Taking Currency Out Of Thailand

[toptuan]

I'm going back to the USA in a month or so, and want to put a couple thousand dollars into my USA bank account. Thought it would be convenient just to take it with me, and avoid wire-transfer fees.

I know it's illegal to take more than 50,000 Baht out of the country. Any restrictions on taking other currencies out? I plan to convert baht to $1,000 USD at my bank in Thailand, and another baht-to-$1000 USD at the airport currency exchange booths.

Any problems? Any additional suggestions?

[Pappiklon]

The restriction is on taking 50,000 Baht Thai Currency out of the country, I recently changed baht at Bangkok Bank out of my account to US$ and told the bank the reason was to take to Cambodia, it was more than you are taking, they were fine with converting and giving me the $ to take from Thailand.

[Pappiklon]

Link from previously posted thread, see part on currency i've highlighted in bold:

Custom Duties

Custom Duties:

Importation of all goods is subject to duties and taxes according to customs laws and other related laws

Duty free allowances for persons entering Thailand are:

Two hundred cigarettes or 250 grams of tobacco or equal weight of cigars

One litre of liquor

Personal effects for personal or professional use in appropriate quantity not exceeding 10,000 baht

Prohibited and Restricted Goods:

Import or export of certain goods is prohibited. Importing or exporting of Narcotics, Pornography, and some species of wildlife are strictly prohibited. Smugglers and Narcotic offenders will face severe penalty that may include death sentence.

License or permit from authorities are required for import and export of the following items

Item Authority:

Firearms, ammunitions, explosives Police Department

Buddha images, art works, antiques Fine Arts Department

Radio transceivers, and telecommunication equipment Post and Telegraph Department

Living plants and planting materials Department of Agriculture

Any animals and animal products Department of Livestock Development

Medicine, chemical products Office of Food and Drugs Administration

Currency:

Anyone can freely bring any amount of Thai or foreign currency into Thailand.

Anyone can take out any amount of foreign currency but may not take more than 50,000 baht of Thai currency. Anyone traveling to Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, and Vietnam can take out up to 500,000 baht.

Customs Clearance:

Visitors are required to complete the �Customs Declaration Form� before going through customs.

Visitors with goods to declare should proceed to the �Goods to Declare� aisles.

Visitors who have nothing to declare should proceed to �Nothing to Declare � aisles.

Accompanied dutiable items can be cleared upon arrival under following conditions:

Items are not of commercial values

Value of the items does not exceed 80,000 baht

Payment of customs duties and taxes are made in cash on arrival

Dutiable Items or Restricted Articles in Transit:

Any valuable, dutiable and restricted articles that are not intended for use in Thailand must be declared and deposited in �Customs Bond�. These items can be reclaimed upon departure.

A.T.A. Carnet:

All travelers bringing in goods subject to temporary import by using A.T.A. carnet document as guarantee are required to inform the customs officer at the �Good to Declare� aisle where additional paperwork may be required. They must also inform customs officer when departing and exporting the goods from Thailand.

All travelers (including Thai travelers) temporarily taking out goods using A.T.A. carnet document as guarantee are also required to inform customs officers for inspection before departing Thailand.

Warning

Failure to declare dutiable, restricted, or prohibited articles may lead to a fine up to four times the value of articles, in addition to duties and taxes. It may also lead to confiscation and/or imprisonment. Do not break the law. When in doubt, please ask a customs officer.

Source: Bangkok Airport Customs Office

Tel. (66-2) 535-1269, 535-1153, 535-1680,535-6463

[chiang mai]

I'm going back to the USA in a month or so, and want to put a couple thousand dollars into my USA bank account. Thought it would be convenient just to take it with me, and avoid wire-transfer fees.

I know it's illegal to take more than 50,000 Baht out of the country. Any restrictions on taking other currencies out? I plan to convert baht to $1,000 USD at my bank in Thailand, and another baht-to-$1000 USD at the airport currency exchange booths.

Any problems? Any additional suggestions?

I'm slowly chipping away at converting the sale proceeds from my condo into GBP and sending it outside Thailand and it's a lot easier than I would have imagined. I bought a cashiers cheque from Bangkok Bank for circa 700,000 baht (8k GBP), drawn on BB in London and sent it to my bank in the UK and it cleared in three days. I converted 1,680,000 baht into GBP cash and took it to my bank in Hong Kong without a problem. So two different options there that are both trouble free - as long as the wire transfer is less than 20,000 USD that's the easiest and most cost effective method since the rate is better.

