Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Sector7G]

Preparing for my first trip to Thailand next month, and have determined from reading this forum that $100 a day will be more than enough for my week long stay. Actually I plan on taking about $1000.

But what do I do with my cash while I am out and about every day and night? Two of the guys I work with say they carry theirs with them 24/7 in a money belt pouch around their waists. I don't know, but that seems incredibly unsafe. A third says he does a combination of that with some cash, keeping some in his hotel safe(if and when it has one), and just making daily withdrawals using his international atm card(he chalks the high fees up to the costs of traveling).

Any other ideas? How do you do it?

[ttompatz]

[AsiaESLbound]

I got a slim profile money belt back home I wear around my waist with the thin pouch resting just below my waistline. It's not a fannie pack nor a big heavy leather money belt, but fits under your pants and underwear with no bulge. Crooks would have to mug you and beat you down to get to your money with this handy travel mate accessory. I would still use a wallet for spending money and to hopefully fool an attacking mugging thief from discovering my hard earned Benjamin Franklins. Haven't read anything of muggers in Thailand; just minor scams and pickpockets, but it's better to be safe than sorry by hiding your money on you. It seems just ordinary water will be my biggest enemy to fear in this case unless I can find a trusty waterproof pouch. Ziplock bag isn't good enough for snorkeling, kayaking, and stuff like that.

[IT'S JUST ME]

When I traveled Thailand and SE Asia in 2008, I also used a money belt, not so much for the cash but for my ID and Credit cards.

Bank fees vary. Mine is small so I didn't mind using my atm card.

I also was more worried about theft from backpackers than Thais.

[Sector7G]

[2000zerozero]

@Sector7G you can find that kind of thing on Gmarket if you're not leaving for a week and already have an ISP for a Korean Card: http://english.gmarket.co.kr/challenge/neo_goods/goods.asp?goodscode=114419111


If not, you can pay 15K won or so at a BlackYak (sp?) or some other hiking-wear store. It's hit or miss, just wander in and out until you find one that happens to carry that type of thing.

I bought mine off Gmarket but saw the same thing in one of those stores. It may not win any awards for durability, but it serves its purpose.

[D.D.]

I always wear shorts with many pockets and spread my money and cards out in different pockets and put a bit in the hotel safe if I get a good vibe from them. I also hide 100 or 200 in a sock or shoe in my suit case. The many pocket thing won't stop a mugger but will deal with pickpockets and the occasional mugger will just want your wallet so put a card or two in a wallet and some cash to make it look like thats all you have.

Any good mugger will spot a money belt easily and will have a lot of your stuff if you have put it all into your money belt.

Make sure you put an atm card in the hotel safe to cover you if everything else gets stolen.

[The Gipkik]

I've lived in and worked in Thailand and other South East Asian countries. I always carried my money in my wallet in my smaller backpack. Never had a problem. When you are in crowded areas, remove the backpack and hold it by the handle at the top like a briefcase. The only time that I actually got robbed by a motorcyclist passing by, I had actually had a briefcase, which I had put down on the ground for a minute. Otherwise, never. The only real rule is never ever let your backpack out of sight. In a restaurant, lean it against your leg if it's crowded. Oh, and never flash your money around.

[hari seldon]

[Sector7G]

Thanks for all of the responses. I think the "don't put all your eggs in one basket" method is the way I will do it.

[oldtactics]

I spent a month in Thailand/Cambodia back in April and I had my money in my wallet, in a zippered messenger bag that I wore. No problems at all, never felt unsafe. Just remember to keep things discreet when you're paying for things and you'll be fine.

[asylum seeker]

I read recent;y about a 'cash passport' that SC bank in Korea will be offering soon. It's a card that you preload up with cash before your trip then you can make withdrawals at ATMs for a set charge of 3$ a time at fixed exchange rates. It sounds like a better deal than you get with most credit cards.

Ah, here's the link-

http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/biz/2010/07/301_70034.html

[ttompatz]

[Sector7G]

[laconic2]

I've lived in different parts of Thailand for eight years and have never had a problem with losing money or having it stolen.

A wallet with a good chain and Velcro binders on it will save you a lot of problems down the road. I once had my wallet slip out of my back pocket while riding on a sontaew and it was still hanging there unopened and entirely intact off the side side of the sontaew when I got ready to get off. I was very lucky but it taught me the value of having back pockets with flaps and buttons.

U.S. dollars are easily exchanged assuming you are in a location that has exchange booths or exchange banks. This is not always the case if you are somewhere in the middle of nowhere.

Believe it or not, more tourists lose their valuables by simply leaving them behind in taxis or hotel rooms than actually having them stolen while walking around.

At the same time, be very careful in large markets and department stores leaving your valuables unattended while you try on clothes or whatever. Things go missing here like any other place in the world.