Banks

[imuir]

Hi Im looking for some advice, Im moving to Thailand to work and need access to my cash in the UK from time to time (could be as much as 10K at a time), now having tried to send money to my Thai bank via my bank in the UK (clydesdale) its a real pain having to visit the branch etc, I so any advice on banks that are user friendly would be helpfull

[XJSJohn]

I still use my Citibank account in the UK,

With this i have a Sterling current account but also USD, AUD, SGD and Euro checking accounts. (Not sure if they do THB)

I can transfer currencies when the rates are good to any account, then with a call to telephone banking have the debit card set to withdraw (from atm only) from any of the checking accounts.

I also have a (on request, call them up in advance to notify that there will be significant summs being withdrawn from ATM in XXX place) GBP2k per day ATM withdrawal limit, or can go into a Citibank branch and with the relavent ID withdraw cash over the counter.

[robwilk]

Just a word of warning be aware that transferring large amounts of cash into Thailand can end end up being impounded for a year. I think it was an attempt to stop money laundering, I'm unsure of the limit but I think its in the region of 20K US.
ASAIK this is still the case.

[nottyash]

I sent an amount larger that that to our Bangkok bank account and it got through after a few days, although HSBC did warn me about it being impounded.

[fieldl]

XJSJohn said:

I still use my Citibank account in the UK,

With this i have a Sterling current account but also USD, AUD, SGD and Euro checking accounts. (Not sure if they do THB)

I can transfer currencies when the rates are good to any account, then with a call to telephone banking have the debit card set to withdraw (from atm only) from any of the checking accounts.

I also have a (on request, call them up in advance to notify that there will be significant summs being withdrawn from ATM in XXX place) GBP2k per day ATM withdrawal limit, or can go into a Citibank branch and with the relavent ID withdraw cash over the counter.

I have the same setup from Citi. Although have just received a letter informing me of a reduction in withdrawal limits from ATM's, shouldn't affect me too much.

Mind you I find their customer service a complete PITA.