Foreign ATM card daily withdrawal limits

[brianks]

Have very recently spent too much time researching the Bangkok Bank option for retirement and payroll deposits and bank transfers from U.S. banks to Bangkok Bank New York Branch. My last visit to the Bangkok Bank next to Market Village was a frustrating experience since I knew more about the deal than the branch manager (besides having to wait over 30 minutes to speak with her and being treated very poorly through the questions).

Retirement and Payroll deposits: Great option and takes a while to set up BUT you have to show up at the bank to withdraw the money. Only way to know money is there is to go to the bank and ask. Oh, while there you can transfer your money to Savings account then access via ATM machine. Bottom line its a visit to the Bank to get the money. That last requirement stopped me from opening the account.

Bank to Bank Transfers: Have just set it up for myself but will only use for large deposits because of fees involved. Cheaper and easier though to pay ATM fees for smaller amounts used for living here (my opinion). I'll pay $5 per $1,000 (total fees) any day over bank to bank transfer with multiple fees involved.

[dtaai-maai]

Bank to Bank Transfers: Have just set it up for myself but will only use for large deposits because of fees involved. Cheaper and easier though to pay ATM fees for smaller amounts used for living here (my opinion). I'll pay $5 per $1,000 (total fees) any day over bank to bank transfer with multiple fees involved.

Yes, the bottom line, regardless of currency, nationality, bank, etc., seems to be that unless you want to transfer very large sums of money it's cheaper to stick to the ATM. Definitely the case for someone like me who wants the occasional 20k baht. It's still irritatingly expensive though!

Of course, there appear to be quite a few people in HH who can't get by on less than 150-200k baht a month, so bank to bank transfers might suit them!

[lizzy]

Lots of talk about pounds and dollars but what about Euros? I have always used my Maestro card (Belgian account) to withdraw cash for day to day use here in Thailand.Unfortunately from the begining of January this was withdrawn to stop money laundering! I have used International transfer service on my online banking but pay huge fees. What do other mainland Europeans do for day to day spending?

[sand_dancer]

Hi Lizzy....

You might just have thrown a spanner in the works......

Was this service withdrawn by your Belgian Bank or the Thai Banks ?

I use my Maestro all over and assumed it would be the same in Thailand.....

[wpcoe]

Retirement and Payroll deposits: Great option and takes a while to set up BUT you have to show up at the bank to withdraw the money. Only way to know money is there is to go to the bank and ask. Oh, while there you can transfer your money to Savings account then access via ATM machine. Bottom line its a visit to the Bank to get the money. That last requirement stopped me from opening the account.

Doesn't Bangkok Bank have online (internet) banking where you can check your account activity and balance? From where (i.e. from what Bangkok Bank account) do you transfer your money to your savings account? i.e. If you specify your savings account number during the direct deposit set up, where does the money actually go when it arrives in Thailand?

Bank to Bank Transfers: Have just set it up for myself but will only use for large deposits because of fees involved. Cheaper and easier though to pay ATM fees for smaller amounts used for living here (my opinion). I'll pay $5 per $1,000 (total fees) any day over bank to bank transfer with multiple fees involved.

With the Bangkok Bank system you can transfer up to $2,000 for a $5 fee. However, it's been so long since I've done an ATM withdrawal from my overseas account, what are the ATM fees these days?

[barrys]

Lots of talk about pounds and dollars but what about Euros? I have always used my Maestro card (Belgian account) to withdraw cash for day to day use here in Thailand.Unfortunately from the begining of January this was withdrawn to stop money laundering! I have used International transfer service on my online banking but pay huge fees. What do other mainland Europeans do for day to day spending?

Lizzy, thanks a lot for the info - I was wondering why my Maestro card (KBC account) stopped working.
If you have any more details, I'd be very grateful too.

[Pleng]

Lots of talk about pounds and dollars but what about Euros? I have always used my Maestro card (Belgian account) to withdraw cash for day to day use here in Thailand.Unfortunately from the begining of January this was withdrawn to stop money laundering! I have used International transfer service on my online banking but pay huge fees. What do other mainland Europeans do for day to day spending?

How do you mean withdrawn? Did the bank officially tell you that it has been withdrawn, or did the card just stop working? If it just stopped working then they've probably put a block on your card - a phonecall will be enough to sort that out. If they've really stopped international withdrawls then time to find a new bank!

My advise, though, is to get a prepaid Mastercard/Visa card. I have a caxtonfx card which I top up through their website, using my debit card. I can then withdraw money from the ATM with no risk of my bank randomly (or consistently, as is the case with my bank) freezing my card.

[lizzy]

Belgium banks sent out info at the end of last year to tell us it was happening. I have tried in many banks here and no go. For the past 10 years - no problem. My card/cards work perfectly in any other European country that I have tried. When I am back in Belgium next week I will find and post the relevant correspondance. It's a pity that the banks over react to the actions of a few to penalise the majority. I guess it improves their profits and bonus payments too!

[sand_dancer]

@ Barry & Lizzie

I have just came off the phone to my UK bank. They have assured me that my Maestro will work with no problem in Thailand.

Since January I have used mine in the Middle East and the Caribbean with no problem.

Lizzie, I think this might be something that is particular to your / belgian banks.

Hope this helps

[Cityman]

just use AEON ATM.
I personally withdraw 30.000 baht for one time from my foreign VISA. But I heard that someone withdraw 40.000 baht.
And no any 150 baht surcharge.

[pitsch]

Once I drew from AEON without surcharge, but it seemed to me that the exchange rate was very bad, so I lost more than 150 baht.

[brianks]

Just returned from trip to U.S. principally to set up Bank Account with a bank that would make it easier and less costly to get larger amounts of money over here. It is possible, however, to get big chunks of money from U.S. by just writing a Check to Bangkok Bank (pay a 300 baht fee) and wait for 20-25 days for it to appear in your account here (oh and about 20-30 minutes of trying to convince the bank officer that it can be done). With my new bank-online- I have set up an ACH account with Bangkok Bank and can make the domestic bank to bank transfer within the U.S. that my bank does not charge for. Bangkok Bank NY will charge $10 for any amount over $2,000 (fees are less for lesser amounts) and that is the only charge. Now I can transfer any amount of funds easily from the U.S. to here for only $10.

With SS check deposits to Bangkok Bank as you have to have a special account with Bangkok Bank to receive them and you can only get money from that account in person at Bangkok Bank.

AEON's limit is 45,000 baht per transaction if your bank will allow you to take that much at one time.

[nimitone]

One of my mates pointed out to me instead of going to the ATM weekly and incurring charges each time it is better to go to the bank once a month and hide the money under your mattress. I use SCB and draw 50/70k at a time , costs 4 pounds 50p using my LLoydsTSB Visa debit card.