I repatriated to the US Thursday morning.  Over the previous two weeks I had wired back my visa 800k, and another 600k..no simple feat, but on the final day, I converted most of the scraps to USD on Sukhumvit soi 7..Super Rich was out of USD, but I decided to leave 15000+ in my CIMB account, which I have an ATM attached to it, just in case I was denied boarding or whatever, and needed easy access to THB.  Didn't get a reentry, didn't think I would be back by renewal date in January 2022.  So, I made it to Chicago, ORD.  Had used the card to buy beer in the US, which there was a 2.8% foreign transaction charge, but didn't need to enter the 6 digit pin.  I saw the BMO Harris ATM in the corridor connecting terminal 1 and 2 at ORD, airside, I liked the machine, because it doesn't swallow the card, you can manually remove it at any time.  I had Googled it, and learned of a 2.50 usd fee for non BMO cards.. so I put the card in, and it accepts my 6 digit pin.  It tells me a 1.50 fee.. I say 400 usd.. Which will cost 401.50...worked great.. Got 20x20 brand new bills.. 401.50 was 12,607.07 THB at 4 am Saturday Bangkok Time, 9 April. Now, was holding breath for 2.8 percent fee tacked on from cimb, or whatever.. Checked it later and it was a flat 100 THB fee listed as "confirmation".  Much better than 2.8%.  Result.. I think I got Visa's exchange rate minus 100thb and 1.50 USD.. felt like it was a success, and is a good option for zeroing out you Thai account, without leaving yourself Bahtless in BKK or leaving the country with thousands of THB. 

Edited April 10, 20215 yr by moontang

 Just to add more on this ATM use and my findings that were accurate  last week.The amount you can take out can be varied in your mobile CIMB app.  The transfer rate amount can also depend on the machine. In most of the UK banks it is £500 per withdrawal and at store based machines like Tesco it is £250.   Look out for some machines that charge a fee . Most do not but check first at the ATM. Can be limited transactions in a day usually £2000 (4x500).. this seems limited by UK system as I have seen more out in other countries .. for example Malaysia.

 Yes it is baht 100 per transaction and at the standard visa transfer rate I obtained 42.3 to the GBP last week.

If you have a Bangkok Bank MasterCard you can withdraw in most UK Bank Machines 2 X £500 per day  100 baht per transaction But a hefty rate of exchange last week of baht 44.1 same day as CIMB I have often found this difference . Again 100 baht per transaction. Currently I am in the UK waiting for my second jab and some changes before returning and often need some cash from my Thai account per month and find this the most convenient way rather than trying to contact the bank and asking to transfer these small amount.. less hassle !. Hope that adds a bit more info for Brits using this idea too and thanks CIMB !!!!

We did this a decade or more ago in the UK when the Thai bank (SCB) refused to do the transfer.

Interesting info. Someone 'might' need it. Good luck back there. Stay healthy and I hope you don't get clobbered by any riots.

Useful information!  Thanks.

Many (most?) ATMs in my (backward) country still expect a 4-digit PIN. Which makes my 6 digit PIN difficult to use.......

7 hours ago, bangon04 said:

Many (most?) ATMs in my (backward) country still expect a 4-digit PIN. Which makes my 6 digit PIN difficult to use.......

Yes, I was concerned about the 6 digit pin, too.  That is why I spefically mentioned the BMO Harris ATM at ORD, and the fact that it never swallow or grabs onto the card.. it is more like the gas pump payment systems. 

15 hours ago, AgMech Cowboy said:

Interesting info. Someone 'might' need it. Good luck back there. Stay healthy and I hope you don't get clobbered by any riots.

My county is point3% African, and went 88% Trump.. Need I say more?  Cuban cigar, Choice steak, and fresh blueberries... for breakfast, today.. But thanks for your concern, I am sure the Thais would never use violence against a foreigner. 

Edited April 16, 20215 yr by moontang