150 baht fee to be charged to foreign ATM cardholders

Post by **Wanderlust** » Wed Apr 08, 2009 5:49 pm

For those who have large sums of money that they can transfer across, this change means nothing; the problem is for those who receive smaller monthly amounts from say a pension or interest on invested funds. In my case the money goes into my UK bank account and the amounts in question do not make it viable to telex transfer every month, for two reasons; one, the cost of doing so, and two, the need to leave some funds in the UK account to cover expenses at that end. So ATM withdrawals are the only option, even though my bank has been killing me with charges and a poor exchange rate, so for there now to be an extra charge from the Thai end is adding insult to injury.

Post by **hhfarang** » Wed Apr 08, 2009 6:10 pm

HH, is it now impossible to get a transfer from a US bank to a Thai one?
The UK is pretty strict on anti-moneylaundering laws and the suchlike, but I can still send a letter to my my bank in the UK and they will transfer to my Thai account.

The bank has told me that international transfers can now only be done in person... so I would have to go back to the states every month to transfer my pension to a Thai bank. Before 9/11 they had a repetitive transfer agreement where you could fill out some papers and then do frequent smaller transfers via telephone (we used to use it to send money to my Thai Mother in law) but that option is no longer available.

sargeant · Post by **sargeant** » Wed Apr 08, 2009 6:34 pm

WL i am in exactely the same boat so start rowing my arms are aching

Post by **STEVE G** » Wed Apr 08, 2009 7:56 pm

hhfarang wrote:
HH, is it now impossible to get a transfer from a US bank to a Thai one?
The UK is pretty strict on anti-moneylaundering laws and the suchlike, but I can still send a letter to my my bank in the UK and they will transfer to my Thai account.
The bank has told me that international transfers can now only be done in person... so I would have to go back to the states every month to transfer my pension to a Thai bank. Before 9/11 they had a repetitive transfer agreement where you could fill out some papers and then do frequent smaller transfers via telephone (we used to use it to send money to my Thai Mother in law) but that option is no longer available.

Yes, HH I see your problem. I thought UK banks were bad enough asking me for a signed letter, but expecting you to actually turn up in person is ridiculous.
It must be a nuisance to anyone trying to carry out any type of international commerce if they have to go to the bank every time they buy something.

Post by **Nereus** » Wed Apr 08, 2009 8:42 pm

hhfarang wrote:
HH, is it now impossible to get a transfer from a US bank to a Thai one?
The UK is pretty strict on anti-moneylaundering laws and the suchlike, but I can still send a letter to my my bank in the UK and they will transfer to my Thai account.
The bank has told me that international transfers can now only be done in person... so I would have to go back to the states every month to transfer my pension to a Thai bank. Before 9/11 they had a repetitive transfer agreement where you could fill out some papers and then do frequent smaller transfers via telephone (we used to use it to send money to my Thai Mother in law) but that option is no longer available.

Not sure if it makes a difference not being resident in the USA, nor a US citizen, but I have a repetitive transfer set up with Wells Fargo and the only thing that has changed recently with that is: you can no longer quote your PIN number verbally, it has to be entered via the telephone keyboard, also your account number. I do not use it regularly, but apart from the odd operator with a "difficult" accent, it always works without too much hassle.

Post by **chelsea** » Thu Apr 09, 2009 11:23 am

WL
In Australia they have just instigated double charges on ATM withdrawals where you do not use your own banks ATM.
I am with CBA, if I use a CBA or Bank West ATM, there is no charge.
If I use another bank ATM or one of the many free standing ATM machines, I will be charged $2.00 by the opposing bank and also charged by my bank.
So basically what the Thai's are doing is falling in line with what is happening here in Australia.
If I withdraw in Hua Hin, I am automatically charged $5.00 for an overseas withdrawal by my bank, and from what has been said, I will be charged $5.00 by the Thai bank as well.
Easiest thing is to not withdraw small amounts of money, thus reducing the charges applied.
Perhaps load up your credit card with some extra cash, and pay all bills with that, and withdraw on what cash is needed for the balance of your trip.

