AMEX Trav Checks cashable?

Yesterday I purchased AMEX traveler's ckecks for my trip to LOS next week. The bank teller asked if I was sure that they were cashable there. She said that an increasing number of countries no longer deal in them due to large nomber of counterfeits. Has anyone experienced this?
Thanks,
Thaipat

[rincondog]

Doesn't seem to be any problem cashing them at exchange booths. I think they have some way of checking the numbers before cashing them to be sure they are legit. I seldom use them, however, on my last trip I did cash some and they checked the numbers in the computer even before I signed them. They then returned them to me to sign.

I used AMEX TC's in April and did not experience any problem's. I purchased them in my home currency and had them converted at whichever bank had the best exchange rate that day. (better exchange rate within Thailand for both cash and TC's)

I also found that the banks tack on a small charge per cheque, so larger denomination cheques can save you a few bucks.

For your safety, go inside the branch. I felt uneasy doing business at the outside kiosk in plain sight.

Here are a few links to Thai Banks and their exchange rates:

http://www.kasikornbank.com/portal/site ... f8f30aRCRD (http://www.kasikornbank.com/portal/site/KBank/menuitem.45a6df182d78d575a86d5282658f3fa0/?vgnextoid=cbb4cef56e7fd010VgnVCM10000056f8f30aRCR D&vgnextchannel=cbb4cef56e7fd010VgnVCM10000056f8f30a RCRD)

https://www.thanachartbank.co.th/CDS/TH ... _rate.aspx (https://www.thanachartbank.co.th/CDS/THANACHART/NBank_En/ExchangeRate/exchange_rate.aspx)

http://www.bangkokbank.com/Bangkok+Bank ... +Rates.htm (http://www.bangkokbank.com/Bangkok+Bank/Web+Services/Rates/FX+Rates.htm)

http://www.bankthai.co.th/website/Selec ... =F&lang=en (http://www.bankthai.co.th/website/SelectViewFolderAction.do?folder_id=00000000000004 8&can_login_flg=&back_login=F&lang=en)

http://www.krungsri.com/en/foreign-exchange-rates.aspx

Doesn't seem to be any problem cashing them at exchange booths. I think they have some way of checking the numbers before cashing them to be sure they are legit. I seldom use them, however, on my last trip I did cash some and they checked the numbers in the computer even before I signed them. They then returned them to me to sign.

I noticed this too. I wasn't sure if they were entering the cheque numbers for the transaction receipt or if they were verifying the numbers with AMEX.

I didn't realise people still used those awful things. Poor dears, what a way to live.

[blazer]

AMEX travelers checks are cashed at almost every exchange kiosk as well as banks in Thailand. Its always a good idea to carry travelers checks if you don't have a bank in Thailand with ready access to cash. I recommend bringing cash, credit cards, and travelers checks.

Keep a copy of your passport, travelers check numbers, and Thailands toll free AMEX number on a web based e-mail such as Hotmail. That way you can always access the information if you need it. AMEX will deliver replacements to you if they are lost or stolen.

Nothing worse than having a trip ruined because cash and credit cards were stolen, or the ATM machine gobbles up the card.

AMEX travelers checks are cashed at almost every exchange kiosk as well as banks in Thailand. Its always a good idea to carry travelers checks if you don't have a bank in Thailand with ready access to cash. I recommend bringing cash, credit cards, and travelers checks.

Keep a copy of your passport, travelers check numbers, and Thailands toll free AMEX number on a web based e-mail such as Hotmail. That way you can always access the information if you need it. AMEX will deliver replacements to you if they are lost or stolen.

Nothing worse than having a trip ruined because cash and credit cards were stolen, or the ATM machine gobbles up the card.
And no one steal passports and those traveler thingies?????? that the peasants use

I think it's been a decade since I last used traveller's checks. If it makes you feel safer then use them. As I remeber you MUST show your passport when cashing them - so be sure to be carrying your passport with you should you anticipate cashing them

I had a nightmare with Amex TC when I was in Pattaya last year. The banks on Walking Street refused to deal with me, and I only had some luck once I went to Tuc Com, when the problem was eventually sorted out completely.

My TCs were registered as "sold" by Amex - meaning they were registered as legally available to be cashed, but once the banks attempted to access "their" Amex system, the numbers weren't registered on their own banking system. Very embarrassing when the boys in brown were called in one time on Walking Street.

The person that sold the traveller's cheques, at Thomas Cook in the UK, had registered the numbers of the cheques with Amex, but hadn't listed them on the database for foreign exchange. Once you're in Thailand, the Amex helpline is in the Philippines and they tried as best they could to sort the problem out, but it was so difficult. Thai banks were not so helpful, they couldn't find the cheque numbers, so refused completely to even attempt to deal with them. Their own computer systems informed the tellers to treat the cheques as fraudulent, meaning that one time a teller even dipped a cheque into water to see if the ink ran, and then called the BIB. Western Union in Tuc Com, however, called the UK, and had the numbers re-registered on the correct database. After that, no problem.

There were several kiosks on Walking Street with signs saying no Amex TC tho, so there must be a problem somewhere. I've always advocated TCs, but after that situation it'll be cash all the way with me regardless of the additional risk.

[ceejay]

I was in Patttaya a week ago and used some Amex TC's at the Siam City Bank branch in TucCom. No problems with them at all.

I take a mix with me. Cash to get started, plastic to draw cash while I am there and TC's for emergencies.

Thank you gentlemen. I appreciate the information.
Thaipat

[Diec]

Thank you gentlemen. I appreciate the information.
Thaipat

Yu are welcome thaipat. If you have any more questions such as how much for an off, or how much for taxi from Bangkok to Pataya, please let us know. I personally don't use traveller's checks, I use cash. However if you are comfortabile travelling that way, wonderful for you!! I know a couple of words are misspelled, have fun girls!!

[Smiles]

Latest experience with TC's was last September. I do my annual deposit into my Thai bank account using large denomination traveler's checks (Amex). In my experience it's the easiest method, with the least hassle, and with the lowest fees (in what can be a very fee-rich environment).
My bank is Krung Thai, never a problem with depositing ~ and I assume, cashing ~ Amex TC's.

Perhaps on the Mean Streets of Pattaya, where often all bets are off, there may be some issue, but I'm sure in the 'Real Thailand' (i.e. everywhere BUT Pattaya) there will be no problem at all.