How Much Cash In Your Pocket?

[Tarqin]

I seem to be reading a constant stream of reports of robberies and muggings where the victim was holding thousands even millions of baht in cash!

Am I the only one thinking insurance scam?

Just checked my pockets I am holdimg 9,560 baht and my ATM card, which is pretty normal for me.

How much cash do you normally walk around with?

[libya 115]

There is no need to carry around more than 10,000 baht; that would be enough for most residents of Pattaya. These muggings often take place on newly arrived naive tourists, sporting idiotic grins, whilst walking down Beach Road, drunk with their wallets in their back pocket: Rich pickings for Khatoey thieves.

I am sure some claims of loss are exaggerated; but many tourists do indeed carry large amounts of cash, there are several stories of honest taxi drivers handing back big lumps of cash to all nationalities.

Pattaya has changed now; I still have friends back in the U.K. who talk about Pattaya experiences just 10-15 years ago, where such crime was very rare indeed, almost a place where you could leave your cash in your hotel room and your wallet on the bar.

[Tammi]

There is no need to carry around more than 10,000 baht; that would be enough for most residents of Pattaya. These muggings often take place on newly arrived naive tourists, sporting idiotic grins, whilst walking down Beach Road, drunk with their wallets in their back pocket: Rich pickings for Khatoey thieves.

I am sure some claims of loss are exaggerated; but many tourists do indeed carry large amounts of cash, there are several stories of honest taxi drivers handing back big lumps of cash to all nationalities.

Pattaya has changed now; I still have friends back in the U.K. who talk about Pattaya experiences just 10-15 years ago, where such crime was very rare indeed, almost a place where you could leave your cash in your hotel room and your wallet on the bar.

I, too, remember those peaceful days. If I were 10 years younger I would probably search for somewhere else to live.

[Rimmer]

Regetfully I usually carry upwards of 100K to pay for house building material and contractors working on my new house.

But then I also don't walk down Beach Road, Walking Street or any other dark soi at night. (or in the day for that matter)

As far as I know having claimed a number of times for robberies at my retail premises in Singapore Insurance companies do not pay out for cash unless it specificaly mentioned in the policy.

Edited January 20, 2007 by Rimmer

[icecubes]

I seem to be reading a constant stream of reports of robberies and muggings where the victim was holding thousands even millions of baht in cash!

Am I the only one thinking insurance scam?

Just checked my pockets I am holdimg 9,560 baht and my ATM card, which is pretty normal for me.

How much cash do you normally walk around with?

Six grand and 3 large size condoms in the wallet.

[libya 115]

As far as I know having claimed a number of times for robberies at my retail premises in Singapore Insurance companies do not pay out for cash unless it specificaly mentioned in the policy.

Good point: Travel Insurance policies only seem to cover a maximum of 200 GBP about 14,000 baht. So I doubt that any insurance policy would cover large cash claims by robbed tourists.

[expatgaz]

Day to day pottering around normally abt 5k in cash.If out with the Mrs abt 10k.Try not to carry to much these days.

[naka]

I would guess that some people who live in the less salubrious hotels here

in Pattaya are a bit wary of the hotel safe deposit boxes. So carry their

valuables around with them.

Naka.

[bmanly]

How much cash do you normally walk around with?

Not more than 5,000, Apart from that only my MC license and electronic proximity card to get in the condo.

[Basil B]

I seem to be reading a constant stream of reports of robberies and muggings where the victim was holding thousands even millions of baht in cash!

Am I the only one thinking insurance scam?

Just checked my pockets I am holdimg 9,560 baht and my ATM card, which is pretty normal for me.

How much cash do you normally walk around with?

Six grand and 3 large size condoms in the wallet.

3 grand and six XL size condoms in the wallet.

[Mid]

don't ya just hate that ........................

[calibanjr.]

Unless you're a tourist or don't have a Thai bank account ATM for other reasons, I don't see the need for carrying more'n about 1 or 2k around, but then I've become more of a piker with every passing year.

[Briggsy]

6000 and that's unusually high. No condoms.

