Korean Job Discussion Forums

[gaychel]

On Saturday, I'm going to Thailand. It'll be my first time traveling (other than making the move to Korea), so I don't know what to do about money.

How much should I bring for a week? I was planning on converting a million won, but I have no idea if that's overkill or too little. I'll be paying my own way for everything, plus occasionally picking up the tab for meals and activities with my boyfriend.

Also, I keep reading that I should always exchange my won in advance, so should I convert my money to USD before leaving, then have that converted to baht when I get there? My location and my work hours are going to prohibit me finding baht in Korea. The conversion rate straight from won to baht is almost identical to the rate from won to USD to baht (25,831 baht if I start with a million won), I'd just like to avoid the headache of getting my money transferred to USD if I can.

Thanks!

[loralh]

Hey, you can change money at the airport. Dollars are accepted almost everywhere, but I think prices are better in Baht. I took about that amount for 10 days and that included traveling to the coast [Ko chang island]. I bought a lot of stuff [t-shirts & the coolest movie posters in Bangkok]. Got massages, manicures and drank cocktails all the time...

[gaychel]

awesome. i'm actually going to ko chang myself. where did you depart from to get there?

[cdninkorea]

A co-worker advised me to change money after going through security and Immigration; he said that the money exchange booths past that point don't fall under Korean juristiction and, due to being outside Korean currency exchange laws, offer a better rate than money exchangers on the other side.

Is he right? I hope someone can confirm or deny this.

[Jeff's Cigarettes]

Exchange your won to dollars (100$bills) in Korea. Downstairs at the airport they have actual banks if you're gonna be there during banking hours, just look at the airport map to see which floor and use the lift. If not just use the exchange places on the international departures floor at Incheon. Then cash 100$ at the airport past immigration when you arrive in Bangers. That should be more than enough to tide you through to the city. Then you can just use the exchanges in BKK. Don't bring travelers checks as they are a big hassle exchanging, at least the ones that Korea issues are. Or, like me you could just use one of your international ATM cards.