$ to usa

what is the best way to get money from thailand to the usa for a trip? atm, cash, traveler check?!
thanks.

This subject comes up time and time again, and "how to do it" also changes, since high charges are incurred on debit/credit cards and cash.

If you have a Thai bank account, then obviously that is the best way, you would get the commercial rates when transferring your money from a US account to Thai account, but be careful of the charge they make to do this.

Commission free Traveller Cheques are another good way, generally when in Thailand these command a slightly higher exchange rate, although there have been problems in cashing some of these recently in some places. There is a charge for each TC cashed, so larger denominations are better.

The new style debit top-up cards - these are brilliant, you top them up with money before you leave for your holiday or top up whilst you are on holiday via internet (in US dollar, sterling or Euro) and when you withdraw your money (at the other end, i.e. Thailand), you get an excellent rate, free of charges, except for the 150 bht that Thai banks are now charging for a transaction from a machine - unfortunately, you can't stop this - there are people on here who say that they found a machine that does not charge 150 bht, but I have yet to find one, I think it is personally something to do with their own card and bank account, rather than the Thai system.

As I always recommend - check the smallprint.

[Beachlover]

I don't know the 'best'' way... I usually just pull a wad of $5k out of the ATM before I leave. But the biggest expenses are usually done with a credit card so go figure...

[TOQ]

what is the best way to get money from thailand to the usa for a trip? atm, cash, traveler check?!
thanks.


Didn't he ask FROM Thailand TO the USA, not the other way around ?

yes i did. i know the way to do it from the usa. but now i live here on a retirement visa with all my cash here and i want to take money back home to the usa for a visit. so again, i wonder what is the best/cheapest way to do this?

yes i did. i know the way to do it from the usa. but now i live here on a retirement visa with all my cash here and i want to take money back home to the usa for a visit. so again, i wonder what is the best/cheapest way to do this?

Depends on the kind of Thai Bank card that you hold. You can check with the bank and see if it's good for both cash withdrawals and credit payents abroad and to what amount. Or if you still have a bank account in the States transfer money to that before you go. The former would be my first step, go talk with your bank in LOS.

[cdnmatt]

yes i did. i know the way to do it from the usa. but now i live here on a retirement visa with all my cash here and i want to take money back home to the usa for a visit. so again, i wonder what is the best/cheapest way to do this?

I've never had to do it, but I've heard it can be problematic due to Thai money laundering laws. If I can remember correctly, there's something to do with proving the funds originated from a foreign country, and if they originated in Thailand, there's a bunch of other hoops you need to jump though.

Search for it on http://www.thaivisa.com/, as I know the same question has been asked there many times.

[jinks]

Alf, if you have retirement income coming in from outside Thailand, can it be diverted to a USA bank for a couple of months?

I've never had to do it, but I've heard it can be problematic due to Thai money laundering laws. If I can remember correctly, there's something to do with proving the funds originated from a foreign country, and if they originated in Thailand, there's a bunch of other hoops you need to jump though.

Search for it on http://www.thaivisa.com/, as I know the same question has been asked there many times.

If you are using the same bank as you use for your incoming transfers then transferring money out again is not a problem. I always used Bangkok Bank for both in and out transactions (Sukhumvit Branch between Asoke and Nana BTS) and never had any problems. Whatever, go and talk with your bank and they will advise you to the current regulations.

[francois]

yes i did. i know the way to do it from the usa. but now i live here on a retirement visa with all my cash here and i want to take money back home to the usa for a visit. so again, i wonder what is the best/cheapest way to do this?

Why not just use your Thai ATM card in the USA to withdraw USD? I have done this with Bangkok Bank ATM with no problems. Or bring USD in cash up to $10,000.

If I can remember correctly, there's something to do with proving the funds originated from a foreign country, and if they originated in Thailand, there's a bunch of other hoops you need to jump though.

Undoubtedly for tax purposes. If this was pension income then it did originate from outside the country and should be easy to prove. Every time that I leave Thailand I change baht into USD at the airport...I should think that would work. Even above $10k USD you merely have to declare the funds (and receive more scrutiny). There's no law against carrying cash if you have proof that it isn't drug money.

Why not just use your Thai ATM card in the USA to withdraw USD? I have done this with Bangkok Bank ATM with no problems. Or bring USD in cash up to $10,000.

That only works if you have the right card and an agreement with your bank. It doesn't take two minutes to check with your bank and as you have said Bangkok Bank have such cards.

Alf if you managed to get yourself and all of your money to Thailand then I am sure you are quite capable of going on holiday with enough funds to cover it. Thailand has some banking/money laws but it isn't a closed shop with no money access abroad, how do you think Thai's travel?

All Thai ATM cards I have ever had could be used overseas. There is usually a small fee, though -- a few dollars -- on each transaction.

You will find this a lot easier than trying to make an outgoing remittance from a Thai bank.

Or just take cash -- but no more than $10,000.00 or you could get in trouble with US Customs.

You could also simply just apply for a Thai credit card.