I used my foreign credit cards many times over the last couple of years at two major hospitals, mostly without any problem. However, on three occasions the transactions were initially refused after I had entered the pin number (100% certain code typed correctly). On two occasions, the card was switched to another device and it then worked fine. On the third occasion, the lady had brought the handheld card reader to my hospital room, and after the first attempt failed she moved near the open window and pointed the device in different directions (to get a better signal?), after I keyed the pin the transaction was accepted.

It made me think the issue could have been due to poor/unstable wireless signal, but I might be wrong, as I'm no expert in the field.

 

 

Just let it flow.....progressively when the merchants start to loose business they will put pressure on the cheats who are behind this new Thai racket.....

 

........they refuse your foreign credit card out of sheer spite ? fine...go to another shop, with cash if necessary, and make your purchase....if all consumers do the same, the racket bubble is bound to burst at one point !

It sounds to me as if your UK credit card is as normal in the UK is a chip and pin .

New new terminals are being used at Thai retail premises and for a chip and pin they require that the pin is entered .

The Thai retail people are not used to this pin request and put in their own PIN numbers,and after 3 attempts lock your card.

After this happened to me one time I make sure that I stay with card and watch what happens at the terminal just as you would at a UK supermarket.

It's nice to see that big C now use the contactless cards.

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Had same issue as some here with AirAsia online. Immediately switched to Expedia  for the purchase at only a $3USD difference in price.

 

On a sidebar topic; is American Express difficult to use in Thailand ?  I've experienced many places worldwide that it's refused because their pay schedule to the vendor takes a longer time than VS or MC.

 

 

11 hours ago, Songkran18 said:

Had same issue as some here with AirAsia online. Immediately switched to Expedia  for the purchase at only a $3USD difference in price.

 

On a sidebar topic; is American Express difficult to use in Thailand ?  I've experienced many places worldwide that it's refused because their pay schedule to the vendor takes a longer time than VS or MC.

 

 

Hubby and I had a small business in the U.S. and decided not to sign on with American Express because, yes, their pay schedule wasn't good.  They deposited once a month while the other credit/debit cards deposited into our bank account within a few days. Also, I don't quite recall the details, but I think they charged a higher percent also.  But, their rep said that not every business was asked to join their network.  It was some sort of honor that we were asked to become an American Express merchant.  (Well, actually, I suppose it was.  The American Express rep didn't approach us until we'd been in business for several years, had never had a charge-back with Visa/MC and had an excellent credit history in paying our suppliers on time.)