richard_smith237

True but why make it easier for hackers? How is you or I paying with a card or QR code making it easier for hackers ?? 90% (guess) of people are already using cashless payment - so from that perspective, pandoras box is already open. I only see your argument as being valid if we were to go back to 100% cash payment...

Well, I can never be sure if they have grandchildren, but slow people? quite often. Quite a few people seem to struggle with it. I prefer the system in the UK where you just hold the card up to the machine. Tap and Go. Far superior to the QR code phone app nonsense. Those same 'characters' who are slow to use their QR code, are also slow to get their purse or wallet out and then dig for cash - I don't think QR or digital payments change that... They are the same 'type of person' who get to their front door, then dig around for their keys !!!! The 'Tap and Go' system exists in Thailand now.... and I agree, its better than the QR system. Showing your bias again. Yes... I did highlight that in my comment when I wrote: <<That might be my bias but I find it much quicker anywhere I've used QR payment... >> Which was my main point. I am not against Tap and Go, but cash needs to remain an option. 100% agree - thats been my point all along - no need for weak arguments and flawed anecdote. Strawman. I'm not against digital payments (if they are implemented right). I actually like Monzo cards where you can put a couple of hundred quid on it for a night out and so if you lose it then it's no big deal, unlike losing a bank a credit card. I am against removing cash as an option. As am I - I'm also for using balanced well through out arguments in support or against an option and find many of the anti-digital payment arguments quite broken and flawed thats all, they can be countered so easily that they weaken a point rather than strengthen it.

The 'cash' is going to end up digital anyway... Its not as if the companies store cash in a vault...

Has anyone thrown any criticism at those who prefer to use cash ? I've criticised the flaws in some of the arguments, but not the choice to prefer cash payments. When paying with a QR code or debit card it subtracts from the account direct - so cashless payment is no different. The only form of 'cashless payment' that puts someone in debt could be payment via 'credit-card' - its somewhat different from the 'cashless topic'... 100% - any customer should have the freedom of choice - thats just basic customer service IMO.

"I like paying with cash" - is a strong enough argument on its own I think... customers should simply be allowed to pay how they prefer - IMO thats good business practice... The 'power outage' argument I've heard before... really, how often is that for it to be a valid argument... Besides, if the power is out to a block (i.e. out in 7-11) the power can also be out for a set of ATM's... Thus that argument has its own flaws... As mentioned above: .... << All the other arguments used against digital payment can be so readily picked apart they weaken the argument rather than contribute any additional validity or strength to the points being made (your 'granny argument' being a perfect example) >> Thus: the "I like paying with cash" argument is already strong enough IMO - customer preferences are important and you shouldn't have to justify why you have one preference over another - its your preference and your right without any justification.

It's not 'dumb'. It depends on who is using the phone. If it's some old granny it can take what seems like decades. And that's just them typing the passcode. Bias - how many times are you stuck behind 'some old granny' ???... More often than not, its someone who just flashes their QR code, or scans a QR and make payment faster than dealing with cash... That might be my bias but I find it much quicker anywhere I've used QR payment... ApplePay and contactless payments (tapping the card or phone) are even quicker. I'm aware of that. But they always do because they want their "member points" or whatever. The 2 are not related but it further delays what shoyuld be a simple process. As you indicated - Giving the phone number is for membership points and completely unrelated to cashless payment... thus using such an argument to object to cashless payments is flawed. I agree... I believe we should never lose cash, so from the perspective of 'use it or lose it' I would vote to always maintain the option of 'cash payments' and I think thats a strong enough argument on its own. .... All the other arguments used against digital payment can be so readily picked apart they weaken the argument rather than contribute any additional validity or strength to the points being made (your 'granny argument' being a perfect example).

IF it costs the stores less not to have cash-payment, then the savings from those efficiencies can be passed on to the customer - though I doubt they will knock any money of every items as a direct result, but it will likely accounted for as part of the bigger picture of being efficient and keeping prices competetive. 3% is for Master and Debit Cards - QR payment (is currently free). Rather silly arguments... a bit too 1984 for anything outside of the 'off the beaten path' sub-forum.

