Small details

[myja]

I'm trying to plan for my stay in Udon Thani. I talked to my bank this morning and they told me all I would have to do to receive money is to go to a bank or ATM and make a withdrawal using my ATM card or credit card. Sounds easy. I understand the bank would charge something for the transfer, my bank said there is no charge on their end. From what I've been reading it's not all that simple. Any of you use this method? Also, security while using a credit card. It gets scary enough over here and I'd hate to wake up one morning to find no credit, no bank account and no identity.

# 2 question.
Something about using and charging electronic devices. Hard to remember way back then but I think Thailand has outlets with something other than 120V, and I think it's 50 cps instead of 60 cps which makes it impossible to use. Any thoughts of knowledge?

[rogerdoger]

I use ATMs all the time. My bank does charge, there is also a charge for the currency conversion, and then Thai ATMs charge 150B flat rate as well=best to get a large amount out at once and save charges, if you can keep your money safe.

Same security for CC as anywhere else, don't let it out of your sight. I notify my CC company where I will be because they investigate and sometimes block foeign transactions.

I actually use a card the bank issues for travellers and I recharge it via internet banking so I only put in what I am going to take out, so even if it is copied etc, they can only get what's in it, and I withdraw the maximu.

Hope that helps

Thailand is 230 I think, maybe 240/250 and 50Hz I believe as well.

You will need a step down transformer thingy that you can get from travel type shop places, or the airport, and remember a plug convertor too for Thai plugs. They are easily available in the big shops in Udon and cost very little.

Cheers.

[DermotC]

I can confirm that what Roger says is 100% correct!

[maaka]

yes I used a normal Eftpos banking card from my saving account, not a credit card, just poked in the machine and out the money came, but the bank told me before I left, that it would only work on ATM's worldwide with the words ' PLUS ' displayed on the face of the ATM machine..so check with your bank before you leave..I guess like the fellas above have stated there are charges involved, nothing is free these days especially where banks are concerned,,robbers..

I also took my fantastic Sharp ghetto blaster with me, a relic from the 80s, so I could play my own farang music, instead of listening to the Chinese string band, but whether it was the voltage or the poor electrics where I lived, it overcooked it one day, and burnt it out..urrrrrr...

[papaguido]

Myja,

There a couple of options for withdrawing money.

1. ATM's: there are an abundance of ATM's, most with the Plus system. You'll be charged a 1% exchange fee (conversion/transfer) and 150bt (approx $4.50) transaction fee from the local bank.

2. Debt Card: if you have a Debt Card with Visa/MC logo, you can go in the bank and do a Cash Advance withdrawing money against your checking account. There are no local bank fees (at least not with Bangkok bank, Siam Commercial or Kasikorn) the 1% exchange fee is applied. Check with your bank for any fees associated with this type of transaction.

3. Credit Card: I recommend not using one, unless for an emergency. Be aware that most credit cards assess a 3% exchange fee, again check with your bank.

[ting_tong]

I can confirm that what Roger says is 100% correct!

lol.... Thailand is 230 I think

try 220v

go purchase some travelers checks, they will give you the best exchange rate, better than $100 bills or an ATM pull's rate

[DermotC]

ting tong, there is a range given 220-240 and if your device is anywhere within that range you will be fine. So what Rodge said is correct. Why are you trying to start an arguement?

Also travellers checks you will be charged more of a comm than using an atm!

[rogerdoger]

I can confirm that what Roger says is 100% correct!

lol.... Thailand is 230 I think

try 220v

go purchase some travelers checks, they will give you the best exchange rate, better than $100 bills or an ATM pull's rate

I think you'll find it is 220-240 depending on what they can supply. As far as I know the devices we in the west use (and I don't mean the USA) this and will operate within these ranges, whether it's 220, 230 or 240. The point is it is twice what the Americas use, so let's not split hairs please.

[rogerdoger]

I can confirm that what Roger says is 100% correct!

lol.... Thailand is 230 I think

try 220v

go purchase some travelers checks, they will give you the best exchange rate, better than $100 bills or an ATM pull's rate

I think you'll find it is 220-240 depending on what they can supply. As far as I know the devices we in the west use (and I don't mean the USA) this and will operate within these ranges, whether it's 220, 230 or 240. The point is it is twice what the Americas use, so let's not split hairs please.

BTW, travellers cheques aren't much good at 10pm when you have a gut full of piss and realise you need some more cash.

[ting_tong]

BTW, travellers cheques aren't much good at 10pm when you have a gut full of piss and realise you need some more cash.

neither is the pound sterling in Thailand @ 10:00pm......unless you are at a place owned by a brit.
try and use the brit money in Laos or Cambodia....LOL

[rogerdoger]

That is why you use an ATM card, isn't that one of the points about this thread?

[FrazeeDK]

Save yourself 150 Baht (or about 5 dollars) by using the AEON ATM that is in the small Lotus Tesco in UD Town.. AEON does NOT yet charge the 150 baht fee. It is located just across from the bathrooms at the front of the store.

