[batistuta]

Hi All,

I will be travelling to Thailand next week.It would be expensive for me to use  my debit card in Thailand as my bank charges 12.5% service tax as well as rs 120 per transaction.So, can anyone advise me on wht is the best way to use money abroad.Buy travellers cheques or convert rupees into dollars and then convert it again into Thai baht which may be expensive too.
I will be thankful for any advice,

Regards,
  Batistuta.

[jyotirmoy]

How long will you be in Thailand? Carry a credit card & use it where ever possible. Carry Euros or US$ which you can convert to local currency. Some traveller's cheques for emergency.

[captmahajan]

converting dollars to baht will probably be the best. using Indian credit cards abroad can be expensive, besides the bank charges you mention, you get stuck with expensive or unfavourable exchange rates.

[batistuta]

I will be there for 2 weeks.I will take dollars and convert it into baht then.

Thx for the advice,

Regards,
  Batistuta.

Edited by batistuta, 21 July 2006 - 09:11 PM.

[jyotirmoy]

Captain,
Indian international credit cards do not draw any surcharge... I had been been using my CITI bank & Dinners Club card all over the world

batistuta
For two weeks you better carry cash

[sanj]

jyotirmoy, on Jul 21 2006, 07:10 PM, said:

For two weeks you better carry cash

I agree. I found that converting cash gave the best deal in Bangkok, versus UK credit and debit cards. Also I found rates better in the capital than elsewhere.

sanj

[jyotirmoy]

sanj, on Jul 27 2006, 11:54 AM, said:

I agree. I found that converting cash gave the best deal in Bangkok, versus UK credit and debit cards. Also I found rates better in the capital than elsewhere.

sanj

I always check out a few places to find the best rate. At the airport in Prague two outlets situated side by side were offering different rates.
Another word of caution: Never fall for black market deals. Always go to authorised outlets & also obtain a recipt & keep it with you.

[BlueRose]

as far as money is concerned, perhaps keeping a stash in more than one place is a wise idea. For instance, do get some travellers checks and keep them in a separate place than the cash you are carrying. In the event you lose one backpack etc,,, you have another safe place.

[batistuta]

After completing my trip to bangkok I agree with the views expressed by sanj and others.getting Indian rupees  converted to dollars and then again to baht was still less expensive than taking thai baht frm India.
  Also ,they give higher exchange rates to $100 and $50 bills than $1,$5 and $10 bills.
  The exchange rate during my last day there was 37.21 baht=$1 for a $100 bill.

Edited by batistuta, 03 September 2006 - 07:48 PM.