I have a savings account with a linked debit card. Currently bring in US dollars on my visits, exchange it to baht and deposit it into the account. Usually it is for $1000 of less. I would like to build up the account and/or invest in fixed deposit instruments. Intent is to eventually live in Thailand. Leery of carrying larger sums of cash on each trip.

Would it be cheaper to transfer funds from a US bank? If so, how is it accomplished? Or would the bank give me a poor exchange rate?

You will normally get better Exchange rate with Cash and doing as you do now (especially if you use SuperRich opp Cetral World who consistently offer the best rates).

You can SWIFT the money to your Kasikorn account - I do it frequently. The Swift code is KASITHBK and you then just need you account number and account name - usually takes 2-3 days but recently mine have been next day.

The Kasikorn rate (Telex Transfer) are her http://www.kasikornbank.com/EN/RatesAndFees/ForeignExchange/Pages/ForeignExchange.aspx and the SuperRich rates http://www.superrichthailand.com/editor/rate.html

The only benefit of Swift is the security of not carrying cash :-)

You will normally get better Exchange rate with Cash and doing as you do now (especially if you use SuperRich opp Cetral World who consistently offer the best rates).

You can SWIFT the money to your Kasikorn account - I do it frequently. The Swift code is KASITHBK and you then just need you account number and account name - usually takes 2-3 days but recently mine have been next day.

The Kasikorn rate (Telex Transfer) are her http://www.kasikornb...gnExchange.aspx and the SuperRich rates http://www.superrich...ditor/rate.html

The only benefit of Swift is the security of not carrying cash :-)

changing 1,000 dollars each time the advantage won't pay for the taxi fare to Superrich and from Superrich to the bank where he wants to pile up his savings.

by the way, Siam Commercial offers better TT rates than Kasikorn.

You will normally get better Exchange rate with Cash and doing as you do now (especially if you use SuperRich opp Cetral World who consistently offer the best rates).

You can SWIFT the money to your Kasikorn account - I do it frequently. The Swift code is KASITHBK and you then just need you account number and account name - usually takes 2-3 days but recently mine have been next day.

The Kasikorn rate (Telex Transfer) are her http://www.kasikornb...gnExchange.aspx and the SuperRich rates http://www.superrich...ditor/rate.html

The only benefit of Swift is the security of not carrying cash :-)

changing 1,000 dollars each time the advantage won't pay for the taxi fare to Superrich and from Superrich to the bank where he wants to pile up his savings.

by the way, Siam Commercial offers better TT rates than Kasikorn.

Do you know by any chance how these TT rates compare to those of Bangkok Bank? That's who I'm with and I'm not sure I'm getting the best price. Cheers.

You will normally get better Exchange rate with Cash and doing as you do now (especially if you use SuperRich opp Cetral World who consistently offer the best rates).

You can SWIFT the money to your Kasikorn account - I do it frequently. The Swift code is KASITHBK and you then just need you account number and account name - usually takes 2-3 days but recently mine have been next day.

The Kasikorn rate (Telex Transfer) are her http://www.kasikornb...gnExchange.aspx and the SuperRich rates http://www.superrich...ditor/rate.html

The only benefit of Swift is the security of not carrying cash :-)

changing 1,000 dollars each time the advantage won't pay for the taxi fare to Superrich and from Superrich to the bank where he wants to pile up his savings.

by the way, Siam Commercial offers better TT rates than Kasikorn.

Do you know by any chance how these TT rates compare to those of Bangkok Bank? That's who I'm with and I'm not sure I'm getting the best price. Cheers.

No need to bother I guess. Usually the difference among all commercial bank's exchange rates is just 1-3 satang.

This website gives exchange rates --notes and TT.

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

Lefty

This website gives exchange rates --notes and TT.

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

Lefty

Excellent - thanks so much. Looks like Siam Commercial offers the best TT rate for GBP to THB.

Thank you all for the great info.

If you do a swift transfer you should always take note of the charges. Disgusting greedy bank like ANZ Australia now charge $32 fee per swift transaction regardless of amount.

Im sure US bank cannot be this bad.

But then you will have to pay the fees to the Thai bank as well.

Beware also if your bank take the same tactic as ANZ..on the website constantly try to harrass you into sending Thai baht so they can gauge you on the exchange rate.

The latest trick..if you allow to send swift in Thai baht (and get ANZ robbery exchange rates) FEE; $24

To send AUS$ to Thailand (get good rate fron thai ank) FEE: $32

And then after that they bill you also for tax to the government

Sorry a bit off topic

you might find other otions better But OP, make sure you check all the charges and that your US bank send your money across in US$. it will save quite a bit.

tingtong made a good point.

I learned from sir. Naam i had to refocus: meaning exchange rates and bank fees have to be taken into consideration.

Be very careful and selective about different banks charging you from high to low first.

You will normally get better Exchange rate with Cash and doing as you do now (especially if you use SuperRich opp Cetral World who consistently offer the best rates).

You can SWIFT the money to your Kasikorn account - I do it frequently. The Swift code is KASITHBK and you then just need you account number and account name - usually takes 2-3 days but recently mine have been next day.

The Kasikorn rate (Telex Transfer) are her http://www.kasikornb...gnExchange.aspx and the SuperRich rates http://www.superrich...ditor/rate.html

The only benefit of Swift is the security of not carrying cash :-)

changing 1,000 dollars each time the advantage won't pay for the taxi fare to Superrich and from Superrich to the bank where he wants to pile up his savings.

by the way, Siam Commercial offers better TT rates than Kasikorn.

Do you know by any chance how these TT rates compare to those of Bangkok Bank? That's who I'm with and I'm not sure I'm getting the best price. Cheers.

http://www.scb.co.th/scb_api/index.jsp

Many good points about taking all the charges on both ends of the translation in to consideration.