Cash

[Doorby35]

Hope someone can help.myself and brother and mum and dad are going to koh samui at Christmas from uk.the guy we are renting the house off has received a deposit and wants us to pay the balance on arrival which is 150.000 baht cash what is the limit per person in thai baht we can bring in to thailand from the uk?????

[kevvy]

hi

The Thai Customs Dept. website shows amounts of $20,000 USD must be declared how long are you coming for .

[phuketjock]

Doorby I would strongly advise you not to change pounds to Thai baht in UK you will most certainly get

a very poor exchange rate and will lose a substantial amount in value. Best to bring your pounds or even

better travellers checks, ( very good exchange rate in all banks ). But to answer your question I don't think

there is any limit to the amount of Thai Baht you bring in to Thailand but there is a limit to how much you

can take out of Thailand.

[Doorby35]

We are staying for 5 weeks but plan on using ATMs while we are there we just need to pay the balance of 150.000 baht on arrival if like you say 20.000us dollars,I think 150.000baht is about 4800 US dollars and we would split that between the 4 of us which is 2200 US dollars do you think that would be problem???

[RAZZELL]

No problem.

Bring cash and change it at somewhere like Superrich in Bangkok to get the best exchange rate,

RAZZ

[jbrain]

We are staying for 5 weeks but plan on using ATMs while we are there we just need to pay the balance of 150.000 baht on arrival if like you say 20.000us dollars,I think 150.000baht is about 4800 US dollars and we would split that between the 4 of us which is 2200 US dollars do you think that would be problem???

No that wouldn't be a problem, they love you bring foreign currency into the country, rather than taking it out.

[arthurwait]

Change your money here. Either a bank if you can or people recommend superrich.

It's $1200 each.

[David48]

I always bring cash and exchange it in places like Superrich or a Chinese Money Exchanger.

The only Issue I see for you is that, once you have paid the deposit, that amount of cash in the house does make you a target.

[Dancealot]

How much was the deposit, doorby?

[jackr]

Agree. Couldn't you get on Agoda or summat and book a villa with credit card?

[pomchop]

I have always used VASU on soi 7/1 to exchange. They show their rates here: http://www.vasuexchange.com/

Not sure if the other exchange places mentioned are same or better or worse rates? Anyone know?

[Jasun]

The issue is taking money out of your home country, not bringing in it. Luckily, carry limits are per person, including children. So, the average family can bring in a lot of cash without concern. Like people have said, exchange when you get here. You could open multiple transaction accounts at home, then stand at an ATM when you arrive and take out sequential withdrawals.

[x0r1987]

The issue is taking money out of your home country, not bringing in it. Luckily, carry limits are per person, including children. So, the average family can bring in a lot of cash without concern. Like people have said, exchange when you get here. You could open multiple transaction accounts at home, then stand at an ATM when you arrive and take out sequential withdrawals.

Wouldn't most banks up the withdrawal limit on the card?

Never tried to do it... Ive got no idea but thought it would be simple enough?

[Aussieroaming]

My wife and I carry in $20 000 in cash every 5 weeks because I get paid in Aust and we get a much better exchange rate from the moneychangers...usually soi 7 as well.

Only limitation is getting the money out of Australia under the limit that you have to declare so split it amongst the travelers. Also less risk if someone loses their share.

[Exsexyman]

It must be some house you are renting if you are paying 150,000 baht plus deposit for 5 weeks stay!

[Doorby35]

On the beach 5 bedrooms

[QROPS]

150k for five weeks seems reasonable to me for a house on the beach. You could easily spend more in a decent hotel with less freedom to do what you want.

[h90]

150K in cash on arrival.....that sounds very strange.

[Doorby35]

Surely it's safer to pay face to face when in the villa than sending payment weeks in advance on the Internet...

[phuketjock]

We are staying for 5 weeks but plan on using ATMs while we are there we just need to pay the balance of 150.000 baht on arrival if like you say 20.000us dollars,I think 150.000baht is about 4800 US dollars and we would split that between the 4 of us which is 2200 US dollars do you think that would be problem???

Doorby you need to be aware every hit on an ATM, whatever amount, will cost you 180/150 Baht each time depending on the

bank you use, not counting your home bank charges, so if possible get your UK bank to up the per withdrawal limit before you

leave. Or as mentioned before bring cash or travellers cheques.

[RubbaJohnny]

although old fashioned travellers cheeques cannot be stolen.If they will not accept US cheques any bank will and therss no risk of theft loss.For all this you pay a few percent.

My SCB account allows withdrawals of A$20k per day if I have the funds thats around 580k bahts but ATMs 20k max so you need to go into a brranch with your passport.

You may also open aaccount,recieve a local visa debit card on the spot and thus only need daily needs in cash.

While the villa owner may be honest ?or not the agents/drivers etc are always looking for newbie high rollers

[GirlDrinkDrunk]

I always bring cash and exchange it in places like Superrich or a Chinese Money Exchanger.

The only Issue I see for you is that, once you have paid the deposit, that amount of cash in the house does make you a target.

there will be no cash in the house. they will have paid the rent.

[Doorby35]

The house has private security and the guy we are renting from has agreed to take good old british sterling£££££££££

[GirlDrinkDrunk]

150K in cash on arrival.....that sounds very strange.

standard practice for holiday rentals.

who in their right mind would let somebody stay in their house for a month with a promise of payment at the end?

[GreenSnapper]

I have always used VASU on soi 7/1 to exchange. They show their rates here: http://www.vasuexchange.com/

Not sure if the other exchange places mentioned are same or better or worse rates? Anyone know?

Vasu has almost the same rates as Superrich. With some exotic currencies SR may be better, but Vasu has a great location next to BTS, so it is normally your best bet.

[socrates28]

Get yourself a Nationwide Flex Plus Account before travelling

£10 a month BUT you can deposit £2500 and earn 3% interest on it - so ends up costing you £5 a month

For this you get fee free overseas withdrawals (local ATM charges apply 150 baht a pop) worldwide travel insurance for the family, mobile phone insurance for all the mobiles in your family and no need to register them like other providers, card protection (worldwide with emergency cash), breakdown cover and extended warranties on purchases

Perfect all round account - and when you travel you call them to let them know you will be abroad

Alternatively look at Metro Bank (only if you have one local to you) and Halifax Clarity Card (credit card not 100% you will get one) both fee free look into terms for Clarity Card

Take a mixture of cash and cards - TC's are a messy option especially in Samui

[socrates28]

And to answer your original question

10,000 Euros or £8k (roughly) per person

But be aware Customs are allowed to ask you to provide proof of the source of your money above £1,000 and if you cannot provide it you can have the money confiscated

So for cash the easiest thing to do is carry £1000 each - job done!