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Are you able to withdraw money with debit/maestro cards in Thailand/Vietnam/Laos/Cambodia, etc

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Does anyone know if I\'ll be able to withdraw money from ATMS in Asia??? I am going Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos for definite. Singapore, HK and Malaysia are also big possibilities.
15 years ago, April 2nd 2009 No: 1 Msg: #68030  
I currently only have a debit/maestro card.

Does anyone know if I\'ll be able to withdraw money from ATMS in Asia??? I am going Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos for definite. Singapore, HK and Malaysia are also big possibilities.

I just went into my local branch and they were not able to confirm anything so I thought I would try on here n see if anybody knows?? or has tried??

Thanks Reply to this

15 years ago, April 3rd 2009 No: 2 Msg: #68064  
Yes in all of them, but I haven't been to Laos. In Bangkok, you need to be careful, it can depend of the link of your bank with the thai bank you are using. So if one ATM doesn't give you cash, don't panic and try another one.

Peter Reply to this

15 years ago, April 5th 2009 No: 3 Msg: #68284  
I've got a Nationwide debit card, which means we can withdraw money without paying fees. We have used it all over SE Asia, and like Pierre says, some machines take it, some don't. Most of the big banks accept it, it's just the little ones that sometimes don't.

When we went to Laos there weren't ATMs at all. You had to take money in and change it. There are apparantly some now, but be careful there.

It would perhaps be an idea to keep some travellers cheques on you, in case you can't withdraw money in some of the smaller towns. If you don't use them you can cash them in for a big treat at the end of your trip! Reply to this

15 years ago, April 5th 2009 No: 4 Msg: #68311  
One small note. Some ATM charge you a fix amount on withdraw aboard. So if you want to make the more of it, always withdraw in "big" amounts....obviously having in mind your needs and security issues. Reply to this

15 years ago, April 5th 2009 No: 5 Msg: #68354  
Yeh cheers for the info! Much appreciated Reply to this

15 years ago, April 7th 2009 No: 6 Msg: #68550  
i thing i would say though in case you might need them is a lot of companies online (e.g.- internal flight companies such as Air Asia) and most shops only really take Mastercard & Visa.

I've been stuck a couple of times trying to get internal flights booked!! Reply to this

15 years ago, April 10th 2009 No: 7 Msg: #69046  
Laos now has ATM's in the major cities, Loung Phabang, Vientienne and you can withdraw cash on credit cards.

From my point of view consider Nationwide like Rat said, no charge for withdrawls or if you can't get an account there, consider upgrading your account or going for a visa debit, had major problems in Africa because maestro sucks, HSBC are now dropping it and going over to Visa.

ALWAYS have a US $ cash reserve hidden somewhere for emergancies such as atms not working and pesky problems that you may need to bribe your way out of!!!

enjoy your trip!!
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