ATMs in Thailand
 

any tips on this and fees? which is the best card to use?

1. Fees will depend on your bank. I think Kathie has mentioned that some banks in the US will refund any foreign withdraw fees.

2. Any ATMs will work but some will have not withdraw fees(see 1) like AEON machines but there are limited numbers of them. Link to their location: http://www.aeon.co.th/en/customerser..._depositor.php

Citibank machines, only a few of them in Thailand, will not have nay foreign fees as well.

IMO, you might spend more for taxis and time looking for these machines!

The highest fees are likely to come from your own bank. Check with your bank and see what they charge to use a foreign ATM (the big banks charge $5 per use) and what they charge for foreign currency exchange (most charge 3%). On top of that you pay the fee that the owner of the ATM charges, often 120 baht (about $4).

Many credit unions and small banks will refund whatever the ATM charges you, and they often have free ATM withdrawals, up to so many a month. They still charge something for foreign exchange. Many brokerage bank accounts refund ATM charges and don't charge per use. Mine charges just 1% on foreign exchange.

Do your research ahead of your trip. You may want to open an account for your international trips based on ATM charges.

AEON Bank ATM Machine does not charge the dreaded THB 150 (around $5) withdrawal fee for non-Thai issued debt cards. In my experience, AEON exchange rate is $5 better for every THB 10K (around $330) withdrawn. The branch I use mainly is located at 3rd floor - BigC Ratchdamri store: http://www.flickr.com/photos/kalboz/6646179623/

Of course having cash or travelers checks you will always the better deal, especially if you exchange at SuperRich branches:

Ratchdamri: http://www.flickr.com/photos/kalboz/4367455050/

Chitlom BTS Station: http://www.flickr.com/photos/kalboz/6605760021/

Hey, Kal, I've done the comparison a number of times. I've found with my card that charges only 1% on foreign exchange, I get a better rate than cash, as I get the wholesale (bank) rate from my bank. But in any case, once you eliminate the bank charges, the differences are small.

PS I agree that SuperRich has the best exchange rates for cash.

all ATM's will charge a 150 B per transaction, so take out larger rather than smaller amounts.

Bob, except for the Aeon machines, as per Hanuman's post above.

thanks all-big help!

I have heard that Government Savings Bank (GSB) ATMs also do not charge the dreaded THB 150 (around $5) withdrawal fee for non-Thai issued debt cards. But I have yet to get any of their ATMs to accept my debit card! GSB has a staffed booth and an ATM at Asok BTS station on the MRT side.

I use debit cards through US credit unions. They also issue travelers checks without any commission. They also pay for some of my ATM charges even from overseas. My limit is about $10 a month so that is 2 withdrawals from bank ATM's that are not Aeon.

When home I always get some travelers checks. In THAILAND they are easy to cash and the exchange rate is a little better than ordinary cash. Only 33 baht to cash a travelers check and when compared to the 150 baht fee from regular ATM's that is a bargain! Skip the low value travelers checks and only bring the largest denominations you can get. Why pay 33 baht fees for $10 checks? Same for ATM withdrawals - take out the most you can at one time to cut down on big fees for small amounts.

When changing currency over I don't bother chasing down the absolutely best rate. The exchange rate changes every working day anyway, sometimes more than once in the same day. A few days later the "best" rate at one bank or even SuperRich might be the normal rate for regular banks that day.

i did not know that and i can't waste time looking for those machines... i am annoyed with the 150 charge, but just forget about it..

you can drive yourself crazy trying to save a few bucks on exchange rates... bargain a little harder and you make up the money..