[Nemothepemo]

I went to my bank today (KBank) to find out how I could convert my baht to USD and wire transfer the USD to my bank in America. No Can Do...said the manager. I was told they have no records of the wire transfers I made with SWIFT from the US to Thailand. The total amount is about 1,750,000 baht. The kind man at the bank suggested that I buy bank notes ($100 bills) at the currency exchange window and when I converted the entire amount I could put the money in my pocket and fly with it to America. Nice...

I wan't to leave the Land of Smiles and move back to the US.....Hawaii. How can I get my money out of here ? Do I buy cashiers checks in Thai Baht and send them to my bank in the US (Bank of America) or what ? I am totally confused. I guess I didn't read the sign that said "Once we have your money in Thailand...You can't get it back in Dollars".

What's the plan ????

Thanks !!

[sonicdragon]

I went to my bank today (KBank) to find out how I could convert my baht to USD and wire transfer the USD to my bank in America. No Can Do...said the manager. I was told they have no records of the wire transfers I made with SWIFT from the US to Thailand. The total amount is about 1,750,000 baht. The kind man at the bank suggested that I buy bank notes ($100 bills) at the currency exchange window and when I converted the entire amount I could put the money in my pocket and fly with it to America. Nice...

I wan't to leave the Land of Smiles and move back to the US.....Hawaii. How can I get my money out of here ? Do I buy cashiers checks in Thai Baht and send them to my bank in the US (Bank of America) or what ? I am totally confused. I guess I didn't read the sign that said "Once we have your money in Thailand...You can't get it back in Dollars".

What's the plan ????

Thanks !!

If I understood correctly, the only reason you had a problem at K-bank is that they didn't keep the record of your US bank account details. All you need to do is give them the details and you should be able to transfer money to your US bank account by telegraphic transfer without any problem.

[Nemothepemo]

I went to my bank today (KBank) to find out how I could convert my baht to USD and wire transfer the USD to my bank in America. No Can Do...said the manager. I was told they have no records of the wire transfers I made with SWIFT from the US to Thailand. The total amount is about 1,750,000 baht. The kind man at the bank suggested that I buy bank notes ($100 bills) at the currency exchange window and when I converted the entire amount I could put the money in my pocket and fly with it to America. Nice...

I wan't to leave the Land of Smiles and move back to the US.....Hawaii. How can I get my money out of here ? Do I buy cashiers checks in Thai Baht and send them to my bank in the US (Bank of America) or what ? I am totally confused. I guess I didn't read the sign that said "Once we have your money in Thailand...You can't get it back in Dollars".

What's the plan ????

Thanks !!

If I understood correctly, the only reason you had a problem at K-bank is that they didn't keep the record of your US bank account details. All you need to do is give them the details and you should be able to transfer money to your US bank account by telegraphic transfer without any problem.

Thats what I thought too. The manager told me that their records only go back 3 months. And I don't have any paperwork because I used a telephone wire transfer for which I have a pin number. I just call the US and they wire money, but the system is paperless. I just give them my Thailand Bank's Swift name and routing number.

Now I want USD and without any paperwork from me or Banks both in Thailand and the US, I can get all the Thai Baht I have in my account. I just can't wire transfer US Dollars.

I was reading a privious post where the individual was getting cashiers checks for Thai Baht and then sending them to his bank in the UK. I don't know if I can do that with my bank in the U.S. I could send cashiers checks for 49,999 Baht every day for a couple of months and I could live off of my credit cards until I can get out of here. I am part of the problem because I don't have any records. I just thouht tthe bank would have computer records and they could be easily restored....Wrong ! They don't want to give me back my US Dollars.

Suggestions ?????

[rgs2001uk]

I went to my bank today (KBank) to find out how I could convert my baht to USD and wire transfer the USD to my bank in America. No Can Do...said the manager. I was told they have no records of the wire transfers I made with SWIFT from the US to Thailand. The total amount is about 1,750,000 baht. The kind man at the bank suggested that I buy bank notes ($100 bills) at the currency exchange window and when I converted the entire amount I could put the money in my pocket and fly with it to America. Nice...

