Credit/Debit Cards

[Limey711]

When we move out to Hua Hin, in 6 months time, ( we can't wait ), I shall be keeping my English bank account open and drawing money from ATM's in Hua Hin.

My only worry will be, when the bank issue new cards.

What is the postal system in Thailand like, do things tend to get lost, or have they a decent record.

Have any of you guys and girls come across this problem, perhaps any new cards, that have been sent to you, have got through okay and you have had no problems.

Just thought I would ask the question.

Russ

[Farang]

'
See here:

http://www.huahinafterdark.com/forum/vi ... light=post

,

[Limey711]

Thanks for that Farang. I see that thread is three years old, I take things haven't changed then.

[lomuamart]

Over the eight years I've been here I've had three debit cards sent to my Box number - no problem.
One thing you may want to check is that your bank is actually willing to send a card to Thailand. Mine was OK last time - but that was two years ago. The credit card company would never send a new card overseas. They sressed that Thailand had one of the worst records internationally for credit card fraud.
It might be an idea to have someone back home who the card can be mailed to and then forwarded to you if your bank won't do it.
Also, I believe that you can arrange things whereby you need to call your bank, give some security information and confirm safe receipt of the card. The bank then activate it.
Just some ideas.

[chelsea]

One idea is to report your existing card lost before you go, the bank will then issue a new card and you will get a fresh 3 or 5 years use out of your new card and not have to worry about renewing it for a good while.

[JW]

Hi Limey,

I have had 2 cards sent within the last copuple of months from the HSBC in UK. Both arrived fine, use a priority mail and your ok.

[Limey711]

Thanks very much for the information, my friends.

lomuamart, you mentioned your box number, would using a box number, be a safer option, than using my Thai house address.

JW I have'nt forgotten about your Stella.

[Guess]

Let me make a couple of points here.

1. If you draw money in a UK bank account from an ATM here in Thailand you will be ripped off by the Brits by anything as much as 7%. The Thais just take a few baht.

2. If you do not have a permanent address in the UK you do not have the legal right to posses a UK issued card of any kind.

I worked in the plastics industry for a few years and I have had a card stopped by HSBC because I could not supply them with a UK address that had my name on the council register.

The chepest way I have found to transfer money is to pay a cheque into Bank Bangkok in London and wait the ten working days for it to be available her in tour Bank Bangkok account.

No nothing has changed in the last three years or even the last ten. The British banks assume that anybody that does not do nine to five job and have a permant address in the UK must be a terrorist or a money laundering drug dealer. Of course if you live in the UK it is much easier to rip you off.

[lomuamart]

Let me make a couple of points here.

1. If you draw money in a UK bank account from an ATM here in Thailand you will be ripped off by the Brits by anything as much as 7%. The Thais just take a few baht.

2. If you do not have a permanent address in the UK you do not have the legal right to posses a UK issued card of any kind.

I worked in the plastics industry for a few years and I have had a card stopped by HSBC because I could not supply them with a UK address that had my name on the council register.

The chepest way I have found to transfer money is to pay a cheque into Bank Bangkok in London and wait the ten working days for it to be available her in tour Bank Bangkok account.

No nothing has changed in the last three years or even the last ten. The British banks assume that anybody that does not do nine to five job and have a permant address in the UK must be a terrorist or a money laundering drug dealer. Of course if you live in the UK it is much easier to rip you off.

Not so, Guess. You'll note that I was referring to a debit card that has always been sent over directly.
A credit card, never. A UK address is necessary for that.
Limey711 - yes, I reckon a box number is safer, if only for the fact that it's not delivered to your house - which some postmen find difficult to do. Not totally secure, but a better option. The could be a waiting list though. The prices are ridiculously cheap - 160, or so, a year and 300-350 deposit on the key. That's Baht, BTW.

[lomuamart]

Oh, I forgot, guess is correct. You'll be charged for using a debit card from an ATM here, depending on your bank.
Mine's Barclays and it's approx 100 Baht per transaction. Better to take large amounts.
Plenty of people have referred to one institution - a building society, I think - that charges nought. Someone else may be able to expand on that.

[Wanderlust]

Guess and lomu are correct about charges on using an ATM with a UK card, but I have found that even taking into account the charge incurred you stll get a very competitive exchange rate compared with the money exchanges and banks in Thailand, as long as you are taking larger amounts - I normally get 5000 baht at a time. If your bank in the UK does online banking it's worth signing up for it as you are able to check your account while you are here too. One word of warning - there are occasions when the ATMs report either a communication or some other error and you are unable to get any cash for up to a couple of days sometimes.

On the postage issue I agree with the other posts; either make sure it is some form of secure mail that has to be signed for, or get a PO Box. I have had a card go missing, but more likely from poor 'postmanship' than stealing. Also the regular post can be incredibly slow - I had a letter arrive today from UBC in Bangkok, posted on 6th Feb telling me that my monthly auto payment for january didn't go through, and requesting that I pay at the bank before 25th Feb or be cut off!

[Limey711]

Some good points brought out there fella's thanks again..

[Guess]

Sorry Limey if my information was mileading. Lomu is right . The ruling of residence in the UK only applies to credit and charge cards. Debit cards ensure that the funds are available so the bank has no risk.

Also the advice regarding posting via a PO box is sound. As the address will be written in English it is likely that it will be delivered to the wrong address where it will be either dumped or fall into the wrong hands. The PO box is the best way.

Do not under any circumstances get the PIN sent.

Another question is if the bank are prepared to send cards abroad. Previous posters have said they have recieved cardd but I would check eith your bank first.

Another good tip already posted is to break your card in two take it to your nbank and demand a replacement. It will be issued to you along with PIN with a new lifespan.

[Limey711]

Thanks for the info Guess, yes I was refering to my/our debit cards, as to drawing funds out in Hua Hin.

I will cancel all my visa cards apart from one, because I believe that some of the guys have been having trouble ordering goods over the net, using debit cards as payment.

Once again thanks for all the help and information.

[Guess]

Thanks for the info Guess, yes I was refering to my/our debit cards, as to drawing funds out in Hua Hin.

I will cancel all my visa cards apart from one, because I believe that some of the guys have been having trouble ordering goods over the net, using debit cards as payment.

Once again thanks for all the help and information.

Yes that is true. Debit cards have a zero floor limit so every transaction has to go on line.

As for the credit card why don't you change your address to trusted frien ihn the UK before leaving. That way if the card is lost damaged or stolen it will be sent to your friends who can then send it to you in Thailand.