Thailand forum

there is a Travelfish feature article that should have helpful information for you on managing your money while travelling. you can read it at: http://www.travelfish.org/feature/103

there are many different schools of thought on what form of money to take, with some folks insisting on cash only, others ATM cards, and some strictly travellers checks. most folks do a mix of the three. the discussion also got a lot of traction lately with the 150 baht service charge imposed at thai bankers association member banks' (e.g. nearly all thai banks) ATM's. but it looks like at least some of those banks may be dropping that fee to a more user friendly 15 baht now too.

three weeks isn't too long, so you shouldn't have too much trouble managing your money for the trip. i usually count on ATM's for about 80 percent of my trip money. that's because ATM's are generally plentiful, particularly in Thailand, and convenient, since you can use them 24/7 in most places. plus, my money sits safely in my bank account back home until i need to withdraw it.

but it is always good to have some back up for emergencies too, since it isn't all that rare for ATM computer networks to crash or power to be out for an extended period of time. because of that i usally take 10% of my money in cash, and just try to safeguard it as best i can while on the road. cash is extra flexible, particularly if you just need to purchase a little bit more of a foreign currency before departing a country or while transiting an airport, etc.

i also try to have about 10% of my money in traveller's checks, also for emergencies. they tend to be a little more expensive way to get foreign exchange than ATM withdrawals (assuming thai banks are reducing the 150 service charge), but still a great way to get money in a crunch. travellers checks carry with them a bit more security than plain cash. you can always use them towards the very end of your trip if you didn't need them previously, or even save them and spend 'em when you get back home.

i'd just go ahead and get TC's in GBP if that is where you are from, or USD or Euro if you are from there or would have occassion to spend that currency too.

as far as an ATM card goes, be sure you've got a 4-digit pin number, since that is what the ATM networks in thailand expect. you might also want to check with your bank to see what types of fees they will be charging you for each ATM withdrawal while overseas. some banks don't charge much while others really soak you. if the fees are a flat withdrawal fee, it makes sense to withdraw the maximum limit each time and just safeguard the baht as best you can on the trip.

finally, why aren't you taking your credit card with you? it can be an important source of financing in an emergency.

hope that helps. cheers.

I've never been one to travel with a credit card. Always gone the route of getting travellers cheques in US$'s. Also, as far as I remember, you get charged a fee per cheque that you cash, so it would therefore make more sense to have your cheques in larger denominations than in smaller ones where the fees would be more.
Enjoy your trip. Its a mind blowing experience.

As far as i know, some of the banks are only reducing the ATM fee's for credit card cash advances...i.e. Visa and Mastercard.

So the 150baht would still apply to debit cards (i think)

Can someone tell me if you are told what fee you are being charged when you use an atm? Or does it just appear on your statement?

My first trip through Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam. What has your experiences been with guest house lockers, safes, any words of wisdom, things to be aware of? Thanks for any info.