I wan't to leave the Land of Smiles and move back to the US.....Hawaii. How can I get my money out of here ? Do I buy cashiers checks in Thai Baht and send them to my bank in the US (Bank of America) or what ? I am totally confused. I guess I didn't read the sign that said "Once we have your money in Thailand...You can't get it back in Dollars".

What's the plan ????

Thanks !!

If I understood correctly, the only reason you had a problem at K-bank is that they didn't keep the record of your US bank account details. All you need to do is give them the details and you should be able to transfer money to your US bank account by telegraphic transfer without any problem.

Thats what I thought too. The manager told me that their records only go back 3 months. And I don't have any paperwork because I used a telephone wire transfer for which I have a pin number. I just call the US and they wire money, but the system is paperless. I just give them my Thailand Bank's Swift name and routing number.

Now I want USD and without any paperwork from me or Banks both in Thailand and the US, I can get all the Thai Baht I have in my account. I just can't wire transfer US Dollars.

I was reading a privious post where the individual was getting cashiers checks for Thai Baht and then sending them to his bank in the UK. I don't know if I can do that with my bank in the U.S. I could send cashiers checks for 49,999 Baht every day for a couple of months and I could live off of my credit cards until I can get out of here. I am part of the problem because I don't have any records. I just thouht tthe bank would have computer records and they could be easily restored....Wrong ! They don't want to give me back my US Dollars.

Suggestions ?????

have you considered buying us dollar american express travellers cheques, and taking them with you.

[Nemothepemo]

I went to my bank today (KBank) to find out how I could convert my baht to USD and wire transfer the USD to my bank in America. No Can Do...said the manager. I was told they have no records of the wire transfers I made with SWIFT from the US to Thailand. The total amount is about 1,750,000 baht. The kind man at the bank suggested that I buy bank notes ($100 bills) at the currency exchange window and when I converted the entire amount I could put the money in my pocket and fly with it to America. Nice...

I wan't to leave the Land of Smiles and move back to the US.....Hawaii. How can I get my money out of here ? Do I buy cashiers checks in Thai Baht and send them to my bank in the US (Bank of America) or what ? I am totally confused. I guess I didn't read the sign that said "Once we have your money in Thailand...You can't get it back in Dollars".

What's the plan ????

Thanks !!

If I understood correctly, the only reason you had a problem at K-bank is that they didn't keep the record of your US bank account details. All you need to do is give them the details and you should be able to transfer money to your US bank account by telegraphic transfer without any problem.

Thats what I thought too. The manager told me that their records only go back 3 months. And I don't have any paperwork because I used a telephone wire transfer for which I have a pin number. I just call the US and they wire money, but the system is paperless. I just give them my Thailand Bank's Swift name and routing number.

Now I want USD and without any paperwork from me or Banks both in Thailand and the US, I can get all the Thai Baht I have in my account. I just can't wire transfer US Dollars.

I was reading a privious post where the individual was getting cashiers checks for Thai Baht and then sending them to his bank in the UK. I don't know if I can do that with my bank in the U.S. I could send cashiers checks for 49,999 Baht every day for a couple of months and I could live off of my credit cards until I can get out of here. I am part of the problem because I don't have any records. I just thouht tthe bank would have computer records and they could be easily restored....Wrong ! They don't want to give me back my US Dollars.

Suggestions ?????

have you considered buying us dollar american express travellers cheques, and taking them with you.

Thanks...I'll look into the cost of doing that and what US Customs has to say about bringing that much into the country. I'll figure out a way to get this done....

[Temporaneo]

I went to my bank today (KBank) to find out how I could convert my baht to USD and wire transfer the USD to my bank in America. No Can Do...said the manager. I was told they have no records of the wire transfers I made with SWIFT from the US to Thailand. The total amount is about 1,750,000 baht. The kind man at the bank suggested that I buy bank notes ($100 bills) at the currency exchange window and when I converted the entire amount I could put the money in my pocket and fly with it to America. Nice...

I wan't to leave the Land of Smiles and move back to the US.....Hawaii. How can I get my money out of here ? Do I buy cashiers checks in Thai Baht and send them to my bank in the US (Bank of America) or what ? I am totally confused. I guess I didn't read the sign that said "Once we have your money in Thailand...You can't get it back in Dollars".

What's the plan ????

Thanks !!

I am having the same problem. I swifted money directly on the account of my stock broker two years ago and he is now unable to provide me tortorsam for those amounts, so I cannot wire them out country.

