ATM UK Card, ATM Thai Card or bank transfer

[Paul BRS 64]

I have a Kasikorn account and my Uk account of course. I only opened the Kasikorn account last trip although I did transfer some money over via internet banking, 100,000B, my bank Halifax charged me nearly £10 and the conversion was low around 46 B I was getting around 50 or 51 B on the street here from the exchanges at that time.

 

Each time I use my UK visa debit in an ATM Thailand I get charged £3 or 150B and the exchange rate is around the Thai Banks ie. Kasikorn rate so at that time 48B.

 

I should add, is Captain Cash the way to go!

 

What do you guys do? or is it not worth worrying about!

Edited December 12, 2010 by Paul BRS

[ThaiLearner 18]

I used to use cards but I think the way to go is cash and travellers cheques

[beefos 5]

As you are already with Halifax apply for a Clarity card. I got one just before my last trip (October) and there are no charges for using abroad.

I used it for purchases as well as getting cash from the bank (not the ATM as the 150THB is charged by the local banks).

[js007 795]

I'm not sure how it works with UK banks, but with my US bank, I have the option of sending Thai Baht or US dollars. I think it works out better if I send US dollars - I get a better rate from the Thai banks. It costs me $40 every time I send dollars to my Thai account, so it pays to send as much as possible. Once the money is in my Thai bank, the fee for using the Thai ATM is little or nothing. Using the ATM with my US debit card can be a real rip off, so I don't do it that way.

[joekicker 53]

I'm not sure how it works with UK banks, but with my US bank, I have the option of sending Thai Baht or US dollars. I think it works out better if I send US dollars

 

Yes. If you send baht, you are basically changing at the US (UK, whatever) rate. So always send the foreign currency, get it changed when it arrives in your account. The OP is getting his pounds changed in England at the UK rate, which is horrible.

 

.

Edited December 12, 2010 by joekicker

[Regyai 415]

Just do the maths

 

Daily ATM card withdrawal limit will cost you 150THB to get out (unless you want to traipse around town finding a working Aeon ATM)

 

If youre going to dip into ATMs more than £10 worth of 150THB's then the Bank xfer makes more sense

 

But as alluded to above NEVER transfer Thai Baht from UK (youre being raped at source) send Sterling and get best rates off Kasikorn on receipt.

 

Plus of course if you need hands on a lump of money outside the childish constraints of UK daily allowances you need it in your Thai bank account (my current daily limit on my Thai Bank ATM card is 200K THB)

 

Cash is of course good (tis why it was invented) but has its own hazards- with the money laundering mania that abounds...more than 10K Euro in value out of UK and its a steward's enquiry . and similarly (though a tad more liberal) $20K USD into Thailand

 

 

 

.

[GlynRhedyn 32]

I now take high denomination TCs, cash them then top up my Thai bank account to withdraw cash from an ATM as I need it. That is the cheapest method I have found.

Glyn.

Edited December 12, 2010 by GlynRhedyn

[Paul BRS 64]

Thank you for pointing out "transfer £ and not B"

 

I will try that this trip!

[doolish 14]

Hi,

Without having a Thai bank account, when I paid for my house. I went to a Thai bank and was told. You can draw 200,000B on your debit card every 24 hours, if you have the funds. This was by 3 different Thai. banks. This I did over five days. House cost 980,000B. In Udon in 2005. If I wanted to I could have got the whole amount in 3 to 4 working days but I would have to tell my bank what the money was for. Nosey buggers, my money. The only question the Thai bank asked me was if I wanted the money transferred to LOS in stirling. I took their advice and transferred in sterling.

Also if you are just a visitor T.C. is the way to go. Nearly 1B extra on exchange rate, if you get sterling checks. plus safety. Most U.K. major banks do not charge a commission for T.C. if your account is in credit. And no charge to return unused cheques. And added safety

[jacko 8,813]

Hi,

Without having a Thai bank account, when I paid for my house. I went to a Thai bank and was told. You can draw 200,000B on your debit card every 24 hours, if you have the funds. This was by 3 different Thai. banks. This I did over five days. House cost 980,000B. In Udon in 2005. If I wanted to I could have got the whole amount in 3 to 4 working days but I would have to tell my bank what the money was for. Nosey buggers, my money. The only question the Thai bank asked me was if I wanted the money transferred to LOS in stirling. I took their advice and transferred in sterling.

Also if you are just a visitor T.C. is the way to go. Nearly 1B extra on exchange rate, if you get sterling checks. plus safety. Most U.K. major banks do not charge a commission for T.C. if your account is in credit. And no charge to return unused cheques. And added safety

Not true.... over cash they pay 30-36 satang/£ more and there is a 33 baht/Tchq charge. Edited December 13, 2010 by jacko