spending in Thailand

NiftyDigits

socrates wrote: »

Answers above in Italics

You didn't answer the first question. What happens to the US$10000?

It seems that some have increased the charges for using Mastercard at the ATM.

Your 'reports' about the Clarity are just hearsay....and wrong.

We'll see what happens with the currencies.

Yes, read up on SIPC and FDIC.

At the end of the day this is about convenience. You can't be bothered to make your way to the nearby AEON ATM. So, whilst there are a plethora of alternatives, you are predisposed towards this one.
Wouldn't be for me. But if you intend to see out your days there, it is certainly an option.

socrates

NiftyDigits wrote: »

You didn't answer the first question. What happens to the US$10000?

It seems that some have increased the charges for using Mastercard at the ATM.

Your 'reports' about the Clarity are just hearsay....and wrong.

We'll see what happens with the currencies.

Yes, read up on SIPC and FDIC.

At the end of the day this is about convenience. You can't be bothered to make your way to the nearby AEON ATM. So, whilst there are a plethora of alternatives, you are predisposed towards this one.
Wouldn't be for me. But if you intend to see out your days there, it is certainly an option.

I am now reading on another thread that AEON exchange rates are lower than the bigger banks - perhaps you will look into that on your next visit - personally I do not believe it but you never know

http://www.kasikornbank.com/EN/RatesAndFees/Charges/Pages/Charges.aspx

Just one example for MC

Its a shame because NW and N&P (both Visa) withdrawal limits are £250 whilst Metro (MC) the other player in this game is £300 - I wonder what the equations are there over a long period of time

Like you I want to be up the minute with my information

NiftyDigits

socrates wrote: »

I am now reading on another thread that AEON exchange rates are lower than the bigger banks - perhaps you will look into that on your next visit - personally I do not believe it but you never know

http://www.kasikornbank.com/EN/RatesAndFees/Charges/Pages/Charges.aspx

Just one example for MC

Its a shame because NW and N&P (both Visa) withdrawal limits are £250 whilst Metro (MC) the other player in this game is £300 - I wonder what the equations are there over a long period of time

Like you I want to be up the minute with my information

Only idiots think that the AEON rate via ATMs are lower. It's the Mastercard rate, that's it.

Seriously, this is all much ado about nothing. You can use the AEON ATM at no charge, but you can't be bothered to go to the nearby ATM. You can take your card in to a bank, along with identification, but you can't be bothered with that either.
So you leave yourself no option other than the Schwab account.

For me, I can just go to the AEON ATM. Job done.

Doshwaster

Here's a list of the AEON cash machines in Thailand: http://www.aeonthailand.com/en/customerservices_servicelocation_atm_depositor.php - most are in Big C or Tesco supermarkets

One of the easiest to find in Bangkok is on the ground floor of the huge Terminal 21 shopping mall on Sukhumvit.

However, elsewhere in Thailand, I will admit to being lazy and just using the first ATM I come across as I usually run out of money late at night. Then BHT 150 is a small price to pay for a fresh supply of beer tokens

socrates

NiftyDigits wrote: »

Only idiots think that the AEON rate via ATMs are lower. It's the Mastercard rate, that's it.

Seriously, this is all much ado about nothing. You can use the AEON ATM at no charge, but you can't be bothered to go to the nearby ATM. You can take your card in to a bank, along with identification, but you can't be bothered with that either.
So you leave yourself no option other than the Schwab account.

For me, I can just go to the AEON ATM. Job done.

A minute ago you said

''You story about MC having an 180 baht charge is pure fantasy. If the Association have agreed on 180 baht, then it's 180 baht for both VISA and MC.''

then you backtracked

The guy who said what he said about Clarity was adamant and he went to Trading Standards over it - perhaps Halifax have to do what they do in order to be able to provide that service for free

I will continue to look for facts and educate myself and others - it seems that you do like to point score though

NiftyDigits

socrates wrote: »

A minute ago you said

''You story about MC having an 180 baht charge is pure fantasy. If the Association have agreed on 180 baht, then it's 180 baht for both VISA and MC.''

then you backtracked

The guy who said what he said about Clarity was adamant and he went to Trading Standards over it - perhaps Halifax have to do what they do in order to be able to provide that service for free

I will continue to look for facts and educate myself and others - it seems that you do like to point score though

I made that statement because I found no reference to it from the TBA, but then saw that individual Banks were levying the charge.


As to the Clarity:

Payment scheme exhange rate: Indicative rates can be found at https://www.mastercard.com/global/currencyconversion/index.html

So perhaps less of "a guy said this and "a guy said that". Those idiots often have no idea.
Provide what service for free? They charge interest, just like the Santander Zero.
It's not about point scoring, more about not wasting time over something that can be remedied in a much simpler way than sticking US$10000 in a US financial institution with scant protection.
More convenience than money saving, since you can get a better rate with a Metro bank card and an AEON ATM.

carlo_koko

The best answer ever.

carlo_koko

socrates wrote: »

Absolutely not for K Bank which is exactly why I recommended it - it is not a well known fact

I am a member of every major forum connected to going to Thailand - and every time this question comes up - its always negative towards TC's - signature problems as well as phone calls needed to verify everything

I cannot see how taking 30 minutes to open an account (just once) - and having your money sitting safely in an account cannot make sense

You can exchange your money wherever you find the best rate and deposit it into the bank when you open the account

Compared to all the other options - remember even cards be they debit or pre-paid give a terrible rate of exchange - they have to make their money from somewhere

I completely agree with you.I 'll go for 30min opening an account,securing my money,walking away with my DC and pin,rather than spending hors in police station filling forms for lost/stolen money!
Regarding the 15bath charges at ATM machine,well if you do the math ,that cheap to ensure the money.ATM machines are all over the places in Thailand now,TC all banks takes extra security measures before handling any money.Unless you spend all the time in BKK.

carlo_koko

NiftyDigits wrote: »

If you had nothing useful to add, then why did you bother to post at all?
The fact that you cannot sift through the information provided reflects badly on you.

Do you expect that every opinion will be the same?? Clearly we can't stop you from adding your opinion, for what it was worth.
Be thankful that you have such a resource at hand.
It's not about being right, but about giving information.
What I've written is quite true. I know of people who had to go to different branches to open accounts and who had problems retrieving cash when money was removed from their account.
I only posted links to quell the noise from disbelievers.

It's not that I reject the local bank idea out of hand, as the perfect solution may vary according to the user.
The fact is that I have access to the best banking products, so the local bank option is not as attractive to me.

So indeed, look at your individual circumstances and decide which is best for you.

Both socrates and I are putting forward our knowledge in order to make others aware of the pros and cons.
If I write something that is inaccurate, I would hope too that someone would pick up on it.

So less of the silly 'deteriorated' comments and perhaps a little more appreciation for the information provided.

I totally agree with you,thanks for sharing.Dont let minor details up set you.Keep smiling and make sure you give from your heart,otherwise your ego will benefit from it.cheers.Sawadee krup.

socrates

I am quoting from the site you always quote from. Thai. Visa. Remember when you was using it to show how people had lost money with K Bank withdrawals are you saying it is now not a good source?

I have no doubt that Halifax do not work the way other banks do regarding foreign withdrawals as a colleague of mine has cited the same problem, he now uses the Metro Card.

As for the devaluation of the pound it is all over the Internet I can provide you with links if you want

You have yet to answer my questions regarding TC's as they still interest me as I have a tesco credit card which means I can buy them for 1.25 per cent charge