Pattaya banks not stocking USD anymore

[Hal65]

6 hours ago, elgenon said:

I got small American money at the money exchange on Walking Street. Try that. Better than the banks.

 

thanks for the tip, do you remember the name of the place and/or roughly what gogos it was near?

[talahtnut]

Its another dastardly evil plot by the pesky Russkys to destablize the $1 dollar bill.

[sawadeeken]

It May not fit everybodies needs..... But..... 'Credit cards' can cut-down the need for small bills ($'s)....

I am home based in the US (California) and have a Thai Retirement Visa...... Back and forth every couple months....... I always use Credit Cards at Tesco, Big C, Sizzler, My 3BB cable bill, Electric bill, Top's Supermarket, ETC..... I use only cards (most of them) in thailand that have 'NO Foreign Transaction' charges or fees..... And I can look online and see the charges and calculate mu exchange rate..... And believe it or not I get conversion rates 'Better' than if I changed $100 bills at the best Money Changers on the street.....

It works great for me and just wanted to share the idea......

It is understood that it don't work for all your needs.... But..... Where it 'DOES' work...... It's great........ (You must learn which cards don't have 'fees' overseas and those that do)

[jackdd]

2 hours ago, sawadeeken said:

It May not fit everybodies needs..... But..... 'Credit cards' can cut-down the need for small bills ($'s)....

I am home based in the US (California) and have a Thai Retirement Visa...... Back and forth every couple months....... I always use Credit Cards at Tesco, Big C, Sizzler, My 3BB cable bill, Electric bill, Top's Supermarket, ETC..... I use only cards (most of them) in thailand that have 'NO Foreign Transaction' charges or fees..... And I can look online and see the charges and calculate mu exchange rate..... And believe it or not I get conversion rates 'Better' than if I changed $100 bills at the best Money Changers on the street..... 

It works great for me and just wanted to share the idea......

It is understood that it don't work for all your needs.... But..... Where it 'DOES' work...... It's great........ (You must learn which cards don't have 'fees' overseas and those that do)

This topic is about getting USD to pay for the Visa to Laos or Cambodia (especially if you are not from the US and can't take small bills with you from home), not about getting THB. Try paying for the visa at the border with your credit card ?

[simoh1490]

3 hours ago, sawadeeken said:

It May not fit everybodies needs..... But..... 'Credit cards' can cut-down the need for small bills ($'s)....

I am home based in the US (California) and have a Thai Retirement Visa...... Back and forth every couple months....... I always use Credit Cards at Tesco, Big C, Sizzler, My 3BB cable bill, Electric bill, Top's Supermarket, ETC..... I use only cards (most of them) in thailand that have 'NO Foreign Transaction' charges or fees..... And I can look online and see the charges and calculate mu exchange rate..... And believe it or not I get conversion rates 'Better' than if I changed $100 bills at the best Money Changers on the street.....

It works great for me and just wanted to share the idea......

It is understood that it don't work for all your needs.... But..... Where it 'DOES' work...... It's great........ (You must learn which cards don't have 'fees' overseas and those that do)

One way or the other you will pay for that transaction somewhere along the line.....you may not pay an overseas charge, you may get a decent exchange rate but trust me, you are paying for the transaction somewhere or other.

[jackdd]

1 minute ago, simoh1490 said:

One way or the other you will pay for that transaction somewhere along the line.....you may not pay an overseas charge, you may get a decent exchange rate but trust me, you are paying for the transaction somewhere or other.

The shop which accepts the credit card payment pays for it

[NanLaew]

On 8/24/2018 at 4:41 PM, Hal65 said:

PS: I find it hilarious that the business banking / home branch is right at the tip of the most dense red light area in the world

Yes, it's there right next to the beating heart of Pattaya.

[simoh1490]

1 minute ago, jackdd said:

The shop which accepts the credit card payment pays for it

There has always been a merchants fee arrangement between the bank and merchant, that's nothing new, but Visa for example forbids their merchants to pass on those charges to the cardholder so this results in either a subtle surcharge to the purchaser or padded/higher item costs. But that's the merchant side of things.....as the cardholder you also pay in some way that is separate from any merchant charges, if you didn't, everyone would be walking around with credit cards that had no foreign transaction fees, excellent exchange rates (and the forex market would take a big hit).....but they aren't, most people are getting hit by one or both of those things.

[The manic]

I too found getting dollar's difficult last year. O concluded it was due to the lack of septic tourists. However, Yuan and ME currency was available.

Edited August 26, 2018 by The manic

[mogandave]

There has always been a merchants fee arrangement between the bank and merchant, that's nothing new, but Visa for example forbids their merchants to pass on those charges to the cardholder so this results in either a subtle surcharge to the purchaser or padded/higher item costs. But that's the merchant side of things.....as the cardholder you also pay in some way that is separate from any merchant charges, if you didn't, everyone would be walking around with credit cards that had no foreign transaction fees, excellent exchange rates (and the forex market would take a big hit).....but they aren't, most people are getting hit by one or both of those things.

