Hi guys , well im going to thailand next thursday, this is my first trip out of australia and i still havent got my money sorted, i have about $2000 AU saved for spending and activities , please tell me whats the best way to handle my money over there , i really am clueless , should i exchange some at my bank? i also hear if i use ATM's over there that the conversion from AU to thai is expensive, i hope someone can help me with this
Thanks Jase

With few exceptions, non-USA based banks charge heavy fees for foreign ATM withdrawals. Check around and see if you can find an institution that doesn't rape you. Unfortunately, you may not have time to sort that out.

Thai ATMs, with the exception of AEON, charge 150THB per transaction. If you use ATMs, withdraw the largest amount allowed to avoid a big hit.

Traveler's checks can be cashed at many kiosks and banks around Bangkok and Thailand. There is a 33 baht fee. There may also be a charge for purchasing the checks. Most shopping malls will have bank branches open 7 days.

Cash also has to be exchanged. If you bring cash, bring crisp, new bills.

would you recommend travelers cheques ? how do they work?

Depending on who issues them, there may or may not be a charge for having them issues. In the case of Thailand, where few businesses will accept travelers checks, all your exchanges will be at exchange booths or banks. Therefore, get the highest denomination available to offset any charges - 33 baht per check cashed at the Thai end.

Also, try to get "American Express" or other internationally know company's checks. The "WebBe Bank of Bondi" might draw more scrutiny.

You will need your passport for ID. Give the check to the clerk, you will sign it and have the ID, signature and check inspected. Then, you get your money.

Try to bring various means of support, cash, TCs, credit card and whatever else you may have at your disposal. If one fails, it always good to have back up.

ok i contacted NAB bank and they have changed my account to a gold debit account , it offers unlimited withdrawals from atm's with no fee, normally they would charge $23 per transaction to convert it to thai baht, only fee i need to pay is the 150 baht atm fee, sound ok? ill also change over $500 to baht before i leave

Curt,

I thought AEON now charged the same as the other rip-off Thai banks, that is, 150 baht per withdrawal for all non-Thai bank cards.

Not last week, still free of charge then.

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Diving Phuket and Similans

AEON isn't Thai and isn't a bank.

As of yesterday, good rates and no fees. The good news is that AEON ATMs are showing up more and more.

Well that is good news regarding AEON. More power to them.

could someone please tell me what exchange rate you get from withdrawing thai baht from an atm? So if i was to withdraw $300 australian how much thai baht would i get?
Thanks guys