Bangkok Barry

We've had at least two occasions when people's accounts have been drained by small withdrawals being made, lots of them and too small to raise an alarm, and as far as I know they all occurred with mobile banking apps. I prefer not to take chances with my money when I don't have to, and that is my personal choice. Your personal choice is to mostly not use a system that has operated flawlessly and with no risk of fraud for hundreds of years. Each to their own.

What I complained about had nothing to do with them not accepting cash. It was finding their contact address didn't work, the fact that such a place couldn't even get their opening hours correct on their website, and I was told my call would be returned and it wasn't. Abysmal customer service all round.

I blocked Liverpool Lou for a reason, long ago.

A perfect picture of trying to buy something in Thailand. A total waste of time, and lacking any logic by the staff. I just can't understand how their mind works when they show you something they don't have. What is the point? And as for a different price to that on display - I have lost count of the times - it must be a hundred over the years - when the price is either not there, doesn't match the actual price you pay, or shelves have two different prices for exactly the same product. It's like shopping in a lunatic asylum, where nothing is real or makes any sense.

I have saved enough money to fly to Europe and back by being unable to buy things on sale here. 1 - I wanted to buy a washing machine. The salesman spent a good 10 minutes describing details of the one we liked, we said we'd buy it, and he said they didn't have any. 2 - Saw a kettle I wanted on a shelf in a department store. I'll buy it, I told the assistant. We don't have it, was the response. There it is, I'll take it. Cannot sell. Why? It's the last one and only for display. Then why is it on display if you can't sell it, and if you can't sell it what do you do with it? Blank stare. 3 - Same with a phone I wanted to buy. In the display cabinet, last one, refused to sell it. 4 - Another attempt to buy a phone elsewhere. The display cabinet was locked and they couldn't find the key. Another thing about sales here. If a salesperson is hell-bent on trying to sell you a particular model then they probably don't work for the store at all, despite their uniform, but are planted there by the manufacturer. Smoke and mirrors.

Correct. Was there the same outrage when a Thai drove through a red light and killed an elderly foreigner a few days ago? But no - a young child has to go when they have to go, and were there even toilets available? Thailand has a very ugly side to it, but if you 'broadcast' it on social media you might be threatened by the police and are a 'threat to national security'.

Like the chap who recently drove his car on the beach. Outrage! Deport him! And then he turned out to be Thai 😆

I don't want to use my local account. I want to use cash via ATM from an account in the UK. Why is my business. Yes. I've read too many tales of potential or actual fraud, or the bank app not working here. I do internet banking only on my laptop. I see no advantage at all in putting my account at risk just to join the 'modern age'. Putting your finances at risk isn't progression, it is the opposite.

I mentioned three businesses, not one, and in one of those the farang manager responded as management should, not ignored me as the new place I highlighted has. Scruffy Murphy's knows how to treat customers. Credit where it's due.

My last passport renewal went well, although I can't fathom why they can't send the new one to you by EMS. Bizarre.

Thank you for your concern about my health. You, obviously, and a considerable number of others who have commented, are content when you receive poor service and I wish you well. Some, like me and, again like some others who have responded, are less so.

Are you aware that being allowed to pay cash doesn't affect others, whereas someone smoking nearby does? Clearly, you can't tell the difference.

I would expect the bar I wrote about to do that, but they refused to answer my query. I suppose if they said they would accept cash in an 'emergency' it negates their policy of only accepting cards. In other words, they would have no choice but to use cash, if push came to shove. Which, if they had to accept cash at any point, makes their policy of only accepting cards unworkable. THERE SHOULD ALWAYS BE A CHOICE.

Maybe you could ask those who use it on 1.4 billion devices each month (2022) or the 72% in the world who use it on a desktop computer (2024).

Who made this will public? If it was the maid, then she was very naive if she thought anyone would let her keep the money.

I think the people who come up that have nothing constructive to offer and have lowered their own standards to match that of their hosts. It might even be why they're here, as they couldn't keep up at home. I keep thinking back to something a Korean I worked with said - the standards here are so low -after a frustrating experience of trying to work here. So many here seem to have no pride in their job, which must be a very sad way to live.

I do not assume such things which is why I asked for clarification. They didn't respond, which is not the kind of service I expect from a high-end establishment.

We're finally getting comments that acknowledge the reality of Thai service, instead of bashing the person who mentions its shortcomings. There are far too many people on this site who have been here too long and now regard mediocrity as acceptable. It is not.

I thought that riding in the back of a pickup was illegal. I must be wrong though, as the police always ignore it.

We are a curious species, aren't we. One that finds violence and killing exciting, as entertainment, as depicted in countless movies and on tv.

As I've written above, tell me. what would you do if you were in a no cash establishment and, for whatever reason, your card was refused? Hmm? Please let me know, as I'm curious. Clearly, the management had no answer. Perhaps you do. Tell us, please.

I suppose you didn't get as far as this which I wrote: I'm certain I am not the only one who could be embarrassed, and it could be especially damaging if someone was hosting business colleagues. A problem with a credit card can happen at any time, often because there is an IT/communication error in the system somewhere. I for one have read or seen this numerous times. And then what happens? But you, as you can't see further than your nose and anticipate potential problems, call me out for being ignorant. Take a look in the mirror instead. The ignorant one is you, and not receiving an answer to a legitimate question is arrogance by the management. Or indifference. Thinking ahead and anticipating problems isn't the Thai way. Nor yours, it seems. Tell me. what would you do if you were in a no cash establishment and, for whatever reason, your card was refused? Hmm? Please let me know, as I'm curious. I'd guess the place in question hadn't thought things through either, just like you. I also mentioned to the person I spoke with that their email contact system didn't work, and their website shows the wrong opening time. None of this is what I would expect in a high-end bar/restaurant.

What you pay is relative isn't it? Since when did paying what is a normal price in Thailand mean the service is entitled to be poor as it was cheaper than in your home country. Very strange logic.

Because if something is wrong then I write about it. You think everyone should keep quiet and ignore the negatives? You know, like in Russia or China. In case it upsets anyone, such as you who can't understand the concept of complaining if something is wrong.

I don't know. Not me. Why? Because cash has worked everywhere for hundreds of years, and is never prone to IT outages, as has happened twice in recent weeks in my native UK and supermarkets had to refuse sales. That's progress? No. Are you suggesting I am? EVERYONE should have a choice of how to pay. You think they shouldn't, that they should be dictated to by a business that is MEANT TO SERVE YOU, not the other way around? I've read of many people, including on this thread, who refuse to use a business that refuses to accept legal tender.