I recently tried to deposit a cheque drawn on a prominent Thai bank into someones 'upcountry' account at Bangkok Bank.

I was informed by the staff at the downtown branch of Bangkok Bank that this was not possible and that I would have to deposit cash

When I asked why this was the case I was informed it was because ' we do not accept cheques for depsoit into upcountry accounts' When I asked why not I was told it was because 'we do not accept cheques for deposit into upcountry accounts'

Does anyone here know if this is policy at Bangkok Bank only or is the rule systemwide?

Can anyone offer an explanation?

When I asked why this was the case I was informed it was because ' we do not accept cheques for depsoit into upcountry accounts' When I asked why not I was told it was because 'we do not accept cheques for deposit into upcountry accounts'

Does anyone here know if this is policy at Bangkok Bank only or is the rule systemwide?

Can anyone offer an explanation?

he he, this should be in the 'jokes' section with the heading "Thai logical thinking'

Do not expect logical thinking skills in Thailand, even PhDs forget all they learned abroad and do whatever they feel like because "this is Thailand." No reaonable explanation required.

Dutchy

Asking 'Why' is always a rhetorical question.

Yes I appreciate asking a thai for an explanation is not going to get me very far. Thus the reason for posting it here as i can not see for the life of me why they would do it.

The only reason I asked the lady at the bank was becasssue I had stood in line for 30 minutes and really I wanted to scream but instead very politely with a smile asked the question several times until she just looked down took a breath and walked away.

II am curious as to whether it is Thai banking policy in genreal or just Bangkok Bank.

Anyway today I went armed with cash waited the half hour smiled a the bank clerk handed her the deposit slip and the cash and thought i heard her asking for more money. I was sure that it was all counted and in order but again I kept on hearing 49baht

Finally the penny dropped 'to send' money up country Bangkok Bank require commission of 49baht. This time i just laughed out loud popped a 50 baht down and walked out.

Heck it reminds me of not to many years ago when the Swiss banking system had negative interest rates on their accounts. You paid them to keep your money and if you kept it there long enough it would disappear completely

If you have an account with a Thai bank then you can do the trasfer through the ATM.

And you know what I love... Bangkok Bank's slogan is "Caring for you wherever you are".

Unless you are trying to draw money out of an ATM in one town and your account is in another... and then you must pay that wonderful "commission" we hear everywhere.

Commission when paying your electricity bill anywhere but the Electricity Office.

Commission on your phone bill unless at the 'true' office or wherever.

Again, not such a huge issue... but perhaps banks that you are a customer of could offer this as a service... Just a thought.. That's how it works in the UK.

To be honest once you know the system it is fine, and to be honest the 10Baht commission is cheaper than everything other than a Songtow to get to the right office..

It takes a bit of getting used to that's all... But the bank commisions on simple internal electronic transfers are from the dark ages!!

When we bought our condo we were unable to get any paperwork for the land office at any Bangkok Bank, other than Head Office right downtown because our account was in Surin.

We were even told that we couldnt open a new account in Bangkok Bank in Bangkok because we were foreigners without work permits at the time!! This I know is wrong... but you cannot argue! How on earth did we manage to open the one in Surin, if that is the case!!

(That's another story! The teller at Bangkok Bank did initially actually refuse because it was "too much trouble." He then suggested Thai Farmer bank down the road!!! So I said in a clear voice "Oh well I'll take my 2million to Thai Farmers Bank then...". Luckily the Bank Manager heard and reprimanded the teller who had suggested this and opened my account personally!! Whee!! )

Anyway - I digress!! When we paid the seller for the condo in Bangkok, to a Bangkok Bank account we had to pay a 'transfer fee' to get the money from Surin Bangkok Bank to Bangkok Bangkok Bank...

I don't mind any of it... such is life, and Thailand has so many great things over the West... that's why we live here...

But Man o Man Bangkok Bank need to change their slogan!

They blantantly do not 'care for you wherever you are!!'

In fact compared to SCB, who I also have an account with they are absolute rubbish.

I use SCB for day to day expenses... but be warned they do not have so many connections outside Thailand.. so transferring money into Thailand to SCB is expensive..

What we do is send the money to Bangkok Bank and then transfer it using an ATM to SCB... who are more than happy to lend money, give interest to foreigners (on Work Visas) and even issue Credit Cards... oh yeah.. and give you internet banking WITHOUT a work permit..

Long live SCB and let's hope they sort out some more international relationships soon... Then we can leave Bangkok Bank 'Caring for everyone everywhere' back in the dark ages where they belong...

scratt

I appreciate the post Scratt.

Personally I use BOA and are happy with them but have not yet asked them to transfer money 'upcountry'

Pardon my ignorance, but what's SCB? I'm looking for a bank to place a merchant account with, and Bangkok Bank isn't in the running, especially after reading your post! From my experience with them, good marketing, poor service.

Pardon my ignorance, but what's SCB? I'm looking for a bank to place a merchant account with, and Bangkok Bank isn't in the running, especially after reading your post! From my experience with them, good marketing, poor service.

Siam Commercial Bank.

Always been treated well and I think I even got 1-2% interest on my account..

Thanks, we'll check 'em out!

Finally the penny dropped 'to send' money up country Bangkok Bank require commission of 49baht.

It's all the same at every bank in Thailand if you are to transfer the money up country.

The teller;

Wire = 20 THB

Comm = fixed 10 THB for the first 10,000 THB, and 1 THB for the next each 1,000 THB

The ATM;

Only comm to be charged