I just encountered exactly the same message when opening my BKK Bank App - it would be an annoyance when trying to pay, but one I'd get over very quickly when paying with the debit card from the same Bangkok Bank account instead... (5 Mins later - the App is working normally BTW) But, carrying around 20,000 Baht cash all the time is also inconvenient... (or however much we need to cover the cost of digital spending). I have been to plenty of ATM machines that are 'out of order' - but usually there is another nearby, so that cancels that issue, out - just as the issue of the Bangkok Bank App hanging, there is another option (card) that we can move onto very quickly.... All payment methods area also imperfect at times and have their inconveniences... we all have back-up options don't we ?? (debit, credit cards, PromptPay, more than one account etc).

Absolutely agree - the excuses often used against digital payment options are extremely myopic and very poor examples of reality. The only valid argument I have seen against business going cashless is that we may end up without cash completely and I don't think anyone wants to be in that situation - its better to have all options open to us, digital and cash payments.

This is one of those 'dumb arguments' against cash-less QR payments... Its not slower than paying with cash, I find it faster. additionally - when making a QR payment you don't have to give anyone your phone number...

I foresee no change at all - this will be ignored like every other 'announcement'...

Why ? ... because he's an independent thinker and will not have his freedoms removed and be told what to do by a totalitarian government !!! - he left the 'nanny state' behind him when he moved here !!

Taking pets to a vet to get them 'chipped' is an extreme measure... There are simpler solutions to the 'Soi dog' issues that Thailand faces... All dogs must have a collar - those found roaming the streets without a collar will be removed. Owners (of dogs with a collar) will be charged for any incident involving their pet on public land (i.e. people getting bitten) , and the dog will be removed. Owners (of dogs with a collar) will be charged if their dog is found on public land. That 'should' ensure all dogs are kept secured on private land, any soi dogs or strays on public land will be removed.... ... now, if only they could do this across Thailand and on beaches etc.

Nothing will happen - authorities love nothing more than an announcement... When everyone ignores them... they will stay quiet to avoid further loss of face and all this will blow over... As usual, nothing will change and a year from now we will be reading of more dog attacks on innocent victims.

Some people live in a world of utter delusion !!... You would do all of that just to make a point that no one will take notice of anyway. As Patong2021 wrote - IKEA are already listening to the market, and while I disagree with the business practice they are employing, your 'one man protest' would be extremely juvenile.

Which ones... Given cost vs quality - IKEA were an excellent option when we built our kitchen... Other options were homePro, Index, Boonthavorn... IKEA was better (IMO of course) - though we used Boonthavorn for our countertop as IKEA sourced from them anyway and added their markup. I understand opinions and experiences vary, but also understand we 'see what we want to see' i.e. you are under the impression all the prices have increased by 20%.. I have not seen that, but will admit I'm not a regular IKEA shopper anyway... so unless we are there every month, how will we notice the change of prices ? I suspect its something of a more 'impression' and 'bias' based rather than factually based opinion.

Understood and agree with all of that... Though those metrics often overlook the 'personal touch' some will feel ostracised - and that alone I think is poor business practice. IKEA obviously know what they are doing, I can't argue with that logic: However, I would like to see businesses 'showing they care'... ... But as you say, perhaps they don't care about losing customers such as Khun LA and others who will avoid a place that excludes cash-payment - were they ever going to shop at IKEA in the first place anyway ?

IKEA Thailand actually slashed many of its prices by 25% under its "More Value, Less Spend" strategy... https://thereporter.asia/eng/2025/02/ikea-thailand-strategy

Thats been my point - perhaps you are not there target customer anyway - but why would they put a policy in place that deliberately ostracises 'possible' customers such as yourself ? The question would then be asked - IF you 'needed' something from IKEA, would you know how to make a digital payment - in which case you are just being stubborn - as going to an ATM and withdrawing cash, then paying with cash involves more hassle than a QR transfer or debit / credit card payment. Agreed - which is why I think its important to keep cash... for as soon as we don't have cash as an option, I'm sure the cost of Digital payment will increase... i.e. MasterCard / Visa already charge 3%... PromptPay is currently free... But when cashless is the only option, will a charge be added to that ? at which point we become stuck with minimum payments ? I don't think cash will disappear in our life times, particularly for 'small' daily payments... But for shopping, malls, supermarkets etc... we might see a move to digital only. Realistically - we're already 99% digital payment - the only time I pay with cash now is a flag-fall taxi and the odd 'beer-bar'...

