For some 15 years I have had a Bangkok Bank account without any problems with an associated debit card. Perfect for me transferring money from the UK etc. 3 years ago I also got on line banking making it easier to pay bills, top up mobiles etc and check account balances etc.My debit card worked perfectly for shopping and for unexpected expenses and saved me from carrying wodges of cash around. I am used to this as travelling in Europe and use GBP/EUR debit cards and never a problem.
Last week I paid in some money into my Bangkok Bank account through the ATM outside my branch in Lampang. The ATM accepted my money but impolitely swallowed my Debit Card. No reason! As the bank was open I went in to sort it out. Firstly they wanted to charge me B300 for a new card until I explained what had happened. Finally after a lot of form signing, photocopying of passport and visas etc with smiles from a non english speaking thai lady I was issued with a new Debit Card. I happily left with my shiny new debit card and went home.
Next day we went shopping Big C and, as usual , presented my new Debit Card. It was rejected!!!!!!!!!! This was repeated in Central Plaza in Robinsons, TOPS, the Cinema and MacDonalds. I looked at the Card Reader and it said UNION PAY not supported. I checked the card again and realised it had a Union Pay logo at the bottom and no Visa logo. I then went to the Bangkok Bank in the shopping centre and they told me they are no longer issuing Visa Debit Cards, Only Union Pay................Useless. By way of explanation when I asked to change it for a Visa card all I got was 'No Have - finish'!!!!! I have since checked the Bangkok Bank website and it confirms their Debit Cards are now Union Pay (apparently a Chinese outfit) with allegedly heightened secrity - a 6 digit pin but you still have to sign??? However it seems noone is accepting Union Pay??? This effectively makes my Debit Card useless. I will be seeing the Manager at the main Lampang branch on Monday as the girls in the shopping centres branches don't fill me with confidence and the website still supports the visa cards.
I am reluctant to close my Bangkok Bank account as up till now never had a problem but I am wondering what my options now are. I stick with Bangkok Bank and go back to the dark ages of carrying wodges of cash around or open an account with another bank still issuing Visa Debit Cards and maybe keep the Bangkok Bank account open for continuity purposes. Also any recommendations on other banks appreciated. I currently have a One Year Non O ME visa from London, address confirmation from Immigration and no black marks (overstays etc) on my passport and a regular long stay visitor for some 10 years.
I also wonder if it is peculiar to Lampang (bit of a 'hick' town) as maybe the good folk here aren't used to debit/credit cards so Bangkok Bank have started here as I can't believe this would work in Chiang Mai, Pattaya etc???
All comments, suggestions etc appreciated.
Thanks...
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For some 15 years I have had a Bangkok Bank account without any problems with an associated debit card. Perfect for me transferring money from the UK etc. 3 years ago I also got on line banking making it easier to pay bills, top up mobiles etc and check account balances etc.My debit card worked perfectly for shopping and for unexpected expenses and saved me from carrying wodges of cash around. I am used to this as travelling in Europe and use GBP/EUR debit cards and never a problem. Last week I paid in some money into my Bangkok Bank account through the ATM outside my branch in Lampang. The ATM accepted my money but impolitely swallowed my Debit Card. No reason! As the bank was open I went in to sort it out. Firstly they wanted to charge me B300 for a new card until I explained what had happened. Finally after a lot of form signing, photocopying of passport and visas etc with smiles from a non english speaking thai lady I was issued with a new Debit Card. I happily left with my shiny new debit card and went home. Next day we went shopping Big C and, as usual , presented my new Debit Card. It was rejected!!!!!!!!!! This was repeated in Central Plaza in Robinsons, TOPS, the Cinema and MacDonalds. I looked at the Card Reader and it said UNION PAY not supported. I checked the card again and realised it had a Union Pay logo at the bottom and no Visa logo. I then went to the Bangkok Bank in the shopping centre and they told me they are no longer issuing Visa Debit Cards, Only Union Pay................Useless. By way of explanation when I asked to change it for a Visa card all I got was 'No Have - finish'!!!!! I have since checked the Bangkok Bank website and it confirms their Debit Cards are now Union Pay (apparently a Chinese outfit) with allegedly heightened secrity - a 6 digit pin but you still have to sign??? However it seems noone is accepting Union Pay??? This effectively makes my Debit Card useless. I will be seeing the Manager at the main Lampang branch on Monday as the girls in the shopping centres branches don't fill me with confidence and the website still supports the visa cards. I am reluctant to close my Bangkok Bank account as up till now never had a problem but I am wondering what my options now are. I stick with Bangkok Bank and go back to the dark ages of carrying wodges of cash around or open an account with another bank still issuing Visa Debit Cards and maybe keep the Bangkok Bank account open for continuity purposes. Also any recommendations on other banks appreciated. I currently have a One Year Non O ME visa from London, address confirmation from Immigration and no black marks (overstays etc) on my passport and a regular long stay visitor for some 10 years. I also wonder if it is peculiar to Lampang (bit of a 'hick' town) as maybe the good folk here aren't used to debit/credit cards so Bangkok Bank have started here as I can't believe this would work in Chiang Mai, Pattaya etc??? All comments, suggestions etc appreciated. Thanks...