Is the exchange rate better on Patong Beach Phuket or here in Singapore??
Should I change thai baht on Patong beach Phuket or here in Singapore before I leave?
Rate is usually better in Thailand, at the exchange booth. Guess you will be flying direct from Singapore into Phuket, you can change at the Phuket Airport or from the currency booths around the town area. In fact you can withdraw from the ATM with an international ATM card for much better inter-bank rate. Check if your bank imposes a service charge for overseas withdrawal, cause some don't.
Should I change thai baht on Patong beach Phuket or here in Singapore before I leave?
Regardless of the exchange rate, you should have some foreign currency before proceeding to the country.
I think you get a better rate changing your money in SIngapore. Patong Beach is a tourist area and the money changers are trying their best to make as much from you as possible as you are viewed as a %26quot;rich foreigner%26quot;.
My experience is that the best exchange rate is found in Bangkok compared to all the other tourist destinations.
if you have one, use a atm card, you get the better rate and no problems
It might be a good idea to have a little bit of cash on you before you arrive in Thailand - just is case. However, you can just as easily get cash at an ATM at the airport in Thailand (if you have one that you can use internationally) But if you need to actually exchange money - then any exchange booth is good too.
I don't totally agree with KK Oz about exchange booths (but hey! we all have our preferences). They are not as bad as it sounds. The place NOT to exchange is at the hotels! That's where the rates are significantly lower than the exchange booths.
Have a great trip and enjoy Phuket. I have not been there since the tsunami and I would love to ge there again this year and see how things are now.
you should exchange when you get here....usually you will be really ripped off in other countries.
Just make sure you go to a commercial bank to exchange your currency.
You should change it at Phuket airport (bank exchange counter or at local banks in Phuket). If you read newspaper you may learn that Thai baht is getting stronger and stronger during the past months. The rate in Singapore and Thailand may differ up to 2 baht/usd (Thai baht has a stronger offshore rate, i.e., you may get 34 bht/usd in singapore while the rate in Thailand would be 36 bht/usd)
While I usually advocate having at least $100 in local currency when I arrive in a country I do not recommend that now with the Thai baht. Your in-country rate of exchange will be much better and suggest you change funds at the airport...
go to a bank in Patong
take a little Thai Baht with you, but change the majority of your money in Patong Beach, you will get a better exchange rate - make sure you use a proper bank though!
