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Bangkok Airport, exchanging money? |
 Posted: Wed Sep 9, 2009 10:06 am |
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| Hi,
I was hoping someone would be able to help me. I'm starting my RTW trip early November and first stop is Thailand. Does anyone know if it's easy to change sterling into Baht on arrival at Bangkok airport, or is it best to get some currency before I go? Thanks |
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| Back to top | Location: Unknown | 12 Posts |
| Posted: Wed Sep 9, 2009 12:00 pm |
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| you can but I dont think the rates will be as good. I normally get an amount to start myself off in the UK, I use Tesco a lot as you get the points with the currency and the rates are not too bad | |
| Back to top | Location: Unknown | 484 Posts |
| Posted: Wed Sep 9, 2009 9:11 pm |
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Ah thanks for that, gd plan about Tesco I don't have a club card but my mum does and I'm sure she'll appreciate the points!  |
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| Back to top | Location: Unknown | 12 Posts |
| Posted: Wed Sep 9, 2009 10:27 pm |
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| Don't go with Tesco just because you get some Clubcard points. Exchange rates can vary wildly from place to place and it's worth checking some prices out online before deciding where to get it from. Most nowadays are commission and fee free (their profit is included in the exchange rate offered), but you need to make sure you compare them including all costs including postage charges (if you get the money sent to you). By shopping around I managed to save about £50 on my travel money and travellers cheques for my RTW trip.
Personally, I now always just rely on an ATM being at the airport (I haven't come across an international airport without one yet) and use my Nationwide Debit Card. I have some Pounds Sterling too as an emergency backup, which I can exchange at the airport if necessary. Gernerally, I have always got a better rate with my card than any bureau de change rate I've seen. Airports and border crossings are always the worst place to exchange money. Rates are normally very poor and there can even be bogus exchangers praying on people who are unfamiliar with the currency or the exchange rates. If you need to get money at the airport try to order it online to get a better rate and just pickup at the airport. |
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| Back to top | Location: Unknown | 2476 Posts |
| Posted: Thu Sep 10, 2009 10:09 am |
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| I wouldn't be exchanging any money, dude. It's such an expensive way to do things, especially at airports. And because the pound is so weak, you'll be getting a very bad deal.
Go Nationwide and just withdraw as and when you need it. You'll pay an ATM fee in Thailand these days, because most banks introduced an unavoidable fee a few months back, but with Nationwide you'll still get the best deal. Their cash card is the best deal of all, and their debit card carries a small fee of 0.84% on all transactions. Other banks will add loading off 2.5 to 3.5% as well as the ATM fee. Airport exchangers are the worst of all. When I was last there, the actual exchange rate (pretty much what Nationwide give you) was 55 baht to the pound, but the airport exchangers were offering 43. Considering that 2 years ago the actual rate was 70, then you need to be seeking out the best deal possible, because you'll be surprised at how expensive Thailand can be these days. |
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| Back to top | Location: Unknown | 6507 Posts |
| Posted: Thu Sep 10, 2009 12:24 pm |
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| Thanks for that, I got my thai visa at the cardiff embassy and the guy there said that the best rate would be at bangkok airport and to take sterling there to exchange, obviously he didn't really know what he was talking about! Thanks for your help I think i'm going to get myself a nationwide card now, was thinking about it anyway but even more reason to get one now! | |
| Back to top | Location: Unknown | 12 Posts |
| Posted: Thu Sep 10, 2009 12:53 pm |
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| Yeah, airports are the worst place to exchange money, generally speaking.
Captive audience. |
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| Back to top | Location: Unknown | 6507 Posts |
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