recommendations for money in Laos and other SE Asia

We are traveling to SE Asia for most of May and are trying to plan financially.

I%26#39;ve heard and read that Laos can be difficult to find ATMs (which is our primary idea for funds) and that traveler%26#39;s checks are a good idea. I%26#39;ve never used traveler%26#39;s checks before...is cash enough or should we get traveler%26#39;s checks? I do like the idea of the security of traveler%26#39;s checks. Will we be able to cash them easily enough?

We are planning on carrying cash and getting cash at ATMs along the way as needed.

What about Thailand (Phuket, Bangkok, Chiang Mai)?

Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh, Mekong Delta)?

Cambodia (Siem Reap, Angkor Wat)?

Thank you.

recommendations for money in Laos and other SE Asia

Thailand-ATM%26#39;s no problem.

In Laos we using cards for hotels and restaurants and new US$ for either shopping or changing small amounts at a time into kip%26#39;s.

US$ are also ideal in Cambodia %26amp; Vietnam but make sure they are uptodate and in good condition.

There is an ATM in Vientiane and no doubt a Laos TA poster can give you latest info

recommendations for money in Laos and other SE Asia

There are a number of ATMs in Vte and also a couple in Luang prabang. There is a small limit, (700k kip I think), to what you can withdraw. Bigger hotels will take credit cards. Traveller%26#39;s cheques are an anachronism and only pushed by banks, Amex, Thomas Cooke and the like. I have not used TC in the last 10 years of international travel and am at a total loss as to why anyone would want to do so.

Bring cash and ATM cards, and credit cards for back-ups. I haven%26#39;t used a travelers%26#39; check since 1985...

I don%26#39;t disagree with the previous posts; I have never had a problem using ATMs in any country in SE Asia. That said you should plan well, i.e., if you plan to visit small villages or the countryside, of course you will want to have the appropriate currency. USD (in the past) have always been accepted. As for traveler%26#39;s checks, I always travel with about 200USD in tc%26#39;s hidden in the lining of my luggage and another 200USD hidden in my carryon or on my person just for emergencies. Most often i find my self cashing these back in the US. . Be aware that merchants and the natives will be reluctant to take tattered and torn bills. Hope this is helpful

Hi

I can%26#39;t speak about Vietnam and Cambodia but was recently in Phuket and Bangkok.

We used cash and only changed what we needed into Baht every couple of days or when we knew we were going to a fancier restaurant, going on a bigger shopping spree or wanting to book a tour etc.

My daughter used atm%26#39;s but had to guess the amount she needed as it was all in Thai. My friend and I used the money changers on the street and I did notice on all the money changers windows that they did not take Thomas Cook and some other traveller%26#39;s cheques which I can%26#39;t remember now.

Jan

Thailand is totally different to Laos etc and any comparison is not valid unless you are in the wilds of Udon et al. As has been said already many times in similar posts, (use the search function), travellers cheques are an outmoded and expensive means of changing money. There are ATMs in Laos. Stick to US$ in a good money belt, change these to the local currency, and use the available ATMs otherwise

Rufus

I just sent you a PM. Did u get it?

I got one I replied to this morning. If the details are too vague then I will try to get the name for you.

Btw pool should be finished this w/end, so next time you are in Vte.....

you can use atms or credit card in siem reap for hotels and restaurants but cash for the tiny shops. every where you mentioned in thailand will take cards or atms are everywhere. be allerted that Phuket has nice beaches but is the worst of tourism in Phuket city. in laos they take dollars and the thai baht, but US dollars MUST be new and not torn. some other suggestion...at ankor travel against the direction of the suggested tourist route, the crowds can almost be completely avoided this way and when you are crossing the thousands of people around lunch going where you have already been you will understan why and be glad....we have had temples almost to ouselves at times and our photos look like we were the only persons there. and bring bags of balloons to give to the kind of luang prabang, just don%26#39;t blow them up and tie them....the kids will freak because then the ';toy'; is overwith and they cannot blow them up again and again. you can%26#39;t bring too many balloons, we found that out...bring 100, or more and be the life of the party...they don%26#39;t have them there.