Travelling Without MoneyPrepared by Harold Stephens
Travel Correspondent for Thai Airways International
When you sign up for travel with Royal Orchid Holidays (ROH), one thing you don’t have to worry about is carrying money. ROH takes care of that. All well and good, and no worries, but what do you do if you want to go shopping or buy something in the market? What do you do?
At one time it was a problem. You had to rely on traveller’s cheques or else find secret, hidden pockets in your luggage when you travelled. Traveller’s cheques could be difficult. Cashing them was not always easy and the exchange rate often varied greatly. Worse, they were good only for the amount of purchase. Then, with leaving money tucked away in your hotel room was always a worry. At least with traveller’s cheques you could reclaim any losses if stolen or lost.
All that has changed. ATM cards did it. An ATM (Automated Teller Machine) card can be the most convenient and the least expensive choice. Let’s look at the facts. Banks offer a much lower exchange rate than most locations other than exchange counters at airports and money changers in high traffic areas. Fees here can be as high as 6 or 7 percent. Banks are usually between 1 and 3 percent.
ATM machines around the world are much alike. They cover the same service, require much of the same service and provide the same results––money in hand.
Another big advantage is that an ATM machine doesn’t have to belong to your bank. But keep in mind, drawing from another overseas bank might require paying a fee.
Still, have a plan before you go travelling aboard. You can search the Internet for an ATMs before you depart. Both VISA and Mastercard have information to help you find them in those destinations in which you plan to travel. Or better yet, check with your own bank if the card can be used abroad.
But this advice might not always be fool safe. Last year I visited Uzbekistan and my flight took me to Tashkent. I had my ATM, my VISA credit card and some loose US currency. I paid my hotel bill for the night by credit card and used cash for a train ticket to Samarqand, that grand old city on the Spice Road.
I was pleased to see the country has gone modern. There were spanking, brand new ATM machines. The only problem, they were empty. They didn’t have any money. Yes, they were empty. This put me into a predicament. My credit card wasn’t accepted at hotels in Samarqand. I had to go budget with the little cash I had until I got back to Tashkent, and it wasn’t much better there. Still, no money in ATM machines.
Thus, here are a few tips:
CHECK WITH YOUR BANK. Carry your bank’s international customer service phone number.
DO YOUR RESEARCH. Know before you go what fees are associated with withdrawals and purchases abroad.
DOUBLE CHECK YOUR PIN (Personal Identification Number.) Some foreign ATMs require 6-diget codes. Ask your bank if your card can be used abroad and how to enter your pin.
HAVE A BACKUP PLAN. Don’t rule out carrying some traveller’s cheques for emergency and extra cash. That secret pocket can still be useful. Also, good advice, bring a secondary credit and ATM card in the event you damage the one you have.
TAKE FROM THE ATM ONLY WHAT YOU NEED. Figure out the cash you will need on a daily basis* and avoid getting extra cash that you’ll have to exchange on the way home.
And to save the hassle and money problems, let Royal Orchid Holidays do the worrying for you.
QUESTIONS & ANSWERSQ. Dear Mr. Stephens. I hear that the rainy season is coming to Thailand and not a good time to visit the country. Can you comment on that? Jenny, Auckland
A. Dear Jenny. Thailand is in the monsoon belt, and there are two monsoons—the northeast and the southwest. Most of the rain comes with the southwest monsoon between September and February. Thus, you can escape the monsoon by travelling to another area. Most people think of the monsoon as rain. It is not rain but is a wind. Generally, however, the winds bring the rains, but not always. ––HS
Harold Stephens
Bangkok
E-mail: ROH Weekly Travel (booking@inet.co.th)
Note: The article is the personal view of the writer and does not necessarily reflect the view of Thai Airways International Public Company Limited. | 
