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Kiddirts
Joined: 25 Jul 2003
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 Posted: Tue Nov 25, 2003 7:41 am Post subject: |
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Little update...so I opened an account with KEB and made sure that my debit card that they offered can work in Thailand. It works with all Visa interlink and PLUS (never heard of it) please tell me there are tons of "Visa" ATMs. This might sound like I'm from the stone age but I've never had an ATM card, just credit cards that I paid off immediately.
Also, I want to go to the Thai Embassy in Korea and get a 3-monther...can this occur on the spot and be stamped for 3 months or is there a waiting period?...I may leave before this weekend.
Thanks for the help guys...hope this place is like everyone says. =) |
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Emma Clare
Joined: 24 May 2003
Location: Anseong, sung, song.
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| Posted: Tue Nov 25, 2003 7:56 am Post subject: |
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OK. I plan on taking a trip to Thailand early next year (on the way back to England) I hold a British passport, so I can get a 90 day tourist visa, and I need to go to the Thai embassy in Seoul to obtain it and NOT just expect to get it upon my arrival, is this right??
What if I want to go on to Vietnam? Can I get my visa for Vietnam in Thailand?
Thanks! |
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Zed
Joined: 20 Jan 2003
Location: Shakedown Street
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| Posted: Tue Nov 25, 2003 8:10 am Post subject: |
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I'M canadian. When I went there 2 years ago I just landed and went about my business. I don't know how long I was legally allowed to stay. 90 days I think.
You can arrange Vietnamese and other visas in Bangkok. Agents on Khao San Road are probably the quickest for this. |
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Kiddirts
Joined: 25 Jul 2003
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| Posted: Tue Nov 25, 2003 10:36 am Post subject: |
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| just did a couple internet searches...is there no Thai embassy in Korea? |
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Zed
Joined: 20 Jan 2003
Location: Shakedown Street
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| Posted: Tue Nov 25, 2003 11:26 am Post subject: |
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| There must be. Sorry I can't tell you where although I'd be guessing it's on the north side of the Hannam Bridge. |
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Kiddirts
Joined: 25 Jul 2003
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| Posted: Tue Nov 25, 2003 12:44 pm Post subject: yikes |
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| Yikes, stupid me. When I have an ATM card from a Korean bank that will be dispensing Baht in Thailand...the conversion will be from Won to Baht. Terrible exchange. How can I work around this? Want the good ol' USD. |
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Zed
Joined: 20 Jan 2003
Location: Shakedown Street
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| Posted: Tue Nov 25, 2003 1:04 pm Post subject: |
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| You can convert it into US $ first and then convert it again. I suspect that if you can find a place that will give you a better deal on one exchange over another it will all come out in the wash when you have converted it twice. I usually convert it into US simply because of the versatility involved. You may have some difficulty converting won outside the airport and selected banks. |
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Patong Dong
Joined: 06 May 2003
Location: On Nut
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| Posted: Tue Nov 25, 2003 7:05 pm Post subject: |
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I used my Canadian ATM card, with the PLUS, all the time in Thailand. Don't be discouraged if one machine doesn't take it, just try another. I had machines that wouldn't connect to my bank some days and other days were fine, just look for the PLUS sign.
Just landing at the airport will only get Canadians and Americans 30 days. That can be extended for a fee for another 10 days. If you are going to be there for awhile hit the Thai embassy here and get the 60 day tourist visa which can be extended for another 30 days, again for a fee. You need to bring a couple of photos with you to the Thai emassy and again when you extend. |
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Kiddirts
Joined: 25 Jul 2003
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| Posted: Tue Nov 25, 2003 9:40 pm Post subject: thai |
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| does anyone know where the Thai embassy is? (subway directions) I did an internet search and came up with nothing. Also, how do I get an ATM to shoot out USD in thailand from an account that's holding won? |
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wormholes101
Joined: 11 Mar 2003
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| Posted: Tue Nov 25, 2003 9:45 pm Post subject: Re: thai |
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| Kiddirts wrote: |
| how do I get an ATM to shoot out USD in thailand from an account that's holding won? |
I don't think this is possible... You'll have to bring USD with you in cash or travellers cheques. |
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Kiddirts
Joined: 25 Jul 2003
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| Posted: Wed Nov 26, 2003 1:35 am Post subject: |
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Hey...got my ticket today...headin out Saturday! CAN'T WAIT.....!!! I fly the red eye back to Korea on the 29th of December...but that's if I even take it...fat chance.
