When I arrived in BKK at the end of May, the airport booths were offering about 1.5 less per UK pound than the ones in Surawong..... as usual nowadays.
When I arrived in BKK at the end of May, the airport booths were offering about 1.5 less per UK pound than the ones in Surawong..... as usual nowadays.
If you accept the bank's ATM offer you are bypassing the most favorable rate offered by Mastercard or VISA and substituting the bank's rate (often called DCC = dynamic currency conversion). The DCC rate is typically 2-5% less than MC or VISA. Note, this also applies when using your credit card, be sure you see Thai baht only on the credit card slip. I always tell the cashier Thai baht only and on several occasions have had the transaction canceled and redone.Originally Posted by Patanawet
christianpfc (July 16th, 2016), Patanawet (August 16th, 2016)
Blueskytoday....I have never heard of anyone being asked to prove they have enough money to stay...where did you hear that from?
What sort of passport does your "friend" have?
I'm with Gerefan. (And besides which, the thread seems to have turned into a whine about exchange annoyances)
Why would 'your friend' think he might need money to show to Thai Imm on arrival?
If he is entering as a tourist and he is a citizen of any of the countries who need no visa for 30 days then there is no need to "show money" at all.
If he is entering on a 90-day Non Imm visa then he already has his visa (from a Thai Embassy or Consulate) and has already shown his income as part of the visa process.
I have never, ever, heard of a situation where a bonafide entrant, with the proper visa, has been asked to "show money" to the Imm guys at the airport.
Where did your friend get the idea he would perhaps need to do this?
Last edited by Smiles; July 14th, 2016 at 18:40.
Just another reason why I love living in Thailand
http://travelhappy.info/thailand/new...ring-thailand/
Never heard of a falang being asked for funds.
A U.S. tourist would have to have about $300 on his person.
My ATM card is issued by a USA credit union. The credit union does not charge a conversion fee, so when I use an ATM for cash I am only charged the 200 THB charge. Important to check with your issuing bank. Many do not waive the conversion fee when then as noted above increase the cost and lessen what you get back.
If you read the small print in the Thai immigration rules, proof of sufficient funds does get a mention, so the OPs friend has been reading up.
However, if you're arriving by air they assume you're not destitute, and don't check, - so don't worry about it.
As for ATMs, if you're going to be a regular visitor, find a Thai address you can use, grab your passport and open an account with the Bangkok Bank (they seem to be the most oblging towards farangs). Then a use a specialist currency transfer outfit (not a high street bank) to send all the money you need for your trip over in one hit.
I find this reduces the true cost of changing money to less than 1%
Considering you make the correct decision, I wouldn't dream of calling you dumb.
On the other hand, I'm sure you will agree it's not remotely smart for anyone to regularly choose the more expensive of the 2 options.
Agreed. Airport booths are almost always a rip off.
The worst were in Romania, where they were taking about 20% of your money (they did not get my business).
Interesting exceptions where you can get a good rate in the airport include:
1 The SuperRich booth down at the airport rail link below Suvarnabhumi
2 Pre-booked exchanges at UK airports (book on line). I'm not saying these are offering the best level rates, but the pre-booking often moves the price from "rip-off" level to very very competitive. Disclaimer I have tried it for various currencies, but not the baht.
Last edited by goji; July 15th, 2016 at 02:40.
If you use a debit card issued by a Thai bank, the fee is ZERO
If you use a foreign card the exchange rate is way below the published rate, so you get hit with a double whammy..
You CAN get the better of these thieving bankers, so DO IT!
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