General Reports

[Horatio]

I have my ticket leaving us on August 2 and returning end of October. Do I need any kind of visa when I arrive there? I know I will have to get an extension. Can I get a 60 day extension easily? My biggest worry is not being allowed in the country with a return date that far out. Is that something I should be concerned a out?

Thank you for any advice.

[HorseTrader]

I have the Schwaab debit card and its great. All ATM & Bank fees are credited back into my account at the end of each month. $900 withdrawal is the total daily limit. BUT, I believe you have to be an American to open an account. I don't think it will work for our British, Euro and Aussie pals. You would think that there must be a banking institution in these countires offering similar arrangements.

Fidelity has something similar. Zero fee from Fidelity. The ATM's fee is refunded to your Fidelity account. I set my daily limit to $500 per day, but higher or lower limits can be set. You must use an ATM with the proper symbol, of which there are plenty. Exchange rate is the same as used by the New York Stock Exchange; the various currency exchange places have much worse exchange rates. I verified that all these things work in practice.

If you are not getting the exchange rate posted on XE.com, you are probably getting ripped off on the exchange rate.

[Sunlover2]

That is not entirely true. You need to go to the lower level of BKK and there is another row of currency exchange places, that offer a better rate than the top floor. This phenomenon exists in other destinations as well. A customs officer at MDE advised me the currency exchanges on the lower level gave a better rate than the one in front of me. You pay for the convenience everywhere you go.

Problem with those kiosks is they have limited operating hours (10 am to 7 pm I believe.) They are certainly not open at 6 am or midnight when many banks of longer haul international flights arrive.

As for Superrich BKK: the main branch office in town has better exchange rates than their affiliate satellite and kiosk locations including Suvarnabhumi Airport. And their remote locations have been known to run out of baht to sell during peak periods. As always YMMV.

SL.

[Blanquiceleste]

I have the Schwaab debit card and its great. All ATM & Bank fees are credited back into my account at the end of each month. $900 withdrawal is the total daily limit. BUT, I believe you have to be an American to open an account. I don't think it will work for our British, Euro and Aussie pals. You would think that there must be a banking institution in these countires offering similar arrangements.

Citibank offers this in SG. So does DBS.

[Member #4698]

My Visa debit works as a CC and all fees are refunded to my savings account. I set this up through an account with Fidelity. I understand that Schwaab offers a similar card. With a $500 daily withdrawal limit it saves me perhaps $12 a week.

I have the Schwaab debit card and its great. All ATM & Bank fees are credited back into my account at the end of each month. $900 withdrawal is the total daily limit. BUT, I believe you have to be an American to open an account. I don't think it will work for our British, Euro and Aussie pals. You would think that there must be a banking institution in these countires offering similar arrangements.

[Eszpresszo]

Have pristine high denomination bills from you home currency to exchange. Exchange only enough at the airport to get you to your initial destination. The airport exchange rate is poor, far better in town.

That is not entirely true. You need to go to the lower level of BKK and there is another row of currency exchange places, that offer a better rate than the top floor. This phenomenon exists in other destinations as well. A customs officer at MDE advised me the currency exchanges on the lower level gave a better rate than the one in front of me. You pay for the convenience everywhere you go.

Most notable on the lower floor of Suvarnabhumi is the branch of the fabled Super Rich exchange. Super Rich had the longest line and to no surprise, the best rate. As good as you could get at their Sukhumvit location. I stood in line behind an Aussie with his Viet wife who were exchanging Aussie dollars to USD before they made their connecting flight to VN. He said the exchange rate was actually favorable compared to what he would get at their destination, which says something about the place. Of course, I was baffled at finding out that the USD was the default currency in VN, and still can't get my head around it.

In town, you will see little non-descript currency windows on the streets that can also offer as good exchange rates, as any. I came across a small place off of Sukhumvit near Asok that offered the best I had come across the entire trip. A mature Brit expat there with his mature Thai lady swore that place had the best exchange rate in town. I can't recall the name or exact location, but my point is just be alert to these places when you are walking. Soon enough, you will get a grasp on what the best rate is.

I would also suggest you keep ample COINS handy and learn their denominations. Those come in handy at the 5 baht public toilets or the baht buses down in Pattaya. I got one of those old-time plastic squeeze coin purses to put the coins in (and used a money clip for the bills) and it was a neater way of handling coins than fumbling around in your pockets for loose change.

[Crazy4Thai]

Money withdrawal discussion. Good topic.



Any other suggestions that could save me at least $20 per week would be much appreciated.

Really curious to hear what other non tourists like BKKdog, Mr. E, and Syzy are doing.

My Visa debit works as a CC and all fees are refunded to my savings account. I set this up through an account with Fidelity. I understand that Schwaab offers a similar card. With a $500 daily withdrawal limit it saves me perhaps $12 a week.

[Sunlover2]

Is there a thread suggestion for other aspects of travel? Like should I carry cash? Traveler's checks? I would prefer to do everything credit card, but I doubt the ladies take amex And other traveling suggestions like learning Thai phrases?

Thailand is much more of a cash based economy. Besides hotels, and upscale shops and restaurants, expect to pay cash. Using credit cards is not common for small purchases like 7-11 / Starbucks / taxis much less go-go's and massage parlors.

Have pristine high denomination bills from you home currency to exchange. Exchange only enough at the airport to get you to your initial destination. The airport exchange rate is poor, far better in town.

