spending in Thailand

NiftyDigits

booler wrote: »

I am probably going to Thailand in March and I read this thread with interest ... at first! It seems to have deteriorated into a contest with all of you claiming to know better than everyone else about this and leaving people like me totally confused.

You cannot all be right so I think I will just trust my own judgement.

If you had nothing useful to add, then why did you bother to post at all?
The fact that you cannot sift through the information provided reflects badly on you.

Do you expect that every opinion will be the same?? Clearly we can't stop you from adding your opinion, for what it was worth.
Be thankful that you have such a resource at hand.
It's not about being right, but about giving information.
What I've written is quite true. I know of people who had to go to different branches to open accounts and who had problems retrieving cash when money was removed from their account.
I only posted links to quell the noise from disbelievers.

It's not that I reject the local bank idea out of hand, as the perfect solution may vary according to the user.
The fact is that I have access to the best banking products, so the local bank option is not as attractive to me.

So indeed, look at your individual circumstances and decide which is best for you.

Both socrates and I are putting forward our knowledge in order to make others aware of the pros and cons.
If I write something that is inaccurate, I would hope too that someone would pick up on it.

So less of the silly 'deteriorated' comments and perhaps a little more appreciation for the information provided.

booler

NiftyDigits wrote: »

So less of the silly 'deteriorated' comments and perhaps a little more appreciation for the information provided.

The information provided is confusing to most people and you don't seem to have a very high opinion of it yourself based on these (your quotes).

• This post makes no sense at all.
• Seriously poorly thought through post.
• Perhaps if the OP had access to an N&P Gold account debit card, your post might begin to make sense.
• Seems an almost entirely pointless exercise.
• What has Bangkok got to with it? Did I mention Bangkok only?
• Sorry, but you are just making this up as you go along.
• An almost pointless exercise for those who aren't staying in one place on a long term basis.
• I'm not so interested in being right as I am in not being wrong.

NiftyDigits

booler wrote: »

The information provided is confusing to most people and you don't seem to have a very high opinion of it yourself based on these (your quotes).

• This post makes no sense at all.
• Seriously poorly thought through post.
• Perhaps if the OP had access to an N&P Gold account debit card, your post might begin to make sense.
• Seems an almost entirely pointless exercise.
• What has Bangkok got to with it? Did I mention Bangkok only?
• Sorry, but you are just making this up as you go along.
• An almost pointless exercise for those who aren't staying in one place on a long term basis.
• I'm not so interested in being right as I am in not being wrong.

With those comments you have exactly the information to sift through the wheat from the chaff.
If someone has posted incorrect or confusing info, I have attempted to correct it.
If you have or had any questions, you are/were welcome to post them.
The best solution is one that fits your particular circumstances.
So if you need tailored advice, just give a brief summary of your circumstances.

abbiedabbie

Just home from Bangkok yesterday. I only ever take cash, exchange rate is better across there. On the last day in MBK shopping centre my husband changed £100 on the 5th floor and counted it back in front of the teller and it was short, she took it back, counted and then past to other teller and it was so she gave the correct amount then. I went back hours later and husband said watch out she gave me less earlier and guess what 500 bhat short, really strange same office in the same day? Coincidence? Just be careful.

ImSkinFlint

Hi

Just returned from Thailand while I was there I was able to open a ATM / Savings account with the Lamui branch of [FONT=&quot]Kasikorn bank on Kho Samui

They are doing a "Special offer" if you take out accident cover (About £55 for one year) you can open an account with a 30 day tourist visa.

You will also need a Thai mailing address and Telephone number. I used a friends

I realize £55 is alot to open an account but this is a one off I now have the security of being able to transfer money and withdraw it safely.

Any body know the cheapest way of sending regular small amounts via SWIFT?

[/FONT]

socrates

ImSkinFlint wrote: »

Hi

Just returned from Thailand while I was there I was able to open a ATM / Savings account with the Lamui branch of [FONT=&quot]Kasikorn bank on Kho Samui

They are doing a "Special offer" if you take out accident cover (About £55 for one year) you can open an account with a 30 day tourist visa.

You will also need a Thai mailing address and Telephone number. I used a friends

I realize £55 is alot to open an account but this is a one off I now have the security of being able to transfer money and withdraw it safely.

Any body know the cheapest way of sending regular small amounts via SWIFT?

[/FONT]

I believe if you have Halifax internet banking you can send money for £9.50 by performing the task yourself - there may be a limit

Others will be along soon

NiftyDigits

ImSkinFlint wrote: »

Hi

Just returned from Thailand while I was there I was able to open a ATM / Savings account with the Lamui branch of [FONT=&quot]Kasikorn bank on Kho Samui

They are doing a "Special offer" if you take out accident cover (About £55 for one year) you can open an account with a 30 day tourist visa.

You will also need a Thai mailing address and Telephone number. I used a friends

I realize £55 is alot to open an account but this is a one off I now have the security of being able to transfer money and withdraw it safely.

Any body know the cheapest way of sending regular small amounts via SWIFT?

[/FONT]

Indeed it is. Much cheaper to pop along to Tesco or Big C in order to withdraw cash from the AEON machines

Regular small amounts?? That is not at all cost effective. But if you are sponsoring someone, that is another matter. Seems that they reeled you in with the 'accident cover'. Not heard of that one before.

So now it is £9.50 plus whatever Kasikorn will take at their end, even if you send it in Pounds. Not really a good deal.
If you are sending money to a friend, you would have been better off supplying them with a decent Prepaid card.
The Thai bank account idea is for moving larger sums, in order to pay only one set of fees.

socrates

NiftyDigits wrote: »

Indeed it is. Much cheaper to pop along to Tesco or Big C in order to withdraw cash from the AEON machines

Regular small amounts?? That is not at all cost effective. But if you are sponsoring someone, that is another matter. Seems that they reeled you in with the 'accident cover'. Not heard of that one before.

So now it is £9.50 plus whatever Kasikorn will take at their end, even if you send it in Pounds. Not really a good deal.
If you are sending money to a friend, you would have been better off supplying them with a decent Prepaid card.
The Thai bank account idea is for moving larger sums, in order to pay only one set of fees.

Wow - we moved from opening an account to discussing sponsorship ....

booler

I spent three weeks in Thailand last month and I can tell you that for short stays opening a bank account is total overkilll. We took sterling and changed it as required at good rates every time, no password required and no messing about.

socrates

booler wrote: »

I spent three weeks in Thailand last month and I can tell you that for short stays opening a bank account is total overkilll. We took sterling and changed it as required at good rates every time, no password required and no messing about.

This thread was about someone who visits regularly - it is obvious that it is not for someone who goes for a few weeks