Paying For Your Thailand Holiday

There are primarily four ways to pay for your Thailand vacation.

1. Cash. You can bring cash to Thailand to fund your holiday but there are some rules you need to know. If you bring more than $10,000 you must declare it in the country you are departing and also in Thailand. You are also susceptible to having your cash stolen.
2. Credit Card. Using a credit is easy but there are some precautions. Credit card skimming (stealing your number and Personal Identification Number) is a possibility even in a five-star hotel. Only use a credit card at a place you totally trust or as a last resort. Ensure you check your statements closely after you return. It is also a good idea to notify your credit card company when you will be in Thailand or your card may be blocked.
3. Debit Card. This used to be the ideal financial tool for your vacation. Less likely to be stolen and easier to use. As long as you had money in your home account, you could use any of the thousands of ATM machines. Now, almost every Thai bank charges 150 baht (approximately $5.00) per transaction and your home bank may also charge a fee. ATM scams are on the rise in Thailand, so only use those ATM machines inside or right outside a Thai bank.
4. Travelers Checks. The biggest plus with travelers checks are you can get refunded if they are stolen. One of the negatives are you may have to pay a fee to get them and a fee to cash them. Another issue is that you will have to cash them during banking hours at a bank or get a ridiculously low exchange rate at your hotel.

Regardless of what you decide, converting your home currency to Thai baht is easy. There are banks and currency exchanges all over the country. Remember to bring your passport when you go to exchange currency.

I recommend that you do not change any of your home currency to Thai baht before your depart. The rate will be terrible and there are numerous currency exchange booths at the Bangkok International Airport.

Ensure that you secure your cash valuables, and other financial instruments in the room safe. Only carry enough cash to get your through the day or night.

I suggest a combination of cash and travelers check with a bank card for emergency. Especially if you can get the travelers check free from your bank. Some money in your home account will ensure you will still have a good vacation if your go over budget.

Whatever you decide, you will have a great holiday in Thailand.

Larry Westfall is a retired expat living in Thailand and spends his free time with his metal detector at Thailand’s beaches.

Author: Larry Westfall
Article Source: EzineArticles.com