Thread: Cashing Visa Travellers Checks

I sent my Thai wife some US money in the form of visa travellers checks. She went to 4 different banks to cash them. They are all telling her it takes 60 days before she will receive the money for them. My question is there any alternative places where she might be able to exchange her traveller checks?

SIXTY DAYS????
TIT
She could try the money exchangers. never had any trouble. If she's in BKK , they're everywhere. They charge a comission but she gets her money right away. The rate is better so it works out to just a little less.

Tell her to go to one bank and then keep asking. Mine got her money within 26 days (only!). Transfer is faster although more expensive.

My lady had the account at the very same bank but it didn't help. I think they need the time to catch the day with the lowest exchange rate.

I don't think that it really was a traveller check, rather a cashier check.

We farang are accustomed to the banking systems in our home country, which are often very rapid and efficient. In Third World countries, you have to expect delays and inefficiencies where you'd least expect them at home. Such as, the bank charging a collection fee just to cash a check, and things that take forever. In Nicaragua six years ago, they simply could not do international banking for retail customers. As soon as you request a rather simple transaction that neither Pachara nor Keriatikin know how to do, you're stuck for a month or forever (mai mee or mae dai).

I've hardly ever used traveler's checks, but the whole purpose of them is that they should be instantly honored. If not, I'd take them back (without my second signature, of course). I thought traveler's checks were common here, at least in tourist areas.

Originally Posted by kenkannif

Why am I using so many ???s?

Added after 1 minutes:

Originally Posted by swamp

I don't think that it really was a traveller check, rather a cashier check.

Ahh that'd make sense. They're quite different from one another.

I had an Indian chap once send a bankers cheque for $100 USD not only would it have taken like months to cash it would've cost $33 USD to cash it.....so guess what he did? Sent a cheque for a further $33 USD....oh how I laughed.

That's a really nice one!

Thai banks also charge you to DEPOSIT cash into your own account -- if you're depositing anywhere other than the branch where you originally opened your account.

Thai banks offer a whopping 1% on a 12-month certificate of deposit. My checking account offers more than that. A 1 year CD most places in USA is 4%

Thai banks have a long way to go. Fortunately there's still enough goodness in LOS to tip the scales the other way.

Originally Posted by Maikuhn

Thai banks also charge you to DEPOSIT cash into your own account -- if you're depositing anywhere other than the branch where you originally opened your account.

Strange thing though. I deposit on a daily basis, coz I never go out, and always at a branch of BB but never had to pay a penny. Which bank are you talking about?

Krung Thai bank in Bangkok charges me to make deposits because it's not my home branch.