Dear Hillary,
I will be coming to Thailand later this year and I am not sure how to handle the money side of things to take over with me, so I hope you can help me (you seem to be able to help everyone else)! I have heard that it is dangerous to use credit cards because there is a lot of credit card scams in Thailand. Is this correct? What should I do, I won’t be bringing much with me because I haven’t got much to spend, but I don’t want to lose it either! I used to use travelers checks a few years ago, but they were really a pain. What is your suggestion? I’m sure you know the best way.
V. Sa
Dear V. Sa,
I have to tell you right from the start, Petal, that I don’t have these sort of credit card problems, because I don’t have a credit card, mainly because the lousy editor pays me in one baht coins, so I just carry it all in my purse. A small purse at that too. But being serious for a while, as I know you are honest and earnest person, as a tourist the easiest way to carry money is to have deposited your holiday money in a debit card account in your own country and then draw on that when you are here at ATM’s, as you need it, and then pay cash at retail outlets. This way, nobody gets your card numbers on a merchant’s carbon copy, and by using the debit card, rather than “credit” card you won’t overspend. That is, as long as you are not buying a house for Lek from the local beer bar. As far as scams are concerned, we get our fair share, as do all countries in the world these days. Crime does not recognize international boundaries! Finally, if you are still worried about the security for your hard-earned money, you can try posting large numbers of unmarked notes to Hillary. Just put “chocolate bars” on the outside of the parcel, and the postman will not be suspicious. On second thoughts, do include choccy bars, and then I won’t be tempted to spend your money on chocolates (though champagne could be a problem)!
