140 replies to this topic

[Mike8]

Ok guys big update.

As we know ALL international cards will be destroyed (its "policy" at all banks in Thailand) once the ATM swallows them, no matter if it is your fault when you forgot to take back the card or entered a wrong PIN or their fault cause the ATM crashed (which does happen quite often).

So I had to use my other 2 cards and tried them at the same ATMs as before as well as other ones. In all cases they would charge me the 150 Baht.

The card that was free to use at the yellow ATMs was a proper German Visa card. However, I was charged 150 Baht for using an Australian Visa Debit card and also for using a German Maestro Card (Called EC back home).

Don't you just love the discrimination over here... > ...cost me bloody 8 Euros in total to get a bit of money out with Maestro and not much less with my Aussie Visa Debit.

[stonefre]

Ok guys big update.

As we know ALL international cards will be destroyed (its "policy" at all banks in Thailand) once the ATM swallows them, no matter if it is your fault when you forgot to take back the card or entered a wrong PIN or their fault cause the ATM crashed (which does happen quite often).

When did the policy take effect? I got my ATM card back the next day in 2007 when the ATM swallowed it.

[Mike8]

I don't know when they started to do that. I almost lost another card last week due to a faulty ATM (luckily it came back out by itself after 30 minutes), went into the bank, was told they can't help or open the ATM since my ATM was opposite the bank attached to a 7-11. I was told that head office is doing them and that the branch has no control over them. It seems only branches can help you by opening their own ATMs (even they are not supposed to) so make sure you always visit the branch.

Also, when the screen goes black or the touchpad isn't working just wait a few minutes after which your card might come back out since the ATM might be waiting for your input. Why the ATM didn't swallow my card after the ATM had returned it and noone had picked it up I do not know. Lucky I guess

A shame we pay 150 baht but still they are unable to fix their ATM. And why does noone put sign on broken things remains a mystery for me too. That doesn't just go for ATMs but also phones etc.

[dixon cox]

B150 is alot of money...
It's one Heineken in Cascades, with B5 change in a beggar's cup for a little merit for the next life

[stonefre]

Yeah, the 150 baht is not going kill me but it adds up if you hit the ATM as much as I normally do on a visit. Just a matter of principle to me. Now the thing that burns me is when you bring cash you have to be sure it is in perfect condition. Ended up having to take about 15% of what I brought last trip back due to some minor wear issues.

[SwineCanine]

Just a matter of principle to me.

For me, it's not the principle, it's the money.

If you are able to open a Thai Bank account, I'd do so. Not always easy to do, especially with a 30 day tourist stamp, but I'd give Kasikorn a try.

Then however you exchange your money, cash, traveler's checks, credit card, debit card you can depsoit in your Thai account and withdraw small sums. I like withdrawing 900 baht at a time as I then get a 500 and four 100's.

But if you open an account in Pattaya, there's a 20 baht fee if you withdraw outside Chonburi zone.

[Bumblebee]

You can use this link from the Aeon website to locate their ATMs around the country.

http://www.aeon.co.t...ervice_Location

[Bumblebee]

A friend of mine was informed recently that the yellow Bank of Ayudhya does not charge the 150. He checked himself and during the transaction a pop us said something like this transaction will cost you 0 baht, do you wish to continue. Well what a no brainer, and when he checked his online banking there was no mention of the 150.

Anyone else can confirm this??

[xyzzy]

A friend of mine was informed recently that the yellow Bank of Ayudhya does not charge the 150. He checked himself and during the transaction a pop us said something like this transaction will cost you 0 baht, do you wish to continue. Well what a no brainer, and when he checked his online banking there was no mention of the 150.

Anyone else can confirm this??

BoA is not charging the fee on SOME cards. It's my understanding one of those cards is Nationwide from England. Unfortunately they still want 150 baht from me.

[Bumblebee]

Yea I asked my friend and he said his card is with Nationwide, handy to know if you have one.

[mardhi]

I don't know when they started to do that. I almost lost another card last week due to a faulty ATM (luckily it came back out by itself after 30 minutes), went into the bank, was told they can't help or open the ATM since my ATM was opposite the bank attached to a 7-11. I was told that head office is doing them and that the branch has no control over them. It seems only branches can help you by opening their own ATMs (even they are not supposed to) so make sure you always visit the branch.

Also, when the screen goes black or the touchpad isn't working just wait a few minutes after which your card might come back out since the ATM might be waiting for your input. Why the ATM didn't swallow my card after the ATM had returned it and noone had picked it up I do not know. Lucky I guess

A shame we pay 150 baht but still they are unable to fix their ATM. And why does noone put sign on broken things remains a mystery for me too. That doesn't just go for ATMs but also phones etc.

Amazing - in 10 + years of living here and using ATM's continually - I cannot recall one time I have ever found a ATM not working correctly. Never had a dodgy charge, never had it spew out the wrong amount and simply never had any problems. Compared to my homeland, the ATM's in Thailand are streets ahead - need a transfer to a 3rd party account at another bank? Its done and concluded instantly. Need to pay your credit card? Just key in the number and its credited straight away. Need to top up your phone? Again, its instant. Need to send money up country (out of state etc) - again its done instantly. certainly no complaints from me and as I say, I use these machine all the time. Compared to my own expereince in Europe and the US, the ATM service in Thailand is excellent.

Cheers
Mardhi

[mardhi]

Just a matter of principle to me.

For me, it's not the principle, it's the money.

If you are able to open a Thai Bank account, I'd do so. Not always easy to do, especially with a 30 day tourist stamp, but I'd give Kasikorn a try.

But if you open an account in Pattaya, there's a 20 baht fee if you withdraw outside Chonburi zone.

Siam Commercial have no such charge in for example, BKK & Chonburi but not sure about other provinces as my account is in Chonburi and often I use the ATM in BKK - and no charge for making a debit from my account - other banks ATM's do charge either in province or out of province but SCB do not at their own machines.

Cheers
Mardhi