Money Changers In Thailand ( Bangkok)

[Thongkorn]

The last Time I was in Bangkok about a year ago, I needed to change some Money to Thai baht. I normally use the Banks as i feel this is much safer for larger amounts ,I was walking along and I saw a money changers shop, I thought about it and thought i would enquirer so i walk in, As soon as I walk in a big Guy and I mean a very big guy walk in from the back and sat down to the side of me, He may have been Chinese.He just made me feel uneasy. I Inquired about changing some money, just £500, I got a good rate so i proceeded to get my money changed, As my money was being counted out a man walked in from the back of the shop through some curtains, I think he was the owner. he too looked Chinese, he asked me if i was English as i was changing English pounds to Thai baht. We had a polite conversation while my money was getting checked, he asked me If i came to Thailand a lot or am i on holiday , I just said i come for maybe Three or four months maybe longer some times. He told me if i come to Thailand a lot he would change my money for a better rate if i changed large amounts and larger Denominations , like £50 notes, I thought there is a limit to how much can be changed in one go. My question is, and i probably know the answer, keep away, Has anyone used these shops and how safe are they, i have a vision of say, changing a large amount of money then getting robbed up the road just after i left the shop, Are some of these places money launders for the mafia, There seems to be a lot about in Bangkok they cannot all be iffy.Has any one had some bad experiences with them. and can English £50 notes be easily changed in Thailand because some places in England refuse them because there are that many counterfeit ones in circulation.

[aussiep]

You take care changing money anywhere.

One of the best places to change is at SUPER RICH (Thailand) Co. LTD. near the canal.

Address 45-45/1 Rajdamri Road Patumwan Bangkok 10330

local number 2 254-4444.

The safest advice I can give you is change your money, walk right across the Soi and

put into the Kasicorn Bank (asumeing you have a Thai A/C)

There is another exchange shop on the right opposite Coffee World at the entrence to Soi 7/1 Sukhumviet (at Nana BTS station)

I have been changing notes at these places for the last 5 years...no problems

These shops will only except good quality notes.

Hope this helps....aussiep

[TAWP]

Due to the Chinese gov. restrictions on currency exchange and off-shore rates I know that Chinese friends always go to Chinatown for their exchanges...and most likely do it for other currencies too as the rates seem good.

[dmax]

ive changed 7k or 10 k gbp in these places without any problems at all. i usually go to pratunam in bkk or theres a couple in pattaya too...no problems, if its not counterfeit they,ll snatch your arm off for it.