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spending in Thailand

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  • socrates
    socrates Posts: 2,889 Forumite
    endure wrote: »
    You don't need an account with Halifax to get a Clarity card. I have one and it's the only connection I have with them. As fas as blocking is concerned they ask you to give them a call 10 days before you go and let them know where you're going so you don't get blocked. If you use internet banking to pay for your withdrawals a couple of days after you make them you'll only pay pennies in interest.


    What I meant was to get the full benefit of the Clarity Card you need an account - I believe there is a £5 reward if you spend over £300 etc etc

    Any card can get blocked even if you are in the UK - over there it will be a pain to sort it out

    But no doubt it is a very good option
  • socrates wrote: »
    In Thailand cash is king and the rate in local exchanges is much higher nearer to 49.25+

    Oh really? Damn well that means some plans need to change..
    1. Save money.
    2. Worry you haven't saved enough.
    3. ????
    4. Travel.
    £3,000/8,000ish.
  • socratesThanx I've often thought about opening an Account in LOS but was always put of by the visa.

    Once i have an account can money be transferred from a UK bank? If not how do you put money in the account?

    I relay don't want to carry a large sum even if it is just going into an account.
  • socrates
    socrates Posts: 2,889 Forumite
    socratesThanx I've often thought about opening an Account in LOS but was always put of by the visa.

    Once i have an account can money be transferred from a UK bank? If not how do you put money in the account?

    I relay don't want to carry a large sum even if it is just going into an account.

    Money can be transferred quite easily - if with Halifax I think £10 - most other banks £15-25 - lands within 48 hours - you will get a charge at the other end - max 500 baht (£10 odd)

    ALWAYS SEND YOUR MONEY TO ARRIVE IN STERLING

    Do you go over regularly?

    How much do you send over?

    Your other option is to carry cash - change it over in LOS for the best rate you can get - then deposit it all minus 5000 baht spending money
  • Do you go over regularly?
    I've been going to LOS for the 15 years I save up my holiday and spend 6 weeks there
    How much do you send over?
    last year I spent around £1800 + £90 in Nationwide bank charges this end, & that's including the £500 cash I took with me
    Your other option is to carry cash - change it over in LOS
    I have friends on Koh Samui so spend the majority of the time there, that would be where I'd open an account.

    However i meet another mate in BKK & spend time in Patts or travel around A bit before going to Samui so don't realy whant to have £2k in cash.

    Nether had issues with stuff going missing in Patts, not all hotels have safes, in fact the one I've stayed before only has a locker behind reception. Thats fine for Passports etc but if they see someone stuff a wad of cash in an envelope Temptation being what it is!
  • socrates
    socrates Posts: 2,889 Forumite
    I've been going to LOS for the 15 years I save up my holiday and spend 6 weeks there

    last year I spent around £1800 + £90 in Nationwide bank charges this end, & that's including the £500 cash I took with me

    I have friends on Koh Samui so spend the majority of the time there, that would be where I'd open an account.

    However i meet another mate in BKK & spend time in Patts or travel around A bit before going to Samui so don't realy whant to have £2k in cash.

    Nether had issues with stuff going missing in Patts, not all hotels have safes, in fact the one I've stayed before only has a locker behind reception. Thats fine for Passports etc but if they see someone stuff a wad of cash in an envelope Temptation being what it is!

    If you are a regular visitor here is what you do:

    Open your K Bank account in Koh Samui - take all the paperwork I told you - make sure you find out which is the main branch there (local head office)

    Tell them in the future you will be sending money via your bank and they will arrange for your money to go them directly at that branch - rather than through Bangkok - this speeds up the process by 24 hours

    When you open the account set your online spending and daily withdrawal limits - and also organise your internet banking

    All very straight forward

    One last thing I assume you arrange a 3 month visa from Hull before you go every time?

    For a regular visitor K-Bank is the best option

    Sawasdee Krup!!
  • One last thing I assume you arrange a 3 month visa from Hull before you go every time?

    Yep also send a SAE prepaid signed for it's cheaper then paying there postage
  • socrates wrote: »
    Money can be transferred quite easily - if with Halifax I think £10 - most other banks £15-25 - lands within 48 hours - you will get a charge at the other end - max 500 baht (£10 odd)

    ALWAYS SEND YOUR MONEY TO ARRIVE IN STERLING

    Do you go over regularly?

    How much do you send over?

    Your other option is to carry cash - change it over in LOS for the best rate you can get - then deposit it all minus 5000 baht spending money


    Sorry to jump in on someone's else's thread but....

    I send money to Thailand every quarter, one lot to a private individual & the other lot to a school. I always send it in THB, should I be sending in Sterling? Can you explain why it's better to send in sterling? Thanks.
    If my posts have random wrong words, please blame the damn autocorrect not me :D
  • socrates
    socrates Posts: 2,889 Forumite
    newbutold wrote: »
    Sorry to jump in on someone's else's thread but....

    I send money to Thailand every quarter, one lot to a private individual & the other lot to a school. I always send it in THB, should I be sending in Sterling? Can you explain why it's better to send in sterling? Thanks.

    You should always be sending sterling as you get a much better rate of exchange - ask to pay all the fees at this end - it still works out cheaper

    https://www.thaivisa.com

    Has a forum where you can ask all the questions you need about this and many other subjects
  • socrates
    socrates Posts: 2,889 Forumite
    Yep also send a SAE prepaid signed for it's cheaper then paying there postage

    That's the way to do it :T
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