US Dollars US$

[jackspratt]

Is there a bank or other place in Udon which normally has some on hand - say around $100?

I need some for an upcoming trip.

Thanks

[FrazeeDK]

Gold shops downtown around Haa Yaak (2nd circle)

[Charlieb]

Got $200 at Bangkok Bank last week. They say it depends on people exchanging dollars how much they may have. I guess they don't keep them long after exchange.

[jackspratt]

Thanks Dave - will have a look on Monday.

Charlie - which branch please?

[jackspratt]

Bandung Dero has PMd me to point out the obvious - US$ will be readily available at Swampy when I am leaving.

[Laan Yaa Mo]

Is there a bank or other place in Udon which normally has some on hand - say around $100?

I need some for an upcoming trip.

Thanks

That amount should get you one or two dogs, a bag of chips, a soft drink and a programme at the old ball game.

[jackspratt]

My more immediate concern is the taxi/Uber from the airport to the hotel, whence I can look around for an ATM and hopefully better rate.

And who drinks a soft drink at the game?

[Laan Yaa Mo]

My more immediate concern is the taxi/Uber from the airport to the hotel, whence I can look around for an ATM and hopefully better rate.

And who drinks a soft drink at the game?

I used to when I was a kid now I bring my own water to drink.

Take the free hotel transportation to the hotel, if such a thing exists.

[tamada]

My more immediate concern is the taxi/Uber from the airport to the hotel, whence I can look around for an ATM and hopefully better rate.

And who drinks a soft drink at the game?

I used to when I was a kid now I bring my own water to drink.

Take the free hotel transportation to the hotel, if such a thing exists.

Hotels still exist, no?

[tamada]

Twenty years ago, no foreign travel went without my having at least US$500 in large and small bills 'for emergencies'. Since the buck was the global currency and ATM's weren't available, that was the alternative to wallet-raping airport forex booths.

Then came ATM's but one still tried to avoid the 'special' ones at airports that had all sorts of premium fees loaded on top of rubbish exchange rates.

I recommend finding out what's the most popular ride-hailing app at your destination(s), install the app and add a credit card. I have Uber for Perth WA, Bolt for Bangkok and Grab for the rest of Thailand and Malaysia. That way you book/ride/pay without faffing around with bits of colored paper.

I have a 'travel wallet' with the dross bills left over from various business and pleasure trips. There's maybe $48 in there that hasn't been touched or required in over five years.

It's a whole new world out there.

Safe trip and I hope your team wins.

[Charlieb]

In the US there should be ATM machines in the airport. FWIW, money exchange in the airport is rip off.

[semperfiguy]

I would think that the banks in Central Plaza would have more USD's on hand since so many foreigners traverse through the mall. I have never had trouble getting them at Krung Thai Bank there.

[jackspratt]

Thinking about it a bit more, I am better off using the US based ATM.

To buy US$ here, I need to bring money from my Oz bank - incurring the exchange cost to get THB. And then to use THB to buy US$, I will cop another exchange cost.

By doing it in the US, I can go direct to my Oz bank via the ATM, with only 1 FX cost.

[thewatchman]

I hope you sort it out jack,not like its rocket science ,how hard can it be?

[Stantheman]

Thinking about it a bit more, I am better off using the US based ATM.

To buy US$ here, I need to bring money from my Oz bank - incurring the exchange cost to get THB. And then to use THB to buy US$, I will cop another exchange cost.

By doing it in the US, I can go direct to my Oz bank via the ATM, with only 1 FX cost.

Jack, just a heads up, a lot of U.S. ATM's also charge a fee for non-members. This is in addition to FX fees from your Oz bank.

[Potamoi]

I have Uber for Perth WA, Bolt for Bangkok and Grab for the rest of Thailand and Malaysia. That way you book/ride/pay without faffing around with bits of colored paper.

Tam, were you able to add a credit card to Bolt while in Thailand? I can't seem to figure out how to get an ATM or credit card assigned. Only shows cash payment which for me is a dealbreaker in Bangkok since screwing around with cash and change is such pain when in heavy traffic.

It may work in Malaysia or Vietnam (unsure) so I may need to add a CC next time I am there. For now I will need to stay with Grab I guess unless you can share how to get around the cash only thing.

[jackspratt]

Jack, just a heads up, a lot of U.S. ATM's also charge a fee for non-members. This is in addition to FX fees from your Oz bank.

Thanks Stan

I have done even further research, and come up with a new strategy.

I have an Australian issued Wise debit card. I can shift A$ from my Oz bank into US$ in my Wise account - at what are pretty fair exchange rates.

I can then use the Wise card in the US for both tap-and-go purchases and ATM withdrawals - utilising the US$ I have in my account, so no FX.

There is a monthly limit on the ATM withdrawals, but the fees if I exceed the limit are still a lot better than if I use my Oz bank credit card or Handycard. They will be in my wallet as a backup only.

[tamada]

I have Uber for Perth WA, Bolt for Bangkok and Grab for the rest of Thailand and Malaysia. That way you book/ride/pay without faffing around with bits of colored paper.

Tam, were you able to add a credit card to Bolt while in Thailand? I can't seem to figure out how to get an ATM or credit card assigned. Only shows cash payment which for me is a dealbreaker in Bangkok since screwing around with cash and change is such pain when in heavy traffic.

It may work in Malaysia or Vietnam (unsure) so I may need to add a CC next time I am there. For now I will need to stay with Grab I guess unless you can share how to get around the cash only thing.

In my rush to endorse using apps instead of folding stuff, I omitted to say that for now at least, Bolt is cash-only in Thailand. They do offer card linkage in Europe and maybe they'll tack it on over here if they get enough market share? The Bolt guy I used said that their charges for short, inner-city hops are lower than Grab but for longer trips, they're about the same. Maybe keep some red bills in the top pocket for your Bolt rides in Bangkok?

FWIW, the flexibility of Grab is still a winner when traveling regionally. All my KL favorites and delivery addresses from last year reappeared once I fired it up over here.

[samster]

Personally, most of the transactions I do in BKK are strictly cash. I've tried swiping but, the blood and screaming puts me off.

[deankham]

^ reminded me of a few images of thailand

Apologies to the OP for going off-topic but seems he has a plan of action already.