Yes, Thai voltage is basically 200-240V (fluctuates) and is indeed 50 Cycle.. If you eyeball your laptop, cell DC converters you may well find they're good for 100-240V 50/60.. I certainly was surprised when I looked at my stateside power supplies (phone, laptop, Internet wireless router, etc) and found nearly all of them were multi-voltage....

[ting_tong]

ting tong, there is a range given 220-240 and if your device is anywhere within that range you will be fine. So what Rodge said is correct. Why are you trying to start an arguement?

Also travellers checks you will be charged more of a comm than using an atm!

because I can yes its 220 to 240 volt, I guess most commonly known as 220v

onshore and offshore rates for currency exchange varies, an ATM pull is more expensive than a travelers check cashed at a bank. You will get an offshore rate on an ATM pull, if you have a better system, I am open to suggestions.

I am off to Kasikorn right now to pull some baht out to give to my girlfriends (a little at a time) :-" I'll post the result of the transfer later.

I posted the info for the ol guy thats coming here, he'll benefit from it.

[DermotC]

I think hed be more interested to hear from people who are actually trying to help him rather than starting an arguement on a forum. Nevermind....you go to the atm and get money for your ''girlfriend''

[ting_tong]

my mistake about the visit to Kasikorn, I am off to cash some TCs........I have 5 university students I take care of.........LOL

[ting_tong]

I just got 30.37 for USD TC's (so .30 @ xe.com rate) if I hit the ATM I would of probably gotten .75 to 1 full baht less than this rate:

http://www.xe.com/ucc/convert.cgi?From= ... B&Amount=1

http://www.kasikornbank.com/EN/RatesAnd ... hange.aspx

All this adds up when you take a crack at 10 to 15k a shot

FrazeeDK is right about the ATM, but I still get .75 taken through offshore rates

Like I said, if anyone has a better solution I am willing to learn, I dont "know it all like some people here".

[myja]

All the advice coming in is helpful. I have multiple choices on what I can do all which appear to work so my worries about not being able to get cast have disappeared.
The stories coming forth are priceless compared to the answer to the question. A living slice of Thai life. Keep them coming!
ting_tong --- "girlfriends"? That's plural for more than one! 5 students? You rock!!!

[rogerdoger]

I just got 30.37 for USD TC's (so .30 @ xe.com rate) if I hit the ATM I would of probably gotten .75 to 1 full baht less than this rate:

http://www.xe.com/ucc/convert.cgi?From= ... B&Amount=1

http://www.kasikornbank.com/EN/RatesAnd ... hange.aspx

All this adds up when you take a crack at 10 to 15k a shot

FrazeeDK is right about the ATM, but I still get .75 taken through offshore rates

Like I said, if anyone has a better solution I am willing to learn, I dont "know it all like some people here".

Do you get commission free TCs?
Every time I have used them I get stung a huge amount, unless you buy certain TCs in your home country and cash them at the same company place overseas. Once in China I got stung 30 USD for 150 UD worth of cheques.

ATMs are flexible and predictable.

[DermotC]

Myja, Pinch of salt with Ting Tongs comments. Most of us cant handle the one we have, lol! How the thai men keep their wives and Mia Noi's ive no idea. I cant go anywhere alone without giving a full schedule of where and what Im going to be doing, well i can but its not worth it! lol

Enjoy your trip over and Im sure you will have an absolute blast! Udon is completely different to southern Thailand and has a much smaller expat community, doesnt attract some of the deadbeats you see down south, I know thats a generalisation but I mean for the most part.

[ting_tong]

All the advice coming in is helpful. I have multiple choices on what I can do all which appear to work so my worries about not being able to get cast have disappeared.
The stories coming forth are priceless compared to the answer to the question. A living slice of Thai life. Keep them coming!
ting_tong --- "girlfriends"? That's plural for more than one! 5 students? You rock!!!

Thanks, they are called giks (side girlfriends), I have a decent command of the Thai language and its actually more than 5 regulars, I get 3 to 4 university students delivered to my place a week and I choose the ones I want to keep (thats if they like me and want to come back). I help them through university, pay for medical and dental if needed, and loan money for food if they are short of cash. All the girls are 18 to 20yo, usually I have 2 come over a day, @ 2:00 then @ 9:00.....its very hard to get them to come over in the black skirt and white shirt university uniform.

I will not discuss my system on this forum or how I do all this, do not PM me about this because I will not share this hard learned info. :-" There are lots of self proclaimed experts on this forum, none can do what I do or know what I know, but I am willing to share some of the basic info I needed when I first started travelling though.

Travel funds:
if US money, a few $100 bills, no marks or tears, none of them with the date 1996...only Ben with the big face.
TCs
debit cards with online access to the balance
credit cards for back up only (do NOT use it)
Yes, advise your bank (cards) that you are travelling and what countries you will go to.
If possible open a Thai bank account.
<thats all you need>

TCs, looks like kasikorn charged me 150 baht to deal with $500 in TCs (15,020 bt), maybe I should of cashed more? I am still watching the exchange rate. Last years fees were 30 baht for 10,000 and 60 for 15,000 so the fee has been increased.
I pay 1% for TCs but consider that "insurance" on my money.