Everyone in the US with decent credit can get a no fees credit card with no foreign exchange fees.

You do need to remember the vendor to charge in the foreign currency.

[simoh1490]

4 hours ago, mogandave said:

 

Everyone in the US with decent credit can get a no fees credit card with no foreign exchange fees.

You do need to remember the vendor to charge in the foreign currency.

 

Indeed I had forgotten about visa's dynamic currency conversion rates which are indeed very good.

[sawadeeken]

10 hours ago, simoh1490 said:

One way or the other you will pay for that transaction somewhere along the line.....you may not pay an overseas charge, you may get a decent exchange rate but trust me, you are paying for the transaction somewhere or other.

I mentioned a couple times that it wasn't fit for everybody, but I was hopeful that it may be useful to some others......... SORRY IT BOTHERED YOU...........

As far as trust (but trust me, - you say) why should I trust YOU..... I don't even know you --- And from this reply I can't be bothered to consider it.... LOL....

As far as 'Paying for the Transaction'......... I just looked online at my 2 different charges from yesterday, (and yes they show up online just a moment after the charge is submitted in Pattaya) --- 2 different Mastercards issued by 2 different banks .. My actual charges on my bill calculated out exchange rate of 32.77 Baht to a dollar..... Yesterday, (same day) I changed $400 USD and got 32.53 Baht to a dollar....... So the Credit Card gave me 24 satang better rate than the TT exchange booth (Better rates there than 'bank' exchange booths)(Genreally best rates in Pattaya)..........

SO..... TRUST ME..... LOL..... I have documentation (and good intent)

I'm just trying to offer 'food for thought' to some who may be able to use the info and I felt that it came close-enough to fitting in with the OP.

[simoh1490]

7 minutes ago, sawadeeken said:

I mentioned a couple times that it wasn't fit for everybody, but I was hopeful that it may be useful to some others......... SORRY IT BOTHERED YOU...........

As far as trust (but trust me, - you say) why should I trust YOU..... I don't even know you --- And from this reply I can't be bothered to consider it.... LOL....

As far as 'Paying for the Transaction'......... I just looked online at my 2 different charges from yesterday, (and yes they show up online just a moment after the charge is submitted in Pattaya) --- 2 different Mastercards issued by 2 different banks .. My actual charges on my bill calculated out exchange rate of 32.77 Baht to a dollar..... Yesterday, (same day) I changed $400 USD and got 32.53 Baht to a dollar....... So the Credit Card gave me 24 satang better rate than the TT exchange booth (Better rates there than 'bank' exchange booths)(Genreally best rates in Pattaya)..........

SO..... TRUST ME..... LOL..... I have documentation (and good intent)

I'm just trying to offer 'food for thought' to some who may be able to use the info and I felt that it came close-enough to fitting in with the OP.

I'm sorry you had a bad night, I hope your day is better.

[sawadeeken]

11 hours ago, simoh1490 said:

There has always been a merchants fee arrangement between the bank and merchant, that's nothing new, but Visa for example forbids their merchants to pass on those charges to the cardholder so this results in either a subtle surcharge to the purchaser or padded/higher item costs. But that's the merchant side of things.....as the cardholder you also pay in some way that is separate from any merchant charges, if you didn't, everyone would be walking around with credit cards that had no foreign transaction fees, excellent exchange rates (and the forex market would take a big hit).....but they aren't, most people are getting hit by one or both of those things.

Trust you........ HUH?????

When I go to Tesco. Big C, Sizzler, MK Restruants, Etc......... I pay NOTHING MORE --- Cash or Credit Card Pay same........ LOL.....

[sawadeeken]

1 minute ago, simoh1490 said:

I'm sorry you had a bad night, I hope your day is better.

Nothing to do with a 'Bad night'......... PM me if you want to argue.........

[simoh1490]

5 hours ago, mogandave said:

 

Everyone in the US with decent credit can get a no fees credit card with no foreign exchange fees.

You do need to remember the vendor to charge in the foreign currency.

 

Just to add.... whilst US cards may work that way the same is not always true of cards in other countries, Barclaycard UK for example charges foreign transaction fees and they are one of the biggest in the country.

[sawadeeken]

1 minute ago, simoh1490 said:

Just to add.... whilst US cards may work that way the same is not always true of cards in other countries, Barclaycard UK for example charges foreign transaction fees and they are one of the biggest in the country.

