saucier01 Posted May 14, 2007 Report Share Posted May 14, 2007 Just found this out after a dozen trips... From today's Post... "Currently, the onshore baht is quoted at 34 to the dollar, compared with around 32 in the offshore market. As a result, a foreign tourist making a charge locally will result in an automatic profit for the domestic bank controlling the acquisition terminal at the point of sale, thanks to the higher rate quoted for the baht in the onshore market." Gotten so used to using my debit card for everything...guess it might be time to go back greenbacks or travelers checks. Wouldn't be an issue if I didn't spend so damned much everytime I visit LOS. Cheers, Saucier. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dexi Posted May 14, 2007 Report Share Posted May 14, 2007 Interesting...I wonder if this applies to those of us who usually rely on ATM card withdrawals ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julian2 Posted May 15, 2007 Report Share Posted May 15, 2007 Interesting...I wonder if this applies to those of us who usually rely on ATM card withdrawals ? Actually the AUD's been fairly stable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RayRay Posted May 15, 2007 Report Share Posted May 15, 2007 Last week I used my USA based ATM card and got 34.4 TB / 1 USD. I guess using your ATM here means you get the higher rate for some reason Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MooNoi Posted May 15, 2007 Report Share Posted May 15, 2007 I get a much better rate from the ATM for Aussie Dollars than I do at an exchange booth. Only problem is, if you come here on holidays and only bring the one card with you, and the machine swallows the card, you're screwed. Should always bring some traveller's cheques or a second card as an emergency back-up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cavanami Posted May 15, 2007 Report Share Posted May 15, 2007 Last week I used my USA based ATM card and got 34.4 TB / 1 USD. I guess using your ATM here means you get the higher rate for some reason Did they tack on any extra charges? My Citibank Gold Card charges me 1% when I pull Thai Baht out of an ATM here in Bangkok. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RayRay Posted May 15, 2007 Report Share Posted May 15, 2007 Last week I used my USA based ATM card and got 34.4 TB / 1 USD. I guess using your ATM here means you get the higher rate for some reason Did they tack on any extra charges? My Citibank Gold Card charges me 1% when I pull Thai Baht out of an ATM here in Bangkok. I don't get hit with extra fees but that's due to a deal I worked out with my bank in the past. When I found out I was going to be sent by my company overseas the first thing I did was make sure I wouldn't get hit with extra ATM fees since I use it quite frequently. At first those morons weren't going to give in until I told them the bank across the street was willing to do so. That changed their tune real quick. Not even sure if the bank across the street would have or not, but just the threat got me what I needed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cavanami Posted May 15, 2007 Report Share Posted May 15, 2007 Good ploy! Citibank would just tell me to f_off! No problem, as I have taken to having traveler's check and cash with me. In worse case, I use the ATM and live with the 1% service charge. Citibank charges 3% (and many other US banks) but since I have the "gold" account I get charged the 1%, whcih is $5 on $500, so I miss out on a beer or three :grin: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neo Posted May 15, 2007 Report Share Posted May 15, 2007 Travelers cheques are the worst. You get hit with a new fee to cash them! Some banks charge you a fee just to issue them! The exchange rate is not great either. I just cashed $100 US bills and got an exchange rate of 34. Debit card from USA gives me 34.7 at the ATM. ATM still is the best for every reason. If I were to lose it, I can get a cash advance at a bank. Not that I would need it as I keep a little cash on hand to tide me over. No worries. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
liquidflux Posted May 15, 2007 Report Share Posted May 15, 2007 If you're in the US and have a paypal account you can get one of their debit cards to use in Thailand. It's just a flat $1.00 fee for each withdrawal with no additional charges.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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