Pattaya Reports

[Paolo99]

This is the reason to make a large ATM withdrawal if you are being charged a fee.

SL.

A big withdrawal will save a few 200 baht that the Thai bank takes, but still my bank takes a percentage (not a fixed fee) of my withdrawal. I think that it's something like 6 or 7 percent of the withdrawal. That's the main reason I prefer to keep the ATM card only for emergency.

[Ableyone]

So far Devil's Den x 2, the second better than the first but I think I'm going to change my name to Cum Baby as all four girls there kept calling me it.

Honey 1 soapy massage x 1, this was OK but the soapy bit could have been longer, done in an hour.

Finally went into an gogo on LK Metro, as fate would have it I was seated next to a fun girl so finally ended up going back to my hotel with a girl. It was a nice time with her but it's a lot of paraphernalia to go through just for one shag.

Tonight I went down to Walking Street, a bit livelier than LK Metro, went into Windmill Club as I've read a lot about the place, what a total disappointment it was so lame. Had a look upstairs exactly the same so it was one beer and back to the Hotel.

[TellAll]

That is a timely post, because I am thinking this situation out, prior to leaving for BKK in four weeks. Here is my currency management breakdown:

Take quite a bit of my budgeted cash in pristine $50 and $100 bills, and stash those with AMEX and VISA credit cards in an undergarment money belt for transit purposes. Keeping my debit card and a little bit of traveling cash in my wallet. Taking a large denomination travelers check in the event of an emergency, when cash is gone and ATMs are not a viable option (I had occasional issues in both Berlin and Medellin this past year with my Yanqui credit union debit card. I found ATMs that would accept it, but there was some inconvenience, running around and lost time involved). Yeah I know about the 153 baht vig, but its to be used in emergency situations, or otherwise cashed back home. Make debit card withdrawals judiciously and in large amounts. Keep only what I need to use in a day in my wallet, and keep the rest in hotel safe.

Leave enough cash for ST in my room in a unlikely location (we discussed this on the Medellin thread once, about stashing cash where hotel staff, prostitutes or thieves are unlikely to look). Keep an extra amount of cash in my leather belt with its hidden zipper in the inner lining.

Go ahead and laugh, but I stashed $50 bills under the insoles of my shoes when I went to Medellin last fall. I went back home with money in my shoes. Anyone else have other ideas or suggestions for traveling with cash?

Forget about bringing 50's. Bring the new series 100's in pristine condition. That way you can carry more of them. It is difficult here in Thailand to exchange the older series 100's.

Carry a credit card on you at all times and stash your ATM card separate from your cash in your room. Like cash in safe and ATM locked in suitcase. If you loose your credit card, easy to cancel. Lose your ATM and you are screwed if you need extra cash. Only carry it when you are going to get cash and be sure to put a travel notification on them.

Also over here you don't have money or a credit card on your person, if you get hurt and go to the hospital you better have a buddy with money or a credit card with you. The good hospitals won't touch you without proof of ability to pay.

I got a concussion and went to the hospital. They wanted 25000 deposit before they would see me. I didn't have 25000 bht on me but I had my ATM card. They put me in a wheel chair and wheeled me to the ATM Machine in the lobby. LOL.

Ever tried to remember a PIN number with a Concussion?

[TellAll]

That sucks. This is the reason to make a large ATM withdrawal if you are being charged a fee.

Does anyone know the current ATM withdrawal limit per transaction? I believe it used to based on the number of notes a machine could dispense per transaction; somewhere between 25 and 30, so 25 k-30 k baht. You also need to make sure your financial institution approves a transaction of that amount.

SL.

Most banks the max is 20 k bht, but TMB will give you 30. ATM's here charge 200 bht per transaction. My Schwab Bank refunds the fee and the exchange rate is good.

[Sunlover2]

I always use cash only in Thailand. One evening I did not have enough Thai baht and my location was far from any exchange place so I took 5000 baht from an ATM. The Thai bank took 200 baht and my bank charged me 350 plus the exchange rate was lower. Overall they took more than 10% of my money.

That sucks. This is the reason to make a large ATM withdrawal if you are being charged a fee.

Does anyone know the current ATM withdrawal limit per transaction? I believe it used to based on the number of notes a machine could dispense per transaction; somewhere between 25 and 30, so 25 k-30 k baht. You also need to make sure your financial institution approves a transaction of that amount.

SL.

[Paolo99]

Big see at Soi 2.

If you talk about BigC North Pattaya, it does not exist anymore. All that area (from BigC to to the Dolphin roundabout) is down. It seems like they are building a huge Terminal 21 over there. It's a pity as it was the best area of north Pattaya in my opinion.

[Eszpresszo]

I always use cash only in Thailand. One evening I did not have enough Thai baht and my location was far from any exchange place so I took 5000 baht from an ATM. The Thai bank took 200 baht and my bank charged me 350 plus the exchange rate was lower. Overall they took more than 10% of my money. I can eat a good meal for less than 100 baht in the food court in Terminal 21, I could get a very good meal in a Japanese restaurant in Gateway, or it could be 1/3 the price of a very good time with a very cute girl in Ruby bar Soi 6 for example. The counterpart is that I have to be very careful with my money as I am with my passport or my credit card.

