Do local banks near Bangkok carry USD for traveling to Laos?

@Tod ********

Yes although money changers are much better. They're everywhere now...not just in Bangkok or tourist places like Pattaya and Phuket. Most larger towns and cities have money changers, from Mae Sot to Lampang, Nakorn Ratchasima to Khon Kaen, Udon Thani to Nong Khai, Ubon Ratchathani to Surat Thani and so forth.

@Sujy ********

Clearly you don't know anything, otherwise, you'd know very well that Kip are accepted for the visa AND can easily be purchased from one of the money changers at the border on the LAO side in Vientiane.

@Sujy ********

I have crossed there MANY, MANY times over many years and also at other borders. There are zero issues paying in USD over Baht or vice versa. Notes must be in great condition, that's all.

@Paul ******

I live near that border. Insane that you are arguing so confidently while being so wrong. I've crossed that border multiple times evey year since 2010.

@Sujy ********

Nonsense. Nong Khai is the Thai side, Thanaleng or Vientiane is the name for the Lao side. Get it right or people will be confused.

No one has ever demanded payment in one currency over the other. You ALWAYS had a choice.

Also, there are MONEY CHANGERS on the Lao side. You can purchase Lao Kip right there. Duh!!

Not to mention there are money changers stocking Lao Kip in Thailand. Might not be easy to find (except in border cities) but money changers are definitely able to purchase Kip and sell some, if in stock.

@Paul ******

Incorrect, they've always wanted THB, not USD. They make a 15-20% cut from their own scam conversion when you pay in THB. Thats why they historically will tell you the THB price and make it difficult if you argue with USD. Unless pristine condition, they don't take it. But as I told Tod, they now will say the USD price from the get go. So paying with THB no longer make sense. As for Laos Kip, its unavailable in Thailand. It's a dead currency. So unless you still have some from a previous trip, forget it.

No confusion. Nobody call that border Thanaleng, its Nong Khai or friendship border. If you say Thanaleng 99% won't know what that is. Went we say Nong Khai border crossing and talk about Laos visa, ofc we are talking about the Laos side.

@Sujy ********

You're confused. First you mentioned Nong Khai but when I corrected you, you claim you're talking about the Lao side.

They've always wanted THB or USD, though Kip is fine too.

@Paul ******

You are lost in the sauce. Nobody but you is talking about what Thai border officers want. We're only talking about USD vs THB to pay upon entering Laos. It use to be mostly THB only at that border but now they encourage USD. USD had to be flawless, but things have changed.

@Sujy ********

That's exactly what I meant! Thailand isn't interested in what Lao imposes or what currency they prefer. Incidentally, you CAN pay for your Lao visa with Kip. They'll charge you more than in USD but less than if you pay with Baht.

@Paul ******

Entering Thailand is Free. We're talking about entering Laos from.Nong Khai border. You have to pay for your Lao visa. And not in Kip because its a dead currency.

@Tod ********

They do. In December, they told me the price in USD at the counter, I was stunned. Then, I asked for THB and ofc it was usual 300thb higher conversion. I used an agent this time (few days ago) to go Cambodian border, because well, you know my story, lol!

@Tod ********

It is in my opinion. Considering the proliferation of money changers in Thailand, it's easy enough to get some foreign cash (in this case USD) without putting much effort into it. Of course if you apply for a Lao evisa (which is more expensive than the Lao visa on arrival) you probably won't need to bother exchanging any money at all.

To me

@Paul ******

it'd be hardly worth the hassle for 8-9 dollar difference in price between a Lao visa you buy with baht and one you buy with USD.

I wouldn't waste a second of time fooling with it

@Tod ********

Its worth it. Very easy to exchange money without wasting time especially if you're driving to Laos or catching a bus or even if you're flying there, at the airport there are money changers.

@Paul ********

you need to really look 'em over, no marks no tears, no bad folds 😛

The people at the border would rather take baht from you than USD so they are hard on letting you pay with US bills

@Paul ********

You need PRISTINE (almost mint un-circulated 😮 ) USD notes or they'll just tell you they only take baht.

To me it's not worth the aggravation trying to track the USD notes down, for a 9 dollar difference in price 😉

@Paul ********

it was 40 USD or 1,700 THB, about 300 THB saving. However they rejected my USD saying it was dirty 🤣