I HOPE MY CASE AND YOURS CAN BE OF SOME ADVICE TO CRAZY PEOPLE WHO THINK OF INVESTING HERE.

[chiang mai]

I went to my bank today (KBank) to find out how I could convert my baht to USD and wire transfer the USD to my bank in America. No Can Do...said the manager. I was told they have no records of the wire transfers I made with SWIFT from the US to Thailand. The total amount is about 1,750,000 baht. The kind man at the bank suggested that I buy bank notes ($100 bills) at the currency exchange window and when I converted the entire amount I could put the money in my pocket and fly with it to America. Nice...

I wan't to leave the Land of Smiles and move back to the US.....Hawaii. How can I get my money out of here ? Do I buy cashiers checks in Thai Baht and send them to my bank in the US (Bank of America) or what ? I am totally confused. I guess I didn't read the sign that said "Once we have your money in Thailand...You can't get it back in Dollars".

What's the plan ????

Thanks !!

If I understood correctly, the only reason you had a problem at K-bank is that they didn't keep the record of your US bank account details. All you need to do is give them the details and you should be able to transfer money to your US bank account by telegraphic transfer without any problem.

Thats what I thought too. The manager told me that their records only go back 3 months. And I don't have any paperwork because I used a telephone wire transfer for which I have a pin number. I just call the US and they wire money, but the system is paperless. I just give them my Thailand Bank's Swift name and routing number.

Now I want USD and without any paperwork from me or Banks both in Thailand and the US, I can get all the Thai Baht I have in my account. I just can't wire transfer US Dollars.

I was reading a privious post where the individual was getting cashiers checks for Thai Baht and then sending them to his bank in the UK. I don't know if I can do that with my bank in the U.S. I could send cashiers checks for 49,999 Baht every day for a couple of months and I could live off of my credit cards until I can get out of here. I am part of the problem because I don't have any records. I just thouht tthe bank would have computer records and they could be easily restored....Wrong ! They don't want to give me back my US Dollars.

Suggestions ?????

You have a couple of options: the best one is to go to a Thai bank that has an overseas branch in your own country, in my case that is Bangkok Bank who has a branch in London. Get a cashiers check drawn on that banks overseas branch and mail it home for deposit - there is a limit per transaction using this method of USD 20k per cheque. This approach has worked well for me and I've already repatriated about 2 mill baht this way. Second option is to take baht in cash and buy your home currency when the rate is favorable - I use Super Rich in BKK. When you have enough take a day trip to Hong Kong and deposit in an HSBC multi currency account for onwards transfer as you wish. Day trip to HK via Emirates is only 7,500 baht return so cost effective for a medium amount of currency.

[sfokevin]

Fly to Malaysia first then back to the US and the limits are much higher

3.2 Currency

There is no limit on the amount of Thai currency which can be brought into Thailand, but only 50,000 baht may be taken out without obtaining a permit. When carrying Thai currency to neighboring countries, e.g., Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, Malaysia, and Vietnam, up to 500,000 baht, may be taken out without obtaining a permit.

http://www.thaiembdc.org/info/customs.html

[sonicdragon]

That doesn't make sense at all.

You just need to call your overseas bank and get their payment instructions for telegraphic transfer, then give those details to your thai bank and they will do a TT

[Casanundra]

The restriction is a max of 50,000 Thai baht can be taken out but that same restriction does not apply to other currencies. Simply convert what you have in to Euro, USD, GBP and then take it out with you in your suitcase, pockets, handbag or whatever.

[Nemothepemo]

The restriction is a max of 50,000 Thai baht can be taken out but that same restriction does not apply to other currencies. Simply convert what you have in to Euro, USD, GBP and then take it out with you in your suitcase, pockets, handbag or whatever.

Good Plan....But if I don't declare it with Customs and they find it. They will take it and I will lose it or have to pay duty or end up in Jail.

What do you think ???

[Nemothepemo]

I went to my bank today (KBank) to find out how I could convert my baht to USD and wire transfer the USD to my bank in America. No Can Do...said the manager. I was told they have no records of the wire transfers I made with SWIFT from the US to Thailand. The total amount is about 1,750,000 baht. The kind man at the bank suggested that I buy bank notes ($100 bills) at the currency exchange window and when I converted the entire amount I could put the money in my pocket and fly with it to America. Nice...

