Is it better to change money in the UK or at Bangkok Airport, and how can I find affordable flights from Pattaya to Koh Samui?

@Ge**

the ATM gives the same rate but it's a much worse one then the cash exchanges. It's reasonable if you have a specific zero forex fee card, then you only pay the Visa margin but even that is still higher. Typical markup for a UK bank is in the 3-5% range and then Visa 1% on top, plus the Thai side 220B, but that's the smaller part of it. HSBC for example is 4.75% debit card or 6% credit, plus the Visa margin. For most people, ATM is very expensive, this would be around 1,350B fee on every 20,000 withdrawal, but it's mostly your home bank and hidden in the exchange rate. UK has a handful of zero fee cards but they are not common, and you still pay the Thai side fee.

Down stairs in the airport ground floor independent from them upstairs

@Kevin ******

the ones down in the basement give good rates. Just as good as the street ones on CM or BKK

@Mic****

Super rich in the basement of BKK is open. Can't get to it if you're going to ASQ though.