One option is obviously to use the normal TT procedures buying US$ from your THB account. Now I've heard there are places that give better exchange rates. So would the following scenario give an overall better rate:

1) withdraw THB cash from your account

2) take it to a currency dealer and get US$.

3) deposit into your US$ acct here

4) do a TT from your US$ acct to your overseas acct.

Is that better? Anyone knows a good exchange dealer in Pattaya that sells US$?

Quite a few responses in this forum, over the past year, have suggested superrich provide the best Xrates http://www.superrich.co.th/

Would require you to tootle up to BKK, however. AA

This website gives current rates for Super Rich and Thai banks for TT and notes.

http://bankexchangerates.daytodaydata.net/default.aspx

Lefty

This website gives current rates for Super Rich and Thai banks for TT and notes.

http://bankexchangerates.daytodaydata.net/default.aspx

Lefty

This website gives current rates for Super Rich and Thai banks for TT and notes.

http://bankexchanger...et/default.aspx

Lefty

And as that site demonstrates, the best rate for exchanging notes is often still worse that the worst rate for a TT. Handling cash incurs additional security costs for banks, particularly foreign currencies where the percentage of counterfeit notes received will be higher (who can expect every teller to be able to spot a fake in any currency?). No such risk with TT's.

I would guess it all depends on how much US dollars you want to send. The best way is to have a trusted friend take the cash back with him / her, otherwise you will be eaten alive by fees, commissions, and other currency traps. Also, be aware that you only have to declare over $10,000 US. If the amount is, say $100,000, just declare it. You will be, however, flagged in the system as a currency "courier."