[Axel]

2-3000 Baht. Basically, all places take credit cards, what for would I need cash?

[tropo]

I never carry more than 5,000 unless I'm heading out to purchase something in particular. I never take any credit cards or ATM cards with me unless I need to do a withdrawal, and usually that's across the road, so immediately after that I head home to stick the cash in my safe.

[Pattaya_Fox]

Only carry as much as you are going to need....it may be 1000baht or more and it could be less. It obviously depends on what you are going to do and where you are going to go.

If you are going out for a skinful it would be foolish to carry thousands and thousands.

If you need to buy something for cash only take as much as is necessary in order to do your business.

Never put a wallet or money in your back pocket. Try to wear clothing such as trousers or shorts which have a pocket at the front which can be fastened. Keep your small change separately such as coins for taxis etc.

Put your notes in order of denomination value i.e. smaller notes to the outside and larger notes to the bottom of your wad. Then the smaller notes are easily accessible by you without having to rummage through and disturb the larger notes.

[Briggsy]

Hit up the atm for 50,000 at a time. Always carry it with you. Get smashed and let complete strangers know how much you're carrying. Show them if they don't believe you. Wear loose fitting shorts with small pockets. It's easier to reach your wallet like that. Each time you make a financial transaction, take all your notes out of your wallet and rifle through them thoroughly to find the smaller notes. It's ok if you drop one or two someone will pick them up for you. Stay out late in less salubrious areas. Associate with the criminal class and befriend them. Drug users and thieves can be very loyal. Try to stay to unlit areas. Muggers will find it harder to see you.

Next week I'll be telling you all how to register a complaint against the Police.

[bino]

I take cash from the ATM in 2000 Baht hits, and it lasts me a long time as I use a credit or electron card wherever possible.

[bmanly]

I take cash from the ATM in 2000 Baht hits, and it lasts me a long time as I use a credit or electron card wherever possible.

You mean 20,000 don't you? 2,000 would only last me a couple of nights.

[tropo]

Only carry as much as you are going to need....it may be 1000baht or more and it could be less. It obviously depends on what you are going to do and where you are going to go.

If you are going out for a skinful it would be foolish to carry thousands and thousands.

If you need to buy something for cash only take as much as is necessary in order to do your business.

Never put a wallet or money in your back pocket. Try to wear clothing such as trousers or shorts which have a pocket at the front which can be fastened. Keep your small change separately such as coins for taxis etc.

Put your notes in order of denomination value i.e. smaller notes to the outside and larger notes to the bottom of your wad. Then the smaller notes are easily accessible by you without having to rummage through and disturb the larger notes.

Well aren't you the sensible man! Good advice.

[bmanly]

Only carry as much as you are going to need....it may be 1000baht or more and it could be less. It obviously depends on what you are going to do and where you are going to go.

If you are going out for a skinful it would be foolish to carry thousands and thousands.

If you need to buy something for cash only take as much as is necessary in order to do your business.

Never put a wallet or money in your back pocket. Try to wear clothing such as trousers or shorts which have a pocket at the front which can be fastened. Keep your small change separately such as coins for taxis etc.

Put your notes in order of denomination value i.e. smaller notes to the outside and larger notes to the bottom of your wad. Then the smaller notes are easily accessible by you without having to rummage through and disturb the larger notes.

Some good advice here Pattaya Fox, as I walk out the door I make sure I got 10 baht coins for the baht buses, 5 baht coins for the piss houses and 20 baht notes for the table top dancers in the Beach Club.

Never go out with more than what you need for a good nights entertainment.

[icecubes]

2-3000 Baht. Basically, all places take credit cards, what for would I need cash?

Personally I don’t trust pattaya to use my

Credit cards around town. (no way)

For me the credit cards only get used at, air airports, good restaurants,

Hotels, And known Atm machines at banks in pattaya.

Other than that its, carry cash for me.

I know that’s a bit of a luddite way of doing things, but this

town has to many dishonest people in it when it comes to money issues.

Would you really hand your credit card over at some of the entertainment venues in Pattaya at the end of the night!!! (Not me)

The agro of getting cards replaced after they have been compromised is a right pain.

