Changin money at BKK

[joe552]

Jellybean and NIrish, thanks for your posts about the ear plugs. I have a Boots close to where I live, so I'll check it out.

Re: changing money. How much extra time would it add going downstairs and back up again to meet my taxi? I'm always really anxious to get on the road as quickly as possible.

[Nirish guy]

10 minutes tops, easy peasy Joe.

[joe552]

Thanks NIrish and others for the tip

[Old git]

Be very wary of ATMs at airports around the world - some look quite innocent but when you get your statement you find an outrageously bad exchange rate has been applied.

Only use ATMs from mainstream banks in the country you are visiting. IIRC there are some of these outside in the bus taxi area at BKK (for years I've always taken home enough spare baht to not need to use airport facilities)

I recommend getting an account with Bangkok Bank if you're a regular visitor - the other banks are a bit fussy about giving an account to farangs, but BB just want a passport and a Thai address (which can be a guest house - anywhere) and you'll be issued with a debit card on the spot.

I use a specialist currency converter (not a main bank) to buy Baht and get it transferred in a large lump to my Thai account. Bangkok bank charges about 450 baht for receiving it, but after that there are no ATM charges at all.

[Jellybean]

Yesterday, a member sent me a PM directing my attention to a post by fountainhall dated August 7th, 2019 on The Rainbow Club Jomtien topic over on Gaybutton Thai. It has an impact on my previous recommendation for Boots Muffles Wax Earplugs, so I have quoted his post in full below:

Rainbow Club.jpg

Link to Gaybutton Thai: https://gaybuttonthai.com/viewtopic....=9913&start=10

I had not opened the Boots Muffles Wax Earplugs packet, but did so on reading the comments by fountainhall. Photos of the front and back of the “Instructions For Use” are below, but members will note there is no warning not to use on an airplane. And on their website, https://www.boots.com/boots-muffle-w...pairs-10114104 they say, “They are ideal for use when sleeping, working, travelling or swimming.”

EarplugsF.jpg EarplugsB.jpg

It doesn’t specifically say, do not use them while on an airplane, but then again, it does not expressly say they can be used on an airplane. As there is some doubt, bearing in mind the advice from fountainhall and not wanting to take the risk of damaging my hearing, I have decided against using them during my flight to Thailand.

There is however specific earplugs for use on airplanes, so I think I shall play it safe and buy one of the following brands recommended on the allearplugs website:
https://www.allearplugs.com/collecti...or%20%2Bflying

Or, perhaps I might even splash out on the more expensive brand recommended by NIrish-guy.

Lastly, if fountainhall happens to read this post, may I take this opportunity to thank him for taking the time to post his advice on Gaybutton Thai forum, which I have quoted above.

[Moses]

Many air-companies offers earplugs on-board by request. They have a lot of stuff for free and don't advertise it, you need to ask... for example besides earplugs many have plasters with nicotine on longhoul flights.

[goji]

Be very wary of ATMs at airports around the world - some look quite innocent but when you get your statement you find an outrageously bad exchange rate has been applied.

Only use ATMs from mainstream banks in the country you are visiting. IIRC there are some of these outside in the bus taxi area at BKK (for years I've always taken home enough spare baht to not need to use airport facilities)

I recommend getting an account with Bangkok Bank if you're a regular visitor - the other banks are a bit fussy about giving an account to farangs, but BB just want a passport and a Thai address (which can be a guest house - anywhere) and you'll be issued with a debit card on the spot.

I use a specialist currency converter (not a main bank) to buy Baht and get it transferred in a large lump to my Thai account. Bangkok bank charges about 450 baht for receiving it, but after that there are no ATM charges at all.

1 Many ATMS offer you the option of having your account debited in the foreign currency or your "home currency". As the latter is at a horrendous rate, you always need to decline this & have your account debited in the currency you are withdrawing (THB in Thailand).

2 Your home bank may screw you with a 3% forex fee. That's if you have been careless in your choice of bank. This is often avoidable by shopping around and choosing a competitive bank.

3 The cheapest ways of getting money from GBP to THB are (i) To take a fat wad of cash and change it downstairs at the airport rail station.
or (ii) Move it to your Thai bank account with Transferwise.

Incidentally, we need to watch forex wherever we go.
I have just been to a fairly popular tourist destination in eastern Europe. I changed cash for a loss of 0.62% v mid market. Had I just picked a random money changer, it would have cost about 22% !