Money
 

We are leaving on Friday for two weeks in Bangkok, Siem Reap and Krabi. How much cash (US $) should we bring and in what denominations? Is it best to just use the ATMs when we get there for Baht, or should we go to american express here in the US and get some before we leave? In cambodia how should we get currency? I am assuming just ATMs for the local currency is best...thats what we always do in Europe, but this is our first time inm SE Asia. Thanks for all the advice!

Yes, in Thailand you can easily use ATMs to get Thai baht. It's easy and quick = there is an ATM just outside the baggage claim area when you arrive in Bangkok.

In Siem Reap, there are not yet any ATMs. You'll need US dollars which is the preferred currency in Cambodia. You may receive some riel in change for small items. Spend or donate it before you leave, as it is worthless outside of Cambodia. You'll want lots of 1s, 5s for small purchases. Bring 20s for paying your driver, your temples pass, your visa on arrival and your departure fees.

kathie is 100% right...make sure you have more than one atm card however...in case one goes bad or have some sort of back-up...

i took $600 for SR for 4 days and came home with a couple of hundred...depends on what you need to buy...some places take credit cards but not any small places...

Thanks - good to know about no ATMs in siem reap. We will make sure to have lots of US $ with us. We will be in bangkok at the peninsula before that, should we leave most of the cash in the room safe (if they have one) or carry it on us? Thanks for all the tips, we are so excited for our trip!

Be very wary of using ATMs abroad they are very covenient but can cost you. I live in the UK and British banks vary tremendously in the charges they levy for ATM withdrawals. Some will make a flat charge for each withdrawal (typically £2) or a percentage fee on the amount withdrawn. Worse still the exchange rates used may be as much as 5% below those available from online bureau. US banks may have a different approach but I suggest you check it out with your bank.

I have to say that I love that smiley face w/the $$ eyes. My smiley legend doesn't have that one on it....very cool.

crellston's point is well-taken. You do want to know what your bank will charge you. In the US, I've never heard of a bank charging a percentage of what you withdraw (except for creit card advances- very expensive). BillT here reports that his bank chrges $5 per withdrawal. My bank charges $1.50, and credit unions often have no charge. Also, US banks typically use the "bank rate" for currency conversions which is almost always better than the rate you would get converting cash. I've nver been charged for the used of an ATM by the Thai bank.

Cash is king- take plenty of US in $100 bills- new not damaged or torn or marked. (get them from your bank and examine them before you take them) Then exchange when you get there for Baht.
Carry a security wallet under your shirt. Keep most in your hotel safe with your passport and tickets. Take only what you will use for the day.
I forego ATM's because of the charges and some people have had problems. I also take a credit card just in case.
This has worked for me on all my Asia trips- no problems- everyone takes cash!

kjk
I have called the customer service departments of all the credit cards and ATM cards I have to see which is the most lenient. I've found the Citibank credit cards charge a flat 3% of the amount charged. I know this is true b/c I just received a bill with this charge for my last foreign charge. It comes as a separate line charge on the statement.

One of my ATM cards charges a flat $3 US per transaction, another charges a $1US fee to get cash from a domestic or foreign ATM. So my suggestion is to call your financial institutions and see what your particular situation is.

Post when you return so we can see what worked.

Now I have a question...everyone says there are ATMS just outside the baggage claim area in BKK. What if you're flying all the way to Phuket via BKK?

If you are planning on using ATMs and credit cards, and you do not travel out of the country often, I highly recommend calling your bank and CC companies and have them put a note on your account where and when you will be traveling. Too often, people traveling with us have not been able to use their cards because their bank/cc company did not know they were traveling and thought the activity was unusual. Therefore, they would not let the charges go through until they were called. Trying to call your bank from a pay phone in HK is not fun! Especially when the time differences mean most customer service depts are closed while you are awake.

SJLBK makes an excellent point. I always use my Mastercard overseas but a couple of years ago, when in Burma, I had to use my Visa since it was the only card to do business there. When I tried to use the card, the charge was blocked and I had to call the bank in the US. Luckily I got through with no problem and was able to then use the card.

Absolutely! Call your credit card companies and your bank and let them know your dates and countries of travel. Credit card companies have become more and more cautious about fraud and will block charges they think may be fraudulent. Indeed, I called AmEx when I charged plane tickets I was buying at the AmEx office in Bangkok. They said they wouldn't have allowed the charge without my call.

Are traveler's checks obsolete? I used to prefer them. Thanks!