Has anyone ever had any good or bad experiences when it comes to using credit cards in Thailand. Ive read of a few fraud cases and Im now a bit reluctant to use mine. We are going to Phuket and Bangkok in April (read my previous - Eating & shopping in Patong). Im taking cash but need a back-up in case it runs out, which is more than likely to happen. Im looking into a Visa Travelex card, which uses a pin so is a bit safer, but the downside is that there are costs to set it up and costs each time you withdraw.
I would really appreciate any input on this. Ive used my credit card in Bali and Vietnam but never had any problems.
Also .... once again, if anyone has any great restaurants they would like to recommend, that would be appreciated!!! I know the selection is endless in Phuket, but dont want to eat at any dodgy ones. I already have some great ones, but want more!!!
Only 61 more sleeps to go!!!!!

Not just credit cards are scammed. I met a lady recently who'd just returned from Phuket and unfortunately their holiday was soured because her elderly father had a few thousand dollars removed from his account... he had only used his card at the hole in the wall. He did get his money back after signing a stat dec but what a rigmarole !! it really put a downer on their holiday.
We take cash and credit cards and hope for the best.
Cheers Geri

Thanx Geri for the info. Think Ill do the same as you - take plenty cash and hope it doesnt run out then the plastic just for back-up. Have you ever used the travelex card or know of anyone who has used it? It works similar to an atm card with a pin number so I guess that if someone can scam money when you use an atm card then they mite be able to do it using this card too??!! You are never safe.... and you never know who is around the corner watching you... but... youve still gotta have fun!!!!! Thats what life is all about ... I recon.
Cheers - when is your next trip to Thailand???

There are some great restaurants in Phuket (Patong) but my favourites are Sabai Sabai & S&G Restaurant on Soi Post Office Rd (this is just off Beach Rd near McDonalds).Also another fantastic one is No 6 which is on the main road near Mr Goods Seafood , please try this No 6 as it is really good value and always packed .Just ask for directions on how to get there but if you are staying near Bangla Rd it is only a few minutes walk from there.Hope you have fun there as it is a really great place to go.

Thanx for your restaurant suggestions - the more great recommendations we have the better and the less chance we have of eating somewhere not so good!!!
Also .... can anyone give me a rough idea on how much to pay for day trips to both Phi Phi Island and Phang Nha Bay??? And, do we bargain for these prices or are they fixed??? Also, I think I read somewhere in the forum that you can buy a waterproof bag to put your camera money etc. in to take on these trips - are these bags easy to find in Patong and where would I buy them???
So many questions!!!
Thanx to all those who have replied to my many q's!

Kitty, We bought one of the waterproof bags from the big sports store in Jungceylon, they come in a few different sizes, ours is probably medium size and I think it was 400 baht.
Cathy

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Hey Kitty,

I went to phuket last year and booked all my day trips on my credit card with no issues at all (they cost anywhere between £10-£30 on average depending on what you do - and you probably can haggle the price, but I booked mine at the hotel and was more than happy to pay what they asked considering what you get out of it!). I used various cash points for both my credit and debit cards too and again, no issues.

If the card you are taking is for backup only and you are taking plenty of cash (consider travellers cheques please! Don't want your trip ruined by losing all your cash in the first few days!) then you should be fine.

I found that pretty much all the restaurants there were fine... and the street stalls too, but I met up with a couple of locals lasses and regular ozzie travellers so they knew where to take me!! Even the KFC was good (I know... I'm in thailand eating a KFC, but I had a late night urge and the security guard that rode me there enjoyed it too!!)

Coincedentally, a friend and I are going in April too. It will be her first time there, and only my second, so should be a blast!!

Thanx Cathy for that info. Helpful advice like that can save me hours of trying to find what I want - and wasting valuable shopping time!!! So ... once again - thank you!
Can you give me rough idea on day trips prices to Phi Phi and Phang Nha??? Ive seen prices in brochures ranging from about $60 an adult up to $120 an adult, so not sure as to why there is so much variation in those prices, as they all seem to offer the same or similar trip. And do you have a particular tour company that you would recommend - or shd I just go with whoever seems the cheapest???
Only 58 more sleeps and counting!!!

Hi Kitty1499,
i would not book any tours at all from a brouchre or from yr home , book all tours in thailand , u will many street tour operators , u can haggle price & lot cheaper than yr hotel will do it for,
on the Travelex card, i have used one last few times i've been 2 thailand/vietnam, didnt think there were any set up costs? but u are right each time u withdraw its about $3.75 . - you get two cards with 2 different pins linked to same account in case u lose one card . u can check balance & put more/transfer money in card, i think there good , but its my personnel opinion. i also take some cash to change , seem to always get better rate with cash , -i use a credit card as well to pay hotels & internal flights,
really it just depends on what you feel comfortable with

Gary, can you tell me if youve ever used an australian cua redicard atm card in thailand??? My credit union told me it wont work but others have told me it will because it has the word "Plus" on the back...