I wan't to leave the Land of Smiles and move back to the US.....Hawaii. How can I get my money out of here ? Do I buy cashiers checks in Thai Baht and send them to my bank in the US (Bank of America) or what ? I am totally confused. I guess I didn't read the sign that said "Once we have your money in Thailand...You can't get it back in Dollars".

What's the plan ????

Thanks !!

If I understood correctly, the only reason you had a problem at K-bank is that they didn't keep the record of your US bank account details. All you need to do is give them the details and you should be able to transfer money to your US bank account by telegraphic transfer without any problem.

Thats what I thought too. The manager told me that their records only go back 3 months. And I don't have any paperwork because I used a telephone wire transfer for which I have a pin number. I just call the US and they wire money, but the system is paperless. I just give them my Thailand Bank's Swift name and routing number.

Now I want USD and without any paperwork from me or Banks both in Thailand and the US, I can get all the Thai Baht I have in my account. I just can't wire transfer US Dollars.

I was reading a privious post where the individual was getting cashiers checks for Thai Baht and then sending them to his bank in the UK. I don't know if I can do that with my bank in the U.S. I could send cashiers checks for 49,999 Baht every day for a couple of months and I could live off of my credit cards until I can get out of here. I am part of the problem because I don't have any records. I just thouht tthe bank would have computer records and they could be easily restored....Wrong ! They don't want to give me back my US Dollars.

Suggestions ?????

You have a couple of options: the best one is to go to a Thai bank that has an overseas branch in your own country, in my case that is Bangkok Bank who has a branch in London. Get a cashiers check drawn on that banks overseas branch and mail it home for deposit - there is a limit per transaction using this method of USD 20k per cheque. This approach has worked well for me and I've already repatriated about 2 mill baht this way. Second option is to take baht in cash and buy your home currency when the rate is favorable - I use Super Rich in BKK. When you have enough take a day trip to Hong Kong and deposit in an HSBC multi currency account for onwards transfer as you wish. Day trip to HK via Emirates is only 7,500 baht return so cost effective for a medium amount of currency.

This sounds do-able. I spoke to BKK Bank office in Los Angeles the other night. So what you are saying is to move my money to Bangkok Bank here in Thailand and then have the Los Angeles office make me a cashiers check in USD and have them send it to my bank in America for deposit. You are also saying that the Bkk Bank Office in Los Angeles will take my Thai Baht and make a cashiers check in USD ? I will call them tonight and find out. Thanks.

[Casanundra]

The restriction is a max of 50,000 Thai baht can be taken out but that same restriction does not apply to other currencies. Simply convert what you have in to Euro, USD, GBP and then take it out with you in your suitcase, pockets, handbag or whatever.

Good Plan....But if I don't declare it with Customs and they find it. They will take it and I will lose it or have to pay duty or end up in Jail.

What do you think ???

There is no customs on the way out of Thailand so who would you be declaring it to exactly?

Don't forget these Char Wallas are only interested in stinging you for excessive fags and booze on the way in and no one checks you on the way out.

With the expense of the USA and UK these days it is easy to explain away a fair chunk of money in your pocket on the way in should be stopped and asked about it.

Edited March 14, 2007 by Casanundra

[twix38]

I thought that doing this and getting the onshore rate was going to cost you a lot of lost money when going from Thai Baht to another currency? Not a good idea unless you have to do it

The restriction is a max of 50,000 Thai baht can be taken out but that same restriction does not apply to other currencies. Simply convert what you have in to Euro, USD, GBP and then take it out with you in your suitcase, pockets, handbag or whatever.

[Temporaneo]

That doesn't make sense at all.

You just need to call your overseas bank and get their payment instructions for telegraphic transfer, then give those details to your thai bank and they will do a TT

If you have not TorTorSam the thai bank WILL NOT DO THE TT.

[chiang mai]

I went to my bank today (KBank) to find out how I could convert my baht to USD and wire transfer the USD to my bank in America. No Can Do...said the manager. I was told they have no records of the wire transfers I made with SWIFT from the US to Thailand. The total amount is about 1,750,000 baht. The kind man at the bank suggested that I buy bank notes ($100 bills) at the currency exchange window and when I converted the entire amount I could put the money in my pocket and fly with it to America. Nice...

I wan't to leave the Land of Smiles and move back to the US.....Hawaii. How can I get my money out of here ? Do I buy cashiers checks in Thai Baht and send them to my bank in the US (Bank of America) or what ? I am totally confused. I guess I didn't read the sign that said "Once we have your money in Thailand...You can't get it back in Dollars".

