Back to Vientiane, Laos - Mar 23, 2009

Back to Vientiane (Laos) via Bangkok. In Bangkok I had an 8 hour layover, so I figured I could hop in a taxi to the closest HSBC bank, grab some cash, and nip back to the airport. Cheaper to get it from my HSBC account than use ATMs or the credit card, since the charges are exhorbitant - HSBC charges 5% for any cash advance against my credit card, even if there already is money on the card as a credit.

So I checked on the internet for the nearest HSBC bank. After all, it is "The World's Bank" and they have adverts about how they are everywhere. Guess what - Bangkok, largest city in Thailand and perhaps Asia, and they have one bank. In town - a 30 minute plus taxi ride from the airport.

No choice, into the taxi, USD $12 dollar ride. I walk into HSBC show my cards, and ask to withdraw USD $5,000. "Sorry sir, as your account is in Malaysia and we can't access the details here in Thailand you can only use the ATM - maximum withdrawal USD $1,000 per day. How many days will you be in Bangkok - you can make a withdrawal each day" - "6 hours before I have to get on my flight" - "Ah...." So much for HSBC being a world bank. Anyway, there is always a way around these issues, so after some persistence I got them to call Malaysia and get authorization. It was a slow process - I went for lunch, came back, and waited another hour - but we got there in the end. I was inside the bank after closing, the tellers were packing up and they were turning the lights off when I got my money. Stung badly on the conversion - my account is in Malaysian Ringgit, which can't be traded outside of Malaysia, so the RM in Malaysia is converted to USD (at a crappy to me/ favourable to HSBC rate), then HSBC Bangkok converts the USD to THB (again at a crappy rate) - they are not allowed to issue me USD directly. So if I want USD I need to take the Thai Baht and convert it back to USD. Painful for me. Lots of FX commission for HSBC.

So my advice to any travellers (and myself) - stock up on USD travellers cheques before you leave - get them from your local bank so that you pay minimum charges. Then convert these to USD/local currency on your trip as required. Using credit cards and ATMs is just giving away commssions and charges to the banks and exchange agents.

There, got that off my chest, feel better now. The flight back to Vientiane was smooth, even though we landed in a rain storm. The first proper rain I've seen in three months - it was really great to see and feel.

Will spend tomorrow booking a bus to Pakse, in southern Laos. Another 12 hour trip, but as it will be a VIP sleeper bus - you have a flat bed, aircon - I am hopeful that it will be realtively comfortable....