One of the cards I used yesterday was from Barclay Bank (Issued USA) and no 'Intl fee'.... (and 24 satang better exchange rate than the best money changer)

And even in the USA many cards have 'Intl fee'..... People must check with each card issuer to get the ones that don't have those fees........ I have 3 American Express cards, two with fees and one without..........I have Visa cards.... Some with fees and some no fees......... The UK (not being a third-world country) I feel would have no fee cards as well.......... I have a great deal of experience with credit cards and have the pitfalls and perks......... I 'very rarely' pay any interest also since I pay my total bill each month (online where ever I am) and have 'Many-many' free 'Worldwide' hotel nights earned (between 10 and 25 nights depending on category hotel) and a few free flights that i haven't used yet....

I have made a HOBBY out of 'milking' the cards rather than them 'milking me' .....

[sawadeeken]

19 minutes ago, simoh1490 said:

Just to add.... whilst US cards may work that way the same is not always true of cards in other countries, Barclaycard UK for example charges foreign transaction fees and they are one of the biggest in the country.

I will guess that if you were 'informed on the subject' that even Barclay has some of it's cards with no annual fee and no Intl exch rates either..........

[simoh1490]

58 minutes ago, sawadeeken said:

I will guess that if you were 'informed on the subject' that even Barclay has some of it's cards with no annual fee and no Intl exch rates either..........

I'm informed to the extent that my Barclaycard (UK) charges an international fee and if the visa DCC rate is not selected at the time of purchase, the exchange rate is very poor.

[sawadeeken]

5 minutes ago, simoh1490 said:

I'm informed to the extent that my Barclaycard (UK) charges an international fee and if the visa DCC rate is not selected at the time of purchase, the exchange rate is very poor.

Great!!!!! Maybe we are getting somewhere now, And hopefully others will be informed by this thread........

Since you are familiar with that 'one card' it could be of great benefit to you also to go online and learn more about Barclaycards as well as others.... You can go online and sign up for many airline/hotel cards that will offer you sign-up bonuses of 50,000 - 100,000 points.... good for 2-5 free nights or a couple flights... Just for getting 'their' card......

Most promotions require that you spend $1,000 up to $3,000 in the first 3 months.... and some have annual fee (often waived the 1st year -- in which case I cancel the card when the re-newal fee comes and keep the bonus points) Some cards will allow you to do it again after 24 months.........

1.  https://thepointsguy.com/cards/

2.  https://www.creditcards.com/signup-bonuses/

3.  https://www.businessinsider.com/best-credit-card-bonus-offers-spring-2018-5

And there is more if you search c.c. signup bonus..... Try UK as well

[simoh1490]

6 minutes ago, sawadeeken said:

Great!!!!! Maybe we are getting somewhere now, And hopefully others will be informed by this thread........

Since you are familiar with that 'one card' it could be of great benefit to you also to go online and learn more about Barclaycards as well as others.... You can go online and sign up for many airline/hotel cards that will offer you sign-up bonuses of 50,000 - 100,000 points.... good for 2-5 free nights or a couple flights... Just for getting 'their' card......

Most promotions require that you spend $1,000 up to $3,000 in the first 3 months.... and some have annual fee (often waived the 1st year -- in which case I cancel the card when the re-newal fee comes and keep the bonus points) Some cards will allow you to do it again after 24 months.........

1.  https://thepointsguy.com/cards/

2.  https://www.creditcards.com/signup-bonuses/

3.  https://www.businessinsider.com/best-credit-card-bonus-offers-spring-2018-5

And there is more if you search c.c. signup bonus..... Try UK as well

I have no interest in those things, I have a single UK credit card for use in the UK and a single UOB Thailand card for use when I'm at home in Thailand, that's plenty, plus I don't care about points etc. Plus, I am Thailand resident and have been for 16 years, as such I am unable to apply for new credit cards in the UK because I don't live there, the Barclaycard I hold is a legacy card that I'm allowed to retain - between the two cards all my needs are met and with a high credit limit on both there's no need for additional cards or to change.

[watcharacters]

On 8/25/2018 at 8:55 AM, Mavrick6165 said:

I have a Feeling that because Thailand is not allies with the US any more U will see this more and more ... changing(Thailand ) to the pound to back they money up ... Thailand is now allies with China . 

 

 

Link please or maybe this is just  heated  air.

 

[Rimmer]

Some off topic bickering posts removed, please stay on topic which is about:

 

Pattaya banks not stocking USD anymore

[elgenon]

On 8/26/2018 at 3:41 PM, Hal65 said:

 

thanks for the tip, do you remember the name of the place and/or roughly what gogos it was near?

Yenjit Exchange - 112 Walking Street. If my memory is correct I think there is a similar place kind of across the street from it. It was near a travel shop but that place is gone. Don't remember the nearest go-go.

 

I got small American money for a trip to Cambo.