Money Matters in Pattaya

Cash Machines
There are numerous ATMs (cash card machines) around Pattaya, they are located not only outside banks but also at major shopping malls and dedicated locations e.g. along Beach Road.

• Your card should be affiliated with Cirrus or Plus - look on the back of your card for the symbol
• You need a four digit PIN number
• You should have money in your account

Most will accept your home bank ATM card (check for the logos displayed adjacent to the machine). The procedures at ATMs are basically similar and most have an English Language option.

Note: Cash withdrawal is usually referred to as “Fast Cash”, not “Withdrawal”.

The same safety precautions on using an ATM are as necessary in Pattaya as they are in the rest of the world; so be careful!

Cash Conversion
There are banks and kiosks located on major roads, all publish the current (daily) rate of exchange for most currencies. Check around before you change your money, there is a small fee for the service; include this when working out your best deal.

• Traveller’s checks
• As cash conversion, but the rates will differ slightly
• Credit Cards / Switch Cards

Major cards are widely accepted at larger hotels, restaurants, travel agencies, and stores. But be advised that most places charge an extra 3% to 4% service fee.

Before departing your homeland, advise your credit card company that you will be travelling to Thailand. This will avoid potential problems with authorisation of your charges.

The simplest and probably safest way to access money is with your ATM card from your home bank. There are dozens, maybe hundreds of ATMs around Pattaya.

The only requirements are

You can get a cash advance on your credit card if you failthe last test.

Travelers checks are okay too, although you will have to pay a small service charge to cash them.

Same with changing your home currency into baht.

VISA and Mastercard are widely accepted at larger hotels, restaurants, travel agencies, and stores. But be advised that most places charge an extra 3 to 4% service fee.

Before you leave home it is not a bad idea to phone your credit card company and tell them that you will be traveling to Thailand. Otherwise they might refuse to authorize charges.