What's the plan ????

Thanks !!

If I understood correctly, the only reason you had a problem at K-bank is that they didn't keep the record of your US bank account details. All you need to do is give them the details and you should be able to transfer money to your US bank account by telegraphic transfer without any problem.

Thats what I thought too. The manager told me that their records only go back 3 months. And I don't have any paperwork because I used a telephone wire transfer for which I have a pin number. I just call the US and they wire money, but the system is paperless. I just give them my Thailand Bank's Swift name and routing number.

Now I want USD and without any paperwork from me or Banks both in Thailand and the US, I can get all the Thai Baht I have in my account. I just can't wire transfer US Dollars.

I was reading a privious post where the individual was getting cashiers checks for Thai Baht and then sending them to his bank in the UK. I don't know if I can do that with my bank in the U.S. I could send cashiers checks for 49,999 Baht every day for a couple of months and I could live off of my credit cards until I can get out of here. I am part of the problem because I don't have any records. I just thouht tthe bank would have computer records and they could be easily restored....Wrong ! They don't want to give me back my US Dollars.

Suggestions ?????

You have a couple of options: the best one is to go to a Thai bank that has an overseas branch in your own country, in my case that is Bangkok Bank who has a branch in London. Get a cashiers check drawn on that banks overseas branch and mail it home for deposit - there is a limit per transaction using this method of USD 20k per cheque. This approach has worked well for me and I've already repatriated about 2 mill baht this way. Second option is to take baht in cash and buy your home currency when the rate is favorable - I use Super Rich in BKK. When you have enough take a day trip to Hong Kong and deposit in an HSBC multi currency account for onwards transfer as you wish. Day trip to HK via Emirates is only 7,500 baht return so cost effective for a medium amount of currency.

This sounds do-able. I spoke to BKK Bank office in Los Angeles the other night. So what you are saying is to move my money to Bangkok Bank here in Thailand and then have the Los Angeles office make me a cashiers check in USD and have them send it to my bank in America for deposit. You are also saying that the Bkk Bank Office in Los Angeles will take my Thai Baht and make a cashiers check in USD ? I will call them tonight and find out. Thanks.

Er no. not quite. What you need to do is to take your Baht to Bangkok Bank in Thailand and ask them for a cashiers check drawn on their US branch. In my case I did just that but asked for a Sterling check drawn on their London branch. I gave them baht and they gave me a check for Sterling drawn on BB London. I couriered the check and it cleared in three days. Note that not all branches of BB carry the overseas checks, at least not here in Chiang Mai so you need to go to one of the bigger branches. I also found out today that Kasikorn Bank will do the same thing for the US since they have an office in LA. Please note that the max amount you can transfer this way without paperwork and BOT approval is 20,000 USD but there's no reason why you should repeat the process at different branches over time.

[chiang mai]

That doesn't make sense at all.

You just need to call your overseas bank and get their payment instructions for telegraphic transfer, then give those details to your thai bank and they will do a TT

If you have not TorTorSam the thai bank WILL NOT DO THE TT.

Agreed, they will not do it for more than 20k USD at any one time.

[pampal]

The restriction is a max of 50,000 Thai baht can be taken out but that same restriction does not apply to other currencies. Simply convert what you have in to Euro, USD, GBP and then take it out with you in your suitcase, pockets, handbag or whatever.

Good Plan....But if I don't declare it with Customs and they find it. They will take it and I will lose it or have to pay duty or end up in Jail.

What do you think ???

There is no customs on the way out of Thailand so who would you be declaring it to exactly?

Don't forget these Char Wallas are only interested in stinging you for excessive fags and booze on the way in and no one checks you on the way out.

With the expense of the USA and UK these days it is easy to explain away a fair chunk of money in your pocket on the way in should be stopped and asked about it.

There is a customs post on the way out of Thailand, it's right after the passport control on the left side(in Suvarnabhumi), although I haven't seen any one at the desk the last few times I was there.

There is also Customs before you check in with your airline, mostly used by people who want their VAT refund, and other people who have things to declare.

[sonicdragon]

That doesn't make sense at all.

You just need to call your overseas bank and get their payment instructions for telegraphic transfer, then give those details to your thai bank and they will do a TT

If you have not TorTorSam the thai bank WILL NOT DO THE TT.

