I'm currently in the Philippines and I can make cheap transfers with strong rates to my current Philippine bank from the UK so if I can exchange PHP in Pattaya and the rate is good I will bring PHP with me to begin with.

 

my Credit card details got stolen online so had to cancel it and it's no use now, so my only other option is my travel card but it comes with weak rates, £2.99 'conversion' fee every time I use it at an ATM (they advertised it as free ATM withdrawals) and also whatever the price is at the thai ATMs nowadays, talking about £6 per withdrawal.

 

I'll be there maybe for a month doing some martial arts training maybe and experiencing some sexy thai girls, especially the massages.

 

I have not been able to exchange my vietnamese money here in Philippines so wanted to check if it's possible to change Philippine money in Pattaya and where before I bring any.

 

 

If anybody has experience with changing PHP into THB in Pattaya I'll buy you a beer, google results are bringing up a tedious unclear list.

 

 

Thanks guys 

 

 

I had a trip a few years ago where I was in the Philippines first, so I had some PHP left over.  It took me a little looking to find a booth that would exchange PHP, but the rate was TERRIBLE.  I kept my PHP and deposited them into my bank here after I got home.

Sorry about your lost credit card.

Re the travel card, I guess they meant free ATM withdrawals in the UK. A conversion fee is a rip off for using the card abroad. Perhaps you'd like to name & shame them as I'm sure they also charge the VISA or MasterCard exchange rate fee, which is about 1%.

 

Edit

Sorry, should have said Thai banks give good rates for major currencies, but don't hold your breath when it comes to regional currencies. It MIGHT (I'm not sure) be better to change your pesos into US$ before leaving the Philippines & then change the $ to baht in Pattaya.

Edited January 25, 20179 yr by Colin in Nakhon Sawan

you'll be far better to change your PHP for major currency, then change that currency to Baht.      If you were lucky enough to find an exchange in Thailand for it you'll cop a crap rate.     Alternatively try and locate a BM who is soon heading off to Philippines and come to an agreeable rate that benefits you both.

 

As for trying to change Dong outside of Vietnam, that's amateur stuff.   It's not a currency that anybody wants due to the insane denominations/inflation.   I'm afraid your stuck with it till your next trip, or until you can convince a 'lucky' bargirl that 100,000 Dong is big money

Edited January 25, 20179 yr by On Borrowed Time

Sorry about your lost credit card.

Re the travel card, I guess they meant free ATM withdrawals in the UK. A conversion fee is a rip off for using the card abroad. Perhaps you'd like to name & shame them as I'm sure they also charge the VISA or MasterCard exchange rate fee, which is about 1%.

 

Edit

Sorry, should have said Thai banks give good rates for major currencies, but don't hold your breath when it comes to regional currencies. It MIGHT (I'm not sure) be better to change your pesos into US$ before leaving the Philippines & then change the $ to baht in Pattaya.

They advertise free ATM use abroad, and it's is free, they do hide the conversion fee in the statements, you have to click 'more info' how appropriate.

 

How do you name and shame? I used it for a long time without realising the conversion fee.

 

On the phone today they said the rate will not be Mastercard's (it's a mastercard), instead it will be whatever ATM I use set by the thai bank. He sounded miserable and uncaring as fuck though so maybe he was wrong, seemed the truth though when I questioned it more to him.

 

Yeah could try the 3 exchange route if they are all good rates could work, feels not so good though doing 3 conversions though rather than 1.

you'll be far better to change your PHP for major currency, then change that currency to Baht. If you were lucky enough to find an exchange in Thailand for it you'll cop a crap rate. Alternatively try and locate a BM who is soon heading off to Philippines and come to an agreeable rate that benefits you both.

 

As for trying to change Dong outside of Vietnam, that's amateur stuff. It's not a currency that anybody wants due to the insane denominations/inflation. I'm afraid your stuck with it till your next trip, or until you can convince a 'lucky' bargirl that 100,000 Dong is big money

 

Yeah VND is decent rates back in UK, they won't touch it here though in PH.

 

Looks like the same though with PHP so will find another way.

 

I read Bangkok bank allow savings account's to be open on tourist visas. If I can do that in 20 mins and save £50 I'll do it, treat myself to a massage as a reward ;-)

 

Transferwise offer near perfect rates by the way to anywhere in the world for only £2 odd a transfer. Beats paying £6-10 per transfer. You just need a bank account. Worth it if you'll visit regularly.

I had a trip a few years ago where I was in the Philippines first, so I had some PHP left over. It took me a little looking to find a booth that would exchange PHP, but the rate was TERRIBLE. I kept my PHP and deposited them into my bank here after I got home.

 

Appreciated, decision made.