Exactly the same in my branch in the UK... But really, with the onset of internet banking and Mobile Banking, I never need to go into Branch anyway... So I wasn't bothered - but my Parents who are quite 'Analogue' were annoyed by this removal of what they considered to be a basic service. When I was a child I remember we had two banks in our village, now my nearest branch is 20 miles (32 km away). I can see the case for removing a high-street bank from a village or small town due to the costs of rent and staff vs amount of customers who actually 'go in' to the Bank... Its different for businesses though who'd I'd assume would have it as policy not to turn away a single customer..... perhaps IKEA can afford to lose the 'tiny' non-digital customer base.

I'd argue the Ikea Thailand customer demographic is different than the USA and the ages are a lot older... I see a lot of older people walking around IKEA.. That said, I do get your point - someone going to Ikea, even in Thailand is likely to be very familiar with digital payments - especially when we see them being used very commonly at wet markets etc, PromptPay its a ubiquitous payment method in thailand. I do agree with your comment that its likely 'The dinosaur brigade I refer to who refuse to use debit cards or payment apps, are not likely to be customers'... ... However, my point is 'why put a system in place that locks out 'anyone' ??? I guess there could be a scenario whereby maintaining 'cash on premises' is more costly that any business secured with cash payment - but thats difficult to imagine. Additionally - this is not a 'city wide' policy, but only at 3 stores - so I'm wondering why they are setting different rules for different locations.

Thats unfair and insulting to say that of his Wife - There is a large proportion of society who, through socio-economic status will always feel subservient to the police who posture, strut, act powerful and in this case make strong threats... Had the Wife argued, she could have made a relatively harmless situation worse. Additionally, perhaps they didn't want to pay a 20,000 baht bribe not to stay in the cells over night. Unless in that situation, you have no idea how your girlfriend would react if surrounded by Police and being verbally bullied - it would certainly take more than 5-10 mins of your time, unless your GF is a Policewoman or well connected herself.

This highlights the BiB's standards of equal treatment... Whether Thai or Western, he was without a license and over the limits (for his licence status)... he was quite lucky really. I do suspect the BiB were 'hoping' he'd pay his way out of staying overnight in a cell or at least angling for that. All in all - the Op got of lightly - If he hasn't learned a lesson and got his Thai license by now, he's already being dumb... though that will only give him his two years temp license anyway. Also: Can the Ops Wife drive ?... I hardly ever drive at night, usually I've had at least one beer, the Wife is a good driver & there's no excuse for her not to drive, or I take a taxi - its simple really.

Of course you were't... no matter how many warnings you got.... Your comments are a curious blend of tragic and hilarious - like watching a clown slip on a banana peel while reading Nietzsche. I wouldn’t dream of reporting them; you’re far too insignificant for that. You flicker into existence only when I, against better judgement, choose to peek at the intellectual compost you’ve left behind. When you do get reported, it’s by others who still mistake your drivel for something malicious rather than just pathetically limp trolling. I find you amusing in the same way one finds a dog barking at its own reflection amusing - sad, pointless. Three people downvote you and suddenly you’re conducting a sociological study - truly, your idiocy is as boundless as it is entertaining. Much like your laughable attempt at a poll on drink driving, it's clear you wouldn’t know how to generate a sensible poll, let alone interpret numbers if they danced naked in front of you. Your relevance died long ago - now you’re just the forum’s resident pest, skittering around dropping half-baked provocations no one takes seriously. Once loathed, now ignored - you're simply overlooked. We all see the game: bait, provoke, whine, repeat. You’re not fooling anyone. You’re just a tired little troll screeching for attention in a room that’s stopped listening. Pathetic attempt to troll - par for the course with you. It’s almost endearing how you keep trying, like a moth headbutting a lightbulb. Nothing more pathetic than a boasting drunk driver scrambling for moral high ground. You should’ve stayed out of this thread - you’re actions are clearly more repulsive than the OP. Impressive, in the worst possible way.

Do we really need those checks every 5 years ??? perhaps once older than a certain age... i.e. 65 etc.