Thailand - best to get US or GBP Travellers Cheques?

Donnie · 2 December 2006 at 12:59PM

£600 is a good price, you must have booked early.
The Airport Bus is 150 baht each. Metered taxi is around 350 baht.
What is your budget and what are your requirements for Bangkok? Disregard the airport proximity.

From the Post office site;

Payment

You can pay for foreign currency notes and American Express Travellers Cheques in cash, by credit or debit card (Visa, Mastercard, Solo, Delta or Maestro only) or by cheque.

Personal cheques are only accepted with a cheque guarantee card (upto the card limit).

If you pay by credit or debit card you may be charged a cash advance or other fee by the card issuer. Passport or full driving licence identification is required.

The Post Office™ foreign exchange service is commission free unless:
you are buying Sterling American Express Travellers Cheques in which case a 1.5% commission applies (minimum £3, maximum £50); or
you are selling Sterling travellers cheques and you do not have a receipt showing that you bought them from the Post Office™.

In other words, keep your receipts.

Donnie · 2 December 2006 at 1:01PM

pin wrote:

In the past few years, I think I've been to thailand at least twice a year! Must have been there about 10 times. However I did spend 10 months in South East Asia 3-4 years ago.

I did wonder about your username.

pin · 2 December 2006 at 3:13PM

Donnie wrote:

I did wonder about your username.

It actually derives from before my travelling days!

Donnie · 2 December 2006 at 3:35PM

Just a coincidence then.

EagerLearner · 2 December 2006 at 9:08PM

Thanks - what does PIN mean then?

I was talking to Mr EL and we may end up just taking cards and withdrawing 1) at airport 2) arrival in Samui and 3) departure from Samui (£200 a time). That way £1.75 a time so cheaper than Travellers Cheques?

In terms of Bangkok, we just want a nice place that's not a sweat box but also doesn't cost the earth... we badly need this holiday to relax so would be nice to start somewhere 'proper'... May well end up at Atlanta Hotel again, unless you have any recommendations?

Donnie · 3 December 2006 at 12:48AM

Richardw has admitted he was incorrect in his assertion of it being £1.50 per £100 withdrawal.
How did you get to £1.75???
The cost is likely to be closer to £4.25 per £100. That's 4.25%. You'll need to follow the thread more closely, it is for you after all.

Up to you, it's only money.

If you're happy with the Atlanta, stay there. Not sure of how much you pay for the Atlanta.
Otherwise, you might like a change of location.
For your apparent budget I would recommend the New Siam 2; http://www.newsiam.net/ns/newsiam2.php It's a good all round location for sightseeing, shopping and excursions. You can jump on the Express Boat nearby, to the Grand Palace, the best known temples or just an excursion. Take a bite to eat at a nearby riverside restaurant or at one of the popular restaurants on the Phra Athit Road(Popular with Thai students). Khaosan Road is nearby for the eclectic shopping and bar experience. Pop over the Pinklao bridge for a night out to the cinema for 50 baht in a taxi(70p).
Here's a map; http://www.newsiam.net/ns/location_home.php
Price is 840 baht(£12) for a room with a ceiling fan and air conditioning, TV and a safe. There's a pool too.
Not a big fan of the Sukhumvit Road area where the Atlanta is situated. It's full of working girls and their 'johns' at night.
Worth taking a look, but I wouldn't want to stay there.

I like to treat myself when I first get there, so I rent a Studio or 1 bedroom apartment will all the mod cons for between 2000 and 3500 baht per night.
TV, Hifi system, DVD player, kitchen, gym, pool. Some overlook the river.

Pics of the studio for 2000 baht(£29) here;

Pics of one bedroom apartment for £50 or less per night;

I'll take a look for for some New Siam 2 Pics, but I think they are on my other computer(which isn't in use).

Donnie · 3 December 2006 at 5:19PM

Can't find the New Siam 2 pics. Too many unlabelled discs to got through.

EagerLearner · 4 December 2006 at 12:08PM

Thanks Donnie - my mistake re the withdrawal fee - I guess it's much pricier than I thought so we may have to take £300 per withdrawal, or just pay the £9 for travellers cheques.

Thanks for the pics and links - I will call them 1st thing tomorrow to see if I can get a room for the 17th Dec booked up (might not be the all luxury one, but something nice nonetheless). Will prob get taxi from airport if it averages 350b like you say - thanks!

Donnie · 4 December 2006 at 12:51PM

If you are going for New Siam;

Our reception desk open 24 hours. You can check in when you arrive. We don't have pick up service from the airport to hotel right now, so you can take a taxi-meter. It costs about THB 350-400 + THB 50 for airport service charge, not include express way. If you want to use the expresss way, you must pay more for the expresss way cost THB65. So…If you don’t want to pay THB65 for the express way, you should tell the taxi driver before going in to a taxi that “Don’t use the express way”. Also, you can go by a public bus number AE 2 (THB150 / person). AE 2 working hours start from 06:00 am. – 24:00 (midnight). You can get off the AE 2 at Pra-A-Thit Pier bus stop. The time it takes from the Airport to our Hotel is around 1 and half hours – 2 hours (depending on the traffic). You can print our map and Thai address to show to a driver by follow this link : http://www.newsiam.net/ns/popup_map.php

Donnie · 4 December 2006 at 1:12PM

They have a new place next to the river;

NEW SIAM RIVERSIDE
Newsiam Riverside is not really finish yet. We must decorate all area downstairs. But the rooms are ready and beautiful with river view. There will have a double/twin room with airconditioning with private bathroom, hot shower, tv, fridge, safty box and keycard door locked system. It cost ***950 baht/room/night***. The price is cheaper than our setting price (THB2,500 - 3,500) because it's not finish yet. (***NOTICE*** the price 950 baht/room/night will available until 31/12/2006)

Withdrawing £300 at a time rather obviates your security concerns.

Thailand - best to get US or GBP Travellers Cheques?

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