Okay...someone said that it's better to convert won into dollars and then take US dollars and convert it into Baht..but here's the thing...isn't it all relative? As of today, $1 equals 39.93 Baht. $1 also equals 1,203 won. Hence 1,203 won equals 39.93 Baht...or at least that's what came up on x-rates.com I'm missing the point of wanting to do this...should I just be happy with withdrawing from my KEB bank account, same difference and forget about the hassle with travelers checks.
Would it be smart to carry 2 cards and keep one in a different place? (1 in wallet, 1 in hotel)
Also, on a different topic..what are Korean laws on such Over the counter prescription drugs that I can get in Thailand? I'm interested in picking up some steroids and a friend of mine asked for valium...don't want any trouble upon my return..thanks...
-Kid. |
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wormholes101
Joined: 11 Mar 2003
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| Posted: Wed Nov 26, 2003 1:47 am Post subject: |
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| Kiddirts wrote: |
| Okay...someone said that it's better to convert won into dollars and then take US dollars and convert it into Baht..but here's the thing...isn't it all relative? As of today, $1 equals 39.93 Baht. $1 also equals 1,203 won. Hence 1,203 won equals 39.93 Baht...or at least that's what came up on x-rates.com I'm missing the point of wanting to do this... |
Yes. But money changers (those shady characters hiding in dark little alleys  ) often will NOT give you the correct rate. The won is particularly bad for this. You may draw the short end of the stick and lose out on quite a significant amount. You will get better rates with the USD.
| Kiddirts wrote: |
| Should I just be happy with withdrawing from my KEB bank account, same difference and forget about the hassle with travelers checks. |
You'll have to check into this yourself. Find out what kind of rates you'll get through the ATM (try at the KEB). Also bear in mind that there usually are transaction costs per withdrawl.
I was under the impression that exchange rates at the ATM were good i.e close to the true exchange rate. |
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Tiger Beer
Joined: 07 Feb 2003
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| Posted: Wed Nov 26, 2003 1:50 am Post subject: |
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| Kiddirts wrote: |
| Hey...got my ticket today...headin out Saturday! CAN'T WAIT.....!!! I fly the red eye back to Korea on the 29th of December...but that's if I even take it...fat chance. |
Hmm.. you might be on the same flight as me.. I can't recall if I have Korean Air or Asiana Air? How about you? Mine is an evening flight.. this Saturday in a few days as well..
It is better to convert Won into Dollars and later into Thai. The main reason being that its no guarantee you can get Baht in Korea.. or that banks in Thailand will want to buy Korean Won. But you can guarantee that just about anywhere and everywhere in the world, that they will want to buy the US $. (This being said, its highly likely you can find somewhere down there is willing to buy Korean currency I'm sure.. its just anywhere near as convenient). Plus once you leave Thailand (if you do), it gets shakier and shakier who else might take Korean Won of any neighboring countries if any.
(Having said all of that however, Korea and Thailand probably have enough currency flowing back and forth that the Thais probably do buy and want Korean currency - so probably not too much of a worry - I feel more comfortable as the other poster apparently does as well, that US$ is always a safe bet).
Regarding keeping cards in different places.. I always do that. Its also good to stash some emergency cash in a few extra places as well in case you get pickpocketed or have something or another happen. |
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TECO
Joined: 20 Jan 2003
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| Posted: Wed Nov 26, 2003 8:56 am Post subject: |
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Yeah, Tiger, I agree. Keep it all separate in different places.
You lose your wallet you still have some cash stashed elsewhere.
NEVER KEEP IT ALL IN ONE POCKET! |
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Kiddirts
Joined: 25 Jul 2003
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| Posted: Wed Nov 26, 2003 10:26 am Post subject: flight |
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| I fly out at 10:55 AM on Saturday...would have loved to have gotten a friday flight but they were all booked...guess that means Friday night is going to be off the wall so I can just go from the party to the airport. |
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