Changing Money in BKK - Swampy
Hi All,
We usually change our Canadian $ to baht before we leave (3 weeks from now). This time I was going to try to do it at BKK in the hopes of getting a better exchange rate as we are only getting 27.7 baht per CDN dollar here in Calgary. We'll be arriving on TG F from FRA and will be waiting in the F lounge for our flight to Hat Yai where we go through customs (as it's an international airport and the first time we see our luggage). Can anyone recommend a place to change money without the need to go through customs at BKK? I imagine we could get a better rate downtown but as long as it's better than what we'd get here in Calgary, we'd prefer not to be rushing around in between flights. Thanks! |
BKK bank branches all give the same rate -- at 1 THB/USD less than in town. Right now you're looking at 30.2 THB/USD. Sorry, I do not know the rate for CAD.
There is a branch (of unknown origin - SCB?) right opposite the outlet of the East Transfer security area and there are others spaced around the international area. My recommendation would be only to get a minor amount at the airport and fill in the rest of your cash later. Of course if you're only planning on spending a minimal amount of the cash the poor exchange rate won't be as problematic. Edit: you're not going through transfer security. Oi. Anyway, you'll find myriad bank outlets in the domestic area with the exact same rate. Unless you're attempting to catch a 7AM flight in which case the branches might not yet be open. |
Originally Posted by dsquared37
(Post 17748817)
BKK bank branches all give the same rate -- at 1 THB/USD less than in town. Right now you're looking at 30.2 THB/USD. Sorry, I do not know the rate for CAD.
There is a branch (of unknown origin - SCB?) right opposite the outlet of the East Transfer security area and there are others spaced around the international area. My recommendation would be only to get a minor amount at the airport and fill in the rest of your cash later. Of course if you're only planning on spending a minimal amount of the cash the poor exchange rate won't be as problematic. |
I believe SCB (Siam Commercial Bank) and TMB (Thai Military Bank) still have exclusive rights for financial services at SBIA. You can check current exchange rates on their web-sites.
And the AOT (Airports of Thailand) web-site, for SBIA, shows the locations of the outlets. I am honestly not sure which have ATMs. http://www.suvarnabhumiairport.com/i...ap_bank_en.php There are facilities in the secure area (international airside). I think you arrive on level 2, so you can see the locations. It looks like the intersections of concourses ABCD and DEFG have a concentration of services. You will have to pay a 150 baht surcharge, in addition to any fees your home bank may add on. |
Originally Posted by transpac
(Post 17748978)
I believe SCB (Siam Commercial Bank) and TMB (Thai Military Bank) still have exclusive rights for financial services at SBIA. You can check current exchange rates on their web-sites.
And the AOT (Airports of Thailand) web-site, for SBIA, shows the locations of the outlets. I am honestly not sure which have ATMs. http://www.suvarnabhumiairport.com/i...ap_bank_en.php There are facilities in the secure area (international airside). I think you arrive on level 2, so you can see the locations. It looks like the intersections of concourses ABCD and DEFG have a concentration of services. You will have to pay a 150 baht surcharge, in addition to any fees your home bank may add on. There are several exchange booths (and ATMs) in the D concourse stretch of the domestic area about 50 meters west of the A/B/C/D confluence. |
We can do ATM's, exchanges and/or both. Couldn't just be ATM's as we are there for a month and will need more than the daily ATM allowance. Trying to find out what would be the best bang for the buck from the available options on the pre-customs side of Swampy.
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In my frequent travel in SE Asia (BKK in Sept 2011) I find the best rate is for USD $100 bills. The rate is not as good for smaller denominations.
The rate offered for CDN$ is worse than changing CDN$ to US$ and then Baht. I always have a collection of B. Franklin portraits when I travel around SE Asia. Swampy ATM charges 150Baht fees on top of what your home bank charges. There might also be daily maximum imposed by the ATM or you bank. |
Originally Posted by tentseller
(Post 17749796)
In my frequent travel in SE Asia (BKK in Sept 2011) I find the best rate is for USD $100 bills. The rate is not as good for smaller denominations.
The rate offered for CDN$ is worse than changing CDN$ to US$ and then Baht. I always have a collection of B. Franklin portraits when I travel around SE Asia. Swampy ATM charges 150Baht fees on top of what your home bank charges. There might also be daily maximum imposed by the ATM or you bank. |
Originally Posted by RoninTech
(Post 17749590)
We can do ATM's, exchanges and/or both. Couldn't just be ATM's as we are there for a month and will need more than the daily ATM allowance. Trying to find out what would be the best bang for the buck from the available options on the pre-customs side of Swampy.
