caller wrote: ↑Mon Dec 09, 2024 12:19 pm
Ah, I understand now. You are making your comments based on the incorrect assumption that I have to keep funds in my account as security. Or that I have to deposit funds into a fixed term account as a guarantee.
If you have a work permit, or a joint card in your Thai wife's name that's fine, enjoy. I only explained that I won't allow funds to be frozen in my bank to get a credit card, as I don't have these options.
I don't know of 'another way' having been mentioned before (if that was what you meant), but I'm actually not fussed to have a cc anyway.
I don't know what the regulations are these days, but I did get a several credit cards back in the day as I did have a work permit, a Thai wife, and permanent residence. There was no need for any lump sum at the time. However, I do feel we're beginning to stray off topic, I'm sure the mods will branch out the subject matter if they see fit.
I'm still a dinosaur at heart, most comfortable with a bit of cash in the pocket, an ATM card and personal credit card in the wallet, and the freedom of choice of which establishment gets to see my hard earned money.
404cameljockey wrote: ↑Mon Dec 09, 2024 1:34 pm
If you have a work permit, or a joint card in your Thai wife's name that's fine, enjoy. I only explained that I won't allow funds to be frozen in my bank to get a credit card, as I don't have these options.
I have a supplementary card, linked to my partners credit card, not wife. We're not married. She heard about when it was offered by citibank, before they quit Thailand and UOB took over and they have continued the scheme. The card is in my name with my own account. I don't use it much, but it came in handy the other day when I had forgotten to renew my insurance and didn't have sufficient funds here to pay, so I was able to use the cc instead.
404cameljockey wrote: ↑Mon Dec 09, 2024 1:34 pm
If you have a work permit, or a joint card in your Thai wife's name that's fine, enjoy. I only explained that I won't allow funds to be frozen in my bank to get a credit card, as I don't have these options.
I have a supplementary card, linked to my partners credit card, not wife. We're not married. She heard about when it was offered by citibank, before they quit Thailand and UOB took over and they have continued the scheme. The card is in my name with my own account. I don't use it much, but it came in handy the other day when I had forgotten to renew my insurance and didn't have sufficient funds here to pay, so I was able to use the cc instead.
Sounds nice. So all I'd need is to get a new partner, sadly I don't see that in my life but who how it goes knows down the road!
I used my iPhone yesterday to pay my bill at Bumrungrad and for groceries at Lotus's. That way there's no card to be stolen or skimmed. Face ID required before you pay. Since it seems to work so well both here and in the US, I plan to empty my wallet of cards.
I should clarify that this was with Apple Pay, not QR code.
Passed by a well known noodle restaurant in Klaeng (Rayong province). Haven't been here for quite a while. They've expanded and bought the property next door which they've turned into a carpark. First thing I noticed were the signs (in Thai), stating, "No scanning accepted". So some cash on hand is still the prudent way to go.
I generally use cash when dealing with small enterprises like food carts or informal restaurants even if they display a QR code. I figure they probably prefer cash in hand when buying goods at the market or paying informal staff. I used cash for breakfast and lunch today but scanned at both Makro and 7Eleven. At the moment we're living in a rather hybrid economy. Will cash ever disappear? Not in my lifetime.
Ratsima wrote:Will cash ever disappear? Not in my lifetime.
In Sweden cash is more or less gone… Not even banks offer ”cash services” anymore.
Going to take the (embarrassingly unclean) car for a decent wash before travelling to see friends for the weekend - Christ, I'm honestly looking for cash and some small change! Can't remember the last time I have not paid by Debit, Credit or Contactless... This of course in the UK.
"Hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things" - Yma o Hyd.
Some economies will go cashless quickly while others will continue to use cash. When I was in the US earlier this year I didn't use cash once in a couple of weeks. But Thailand's informal and underground economies are too big for cash to disappear any time soon.
As an aside: My wife is an attorney. She still has clients (mostly Westerners) who insist on paying her in cash. Not everyone is ready for the transition.
Ratsima wrote:Will cash ever disappear? Not in my lifetime.
In Sweden cash is more or less gone… Not even banks offer ”cash services” anymore.
Same in France, even small village markets are cashless!!
In 3 months there, recently, I might have used cash about 4 times at the most (twice because the machine for cards was broken).
When I’m in the UK I see some people using their card or phone to pay for everything, even items costing a £1 or less, whereas I’m the opposite and use cash unless it’s for something expensive - it’s not that you can’t use cash, it’s personal preference.
