Korean Job Discussion Forums

[sojourner1]

Is Korean won exchangeable in South Asian countries such as Thailand, Indonesia, and Malaysia?

[bossface]

yes, but under no circumstances should you do it. the rates (i've only been to Thailand of the 3) are terrible. Change to local currency or US dollars here. When I was on KSR last year, they were offering more baht for dollars than won, despite the fact that won were worth more than dollars at the time. by changing to US dollars here and to baht there, I actually made money in the exchange.

ttompatz has said it many times on this board and i fully concur - never take won out of korea.

[rhinocharge64]

I couldn't get Won exchanged in the Phillpines, in China they looked at it in disgust. Never take Won out the country for sure!!!

[mises]

Do it at HSBC, which operates in all those nations. Avoid mom'n'pop currency traders.

[jajdude]

Won is crap outside Korea. Made the mistake before. Same with lots of currency. Taiwan dollar? Forget it. Change it before you board the plane.

[moosehead]

people outside of K don't even know what won is -

does that answer your question?

[sojusucks]

Well, the Won has value in Shenyang, China. Interestingly, there are many Koreans there (Samgupsal in China, wow!).

[stevieg4ever]

I changed won in Penang Malaysia, not at a bank I might add. Not sure what the rate was but it saved my a$$ for the remaining days of my stay.

Just get dollars at Incheon - the simplest and easiest thing to do.

[Frankly Mr Shankly]

In Jakarta there are a slew of money changers around the back of Sarinah, near the Jalan Wahid Hasyim/Sabang intersection that had Won rates advertized when I was last there.