Travellers Checks in Thailand?

Hi guys

So I plan on backpacking in and arouund southern Thailand beginning of November and had a question about using travellers checks. I do not want to be carrying a ton of THB around with me travelling and I looked up traveller's checks being the safest means of carrying around currency for money day to day.

I was wondering if there many places at the main Cities/ beaches to cash these checks. Anything I should look out for as far as scams? How have other fellow backpackers handled their currency travelling in Thailand.

Any feedback would be great, thanks!

Anything I should look out for as far as scams?

1. don't let strangers tell you what to do or offering to do things for you, and especially
2. offering any deals which seem too good to be true

That'll cover most of it.

I don't fully understand your question about money:

I do not want to be carrying a ton of THB around with me travelling

You shouldn't carry around a lot of any denomination of cash

the safest means of carrying around currency for money day to day

it was never the point of t-cheques to be used as a day to day source of money. You cash a cheque every few days, keep most of the money in a secure place (such as in money belt) and every morning get out enough for the day, and keeping that in a safer place than a wallet in your back pocket.

In other words, the point of t-cheques was to avoid carrying around cash. That function has now been largely replaced by the debit card and ATMs, although I still find some t-cheques handy at least as backup.

you can cash a TC at any bank branch in the country. you just take your TC and Passport, go into the bank and wait in line.

there is a flat rate per cheque (as opposed to a fixed % fee) to cash them, so get the largest demomination you can find.

Edited by: Geer37

Travel money cards are also a good bet. After paying for the card you don't usually pay withdrawl fees and they give pretty good exchange rates.

As for advice I'd echo what #1 said. Try and exchange at reputable money changers such as banks or established travel agents. Know your exchange rate before hand and know what each cheque is worth.

Because Thai banks have the 150 fee for ATM withdrawals, TC's have made a come back.

Just to point out that in some countries you can use TCs for 'day to day' and a wide range of merchants accept them as currency.

This is not so in Thailand, where you basically cash them at a bank or money changer.

A standard response to this question is to take all kinds of money: cash, cards, TCs. How you use them depends on your own preference, old dogs like me use TCs a fair bit, others prefer the 150 bt card in the slot

The amount of cash you carry depends on your tolerance for such things, I carry a fair bit, others think they become a walking target because they've got 1000 bt in their pocket.

Quote "This is not so in Thailand, where you basically cash them at a bank or money changer."
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That goes for much of Asia as well . Using TC for day to day and paying shops and merchants with them mainly applies to America.
Travelers checks never really went away as they are easier to replace than a card if lost or stolen and in any case when off the beaten track in some countries there may be no ATMs.
Travellers checks stay good untill used , some money cards have a time limit.

Regarding beaches - Islands such as Ko Payam (Phayam) , Liitle Ko Chang both on Andaman side don't have banks or ATMs , you must change enough money before going. Ko Chang , Trat province has some ATMs but not banks changing TC , Ko Kood island I think has neither banks/money exchanges or ATMs.. Travellers checks can be changed at bank exchange counters at Ko Phangan and Ko Samui and Phuket. Other more remote islands again you need to bring enough cash before going .
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Note - For anyone going to Malaysia as well - Banks and money changers there don't like TC and charge high commissions , except for money changers in Penang which give good rates and don't charge commission. Tioman island is difficult place to change money or to find ATM,s , bring cash before going.

I much prefer using an ATM card to using TCs. Even though you pay 150B to use your ATM, buying TCs charges you fees in the first place so it's really not a big difference (if there is any at all). Just withdraw larger sums of money from the ATM each time you go. Another advantage of the ATM is that you'll be able to use them 24/7 rather than TCs, which you can only cash during banking hours so could potentially find yourself without cash, unable to find an open bank - especially during the many Thai holidays. Just my personal preference, though.

I don't carry vast sums of cash on me, of course, but I carry money in Thailand the same way I do in Canada (or any other country). In my wallet, in my purse. I've never had a problem.

Buying travel money cards also involves a fee . In any case the commission you pay when you buy travellers checks is a one off amount - you pay it just once , whereas with ATM cards everytime you withrdaw you are paying about 110 baht more than what you would be charged with cashing travellers checks , so it does add up and becomes significantly more expensive. I knew a girl who once arrived on Ko Phangan island with just her credit card and none of the ATMs in Thongsala would accept the card , she ended up having to go to Ko Samui to find a machine that would accept her card , so it doesn't always work out more convienient.
For larger amounts of cash your wallet or purse is not recommended , much safer to have it in flat money bellt around you waist under your clothes. Although you have never had a problem , you are only one person , it comes down to luck and others have had problem.
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Other tips -
Never put money passport etc in day pack even if locked , or in suit case or backpack . Never put money / valuables in stowed luggage on travel agency night buses , and never put money or even foreign coins in stowed luggage when checking in at Bangkok airport.
On the beach if wanting to swim farther from shore and nobody to mind your things use waterproof money belt or waterproof it yourself using plastic bags - it works !.

One tip take photos of your passport visa etc and important documents and put them on a cloud somewhere (online storage) That way you can always show the consulate or police copies of the documents should you lose them or should they get stolen (usually pretty safe in Thailand).

Thanks you so much for everyone replies, this is extremely helpful! Looks like having a combination of both some travellers checks and ATM when accessible will do!

See aso this THREAD about theft of credit card and complications involved in getting replacement.

Hello, Why not open a bank account when you come here, usually kasikorn banks will do this for foreigners and then you can get a local atm card (on the same day) and you will not be charged for withdrawals. you can just fund the account with travellers cheques.

To open a bank account usually requires residential address.