Money tips in Pattaya, Thailand

In any place in the world, if you have 'money', you can get (basically) whatever you want. This is especially true in Pattaya where you can live like a King while being a pauper!

In Thailand, the currency used is the Thai Baht. At this particular moment, it's trading at 41B=$1 but it's volatile-it's ranged from 25 to 56 in the past five years!

Regarding how to handle your money after moving to Pattaya, here's an example:

My pension and dividend checks are electronically deposited into my home country's bank account. I have an ATM and credit card associated with the account so I can easily withdraw money ANYWHERE in Thailand.

Pattaya has them ALL over the city--Especially Beach Road in the city's center.

Using the Internet I ensure my deposits are being made and, if I use the credit card, can transfer money from one account to the other-thus paying the credit card.

I use an ATM card with 'no fees' from any teller machine. My withdrawals are limited to 'once a week' for budget purposes-as I can more easily track and control spending.

Use cash whenever possible-you'll gain greater bargaining power in Pattaya and can avoid the 'surcharge' some places have for using a credit card.

If keeping a residence 'back home', have your various bills (utilities, etc) electronically debited from your bank accounts.

 Lastly, have a 'back-up' ATM and credit card-from another bank in your home country-or a Pattaya bank account. Better to be safe then sorry!