Small Baht Bill Strategy

[kenk3z]

Silly question I know, but that's what the Internet is for anyway........

When I visit Thailand, the easiest thing I've found is to use the ATM in the BTS station to withdraw Thai money, usually in 1000-Baht bills. (By the way, it seemed that K-Bank gave the best overall rate to do this.) Often the best strategy is to pull out the maximum for that one visit, in order to reduce the number of trips, and thus the per-withdrawal charges.

So we've all heard how various vendors may have difficulty making change, may drive off after snatching the bill from your hand, etc. etc. It's a constant struggle to safely use those 1000-Baht bills that make Thai eyes roll and get large when you try to use them for a 60-Baht item.

How easy is it to go into a bank where you have no account and exchange your 1000-Baht bills for a pack of 100- 50- or 20-Baht bills. I'm hoping I can just go in and get a banded pack of 50-Baht bills at no service charge. Then I'll store them in the safe and peel a few off for the day's purchases and taxi rides.

Will the banks do that for you?

kenk3z

[chingy_]

i don't see whay not, there are some friendly bank out there.

[PvtDick]

Why not just buy a bottle of water at a 7-11? The cashiers are universally friendly and will give you change for a 1,000 baht note in whatever denomination you want.

[chingy_]

i like the 1000baht bill and taxi, if you are farang they will never have changes

[george]

Make a withdrawal of 19,900 Baht instead of 20,000 then. That will give you some change....

19 x 1,000

1 x 500

4 x 100

TOTAL 19,900

Just use the brain

[Crash999]

Make a withdrawal of 19,900 Baht instead of 20,000 then.

Hey that's my strategy too! I always draw out 2900, 3900 or whatever.

And when I'm in need of change there's always gum at 7-11 or Family Mart.

[daveh]

Make a withdrawal of 19,900 Baht instead of 20,000 then. That will give you some change....

19 x 1,000

1 x 500

4 x 100

TOTAL 19,900

Just use the brain

That's what I do too. Except some ATMs will limit the total number of bills to 20. I think Thai Military Bank does this. Which means 17,900 is the most you can get out. Otherwise, 7-11 always has change. I've never gone to the bank for change.

[Khun Larry]

So we've all heard how various vendors may have difficulty making change, may drive off after snatching the bill from your hand, etc. etc.  It's a constant struggle to safely use those 1000-Baht bills that make Thai eyes roll and get large when you try to use them for a 60-Baht item. 

What, no tip?

Kii Niao Fararng!

[kenk3z]

Oh yes, a reasonable tip is usually provided.

Many good suggestions here that will come in handy. I have used the small purchase strategy inside a safe place like 7-11 several times. On the other hand I've never used the "odd amount" strategy at the ATM. I've always just gone with the preset "fast cash" amounts. So, I'll keep this in mind.

What I was really looking for was a way to get a good quantity of small bills all at once. Something on the order of 100 50-baht bills or the like, and then keeping them in the room safe. This would let me peel off a few to take on each trip for the "risky" transactions. Ye olde Baht-Bus, taxi and the like......

So that's why I was wondering what my chances of success would be to ask for change of this type inside a bank, considering my awful farang-ness and also having no account at that bank.

Thanks for the help,

kenk3z

[Davidcharles]

A little off subject I know but......

If an ATM outside a Bank won't produce the cash, and you have to go inside to draw it. Is there a charge for that over and above?

I have always wondered..........