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Tire
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A friend and I are taking our first big plunge next month. Clearly we'll be in over our heads; but hoping for the best!
I was wondering about ATMs. I've seen threads that talk about the US ATMs I'm used to (plop a card in and get cash), but I also see references that suggest using $100 bills.
Do the ATMs in BKK take US currency, or am I misreading? If they do is the exchange rate the same when wrawing with a card?
Basically we have no idea if we should arrive with a bunch of cash or travellers checks. How much, if any, we should convert at the airport, and how the conversion if done.
We'll be at the Grand Presidente, so if if there will be an ATM nearby that takes cards, it would ease my mind to take a smaller amount of cash with me.
Finally - if anyone has been able to survive my long windedness, something a little off topic... I've looked at maps and such, but I have no feel for distance. Nana Plaza and Soi Cowboy areas both seem about equal distance; but I have no feel for if that's 1/2 a mile away or 3 miles away. Will we be learning a lot about local transportation during our stay? Or is it reasonable to walk to your destinations?
Thanks!
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Bangkok Girls : Meet Attractive Thai Girls
Posted on: 6:46 pm on Feb. 4, 2003
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seubeu
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I think the point was that the Currency Exchange places (and banks) are more likely to accept these bills or give the best rates for them. I know that there is a different official rate for traveler's cheques, but never really bothered to understand that one.
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Bangkok Women : Meet Sensual Bangkok Women
Posted on: 6:53 pm on Feb. 4, 2003
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Tire
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Thanks seubeu. The idea that an ATM would also be doing currency conversion with a bill reader seemed a little crazy to me. But what do I know? 
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Thai Girls : Meet Sexy Thai Girls
Posted on: 7:47 pm on Feb. 4, 2003
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BigDUSA
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TC are easy to get rid of and the rates are excellent. You will need your passport. Don't bring 1996 series $100USD. Only this series is hard to get rid of. ATM are all over the place. 8 days
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Bangkok Girls : Meet Sexy Bangkok Girls
Posted on: 1:55 pm on Feb. 9, 2003
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michaelb
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On my first trip in December I was much like you - I brought a little of everything. Cash, ATM, Traveler's Checks not knowing which would be best.
My next trip I will take a little cash and my ATM card. Make sure your card is a Cirrus Card and you'll be fine.
There are ATM's everywhere and typically they will give you the selection to withdraw anywhere from $2500 to $15,000 baht (about $350 US approx.).
Take a few hundred in cash - new bills, and use those if you want in the airport to immediately convert to local currency, or you can just use your ATM card. Take more Traveler's checks than cash if you want to carry money with you as you will get a higher exchange rate for TC's than cash at the money changers...however, make SURE they are American Express TC's...DO NOT take anything else.
Michaelb
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Bangkok Girls : Meet Attractive Thai Girls
Posted on: 2:14 pm on Feb. 9, 2003
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ABC
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Tire:
Just bring cash, $100 bills. It's always better if you bring the newer ones, but I had no problems exchanging the old ones either. Okay. If the old ones look ragity and dirty, you might have more issues.
Keep the ATM card for if you run out of cash while you are out and about.
I'd only use your credit card at the hotel and under extreme circumstances where you can't find and ATM. Try not to use your credit card unless absolutely neccessary.
I convert 50% of my money at the airport. I know. I can get a better rate if I search around. I figure that if I need to carry my passport around as well as all my cash, it much easier to convert 1/2 of it at the airport and then I don't have to waste time trying to convert it later. Since it's a 23 hours trip from the time I leave SFO til I am sitting in my room, I don't want to waste another minute of my time.
But ... if you are really concerned about the rate, then just change $100's at the airport and then change the rest later. To me, it's just convenience.
Of course, it goes without saying that you never convert your money at the hotel.
Take a taxi or skytrain. Very economical and easy to use. Walking in the heat and humidity is not fun. I'm sure the females don't like to see a sweaty male walkin' into their establishment. ha ha ha!!
And .. even if the females don't mind, I always like to be feeling "Fresh", relaxed and comfortable when I enter the establishments. ha ha ha!!
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Bangkok Women : Meet Beautiful Thai Girls
Posted on: 2:54 pm on Feb. 9, 2003
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michaelb
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As for your other question, you are about a 15 minute walk to Nana Plaza, a little further to Soi Cowboy, take a cab per ABC...very humid in BKK...Michaelb
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Bangkok Girls : Meet Attractive Thai Girls
Posted on: 3:31 pm on Feb. 9, 2003
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Tire
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Thanks guys. Great info. I fear the taxi because of the language barrier and the potential of being taken for a ride (wow - awful pun...) - but I hadn't thought about the humidity. I shall live and learn!
Tire
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Thai Girls : Meet Active Thai Girls
Posted on: 7:08 pm on Feb. 9, 2003
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ABC
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Tire:
I would not worry about getting taken for a ride. I believe that most thai's are honest. And bankok is crowded and realtively small in sq. miles for the places you would want to go. If you are going to get taken, it might be only for a couple baht.
Like you said. Live and learn. You will hvae a great time exploring BKK whether in a taxi, skytrain, or walking.
Just be smart!!
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Thai Women : Meet Matured Thai Women
Posted on: 8:33 pm on Feb. 9, 2003
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pinga
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TIRE,
"old" US $100 bank notes usually don't face any problem if you exchange 'em at the Airport. I think it is better to exchange few of those old notes upon arrival and keep the TCs till you run out of cash few days later. You can cash TCs almost everywhere downtown and the exchange rate is always a bit better than the one used for the bank notes....
Your ATM card should be PLUS or CIRRUS if you wanna cash BAHTs from the local ATMs. Thai ATMs will give you ONLY local currency. IMHO If you do need to get US Dollars your best bet is to take your passport and hit the Airport exchange counters....Ah! try to use the Credit Card only to pay the hotel bill or any other major purchase. Use cash whenever possible. HAVE FUN!!
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Bangkok Girls : Meet Attractive Thai Girls
Posted on: 9:18 pm on Feb. 9, 2003
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