blonde poker forum

Flying out Phuket tomorrow evening for 7 nights.

1st time I'm going there so wondering what the exchange bureaus are like there

Am I better off exchanging only a little here and the rest there or exchange it all before I go?

Thanks

Ash

Just withdraw from the cash points mate. They charge you x amount for withdrawing (I forget how much) but it's not a lot and it doesn't vary on how much you withdraw. When you withdraw from an ATM the bank always gives you a really good rate too.

I'm heading there in a few months and have been told to exhance nothing in advance- even at the airport in Bangkok you will get a better exchange rate than here in the UK.

Was so used to getting ripped off by the bureau's at airports was so refreshing to get a really good rate at Bangkok airport.

I went this January and exchanged here. Rates in BKK at the time were much worse. Changed some at Koh Samui on the last day and had reverted to similar to UK. Guess as with most currencies it's about timing.

There is a place in BKK that is the absolute nuts.

ALL the poker players that live here go only to this place after live trips to exchange cash.

http://www.superrich1965.com/

They take less than 1% and you'll be in and out in no time. It's also a safe location and right next to a huge shopping mall and on the BTS skytrain line.

Otherwise in general Thai banks and bureaus do way better rates than you will get in the UK.

When I transfer money from my UK bank to my Thai bank I ALWAYS instruct the money to be sent in pounds and let the thai bank do the conversion.

About 47 at the airport in the UK currently, just about the worst possible option!!!

I don't know about the bureaus over there but I do know that this particular bit of advice is terrible.

Cash points are really convenient but unless you have a special overseas card the only place you'll get worse value for your sterling is at a UK airport.

If you're not bothered about losing a few quid every time you take money out then cash points are definitely best but if you're penny pinching then avoid them.

thanks for the suggestions

I was thinking about just using my card like I've done on recent trips to Europe

Cos, will try your recommendation if laziness doesn't set in!

FWIW id never use the bureaus like Travelex at the airport, they're the biggest rip off merchants

Exchanged £100 at one of these at La Guardia in New York and got $118 back lol

Tbh if cos's suggestion isnt close to where you are going alot of the money exchange shops in the resorts do good rates. Just shop around a little bit when you get to phuket and change a lump when you find the best rate. The rate was pushing 55 in the resorts 3 or 4 days ago according to my mates there. That is about 10% above the average I've had over the years so you are going at a good time!

Brilliant thanks Woodsey

The best I can find here is 52....think I'll exchange a small amount here just incase and will get the rest done there

If you have a bulk of Baht left over when you're back I may be around to buy them up, drop me a message if so.

And if baldock isn't around I can definitely buy it for £ or online $$ at xe rate

There is a Superrich at BKK airport opposite where the trains are at the lowest level of the airport.  If you are going to change money at the airport well worth using this.

Will do 👍👍

I have heard this before but never understood it

If the spot rate is 55 how can they make money changing at 55?

No idea, I know the rate was about 54.70 as of a couple of days ago and the spot was a smidgen over 50 at the same time, guess margins are just very small.

55 not 50

Speculation amongst anyone I've asked the exact question Stu did here is that it's been set up to clean dirty money. That's pure speculation though.

The small outlets you will find at BTS stops (and airport) will charge a slightly different rate to what you will get at their main office where I went but still better than anything you'll find in England.

Confirmed, 52 is the airport rate, 54.90 is available at the exchange shops. Fkkkkk I was drunk last night......

In that case please keep off the..... Post a picture thread..... until you have checked your camera.

Think I lost my phone too, What a clown I am.....  ;grr;

Nooo. Hope you find it. Seriously though, appreciate any pictures you manage to take, I really enjoy looking at peoples travels.

No worries, off up into the sticks tomorrow for a few days, will get some interesting ones then.

Brill.. Did you find it?

Yeah, I basically came in drunk and sat in hotel reception and fell asleep in one of the chairs down there lol. When I woke up I just got up and walked off to my room and left the phone on the chair. One of the cleaning ladies found it and handed it into reception which was very nice of her, gave her a bit of money obviously.

That is good news.