That is a timely post, because I am thinking this situation out, prior to leaving for BKK in four weeks. Here is my currency management breakdown:

Take quite a bit of my budgeted cash in pristine $50 and $100 bills, and stash those with AMEX and VISA credit cards in an undergarment money belt for transit purposes. Keeping my debit card and a little bit of traveling cash in my wallet. Taking a large denomination travelers check in the event of an emergency, when cash is gone and ATMs are not a viable option (I had occasional issues in both Berlin and Medellin this past year with my Yanqui credit union debit card. I found ATMs that would accept it, but there was some inconvenience, running around and lost time involved). Yeah I know about the 153 baht vig, but its to be used in emergency situations, or otherwise cashed back home. Make debit card withdrawals judiciously and in large amounts. Keep only what I need to use in a day in my wallet, and keep the rest in hotel safe.

Leave enough cash for ST in my room in a unlikely location (we discussed this on the Medellin thread once, about stashing cash where hotel staff, prostitutes or thieves are unlikely to look). Keep an extra amount of cash in my leather belt with its hidden zipper in the inner lining.

Go ahead and laugh, but I stashed $50 bills under the insoles of my shoes when I went to Medellin last fall. I went back home with money in my shoes. Anyone else have other ideas or suggestions for traveling with cash?

[Titanio]

This is probably true BB as far as the Charles Schwab card is concerned. But I know there is a certain European no fee ATM card as well. Unfortunately I can't recall the bank. Perhaps another board member can supply this information.

Not anymore, unfortunately, Citibank was the last to join the club of the 200 Baht transaction fees robbers.

[Koperen Klaas]

This is probably true BB as far as the Charles Schwab card is concerned. But I know there is a certain European no fee ATM card as well. Unfortunately I can't recall the bank. Perhaps another board member can supply this information.

ING bank supplied a no fee card when you also had a credit card. Unfortunately it is no longer free, but fees are modest. You need to unblock the card for non-European use before leaving your home country.

Regards,

Ko.

[Member #4698]

I believe this is in USA. Unfortunately, not available where I am from.

This is probably true BB as far as the Charles Schwab card is concerned. But I know there is a certain European no fee ATM card as well. Unfortunately I can't recall the bank. Perhaps another board member can supply this information.

[Banana Boi]

The Charles Schwab NO FEE Debit ATM cards.

I believe this is in USA. Unfortunately, not available where I am from.

[Member #4698]

This has been reported many times in the ISG by myself and other savvy travelers. The Charles Schwab NO FEE Debit ATM cards. Just conduct an advance search or click on the link below.

http://www.internationalsexguide.inf...archid=2404084

[Gin And Tonic]

Also Villla Market at Avenue Mall right beside Baraquda Hotel. Big see at Soi 2. All 3 including Central Market at Central Festival mall are along 2nd Road. 2 minute walk to Beach Road and on the baht bus route. I don't believe there is a major supermarket on Beach Road. Pinkpearl, sounds like you want to be near Central Festival mall. Beach road freelancers main area is from Soi 7 to Soi 13/2 but can be found from Soi 1 to Walking Street.

Villa Market is very good for western food products.

[Paolo99]

I am curious as to why people are always bringing cash with them when there are these marvellous inventions called ATMs everywhere? Is it just a cultural thing? I know that debit cards are ubiquitous in Canada but not as much in the US and Europe, but not sure how people view them. Carrying cash is just so damn risky, especially scads of it. ATM fees aren't really that much of a bother for me either when doing the risk analysis as well, just take out more and it is a pittance!

I always use cash only in Thailand. One evening I did not have enough Thai baht and my location was far from any exchange place so I took 5000 baht from an ATM. The Thai bank took 200 baht and my bank charged me 350 plus the exchange rate was lower. Overall they took more than 10% of my money. I can eat a good meal for less than 100 baht in the food court in Terminal 21, I could get a very good meal in a Japanese restaurant in Gateway, or it could be 1/3 the price of a very good time with a very cute girl in Ruby bar Soi 6 for example. The counterpart is that I have to be very careful with my money as I am with my passport or my credit card.

[Banana Boi]

There is a grocery store in the basement floor of Central Festival Mall on Beach Road. It has a Hilton attached to it also.

Also Villla Market at Avenue Mall right beside Baraquda Hotel. Big see at Soi 2. All 3 including Central Market at Central Festival mall are along 2nd Road. 2 minute walk to Beach Road and on the baht bus route. I don't believe there is a major supermarket on Beach Road. Pinkpearl, sounds like you want to be near Central Festival mall. Beach road freelancers main area is from Soi 7 to Soi 13/2 but can be found from Soi 1 to Walking Street.