Post by **pookie** » Thu Apr 09, 2009 11:40 am

I'm wondering if its still possible to walk up to an exchange booth, with passport and card, hand both over and say "please gimme 15,000TBH"
Would the lazy cusses just point to the ATM standing next to the booth, or would they make the transaction?
If so, apart from the usual home bank banditry, there would be no "ATM charge" to pay..........seeing as how you never used one

Pookie

Post by **chelsea** » Thu Apr 09, 2009 11:47 am

Pookie
If I go into my local branch here in Australia to make a withdrawal, we get charged $3.00 for the privilidge. I only used it the other week as I needed to withdraw more than the normal $1000 daily limit at atm.
I would imagine there would have to be a service charge of some sort applied.

The only way in Australia you get no charges is at the supermarket when you go shopping. You can withdraw cash there when you purchase items, and the withdrawal only appears on your statement as the whole amount that you have spent in one transaction.

Say my bill for shopping was $50.00 and I wanted to take $100 cash as well. The transaction appears as $150.00 on my statement. The only place it will show is on the till receipt.

If shops there do not allow cash out, there is no way you can take advantage of that service. Can also only be done with normal account, not with credit card.

Post by **pookie** » Thu Apr 09, 2009 11:59 am

chelsea wrote:Pookie
If I go into my local branch here in Australia to make a withdrawal, we get charged $3.00 for the privilidge. I only used it the other week as I needed to withdraw more than the normal $1000 daily limit at atm.
I would imagine there would have to be a service charge of some sort applied.

The only way in Australia you get no charges is at the supermarket when you go shopping. You can withdraw cash there when you purchase items, and the withdrawal only appears on your statement as the whole amount that you have spent in one transaction.

Say my bill for shopping was $50.00 and I wanted to take $100 cash as well. The transaction appears as $150.00 on my statement. The only place it will show is on the till receipt.

If shops there do not allow cash out, there is no way you can take advantage of that service. Can also only be done with normal account, not with credit card.

Thats in AUSTRALIA though.
If we were having a debate about how things are done over there then all well and good.....but we aint, so your point is moot at best

Now....in the dim and distant past, i recall doing JUST like i suggested and no charges were made Thai-side. The actual link to the announcement mentions ONLY ATMs
NOW do you see where i am coming from????

Pookie

Post by **Wanderlust** » Thu Apr 09, 2009 5:41 pm

chelsea,
The UK banks tried to introduce the charging for ATM use some years back and the customers revolted! However you obviously missed my post earlier - I live here so I am not just on a visit, and I get a monthly income into my UK bank. This is not large enough to make it worthwhile telex transferring every month, nor is that a realistic option as I sometimes need cash in the UK to pay things, so I can't set up something for the same amount every month. Equally, loading up my credit card does not work either as i don't have the cash to load it up with!

pookie,
You also obviously missed one of my earlier posts as I asked exactly the same question regarding going inside the bank to get money - I have done it before but I remember it was a bit of a hassle, and I can't remember if any charge was made. I would imagine though that there is a charge, and no doubt it will be brought into line with the ATM fee.

Post by **kendo** » Thu Apr 09, 2009 5:52 pm

With a Natwest, telex transfer, if you tick the box to pay all charges in the U.K, they still charge you in the Thai bank aswell, so if you transfered money to a Thai bank and then use your ATM card you will pay twice for the privelage.
Kendo.

Post by **Wanderlust** » Thu Apr 09, 2009 5:58 pm

kendo,
Of course the idea with a telex transfer is that you send it to a Thai bank account that you have a Thai ATM card for - it is only foreign bank cards used in ATMs here that will incur the charge!

Post by **kendo** » Thu Apr 09, 2009 6:13 pm

So are there any Thai banks with offices or branches in London where you could have money paid into and then use your ATm card in the LOS.

Another qestion you say foreign bank cards are you sure this wont extend to foreigner with a Thai bank ATM card.
Kendo.

PET · Post by **PET** » Thu Apr 09, 2009 6:38 pm

Kendo

The answer to both your questions is NO.

The best solution for those living here is to open a Thai bank account and transfer money from your overseas bank account by Swift or suchlike ( although USA seems to be a problem for some strange reason). You can then use the Thai bank debit card and no fees.

Post by **malcolminthemiddle** » Thu Apr 09, 2009 8:47 pm

kendo wrote:So are there any Thai banks with offices or branches in London where you could have money paid into and then use your ATM card in the LOS.

Bangkok Bank Public Company Limited London Branch
61 St. Mary Axe, London
EC3A 8 BY, United Kingdom
Tel: (44-207) 929-4422
Fax: (44-207) 283-3988
Swift: BKKB GB 2L

http://www.bangkokbank.com/Bangkok+Bank ... +in+UK.htm