Pulling cash from ATM

Post by **matthew80** » Fri Jun 20, 2008 2:14 am

I have to hand over 100,000 thai baht to my new father-in-law during a ceremony. I think it roughly translates to about $3,333 in Canadian funds. What's the best way: bring Canadian cash into Thailand and convert at currency exchange, convert from credit card at Vancouver airport before I depart, or pull from Thai ATM. If it is the last option (ATM) how much cash am I able to withdraw at one go? Thanks for your replies! Cheers!

Post by **Big Boy** » Fri Jun 20, 2008 2:37 am

Matthew,

I don't know the best methods, but can offer a little advice based on personal experience. You must realise that my experience is with UK banks.

1. Change your money in Thailand as you will get a lot more Baht for your money.

2. If you decide to use your ATM card, your daily withdrawal limit will apply, albeit converted into Baht.

3. Let your bank know your intentions before you travel, else you may find your card frozen because large amounts are being withdrawn in a foreign country.

Those are my experiences, I am sure others will add to it.

Post by **sandman67** » Fri Jun 20, 2008 6:03 am

mate the basic rule is this:

involve you r home bank as little as possible

bring it in cash

change it here through any changer

you are better off and the pinstripe f**cks at that end arent

thats the way it is - end of

Post by **matthew80** » Fri Jun 20, 2008 6:22 am

Sounds like I should go with the "bring a wack of cash and change in Thailand" option. Thanks for the prompt advice! Cheers! Matt

Post by **sandman67** » Fri Jun 20, 2008 7:32 am

change it into large denomination Euros and you wont have to carry so much bulk.....

High denom Swiss Francs are even better

Post by **Guess** » Fri Jun 20, 2008 7:43 am

I would go with the don't hand over the 100,000 in cash policy but if its is totally necessary and a bank transfer cannot be done then with bring Canadian Bucks and change at the Bank or bring traveller cheques and change at the bank. The Canadian end of the ATM transaction will rip you off as will all western banks.

Post by **chelsea** » Fri Jun 20, 2008 7:43 am

Mathew80 it would pay to check exactly how much cash that you can bring into the country legally without having to declare it.
In Australia if you bring in more than $10,000 you have to declare to customs that you have the money on you and for what reason you are bringing so much. As long as you declare there is no problem, but if you do not and get caught, they have the power to confiscate it from you.
A word or a look at the Thai Embassy web site would clear all that up for you.
On my Australian ATM Card we can take out up to $1000 (30,000 baht per day).
The safer way would be to do an account or internet banking transfer of the amount from the UK to your inlaws account, that way will only cost you the transfer fee.

Post by **bozzman101** » Fri Jun 20, 2008 8:15 am

sounds like a thai home wedding cermony to me where the real cash notes have to be displayed for the neighbours to drool over
but be carefull with them could walk if nobody is looking after them

Post by **chelsea** » Fri Jun 20, 2008 8:52 am

Matthew80 Here is the regulations as stated on the Thai Embassy site in Sydney
"4. Currency

A. Persons can freely bring on any amount of Thai or Foreign currency into Thailand

B. Persons can freely take out any amount of foreign currency, persons traveling to Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, and Vietnam can take out up to 500,000 Baht. Persons traveling to other countries may take out up to 50,000 Baht"

So looks as though you can bring in what you want but only take out a max of 50,000 in cash. Hope that helps

Post by **moja** » Fri Jun 20, 2008 9:08 am

from personal experience the easiest and safest way to get a large sum of cash is to go the the foreign exchange desk at the Bangkok Bank with your debit card and see Miss Poo.

When we first moved here we needed over 1 million bahts to buy our car and about 10 mins after arriving at the bank a big pile of money was sitting in front of us.

Yes we had informed our bank in the UK that there was going to be a large withdrawal and we had no problems.

Since then we have taken 100000 out on a regular basis with no problem.

You must however take you passport with you and do not go between 1100 and 1300 as Miss Poo usually takes her lunch sometime during that period.

Post by **matthew80** » Fri Jun 20, 2008 10:12 am

Thanks everyone for all the good advice. I'll probably be bringing in about $5000 cash in Canadian funds. And yes, it is for a Thai wedding: dowry, monks, food, booze, karioke, and all the other "incidentals" of which my wife has not yet informed me of .... visa card for backup.