Apologies if someone has already reported this.

Went today to Big C Extra in Pattaya to pay my water bill, as I do most months, and was asked for my passport which I did not have. The Customer Service Supervisor there noticed I had a driving licence in my wallet and said that would do.

 

When I queried this he said that it was a new law that had recently come in and everybody had to show ID when paying bills. He also mentioned he had a lot of foreigners who were not happy about this and could not understand it was the law and not something Big C were asking for.........

IE in his case please stop shooting the messenger 

 

He also said Thais had to show their ID.

 

It will be interesting to see if I get asked this when I pay my electricity bill (at a PEA office) in a couple of weeks and curious if this will be enforced at 7/11s and Family Marts?

12 minutes ago, topt said:

When I queried this he said that it was a new law that had recently come in and everybody had to show ID when paying bills. He also mentioned he had a lot of foreigners who were not happy about this and could not understand it was the law and not something Big C were asking for.........

It's exactly the same nonsense the BTS believes when they demand a passport when topping up their card. It's their interpretation of the Anti Money Laundering measures. Surely you can pay your utility bills via Internet banking and avoid these pettyfogging requirements?

Edited June 8, 20197 yr by ThaiBunny

I paid my electric bill at the PEA office in Naklua on the 5th. Only needed bill and the cash. No ID requested.

 

First visit there for many years. Usually pay at 7-11's but was a few days late this month. What a change in the set-up. Previously it was a madhouse, but this time quiet as anything with the other payment options obviously having a huge impact. Even had space in their little off-road carpark. Well setup with a number of payment windows. After payment, was asked to give a customer satisfaction ranking on a little gizmo that went from 1 to 5. Gave a 5 and smiles all round!!  

Paid my utility bills at 7/11  a couple of days ago, no mention of an ID.  

I was paying a bill in Family Mart a few days ago. It's one of the few we can't pay online.

 

I was asked for my passport. First time that has happened.

10 minutes ago, blackcab said:

I was paying a bill in Family Mart a few days ago. It's one of the few we can't pay online.

 

I was asked for my passport. First time that has happened.

Happened to me last month in a Family Mart as well, left this one and went to another Family Mart down the road, and there no passport needed.

I'm assuming this is to solve the massive and intractable problem they have where "good Samaritans" keep paying other people's water bills?

2 hours ago, ThaiBunny said:

It's their interpretation of the Anti Money Laundering measures.

yes he mentioned that as well in different words.

18 minutes ago, GroveHillWanderer said:

I'm assuming this is to solve the massive and intractable problem they have where "good Samaritans" keep paying other people's water bills?

what bxxxxxs  eh? 

yes my 152 baht water bill will launder my ill-gotten gains. 

4 hours ago, topt said:

in Pattaya

That explains it in a nutshell.

I pay my water bill to the lady who comes around on her motorbike and gives me a receipt.

 

Should I ask her for her ID card?

It's especially hilarious as you can just walk into a bank and pay a 2 mio THB bill without showing any kind of ID.

 

 

Thai logic

3 hours ago, Kwasaki said:

That explains it in a nutshell.

What exactly does it explain...............

2 hours ago, billd766 said:

I pay my water bill to the lady who comes around on her motorbike and gives me a receipt.

 

 

Me too. I was beginning to think I am classed as a dodgy character till I saw your post, I am not the only one then. ????

Soon you will need a passport to take a shit at 3 THB toilet

11 hours ago, topt said:

What exactly does it explain...............

Pattaya the Independent state of Thailand. ????

12 hours ago, rott said:

Me too. I was beginning to think I am classed as a dodgy character till I saw your post, I am not the only one then. ????

But you are still dodgy, as are all of us farangs living in Nakhon Nowhere.

 

Soon you will need a passport to take a shit at 3 THB toilet

Nah, that will be like the 7 11 card or lazada wallet - for thais only. [emoji24]

Sent from my LYA-L29 using Tapatalk

32 minutes ago, billd766 said:

But you are still dodgy, as are all of us farangs living in Nakhon Nowhere.

 

I have said that myself at the Nakhon Differentplanet Formation Dancing Society. If we were normal we would not be here.

The nutters are definitely not all in Pattaya.

19 hours ago, NCC1701A said:

yes my 152 baht water bill will launder my ill-gotten gains. 

I pay around 130 baht for a family of 4, 2 dogs, a cat and 25 chickens. 

What is the purpose of this?  Is the water bill checked to see that the name matches the ID?  Does the ID need to show an address where the water bill is delivered? If I pay my inlaws' water bill for them, do I need to carry their ID along with me to show the cashier? Did they make a photocopy of the ID?

Will they find out that I'm on a 12-year overstay? (sarcasm intended) )

Edited June 9, 20197 yr by Isaanbiker

It's the same when you pay at Tops,even if  you are Thai,

I cannot fathom out the reason for it,but that happens a

lot here !

regards worgeordie

18 hours ago, HeyHeyHey said:

Soon you will need a passport to take a shit at 3 THB toilet

5 - 10 baht in Jomtiem I'm afraid. Spending a penny has long since gone !

You should have a pic of your passport ID page on your phone. This is good enough for everything unless they want a copy.

Even thought, for topup BTS card ask for an ID. Crazy!!!!!

That slows down the process. So stupid!!!!!!!!!!

I am often asked for my passport when I post registered letters.

 

 

1 hour ago, SuwadeeS said:

Even thought, for topup BTS card ask for an ID. Crazy!!!!!

That slows down the process. So stupid!!!!!!!!!!

You only have to register your Rabbit Card one time, took all of 2 minutes. This anti money laundering thing is only for stored value cards where you can also take money out or make other purchases, which is why you have to for the BTS Rabbit Card, but not the MRT Card. So it’s completely different to having to show ID when paying a water bill.

The only rational purpose that these kind of rules serve is for everyone in Thailand to always carry ID. That's what the government wants and that's why they make these rules.