would you put your money ~ LB-69

in a safety deposit in a hotel

Of Course

I always have done and never had a problem.

Certainly a better option than carrying it all around with you.

I have no problem with safety boxes at the front desk of the well regarded, larger hotels throughout Thailand.

There have been a handful of incidents where thefts of valuables have been reported, but these occurances appear to be rare.

I've never encountered a problem in 14 years of travel in the country.

Individual safety boxes in the room appear to be gaining popularity.

Cheers
Koykaeng

Moderator Joined: 21 Jun 2006 Posts: 2513

In addition to the good advice above, I don't see the need to have a great deal of money on you or back at the hotel.

With the amount of ATMs and Banks in Pattaya, Phuket and BKK, if like most westerners, you have a bank or credit card that works globally, there's no real need to take out more than a day or two's money at any one time.

I second what Kliome said.

When I arrived, I took about two days worth of money, and when I went out, I left half in the hotel safe. This way, if something stupid happened and I lost everything in my pocket, I was only out one day's money.

I never carried my credit cards or ATM card, unless I was going to the bank or a shopping center where I knew I would use my card. Once finished, they went right back in the safe.

I ended up a the ATM every third day to withdraw and at the end of the trip, i was right on budget and didn't lose a bhat!

As an aside, I was also careful not to open my safe in the presence of any girls back a the room. If I needed to access, I waited until they were in the shower. This worked out great and I didn't have to make them feel like they weren't trusted.

Your mileage may vary.

Auto

Ladyboy Hunter Joined: 05 Jan 2007 Posts: 229 Points: 262

i bring ATM and visa card with me and like above i take out cash ever 2 days. Most i would ever have in safe is about 5000baht.

Ladyboy Expert Joined: 06 Dec 2006 Posts: 828 Points: 1816

I experienced better exchange rate from ATM, when u take out max. 15.000 bath.

I always use my mastercard and put extracash and visacard in hotelsafe.

I thought I'd share that:

....in June this year, in BKK, I was drugged. Had my token to the safety deposit taken. They (three GGs - weird, I know) presented it to Reception - and Reception handed the contents of my box over to them! All was taken:(

I was in Bangkok in September with a LB I've known a while and who I have always asked to look away when accessing the in-room electronic safe, telling her that if something were to go missing I could exclude her from being a suspect, which she has always been OK with. She then said for 500bht she could open the safe "something new in Bangkok now". Out of curiosity I challenged her, gave her the 500bht and off she went. She returned about 20 mins later with a small box (about the size of a mobile phone) and placed it in front of the safe, pushed a button and, believe it or not, the safe went through it's opening procedure. She then had to go to give the box back. I have heard about electronic gizmos around that put credits on fruit machines which the manufacturers are constantly fighting against, but does that fight apply to a cheap in-room safe? Beware!

It is a good idea to have 2 credit cards with you when you visit. That way if one gets compromised or shut down for any reason you have another as backup. When you plan to use one, keep the other one locked up. It seems there are ATM machines every 50 feet in Bangkok and Pattaya. I do like the folks above and take out a day or two of cash at a time and keep a portion of that in the room safe. On my last visit I actually thought I lost my ATM card. After sitting and thinking it out logically, I visited the last place I used it which fortunately was next to one of the Exchange booths. I told the person in the booth that I used my card there last night and have not been able to find it since. He checked the machine and my card was in it. The alcohol and the distraction of the ladyboy I was with caused me to walk off without it after getting my cash. I think after so many seconds if you don't take your card the machine eats it. I felt extremely lucky to have retrieved it.

Another useful tip in addition to the above is to have a reserve ATM card. Last time my Natwest ATM card was 'stopped' while I was in Thailand due to the belief it was being mis-used. Luckily I had my Nationwide (no overseas charges at all for ATM withdrawals) on hand.

Next time I'm taking the phone numbers of both Natwest and Nationwide with me so I can get any cards unlocked if they are 'stopped'. Alternatively let your bank know your travelling overseas and will be using ATMs in Thailand and also be clear what your daily withdrawal limits are and work it out in baht so you don't request more out of the machine than your daily allowance, or the card may be put on 'stop'. That's what's happened to me before. Apparently fraud is rife in Thailand.

Re: In the room
I secrete several thousand baht in several places about the room before heading out just in case I have a friend back to stay. I never handle excessive money in front of them, however sweet they are.

Avoid carrying ALL your money on a night out in one pocket too. I spread mine around my pockets and have small notes (100's and 20's seperate from 500's and 1000's, so the whole bloody lot isn't on display when I buy some gum at the 7-11 or pay the check-bin with all the staff watching.

And I always use the safe at the Nana Hotel. It's located at the front desk, staffed 24hr a day. Pain signing for the box to be opened up each time but it's a miniscule price to pay.

Moderator Joined: 21 Jun 2006 Posts: 2513

I find my bank cards (not credit cards) get blocked after the first time I use them in LOS, ever trip, without fail. And then I have to go through the painfuil procedure of calling my bank and explaining I'm on holiday in thailand again and getting it sorted.

It really pays to warn your bank that you'll be in Thailand and when, before you leave, and also ask for the direct number to get your card unblocked when abroad - It will save a lot of time.

Cheers Sublimefolly , this has made me realise that although I'm very careful with my Cards and money , I have not had a back up plan before when travelling , so will be a bit more organised next time.