Usa To Thai Money...

[JDubG]

Yes, when I arrive at the Bangkok airport, which place do I goto to exchange US currency to Thai currency? And do they take like debit cards, etc.?

[britmaveric]

Yes, when I arrive at the Bangkok airport, which place do I goto to exchange US currency to Thai currency? Currency Exchange

And do they take like debit cards, etc.? I assume you mean can you use debit card at a money machine in thailand to receive baht - the answer is YES.

[The Real Mandrake]

Is this for real?

DON'T use money changers at the airport, you'll get a crap rate. Get some pocket money at the airport by using the ATM's there, which will certainly accept your ATM card.

[kdvsn]

Is this for real?

DON'T use money changers at the airport, you'll get a crap rate. Get some pocket money at the airport by using the ATM's there, which will certainly accept your ATM card.

Are you saying that the bank run money changing counters at the airport are giving a crap rate or are you referring to touts that appoach you asking whether you want to change money? At the airport I usually use the ATM machines upon arrival but I thought that the cash & TC rates on display at those bank counters looked like they were within about a percent of the ATM rate. Do the same banks running those counters pay a higher rate in the city than at the airport?

[The Real Mandrake]

For a casual visitor turning up at the airport with no Thai money, ATM's are almost certainly the best way to go. Even if you find an exchange with favourable rates, you'll likely still be better off with ATM, plus you'll be carrying smaller (safer) amounts of cash.

Check with your bank though about what they charge to be sure.

Sorry... but I'm another of those Nationwide BS snobs

[jdinasia]

Do talk with your local bank before you come here with just a debit card ... make sure they know you will be in Thailand and that you get a international toll-free number to contact them .... and Do bring some Amex travellers checks with you ... keep them in a safe place and don't use them. (If for some reason your card doesn't work for a day or 2 ... you are then OK ... if not just re-deposit them when you get back home!)

[tartempion]

There are severall exchange counters from different banks in the arivals hal, the rates are the same as down town banks.

If you want to withdraw money from ATM (plenty of them in any town, not in the villages though) ask your bank if your card is ok and what theey charge per transaction.

[Carmine6]

There are severall exchange counters from different banks in the arivals hal, the rates are the same as down town banks.

If you want to withdraw money from ATM (plenty of them in any town, not in the villages though) ask your bank if your card is ok and what theey charge per transaction.

Yeah, I agree with this. I've never compared rates on the same day, but I haven't noticed a difference between the airport rate and a rate at a bank downtown. An ATM will normally give the best rate, but I will occassionally change $100 for the cab ride since the rate is not that bad. If changing cash, bring $100 bills, not smaller bills. You'll get half a baht to a baht less for each dollar if you change small bills.

The money changers are in the big hall right after you pass through customs. You can't miss them. The ATMs are past where the big mass of people is waiting for arrivals, and on the left side. Keep going straight to the ATMs, and politely decline the folks advertising "taxis". The real taxi stand is outside and the folks inside are really advertising car services which cost about twice as much.

[lingling]

Yeah, I agree with this. I've never compared rates on the same day, but I haven't noticed a difference between the airport rate and a rate at a bank downtown. An ATM will normally give the best rate, but I will occassionally change $100 for the cab ride since the rate is not that bad. If changing cash, bring $100 bills, not smaller bills. You'll get half a baht to a baht less for each dollar if you change small bills.

The money changers are in the big hall right after you pass through customs. You can't miss them. The ATMs are past where the big mass of people is waiting for arrivals, and on the left side. Keep going straight to the ATMs, and politely decline the folks advertising "taxis". The real taxi stand is outside and the folks inside are really advertising car services which cost about twice as much.

The arrival hall exchange offices give you a different rate than the one the same bank gives you downtown.

[Carmine6]

Fair enough, but how big a difference? Are we talking 1% less, 2% less?

Unlike changing money at a hotel (or other airports) where you really get screwed, I haven't looked at the airport rate and thought it was outrageous. No one should change a lot of money there, but if you don't hit the ATM, changing $100 isn't that bad.

But hey, I'm fully willing to be talked out of that.

Yeah, I agree with this. I've never compared rates on the same day, but I haven't noticed a difference between the airport rate and a rate at a bank downtown. An ATM will normally give the best rate, but I will occassionally change $100 for the cab ride since the rate is not that bad. If changing cash, bring $100 bills, not smaller bills. You'll get half a baht to a baht less for each dollar if you change small bills.

The money changers are in the big hall right after you pass through customs. You can't miss them. The ATMs are past where the big mass of people is waiting for arrivals, and on the left side. Keep going straight to the ATMs, and politely decline the folks advertising "taxis". The real taxi stand is outside and the folks inside are really advertising car services which cost about twice as much.

The arrival hall exchange offices give you a different rate than the one the same bank gives you downtown.