Currency Exchange and Currency

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#71593 - 04/15/08 06:58 AM

Currency Exchange and Currency

tumbi traveller
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Registered: 03/04/08
Posts: 14

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I am travelling to Phuket 1st time July. Staying at Centara Karon Beach. Have been to Bali many times and best place there to exchange money is Kodak Shops as they dont try to rip you off and give receipt. In thailand what is the best method of getting cash. ATM's, Travellers cheques or cashing foreign notes.
Please can someone help me with this question as I have heard of many people having trouble with ATM/Credit Card fraud.
Thanks all
Tumbi Traveller

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#71597 - 04/15/08 05:44 PM

Re: Currency Exchange and Currency [Re: tumbi traveller]

Aussie1
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Registered: 02/06/07
Posts: 464
Loc: NSW Australia

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Hi Tumbi Traveller
As for Cash or card you will get lots of varied opinions it is really up to what you are comfortable with. There are cash exchanges everywhere open till late. We only ever take cash and exchange it as we need on the street. The exchange rate on the street is good, there are no fees,they are all set up by the banks so the rates are usually similar between them all (I think the"Blue coloured one" not sure which bank usually has a better rate than the Purple one, yes you get receipts.
Cards always seem to attract fees and the rate I find are not as good. Plus there has been a lot of card identity Fraud happening from ATM's. Whilst I know that can happen anywhere in the world I would prefer it does not happen to me on holidays!! I do always take my card just in case, but mainly for Duty Free or to pay hotel. If you take your card make sure you tell your bank you will be OS.
Heres a link to rates over there
http://www.scb.co.th/html/exchange/bk-txtexchange.htm

Cheers

Michelle

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Imagination Is more important than knowledge......Albert Einstein

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#71611 - 04/16/08 05:08 AM

Re: Currency Exchange and Currency [Re: Aussie1]

Ronnie
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Registered: 07/01/05
Posts: 495
Loc: Rockingham Western Australia

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I also find cash to be the best and most convienent way to go.
I only carry with me what I think I will need for the day and a $50 AUD note in the back of the wallet in case I end up needing a bit more. I always take a credit card with me but in 7 holidays to Phuket we have never used it.

We have never had any problem changing money at the booths in the street but if you do use them count your money before you leave the booth, hard to walk off and then come back if you feel you have been ripped off.

Have a great time...Ronnie.

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#71615 - 04/16/08 06:37 AM

Re: Currency Exchange and Currency [Re: Ronnie]

Aussie1
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Registered: 02/06/07
Posts: 464
Loc: NSW Australia

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I with you Ronnie thats fairly much how we do it. We change about $200 Aus at a time, and leave the rest locked away in the safe. I have only ever used my credit card at the Duty Free on the way home.... I pay for my Smokes etc with whatever Thai I have left in my Wallet and then pay the balance with the CC

Michelle

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Imagination Is more important than knowledge......Albert Einstein

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#71639 - 04/17/08 05:39 AM

Re: Currency Exchange and Currency [Re: Aussie1]

CathyP
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Registered: 11/15/04
Posts: 668
Loc: Australia

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I havent used a credit card in Phuket for a few years now, not since 2 of our group had them illegaly used and the only time they used them was at the Phuket airport duty free shop and to pay their hotel on checkout. So it has put me off.

We only ever use the atms and withdraw from our savings/debit card. The rate is good and we dont mind the charges, especially as we withdraw the maximum.

I still do take a credit card and if I did need money from it I would transfer funds over to the debit card then withdraw.

We prefer this than taking a heap of cash over but everyone has different views, some swear by travellers cheques, others the cash passport etc, so theres a few options.

Cathy

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#71642 - 04/17/08 06:27 AM

Re: Currency Exchange and Currency [Re: CathyP]

Aussie1
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Registered: 02/06/07
Posts: 464
Loc: NSW Australia

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Gee thanks Cathy I never worried about using the CC at the Duty Free before!!!!!
Like you said we all have different views on what to do about money over there, it all depends on what you are comfortable with.
Some of us though don't have to take too much as we don't get to stay that long at a time......(can you tell I am envious yet again).
Anyway it must be about time you headed over again isn't it?

Michelle

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Imagination Is more important than knowledge......Albert Einstein

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#71682 - 04/20/08 07:13 AM

Re: Currency Exchange and Currency [Re: Aussie1]

tumbi traveller
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Registered: 03/04/08
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Thanks all for your replies. Big help and now I feel better about what to do. Two of my friends have had fraud on their credit cards whilst away and I was a bit nervous about what to do. Thanks again all. Forum is great. Cheers

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#71688 - 04/20/08 06:47 PM

Re: Currency Exchange and Currency [Re: tumbi traveller]

CathyP
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Registered: 11/15/04
Posts: 668
Loc: Australia

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Michelle, your right again haha, its nearly time for us to go back, we are counting down now - only another 5 weeks left, tiny bit longer this time, a week in Singapore then 3 months in Phuket.
We are running away from our winter.
Cathy

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www.cathyandgarystravelpages.com

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#71693 - 04/21/08 05:41 AM

Re: Currency Exchange and Currency [Re: CathyP]

Aussie1
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Registered: 02/06/07
Posts: 464
Loc: NSW Australia

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Cathy, I knew you were over due for a trip. You were keeping that quiet weren't you!!! Affraid that you would cop grief from us all...again. Well your right....3 months that sucks for me,to think that I am excited about 15 days this year. Are you there right till the end of August? I arrive on the 27th August this year...maybe we could have a drink or two if your still there. Are you staying at the Swiss Palm again? Running away for all of winter sounds so nice..... unfortunately the jobs and the animals wont allow it. Winter is not so bad here unless of course you live in Tassie!!! But winter in Phuket would be better but like I said I would miss my 4 legged babies!!!

Michelle

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Imagination Is more important than knowledge......Albert Einstein

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