Agreed, they will not do it for more than 20k USD at any one time.

Holy cr$p !! There is so much misinformation in this thread !

The OP wants to transfer US$ 2k

He can do a TT very easily if he just gives the instruction to his thai bank.

Alternatively he can carry out the cash with him - the 50k baht limit is for baht, not US$

[Casanundra]

There is a customs post on the way out of Thailand, it's right after the passport control on the left side(in Suvarnabhumi), although I haven't seen any one at the desk the last few times I was there.

There is also Customs before you check in with your airline, mostly used by people who want their VAT refund, and other people who have things to declare.

Yeah there may be a customs desk but no one 'has' to go through it, near it or know anything about it as there is simply no customs check to be had and that's the point. All someone has to do is go through a rather lame and disinterested group of security people.

As for the VAT refund desk and having to show the goods you are claiming for well don't get me started on that one otherwise i'll be here all night.

[Huw]

The restriction is a max of 50,000 Thai baht can be taken out but that same restriction does not apply to other currencies. Simply convert what you have in to Euro, USD, GBP and then take it out with you in your suitcase, pockets, handbag or whatever.

Good Plan....But if I don't declare it with Customs and they find it. They will take it and I will lose it or have to pay duty or end up in Jail.

What do you think ???

Not trying to hijack the thread, but does anyone know if/how I can TT Thai Baht to Aussie as Thai Baht? The banks here want to convert to AUSD and then send but I get a better rate if it goes in Baht and is converted at the Aussie end...

Anyone done this or know how?

[chiang mai]

The restriction is a max of 50,000 Thai baht can be taken out but that same restriction does not apply to other currencies. Simply convert what you have in to Euro, USD, GBP and then take it out with you in your suitcase, pockets, handbag or whatever.

Good Plan....But if I don't declare it with Customs and they find it. They will take it and I will lose it or have to pay duty or end up in Jail.

What do you think ???

Not trying to hijack the thread, but does anyone know if/how I can TT Thai Baht to Aussie as Thai Baht? The banks here want to convert to AUSD and then send but I get a better rate if it goes in Baht and is converted at the Aussie end...

Anyone done this or know how?

No can do my friend, unless you pay a hefty banking cartel premium which will destroy any profit you might have made.

[Maestro]

No can do my friend

The real obstacle, I believe, is that your Thai bank does not have a THB account with a correspondent bank in Australia. You see, when you ask your bank to remit money to Australia, it does not mail a bundle of bank notes; it asks its correspondent bank in Australia to debit its AUD account with that Australian bank and credit your account.

--

Maestro

[Naam]

You see, when you ask your bank to remit money to Australia, it does not mail a bundle of bank notes; it asks its correspondent bank in Australia to debit its AUD account with that Australian bank and credit your account.

then i guess it's a fairy tale that in olden times carrier pigeons were used to deliver the banknotes?

[topfield]

You see, when you ask your bank to remit money to Australia, it does not mail a bundle of bank notes; it asks its correspondent bank in Australia to debit its AUD account with that Australian bank and credit your account.

then i guess it's a fairy tale that in olden times carrier pigeons were used to deliver the banknotes?

Actually this was done in more recent times ! Anyone remember the Swedish blackmail/hostage case (don't remember which) about 20 years ago when 10.000 Kroner notes [or $2000] were sent back to the criminal wrapped around the legs of a homing pidgeon.

Dont remember if the crook was caught.

What I do remember is that after that these large denomination Swedish notes were withdrawn from circulation shortly thereafter as a result..

Edited March 18, 2007 by topfield

[lazeeboy]

You see, when you ask your bank to remit money to Australia, it does not mail a bundle of bank notes; it asks its correspondent bank in Australia to debit its AUD account with that Australian bank and credit your account.

then i guess it's a fairy tale that in olden times carrier pigeons were used to deliver the banknotes?

Actually this was done in more recent times ! Anyone remember the Swedish blackmail/hostage case (don't remember which) about 20 years ago when 10.000 Kroner notes [or $2000] were sent back to the criminal wrapped around the legs of a homing pidgeon.

Dont remember if the crook was caught.

What I do remember is that after that these large denomination Swedish notes were withdrawn from circulation shortly thereafter as a result..

how about buying travellers cheques in us currency around 13000b per million at least you will get your money home .