Best place to change money (kamala area)

[bizzle]

Hi guys

Can anyone advise me the best place to change Ozzie dollars to thai baht? My taxi driver told me there are many around but to stay away from the banks; can anyone advise where might be some good places to try?

I'm guessing patong is one but if I was to try around kamala, where should I perhaps go for?

[winnerinsix]

I find the best rate is at the end of Bangla in Patong. Looking towards the Beach at the intersection of Beach Rd and Bangla to the left is a booth, pretty much right on the corner. They are always very competitive.

Couple of banks ( I know ya dn't like 'em) near the Kamala Bakery on the main road.... if you want to save a trip over the hill.

[phuketrichard]

Kamala, use the banks to change money, there are a few money changers down on the beach road but rates suck

why would anyone say stay away form Banks?

[keestha]

As far as banks are concerned, Bangkok Bank, closely followed by Katsikorn Bank, are giving the best rates. Go into the Bangkok Bank website to check the rate, which is exactly what you'll get, and be aware money changing booths might display attractive rates, but also subtract a commission.

[bizzle]

Thx guys

I used tmb today and got a pretty good rate.

Ozzie dollar sucks outside Australia

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Pakaty]

This site will tell you which banks are giving the best exchange rates. They update several times a day. I have always used banks as opposed to independent exchange booths. They have never compared favorably to banks but it has been many years (7 or 8) since I have checked.

I don't know of a TMB in Kamala but now that I think about it I think they might have an exchange booth on the beach road.

[Pakaty]

The bank giving the best rate for AUD is Government Savings Bank. The worst is TMB...Sorry. But the difference is only 1.57 Baht, not enough to hurt unless your changing a shitload of money.

Funny thing though the GSBank in Kamala had to close but they have had a mobile branch van outside Blackcat Bar. I don't know if they are doing exchange services. GSBank was located in the White Resort building. That hotel was only 2 years old. The rummer is that it is/was owned by a cop that is under investigation and for whatever reasons the hotel is being deconstructed rather than being sold. Go figure...?

Edited September 16, 2014 by Pakaty

[bizzle]

This site will tell you which banks are giving the best exchange rates. They update several times a day. I have always used banks as opposed to independent exchange booths. They have never compared favorably to banks but it has been many years (7 or 8) since I have checked.

I don't know of a TMB in Kamala but now that I think about it I think they might have an exchange booth on the beach road.

Thx guys

Well, perhaps I'm looking at wrong numbers but I went to all the banks , Siam, kasikorn etc etc and tomb seemed to hv the best rate. Most we're saying 28.5 but tmb was 28.79. This was in patong though, would that make a difference, surely it shouldn't ...?

[Pakaty]

Thx guys

Well, perhaps I'm looking at wrong numbers but I went to all the banks , Siam, kasikorn etc etc and tomb seemed to hv the best rate. Most we're saying 28.5 but tmb was 28.79. This was in patong though, would that make a difference, surely it shouldn't ...?

The same bank will have the same exchange rates at all their branches throughout the country.

Indeed the rates probably changed between the time you were checking and the time I checked.

[themechanic]

Not near Kamala but I saw the exchange counter near the Tesco at Rawai offering 32.95 for C notes. That's the best rate I've seen so far in Thailand.

[LivinginKata]

Not near Kamala but I saw the exchange counter near the Tesco at Rawai offering 32.95 for C notes. That's the best rate I've seen so far in Thailand.

I guess that is US$. Quite a high exchange rate. 31.82 for cash notes at the SCB.

[bizzle]

Not near Kamala but I saw the exchange counter near the Tesco at Rawai offering 32.95 for C notes. That's the best rate I've seen so far in Thailand.

Mmm good rate but I'm also guessing that might be US rather than AUD...

[bizzle]

Lol well I'm out of cash ...I bought a phone

So now I hv to do withdrawals from an ATM.

Can anyone tell me how the exchange rate goes? Is it transferred to local currency in home country or done in Thailand ? I'm aware of the 150bt charge and I'm guessing my bank will do similar, I'm just trying to figure out which bank is the best for this and how to basically get the best rate... Thx guys

[LivinginKata]

Lol well I'm out of cash ...I bought a phone

So now I hv to do withdrawals from an ATM.

Can anyone tell me how the exchange rate goes? Is it transferred to local currency in home country or done in Thailand ? I'm aware of the 150bt charge and I'm guessing my bank will do similar, I'm just trying to figure out which bank is the best for this and how to basically get the best rate... Thx guys

I assume the exchange rate is set in Thailand. Be prepared for a very poor rate.

[bizzle]

Lol well I'm out of cash ...I bought a phone

So now I hv to do withdrawals from an ATM.

Can anyone tell me how the exchange rate goes? Is it transferred to local currency in home country or done in Thailand ? I'm aware of the 150bt charge and I'm guessing my bank will do similar, I'm just trying to figure out which bank is the best for this and how to basically get the best rate... Thx guys

I assume the exchange rate is set in Thailand. Be prepared for a very poor rate.

I just checked some things out and it seems better to send the money to my thai bank account rather than ATM withdrawals.

Has anyone done this before? I think it's better to send dollars then have it changed here, however, does anyone know what details I hv should be sure to give? I hv the banks swift code and my account number but I vaguely remember something about having to be specific to the branch rather than the bank in Thailand ....?

[Pakaty]

If you do use the ATM and they offer to do the exchange rate for you do not accept it!!!

Choose the option to continue without the conversion. The rate they give you is just a way for that bank (ATM owner) to make more money.

For my banks in America Visa or Mastercard is the logo on the debit card and they set the exchange rate. They always give a better rate than the Thai banks will give you. Also if your ATM card has a Visa logo the service fee is ฿150, if it is MC the fee is ฿180. Your bank may or may not charge fees as well.

This link you can find Mastercard's echange rates.

This link you can find Visa's Exchange rates.

[themechanic]

Yes 32.95 for U.S. $100 bills

[keestha]

Lol well I'm out of cash ...I bought a phone

So now I hv to do withdrawals from an ATM.

Can anyone tell me how the exchange rate goes? Is it transferred to local currency in home country or done in Thailand ? I'm aware of the 150bt charge and I'm guessing my bank will do similar, I'm just trying to figure out which bank is the best for this and how to basically get the best rate... Thx guys

I assume the exchange rate is set in Thailand. Be prepared for a very poor rate.

I just checked some things out and it seems better to send the money to my thai bank account rather than ATM withdrawals.

Has anyone done this before? I think it's better to send dollars then have it changed here, however, does anyone know what details I hv should be sure to give? I hv the banks swift code and my account number but I vaguely remember something about having to be specific to the branch rather than the bank in Thailand ....?

What is needed is your full name, bank branch but not its complete address, account number and the SWIFT code. To my experience, from Australia it is there in 3 days or so. But at both ends the banks take a commission, so for a small amount it is expensive.

[bizzle]

Thx guys

Well it came through in less 24 hours, about 15 to be more accurate.

The exchange wasn't too bad either