ATM surcharges on cards issued by non-Thailand banks (THB150-220 per transaction)
#31
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 64
lol - Thanks. Ill keep a look out for it. I think Bank of America was giving me 32 Baht/Dollar today. Ill verify tomorrow. Ill probably go with the US Cheques.
#32
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Greater DC
Programs: UA plus
Posts: 12,943
Well if you're doing the TCs anyway, the baht maybe a better deal, it's just beware that regardless you're paying for it, that's all. ATM from K-Bank seems the best deal going.
#33
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 100
I never knew you could get a TC that was in Thai baht from a US bank; I think you would probably have to pay the 33 baht fee per check just the same. Anyway, I would get the largest denomination you can get to eliminate lots of fees for small checks. Would the conversion rate be favorable at all? Usually if you get Thai baht in a different country than Thailand your rate of exchange is less. (Pay it now or pay it later??)
I have 2 different credit union debit cards (one with Visa and one with MasterCard,) the credit unions pay my ATM charges up to 5 per month. They covered my ATM charges from my Thai withdrawals last month.
Those credit unions also issue travelers checks without any charge to members too! Only problem is that the largest size I can get is $100 US. (American Express.) I record the serial numbers of these TC's in an email that I send to myself and then save into memory. If the checks are stolen I can just recall that email with the serial numbers if needed for replacement or police investigation. When I travel I also record the serial numbers of my hundred dollar bills in case they are ever needed.
So, if you are a frequent user of ATM's overseas you might want to check out the benefits of a credit union account in your own country, perhaps they also have the same benefits.
#34
Join Date: Mar 2009
Programs: UA, AA, BMI, MR, HH, PC
Posts: 806
Are you certain? Can you confirm based on the withdrawal hitting your account? I'm just worried that some banks might not disclose the fee clearly, enough though they're charging it.
If you're sure, this would be great news. ^^ K-bank is the closest bank to my hotel, and they're plenty of others around town, including ATM's at Chatuchak, where I always seem to have an unanticipated need for extra cash.
If you're sure, this would be great news. ^^ K-bank is the closest bank to my hotel, and they're plenty of others around town, including ATM's at Chatuchak, where I always seem to have an unanticipated need for extra cash.
#35
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: ATL
Programs: DL SkyMiles PM/2MM, AA Plat, IC Diam. Amb., Peninsula regular, amanjunkie
Posts: 5,848
Excellent! Thank you. I'll give them a try myself next week. Siam Commercial seems to be charging the fee, so I'll avoid that one.
#36
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: HPN
Programs: not anymore! I'm FREE!
Posts: 3,459
Great. Is there a K Bank ATM in the airport? And does anyone know how to look up their ATM locations in Bangkok and elsewhere? (Specifically, Koh Samui and Koh Phangan.) Their web site is mostly in Thai, and the English options don't seem to include an ATM locator.
#37
Join Date: Mar 2009
Programs: UA, AA, BMI, MR, HH, PC
Posts: 806
They're fairly common, I have seen them in just about every mall, just look for the big 'K' on the cash machine. I have also seen many branches dotted around the streets. I have not looked out for them in airport but will do the next time I'm passing through. If you see a K-exchange bureau in arrivals though I'd guess they have an ATM next to it.
#38
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: ATL
Programs: DL SkyMiles PM/2MM, AA Plat, IC Diam. Amb., Peninsula regular, amanjunkie
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I think the two main banks operating at Suvarnabhumi are Siam Commercial Bank (which is reportedly charging this fee) and Thai Military Bank = TMB. I don't specifically recall a K Bank at the airport.
K Bank = Kasikorn Bank = Thai Farmer's Bank. Their color is lime green. Their logos are a stylized K (vaguely like the brushstrokes in Cathay Pacific's logo) and the grainy top of a stalk of a rice in a circle. They are fairly easy to find.
K Bank = Kasikorn Bank = Thai Farmer's Bank. Their color is lime green. Their logos are a stylized K (vaguely like the brushstrokes in Cathay Pacific's logo) and the grainy top of a stalk of a rice in a circle. They are fairly easy to find.
#39
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: SNA/LAX
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Posts: 8,076
http://www.kasikornbank.com/portal/s...0056f8f30aRCRD
To avoid the low exchange rates at Suvarnabhumi, I usually take some Thai money back home with me (less than 10K Baht) at end of every trip. When I come back to Bangkok, I have some spending local currency to hold me until I get to downtown and better exchange rates.
#41
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Dublin,Ireland
Posts: 1,294
#42
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Del Ray, Alexandria, Virginia
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#43
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: ATL
Programs: DL SkyMiles PM/2MM, AA Plat, IC Diam. Amb., Peninsula regular, amanjunkie
Posts: 5,848
I'm in Thailand now. I'll post my results after I get some cash. With the greenback sliding, it's not a prospect I relish.
#44
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Pokhara, Nepal
Posts: 109
No fee at UOB
I tried to withdraw from a Bangkok Bank ATM and it put up a screen saying there would be a 150 Baht fee. I cancelled and went next door to the UOB ATM.
No fee, but this may be due to my Card (Fidelity Visa) because the slip has a line labeled "Fee charge:" - which is 0 on my slip. This suggests that other bank cards may get charged.
Followup: Just saw that Fidelity (or someone) added a $1.00 "Cash Advance Fee" to the transaction.
No fee, but this may be due to my Card (Fidelity Visa) because the slip has a line labeled "Fee charge:" - which is 0 on my slip. This suggests that other bank cards may get charged.
Followup: Just saw that Fidelity (or someone) added a $1.00 "Cash Advance Fee" to the transaction.
Last edited by sarming; May 22, 2009 at 7:34 pm
#45
Join Date: May 2004
Location: CNX/AGP
Programs: AF/KL Flying Blue, SK Eurobonus, TG ROP, BA EC, QR Privilege Club, SQ Krisflyer
Posts: 358
Bad news. I can confirm that both Kasikorn and Ayudhya have now implemented the 150Baht fee. I withdrew from UOB today and that is still fee-free.