I brought a few bills to pay on my last visit to TOPS 4 days ago. When I presented them to the cashier, she asked for a passport (first time that's ever happened to me when paying with cash).

 

Apparently the powers-that-be have added a new law or something. I didn't have my passport with me (it was out with the visa agent for a work permit), but I luckily found a photocopy, which was accepted. I paid cash for everything, no credit or debit card used. 

 

What is going on here? I can't think of any other reason than simply it tells farangs they're not welcome here, even farang cash isn't wanted..`

 

Am I missing something?

Edited April 12, 20197 yr by MiNombreEsFicticious
typos needed fixing

Go to 7/eleven.. They not bother.. But why a passport if you pay cash for a Bill.. If I want to help a friend to pay his telephone bill I cannot because its not in my name.

Then its time and Change the Name "Tops" to "Flops"..

32 minutes ago, MiNombreEsFicticious said:

Am I missing something?

Thailand wants a cashless society and they are tracking everyone including Thais. All about taxes now and tracking your movements.  

 

You can not even buy a Rabbit card now without a PP or Thai ID card.

 

It is a slow process of indoctrination but as Thai incomes increase they want this kind of thinking. 

 

I can remember when credit cards were a new idea and everyone said it was crazy, but by the time I retired, 99.9% of everything I bought was on my American Express Card and I only carried $20 cash with me. 

Edited April 12, 20197 yr by NCC1701A

Just now, NCC1701A said:

Thailand wants a cashless society and they are tracking everyone including Thais. All about taxes now and tracking your movements.  You can not even buy a Rabbit card now without a PP or Thai ID card.  It is a slow process of indoctrination but as Thai incomes increase they want this kind of thinking.  I can remember when credit cards were a new idea and everyone said it was crazy.  

Always remember your tinfoil hat when you go outside

2 minutes ago, ThaiBunny said:

Always remember your tinfoil hat when you go outside

are you joking?

Pay all mine online these days. No passport needed there.

2 hours ago, NCC1701A said:

Thailand wants a cashless society  

cashless, farang-free society perhaps?

Never have had a problem with paying my bills at Tops with no passport. 

Never had to produce my Pink Card either. 

20 hours ago, ThaiBunny said:

Always remember your tinfoil hat when you go outside

When I was in China last year, my Chinese friend never paid cash for a thing.  He used his phone.

In fact, restaurants gave a good discount as it saves them handling cash.

If they tried that on me I'd smile and leave my shopping for them to put back on the shelves. If I'd already paid I'd insist on my money back!

 

Rooster

A week or so ago I was asked for my passport to top up my skytrain card at On-Nut skytrain station, definitely a first (for me).

 

They accepted my pink id card though.

 

And yesterday I topped up again at Phrakhanong BTS, and of course no request for passport, id etc. just hand over the money. 

 

TIT.

Just revoke these shops.

21 hours ago, NCC1701A said:

Thailand wants a cashless society

All of my in-law have been cashless for years... 

24 minutes ago, stbkk said:

A week or so ago I was asked for my passport to top up my skytrain card at On-Nut skytrain station, definitely a first (for me).

 

They accepted my pink id card though.

 

And yesterday I topped up again at Phrakhanong BTS, and of course no request for passport, id etc. just hand over the money. 

 

TIT.

Yes, after you register your Skytrain or Rabbit card with your ID , you do not need it after that. It is already registered.

never had a problem using cash anywhere but even if declined at Tops you can still find a 7 somewhere... 

 

but not sure why you find a policy change to be a personal message of persecution..  

21 hours ago, NCC1701A said:

are you joking?

Perhaps just ignorant?

Thailand is also cracking down on money laundering. so Farang needs ID just like at money exchange. 

I went to Samativej hospital in Sri Racha two years ago for a scan. All was arranged in advance and the price agreed by e-mail. I turned up with the GF and paper copies of the relevant e-mails, and the receptionist demanded to see my passport. Mai mee, why do I need a passport to pay for a scan in a private hospital? The GF was on my case, telling me I was ting tong going to hospital and not bringing my passport. I told her that I don't show my passport in the 7-eleven when I buy milk, so why should I show it to buy a scan in a private hospital that's got nothing to do with the Thai government? I think the receptionist got a bit put out by my comparison of their hospital with a 7-eleven, as she forgave me my transgression and said I should be sure to bring it on my next visit, and after that all was fine, even the GF shut up.

 

(BTW, I had a photocopy of the passport in the glove compartment of my car, but I must have been bored as I thought it would be more fun to argue with the penpushers than to walk all the way back out to the car park.)

The madness continues..

Did she have a whistle, steel cap shoes and flurescent top.....if not tell her to go jump as she aint got authority

48 minutes ago, kenk24 said:

never had a problem using cash anywhere but even if declined at Tops you can still find a 7 somewhere... 

 

but not sure why you find a policy change to be a personal message of persecution..  

Because how stupid is having to show ID when paying for something ....cashier is a jumped up xenophocic little tart

55 minutes ago, kenk24 said:

never had a problem using cash anywhere but even if declined at Tops you can still find a 7 somewhere... 

 

but not sure why you find a policy change to be a personal message of persecution..  

My old Latin tutor always advised "romano vivito more" - (if in Rome) behave as a Roman. Works in Thailand, too. Carrying Western baggage here gets heavy.

When the next financial crisis hits they will dive into all our bank accounts as they did in Banks in Cyprus (bail In ) & paying your bills will be the last of your worries ,& there will be absolutely nothing you will be able to do about it !! 

21 hours ago, CharlieH said:

Pay all mine online these days. No passport needed there.

same here, much less hassle

8 minutes ago, jgarbo said:

My old Latin tutor always advised "romano vivito more" - (if in Rome) behave as a Roman. Works in Thailand, too. Carrying Western baggage here gets heavy.

Couldn't agree more but are Thais being asked to show their passports, very much doubt it

Take a photo of the cashier and then ask for the duty manager. Once (s)he appears, ask for the written instruction by head office. Happened to me - nothing of the like was produceable. I insisted on an apology and a speedy process of my bill payments. Ever since - BIG smiles and doing everything possible to avoid the "farang roo maak"! 

2 minutes ago, Sydebolle said:

Take a photo of the cashier and then ask for the duty manager. Once (s)he appears, ask for the written instruction by head office. Happened to me - nothing of the like was produceable. I insisted on an apology and a speedy process of my bill payments. Ever since - BIG smiles and doing everything possible to avoid the "farang roo maak"! 

why go to that extend of wasting time and arguing with somebody that (usually) speak poor English, better move to the next shop

21 hours ago, CharlieH said:

Pay all mine online these days. No passport needed there.

I do the same with one exception which is my electricity bill.

 

Kbank don't have a way of accessing the PEA account for some reason. The PEA does have an app that I can use on my mobile but not it seems on my pc.

23 hours ago, NCC1701A said:

You can not even buy a Rabbit card now without a PP or Thai ID card

I recently got mine without either.

2 hours ago, billd766 said:

I do the same with one exception which is my electricity bill.

 

Kbank don't have a way of accessing the PEA account for some reason. The PEA does have an app that I can use on my mobile but not it seems on my pc.

If you click pay in PEA app the kbank should then send to your phone after entering the number into PEA app.

If it doesnt, open the Kbank app and it will be sat there waiting to be paid. Thats how it works for me with Kbank.

35 minutes ago, Mavideol said:

wasting time and arguing with somebody that (usually) speak poor English

I'm sure they speak better English as you Thai ????