How safe is your cash ( Safe deposit boxes )

[Veronica Mc]

How much Baht can you bring into the country or is it best to exchange once you arrive?

[Big Boy]

Without a doubt, exchange once you are in Thailand.

[Siani]

It is very easy to open a thai bank account. Just go into the Kasikorn bank with ID passport, proof of where you live like a rental agreement for a condo. Also a mobile Thai phone number (can buy a SIM at airport). Then within 20 mins you are issued with a Thai bank account and an ATM card. You can deposit as little 2000 baht. You can use the visa debit all over Thailand. Easy

[tood ling]

careful about putting money in your shoe. l was warned the police dont like it. picture of king on the money. must be respected . just saying

[chopsticks]

Good point, worth remembering.

[Veronica Mc]

Good point, worth remembering.

Ok thanks folks....I will deffo open a account ....do you then use a currency group to keep transferring money from your UK bank (In my case Spanish bank) as would presume expensive to keep transferring directly from your own bank to Thai bank?? we will not be working, just long holiday

[crazy88]

Crocket

As Siani suggests open a Thai bank account and you will get a debit card issued on the spot for 2-3 quid with 100-150k baht per day limit on cash withdrawal and a better exchange rate than the tourist booths. Limit on all mine for debit seems to be 20k before they start making phone calls which is a good thing as me, plastic and expensive electronics shops do not mix well. I'm not sure about other banks but Ayudhya only ask for your passport and invariably match or beat the base exchange rate. Transfer sometimes same day or at least within 24 hours weekdays. If you ask for an international card you can withdraw what is left when you get home. Just asked my mother about her HSBC and it is 200 bt a go at the atm

Crazy 88

[Veronica Mc]

Thanks Crazy 88, this sounds good as we will be arriving with monies on a package holiday for a week, so we can deposit in Ayudhya bank straight away, as will need to look around within the week in HH to find long term accommodation .....Do you have the bank address or are there many?

[Korkenzieher]

@Veronica - there's banks everywhere in Hua Hin, but common consensus seems to suggest that the branches in Market Village (where Tesco is) are a little more 'foreigner friendly' than some others.

[Veronica Mc]

Korkenzieher I mean are there many of this branch....Ayudhya bank as Crazy88 has said you can open with just a passport....I will be looking for accommodation when we arrive but just thought a great idea if we can put monies into account straight away without an address.

PS is Tesco a small or large store ?

[Korkenzieher]

You'll find branches of Ayudhya and most other banks dotted around with no great problem. Where you might experience more of a problem is finding someone who understands English. Market Village generally is used to dealing with tourists and resident foreigners more than a regular high street branch would be. That doesn't mean you can't find competent English speakers in the other branches - it is just likely to be a bit harder. I don't honestly remember if there is a branch of Ayudhya Bank at Market Village - there are several banks, but I only need to use my own.

Tesco is a large store, but maybe not quite on the scale you would see some in the UK.

[barrys]

Ayudhya don's have a branch in MV.

However, the branch at the main traffic lights in HH has now extended its business hours and they do speak enough English there.

I've opened personal and business accounts there and have always found them very helpful.

[hhfarang]

We use the Ayudhya sub branch in the south end of town near the flyover and the ladies in there speak English. The only problem I have with them is that their exchange rate (for dollars at least) is usually a little bit below most of the other banks... not enough to be important if you are on holiday, but if you live here and are constantly bringing in dollars it adds up.

If you look at the rate comparison site, they are always on or near the bottom...

http://bankexchangerates.daytodaydata.net/default.aspx

[Veronica Mc]

Ok thanks guys for all replies....
The Super Rich (Ratchadamri) seems to have the best exchange rate, has anyone had any experiences with this bank (do they speak English) ? Are they a small or large branch ?

[Veronica Mc]

Ayudhya don's have a branch in MV.

However, the branch at the main traffic lights in HH has now extended its business hours and they do speak enough English there.

I've opened personal and business accounts there and have always found them very helpful.

Ive took note of your tours Barry , will deffo use when we arrive..