What you'll need to figure out is this: Do the BKK ATMs also give a lower rate than in town?
Originally Posted by tentseller
(Post 17749796)
In my frequent travel in SE Asia (BKK in Sept 2011) I find the best rate is for USD $100 bills. The rate is not as good for smaller denominations.
The rate offered for CDN$ is worse than changing CDN$ to US$ and then Baht. I always have a collection of B. Franklin portraits when I travel around SE Asia.
Originally Posted by tentseller
(Post 17749796)
Swampy ATM charges 150Baht fees on top of what your home bank charges. There might also be daily maximum imposed by the ATM or you bank.
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Originally Posted by dsquared37
(Post 17749951)
What you'll need to figure out is this: Do the BKK ATMs also give a lower rate than in town?
Thanks for all the feedback so far! :) |
Originally Posted by RoninTech
(Post 17749976)
Since I don't have access to town I think I just need to figure out whether the currency exchange booths give better deals than the ATMs accessible in our pre-customs situation. Hopefully someone has experience with this and will pipe up.
Thanks for all the feedback so far! :) If the ATMs will also give you the 'normal rate minus 1.0 THB' then I'd recommend bringing as much cash as you feel comfortable carrying. It will be a better deal than using the ATM. You keep mentioning 'pre-customs' but that has no bearing on your scenario. All banks in the airport, whether in the international or domestic areas, give exactly the same rate. In fact, even having not gone through customs (which you'll do upon picking up your bags in HDY) you will go through immigration in BKK and then can wander anywhere in the airport or outisde. Your best bet for exchange is, in order: 1) bank exchange off BKK grounds 2) bank exchange in Hat Yai 3) ATM in Hat Yai 3) exchange at BKK 4) ATM in BKK Here is a very informative site http://bankexchangerates.daytodaydata.net/default.aspx |
Originally Posted by RoninTech
(Post 17749976)
Since I don't have access to town I think I just need to figure out whether the currency exchange booths give better deals than the ATMs accessible in our pre-customs situation. Hopefully someone has experience with this and will pipe up.
Thanks for all the feedback so far! :) I have never been to Had Yai so am not sure what facilities are at the airport there? http://www.airportthai.co.th/hat_yai...ative_map.html My best estimate, as of today at the airport (BKK), would be 30.8 (baht per CAD) for an ATM transaction before any fees (150 THB here plus anything your bank adds), and 30.3 for a forex transaction. I have limited ATM experience here but my limit is imposed by my U.S. financial institution, $500, so I've been getting 15,000 THB. I use AEON so no 150 baht ATM fee. Yesterday (1/4/12) my effective rate was 31.29 THB per USD. Anyway, much better rates than exchanging in Canada. |
Originally Posted by transpac
(Post 17750987)
Ooops. I overlooked the requirement for forex vs. ATM, but there are forex booths in the locations indicated on the map. Generally SCB gves slightly better rates than TMB but the difference is miniscule.
Originally Posted by transpac
(Post 17750987)
My best estimate, as of today at the airport (BKK), would be 30.8 (baht per CAD) for an ATM transaction before any fees (150 THB here plus anything your bank adds), and 30.3 for a forex transaction.
Whereas, Superich is giving 31.48.
Originally Posted by transpac
(Post 17750987)
Anyway, much better rates than exchanging in Canada.
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Originally Posted by dsquared37
(Post 17751132)
Rates were 30.2 THB/1 USD on Tuesday. I'm guessing they haven't changed at all so far.
I am not familiar with forex alignment at SBIA via AoT; I was referencing SCB - TMB rates from their respective web-sites, along with some historical experiences. Honestly there is not much to shop as only two banks operate at SBIA. Yes, Superrich at Ratchadamri ( and not their other outlets ) did close today at 31.40 for USD, and 30.55 for CAD. These rates do vary throughout the day, but are hardly useful for the OP who has neither USD nor the time, and associated cost, to head into town. |
You'll also do better with travelers checks, if you are able to get them before you leave. For example, just checked Kasikornbank's rates for CAD. 30.34 for cash, but 30.69 for travelers checks.
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