SE Aisa - Travel money / GBP Travellers Cheques

skydiveJames

Hi there,

I'm off backpacking to SE Asia for 3 months in just over a month, and have a couple of questions. I've tried searching, so sorry if I'm repeating old questions!

I'll be spending around a month in Thailand, then splitting the other 2 months between Laos/Vietnam/Cambodia.

I don't have, and can't get a Nationwide account beyond a basic 'cash card' a/c (being a student hasn't done my credit rating too much good!).

I was planning on putting £2k onto a prepaid GBP fairfx card, however the rate is and has been for a while, circa THB46 to 1GBP.

After a bit of searching around, I've found out it is easy to get a rate of circa THB50 by exchanging currency in Bangkok. I have a lloyds tsb current account, and an natwest student account, so do not want to use them abroad to buy currency.

So, my questions are:

• Can I purchase GBP Travellers Cheques within the UK (To exhange for local currencies within SE Asia)
• In your opinion(s), would putting £1k on a fairfx card, and taking another £1k in GBP Travellers Cheques (if possible), be the best option for me?

Thanks for any help you may be able to give me!
James

dzug1

Yes you can buy sterling TCs in the UK - there is normally a charge though. The Post Office is 1.5% I think, but shop around.

jammin_2

Take USD with you for Laos/Vietnam/Cambodia - plenty of small notes.

For Thailand, best to take Sterling (cash) and change it to Baht there.