Always try to have lots of smaller currency baht notes, and pay in exact change if possible. Trying to pay for a 50 baht street meal with a 1,000 note does not work. Negotiating hard with a street vendor down to 250 baht only to produce a 1,000 baht note does not really work. Hotels will break your large bills, and use larger bills when making small purchases at busy shops that have a cash register like 7-11.

SL.

[Banana Boi]

Money withdrawal discussion. Good topic.

Not positive these are the current amounts but AFAIK these are the Thai banks that allow the highest single withdrawal limits. I believe you also have to ensure that your home bank is set for $1000 limit as well.

Krungsri Bank: Maximum withdrawal limit 30'000 THB.
Thai Military Bank: Maximum withdrawal limit 30'000 THB.
CIMB Bank: Maximum withdrawal limit 30'000 THB.
Bangkok Bank: Maximum withdrawal limit 25'000 THB.

I haven't tried either of these suggestions below yet but definitely will try soon:

1. go inside the bank to a human bank teller to avoid the Thai ATM fee (200-250 baht) completely. The bigger bonus is there is no withdrawal limit.

2. Wire transfer money to yourself. My require a bit of calculating but may be cheaper to use a money exchange and pay their fee than to pay both an ATM fee along with another higher ridiculous fee from your home bank (for those who are not lucky enough to be from the US and have a Charles Schwab account). No Thai banks are on the global ATM system.

Any other suggestions that could save me at least $20 per week would be much appreciated.

Really curious to hear what other non tourists like BKKdog, Mr. E, and Syzy are doing.

[Crocodilexp]

10000 baht is as much I can withdraw in one go and that won't last long.

That is most the daily ATM limit from your own bank. You can call them and have it increased to 20 k or 30 k equivalent in your home currency.

Thai ATMs usually limit you to 20 k baht per withdrawal, which with 200 baht fee works out to 1%, plus whatever your own bank charges (there's usually an explicit fee, as well as a percentage they take which could be more difficult to spot). You're right that fees are high, Thai ATM fee alone is already 2/3 of the minimum daily wage here.

[Wolvenvacht]

Is there a thread suggestion for other aspects of travel? Like should I carry cash? Traveler's checks? I would prefer to do everything credit card, but I doubt the ladies take amex And other traveling suggestions like learning Thai phrases?

I carry mostly cash in big bills such as EUR 500 as that gives a slighly better exchange rate and is less bulky to carry. Hotels and upscale restaurants get paid with my credit card. I have a debit card for back-up but the ATM costs are crippling and the maximum amount you can withdraw at one time seems to get lower and lower. 10000 baht is as much I can withdraw in one go and that won't last long.

[Sunlover2]

I walked up from terminal 21 (on your right) towards nana. And found IS Pharmacy. This is bang opposite times square. They sell original see and V. 5 MG usually last me a couple of days. I just need that little bit slef confidence in the pill kind of support. LOL. Anyway at KS Pharmacy a box of 5 MG cialis dailies costs THB4200 .

I just wanted to check the price at South East pharmacy and they sell the same at THB 5500. Now this is interesting price difference.

Good you found what you were looking for, and had an easy transaction that you were happy with. How many pills came in the box you bought?

Price differences like this are not uncommon in Thailand, that is why it pays to shop around a little.

SL.

[Hack351]

For a first trip I would be thinking 5 nights Bangkok and 5 nights Pattaya. They are different scenes / vibes and since YOU WILL want to return to Thailand good to figure out which one you prefer. An easy transfer between cities if you get bored of one or end up preferring the other. Just don't prepay your hotel in order to maintain flexibility. I normally land BKK and hit Bangkok first (quick / easy into town) then Pattaya later.

SL.

Thanks for the suggestions! I ended up booking in Pattaya for the end of July. I was worried about splitting the trip up and getting tricky. So I'll be a few blocks from walking street, hopefully it's not as bad as recent reports!

Is there a thread suggestion for other aspects of travel? Like should I carry cash? Traveler's checks? I would prefer to do everything credit card, but I doubt the ladies take amex And other traveling suggestions like learning Thai phrases?

[Crazy4Thai]

Thanks to all the seniors for the tip.

I walked up from terminal 21 (on your right) towards nana. And found IS Pharmacy. This is bang opposite times square. They sell original see and V. 5 MG usually last me a couple of days. I just need that little bit slef confidence in the pill kind of support. LOL. Anyway at KS Pharmacy a box of 5 MG cialis dailies costs THB4200 .

I just wanted to check the price at South East pharmacy and they sell the same at THB 5500. Now this is interesting price difference.

Both of them claim that they sell the original. I asked for a receipt and in the receipt it had cialis original.

Anyway I bought the stuff at KS Pharmacy.

No questions asked. Simple transaction.

Enjoy.

G.

I also encourage you to ask straight out for a generic version. You will save considerable money and get the same boost to your confidence. I bought 6 boxes of 4, 20 MG. , generic Cialis for 2000 baht. I was in Pattaya at the time but that does not matter.

[Gunners1]

Thanks to all the seniors for the tip.

I walked up from terminal 21 (on your right) towards nana. And found IS Pharmacy. This is bang opposite times square. They sell original see and V. 5 MG usually last me a couple of days. I just need that little bit slef confidence in the pill kind of support. LOL. Anyway at KS Pharmacy a box of 5 MG cialis dailies costs THB4200 .

I just wanted to check the price at South East pharmacy and they sell the same at THB 5500. Now this is interesting price difference.

Both of them claim that they sell the original. I asked for a receipt and in the receipt it had cialis original.

Anyway I bought the stuff at KS Pharmacy.

No questions asked. Simple transaction.

Enjoy.

G.