BTW what you going to do if the, ATM machine eats your card at the start of the night?

I have followed this way of using credit cards all around the world, never had a problem in 15 years of monthly international travel.

So its back to 6 grand , 3 Very very large condoms, three Viagra, (That’s for her use only).

In the wallet.

Have a nice day.

[Mighty Mouse]

Carry as much as you like but line your pockets with fish hooks.

[tropo]

2-3000 Baht. Basically, all places take credit cards, what for would I need cash?

Personally I don’t trust pattaya to use my

Credit cards around town. (no way)

For me the credit cards only get used at, air airports, good restaurants,

Hotels, And known Atm machines at banks in pattaya.

Other than that its, carry cash for me.

I know that’s a bit of a luddite way of doing things, but this

town has to many dishonest people in it when it comes to money issues.

Would you really hand your credit card over at some of the entertainment venues in Pattaya at the end of the night!!! (Not me)

The agro of getting cards replaced after they have been compromised is a right pain.

BTW what you going to do if the, ATM machine eats your card at the start of the night?

I have followed this way of using credit cards all around the world, never had a problem in 15 years of monthly international travel.

So its back to 6 grand , 3 Very very large condoms, three Viagra, (That’s for her use only).

In the wallet.

Have a nice day.

Some really sound advice there, especially about the very, very large condoms.

I never use credit cards in Thailand except to purchase tickets and other stuff over the Internet, and just as you do, I'm very careful which ATM's I use, and generally stick to the same ones. It's too hard to replace stolen, or lost credit cards. Better to leave them at home.

A fake wallet is a good option for people who insist on carrying large amounts of cash and important cards. Leave a few thousand baht in them just to keep the thieves happy.

[Tazzy]

I usualy only carry around 5-6000, If I have been to an ATM I do this last then back to my room and lock away the money. More recently I have been using a money clip rather than a wallet, it is not as noticible as a bulky wallet so slightly less chance of being pickpocketed, unless someone has seen where you put your money.

Plus I keep a few hundred Baht in my shirt pocket for buying small things, no point flashing 1000 Baht notes around for small purchases, only asking for trouble

I was watching Pattaya City News on tv and saw where a woman was going to a 7/11 and had her bag snatched, it contained her passport, plane ticket, Thai Baht and a heap of Euros.

Now what normal person would go to a 7/11 and carry all this ???

[besth]

Between 5 and 10 thousand baht.

Condoms only during the rainy season (they are so big that in a sudden storm I can make a couple of holes for my arms and eyes and wear them as raincoats ). During the rest of the year 7/11

[idle44mins]

During the week a few 100 Baht and during the weekends/maybe 2000-3000 Baht. Use internet banking for my bills and rent and otherwise I'll pay my bills at Carrefour, all in 1 time: ATM in Carrefour and pay at the service counter.

[bendix]

Currently i have 11460 baht in my wallet. I have a fixed regime of withdrawing either 10,000 cash every Saturday morning OR however much it takes to increase what is currently in my wallet to 15,000, whichever is the lower.

Thanks to a splurge on the credit cards over the holiday period, I'm trying to use cash as much as possible for just about everything, including supermarket trips.

And I'm getting married in March, so I'm gonna need those credit card balances at a minimum in order to pay for lots of parties.

[bino]

I take cash from the ATM in 2000 Baht hits, and it lasts me a long time as I use a credit or electron card wherever possible.

You mean 20,000 don't you? 2,000 would only last me a couple of nights.

Nope- 2000 was correct, for my "walking around" pocket money.

I'm not a big drinker / bar crawler, so I don't need large amounts of cash. Most of the restaurants and places that I do go will take a credit card.

Of course, If I am going out for a night to a place that I know won't take plastic or making some other big purchase in cash, a trip to the ATM is in order to get what I'll need.

[Tolley]

I wouldn't use my credit card in Pattaya either too many bad stories.

I only carry the money i need for the day which varies from 1k- 5 k.

I only carry cards or passport when i need to use them then return back home.