 baht always plenty of ATM's around.
Worked for me.