Guest shockdevil Posted December 24, 2008 Posted December 24, 2008 Does anyone know about the currency exchange rates when it comes to the USD Bank Notes? I remember the last time I was in Thailand there was usually a slightly higher exchange rate for present $100 Bank Notes compared to $50’s and $20’s, $10’s, etc. Are the exchange rates the same for USD $100’s and USD $50’s when going to the bank to convert to Thai Baht? I am leaving in 2 days for Thailand and have mostly $50’s. I want to make sure I get the most for my notes. Quote
PattayaMale Posted December 24, 2008 Posted December 24, 2008 You are right, you get more for $100. If they are not in good condition, many banks won't exchange them Quote
Gaybutton Posted December 24, 2008 Posted December 24, 2008 I am leaving in 2 days for Thailand and have mostly $50’s. Why carry a large amount of cash at all? If something happens to it, you're up Shit Creek. You get a better rate with travel checks than with cash anyway, so if I were you I'd get travel checks instead. Pattayamale is right. Unless the 50's are new bills, in close to mint condition, most banks are going to refuse to exchange them. The difference between rates for different dollar denominations is negligible. Unless you're planning to spend thousands upon thousands of dollars, it's not going to make a significant difference. I advise travel checks. If it were me I would only bring a few travel checks in case of emergency. I'd put all those 50's back into the bank and bring an ATM card instead. The last thing I would do is carry cash. If you decide to take my advice and use your ATM card instead, make sure you notify the issuing bank before your trip. Let them know where you will be and your travel dates. That way they won't lock your card and it's a lot less hassle if there is any fraudulent use of your card. Ask your bank for an international contact number in case anything happens to the card or if they lock it despite your prior call. Quote
Guest MonkeySee Posted December 24, 2008 Posted December 24, 2008 GayButton is right, in that you receive the best rate for traveler's checks. You pay about 33 baht for each check cashed no matter if it is a $1,000 check or a $20 check. In changing cash, I believe you receive the same rate for both $100 and $50 dollar bills. Quote
Guest luvthai Posted December 24, 2008 Posted December 24, 2008 If you carry cash make sure they are new issue as the thai banks won't accept older issue monies. I always carry $100 travelers checks but will also carry 500 in cash just for a backup. Quote
Guest Astrrro Posted December 24, 2008 Posted December 24, 2008 As far as cash goes, 100's get a better rate than 20's which get a better rate than 1's. I'll check tomorrow about 50's and report back. If you can get travelers checks for free (if you have an Amex card or at some credit unions) that's an excellent option as TC get a better rate than cash. If you use traveler's checks using 500's are best as you pay only a 33 baht fee as opposed to 165 baht if exchanging five 100's, but they're not always easy to get. Quote
Guest shockdevil Posted December 25, 2008 Posted December 25, 2008 As far as cash goes, 100's get a better rate than 20's which get a better rate than 1's. I'll check tomorrow about 50's and report back. Thanks for checking on the $50's. The banks are now closed for the Christmas holiday here and I cannot change my $50's but I have some $100's as well. I am only bringing enough cash to pay for my apartment because they take cash only (Baht). I will be using my ATM and credit cards for the most part. However, I want to make sure I get the better exchange rate for the apartment fees. I also contacted my financial institutions to let them know where I will be in Asia as well as the time frame. Thanks for the advice everyone. Quote
Gaybutton Posted December 25, 2008 Posted December 25, 2008 The banks are now closed for the Christmas holiday here and I cannot change my $50's Do the banks have to be open? Don't they have cash deposit machines? Quote
Guest MonkeySee Posted December 25, 2008 Posted December 25, 2008 Thanks for checking on the $50's. The banks are now closed for the Christmas holiday here and I cannot change my $50's but I have some $100's as well. I am only bringing enough cash to pay for my apartment because they take cash only (Baht). I will be using my ATM and credit cards for the most part. However, I want to make sure I get the better exchange rate for the apartment fees. I also contacted my financial institutions to let them know where I will be in Asia as well as the time frame. Thanks for the advice everyone. I noticed on the currency board of a bank on South Pattaya Road, that $100 and $50 dollar bills give the same rate which was 34.37 baht to the dollar, today. 20's thru 5's give 33.97 baht and $1 and $2 bills were 33.63 baht to the dollar. Traveler checks gave 34.54 baht to the dollar. Quote
Guest MonkeySee Posted December 25, 2008 Posted December 25, 2008 Do the banks have to be open? Don't they have cash deposit machines? My bank ATM at home only gave out $20 bills. If you are looking for $100 and $50's, you have to get them from the teller. Quote
Guest lvdkeyes Posted December 25, 2008 Posted December 25, 2008 I will be using ...... and credit cards for the most part. Be careful about where you use a credit card here. There are various scams regarding credit cards. Quote
Guest bali_exodus Posted December 29, 2008 Posted December 29, 2008 Does anyone know about the currency exchange rates when it comes to the USD Bank Notes? I remember the last time I was in Thailand there was usually a slightly higher exchange rate for present $100 Bank Notes compared to $50’s and $20’s, $10’s, etc. Are the exchange rates the same for USD $100’s and USD $50’s when going to the bank to convert to Thai Baht? I am leaving in 2 days for Thailand and have mostly $50’s. I want to make sure I get the most for my notes. Wow you have a lot of money yah ... hahahahahhahahahah Quote
Gaybutton Posted December 29, 2008 Posted December 29, 2008 Wow you have a lot of money yah ... hahahahahhahahahah If there is some sort of point to that post, I missed it. The US dollar closed against the baht today at 34.78 according to the web site I follow: http://www.krungsri.com/eng/exchange01.aspx If it reaches 35 again, that's when I will start making daily reports. Quote
Guest lvdkeyes Posted December 29, 2008 Posted December 29, 2008 Today I saw several currency exchanges that were offering 35.27 for traveler's checks. Quote
Guest MonkeySee Posted December 29, 2008 Posted December 29, 2008 Today I saw several currency exchanges that were offering 35.27 for traveler's checks. What bank was that? In Pattaya or Bangkok? Maybe that rate was for selling US notes but not buying. Quote
Guest lvdkeyes Posted December 29, 2008 Posted December 29, 2008 What bank was that? In Pattaya or Bangkok? Maybe that rate was for selling US notes but not buying. That might have been for selling, I just glanced at several exchanges walking from The Avenue to the songthiew near the school in Pattaya. Quote
