Thai Bank Charges on Foreign ATM Debit Card Withdrawls

[Canadian Snowbird]

During the pandemic I believe I read articles on this forum that the Thai banks had added an additional 5% charge on top of the 220 baht ding fee, meaning a 15,000 baht atm withdrawl would now cost 220 plus 750 baht. Is this still the case? I'm finally planning on returning to Thailand for the winter after a 2.5 year absence, and if this is the case, will need to figure out a different means to access money during my stay. 

[scubascuba3]

The % charge is usually by your own bank, depends on bank,  220 ATM fee is standard. When you get here open a Thai bank account, that's the best way to avoid fees

[KhunBENQ]

I read too much in this forum and can't recall anything about another 5%.

And the outcry would have been tremendous.

 

As a preparation you should open an account with WISE (wise.com).

Costs nothing.

Then as above: open a Thai bank account.

Can be more or less easy.

 

Take as much cash with you as you feel comfortable with.

[Canadian Snowbird]

1 minute ago, scubascuba3 said:

The % charge is usually by your own bank, depends on bank,  220 ATM fee is standard. When you get here open a Thai bank account, that's the best way to avoid fees

Thanks for the quick response, but it's not a charge by my credit union in Canada, it was a specific charge added by the Thai banks at a time when tourism was being decimated by the pandemic. Setting up a Thai bank account is an option, but never needed it before spending 5 to 5.5 months each winter.

[theoldgit]

Moved to the Banking Forum

[KhunBENQ]

What card do you use?

Check with your bank/card issuer about foreign fees.

5% would be ridiculous.

Look for another card/bank.

[KhunBENQ]

9 minutes ago, Canadian Snowbird said:

was a specific charge added by the Thai banks at a time when tourism was being decimated by the pandemic.

Without source this remains a mysterious charge.

Can't believe this would not have created a s...storm here!

[Canadian Snowbird]

Given the responses, I guess I will rephrase my question then ... has anyone used a foreign debit card at an atm in Thailand recently, and if so, were there any additional charges by the Thai banks other than the usual 220 baht ding fee?

[scubascuba3]

1 hour ago, Canadian Snowbird said:

Given the responses, I guess I will rephrase my question then ... has anyone used a foreign debit card at an atm in Thailand recently, and if so, were there any additional charges by the Thai banks other than the usual 220 baht ding fee?

If you accepted the ATMs bank exchange rate rather than your Canadian bank then there may have been an additional charge \ poor exchange rate. What did you accept?

[Peterw42]

OP, you have been misinformed there has been no increase in the 220b ATM fee for foreign card withdrawals. (or articles discussing it)

No extra 750 baht, its not still the case, it was never the case.

A serious case of misinformation.

[PPGuy]

The OP may have been referring to this topic from a couple of years back.

https://aseannow.com/topic/1190377-thai-banks-now-charging-atm-fee-plus-a-5-transaction-fee/

 

The responses on that thread also seem to have debunked that comment.

[Canadian Snowbird]

Thank you to all for the responses. It looks like I have the response I was seeking and it shouldn't be an issue.