Thailand - best to get US or GBP Travellers Cheques?

pin

Donnie wrote:

Hi richardw

Have you factored in the cost of the foreign exchange commission? Generally, there is a charge of up to 2.75% in addition to the withdrawal charge, unless you hold the Nationwide Flexaccount.
Certain banks..i.e. HSBC, Citibank, may waive these charges if you withdraw from their bank. Try finding one. I think there is one HSBC bank in the whole of Thailand.

I agree with Donnie on this, many banks sneak this charge in. On the statement they don't show it and say its for your "convinince", you have to look at the T&C's to see the charge. As far as I'm aware NW are the only ones that waive it. However, as Donnie has mentioned, there are some banks which have partner networks. As far as I'm aware Citibank, HSBC and Barclays have these in place.

richardw

Yep, there probably is a 'Hidden' charge of 2.75% on the exchange rate conversion, since I'm not using a NW card.

EagerLearner

Thanks all - will get large denominations for sure prob 6 x £100 or something.

We're off to Bangkok on 16th first then milling about (don't know where yet) and arriving in Koh Samui for 24th until 1st. Flight back is on 4th so will have 3 days to mill about again. Last time we went we did Bangkok > Khatchnaburi (River Kwai) > lower south inc Samui/Tao/Lanta etc then onto Malaysia and ended up in Bali...

Any good suggestions for where to go between Bangkok and Samui? We've been to the main spots but happy to go to somewhere we've been before if it's worth it...

Donnie

You'll arrive one day later than myself. Haven't fixed my Bangkok accommodation as of yet, though Samui's has been organised. For Bangkok, I'll decide between something in the Banglumphu region, Siam Square or an apartment, maybe near the river. Samui, I'll be on Chaweng.
How about yourself?

Don't know where to suggest that you go. I just go with the flow.

Money from nothing?

EagerLearner

Hi Donnie, we will be arriving on 17th (leaving here 16th) and also not yet booked anything in Bangkok - but we have booked Samui (Chaweng also)!

The Money from Nothing Challenge (debt free board) has been amazing and I have raised nearly £300, from nothing! This will be my spending money for Thailand and I am so chuffed that the thread inspired me so much - some people have made double that, but with work etc and lack of a car to do car boots, I haven't been able to. The aim is to start with £0 and make £1,024 in 12 weeks - - ie: sell something someone gave you and whatever you make, is your first real money, You then invest this and aim to double your money every week - week 1 £1, week 2 £2, week 3 £4, week 4 £8, week 5 £16, week 6 £32, week 7 £64 - you get the idea... I will do it again next year in Spring maybe - fantastic challenge and I highly recommend you take a look!

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=271716

Donnie

It appears as if we'll be seeing each other wandering up and down the beach road or the beach.
What's your plan for Bangkok?
Did you manage to avoid the horribly high flight prices for that flight period?

I don't need to make money, I was just interested in what you did in your 'money from nothing' quest.

pin

I hate you all!! Thailand is one of my fav countries and reading about your trip plans makes me jealous, I want to go again!! (Although I have been there twice this year already!) To make it worse my little sister is out there at the moment for her first trip there.

In any case I'm sure you will have a lovely time in Thailand, its a great country.

Donnie

Interestingly, I've been twice this year too. I go there to do my training. Being in the UK is my time to do nothing.

Flight prices for the Mid December to Mid Jan. period are just increasing every year. I'm happy to go just to escape the weather. Unusually, the weather has been remarkably clement thus far.

EagerLearner

I paid £600 each for the flight, but as we did not take an Autumn break this year + we are not spending money on Xmas, it all works out - then of course I have almost £300 made from nothing he he...

Not sure about Bangkok - should book something I 'spose but what is a good place that's easy to get to from airport? Plus how much should we expect to pay in a taxi? Or should we get a bus? Last time we went we got bus but this time we could afford a taxi... any hotel names/websites/numbers much appreciated!

Pin - can't believe you have gone twice already you lucky thing!

Does anyone know what I will need to take with me to PO - do we both take cash? Plus passport? Or can it be done via switch (£300 each)?

pin

Pin - can't believe you have gone twice already you lucky thing!

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.