The demise of the village ATM.

[Crossy 45769]

Well, yesterday was the last day that our village had an ATM 😞 

 

SCB determined that it was not economical to maintain the service. It can't have been due to lack of use; it was always empty on a Sunday afternoon.

 

The nearest ATM is now 2km away, even the nearest 7-Eleven doesn't have one, much to my surprise.

 

Of course, the village "commerce" operates on a cash basis although more and more places are showing QR payment codes.

 

My wife is very much old-school and doesn't want to use QR, the maid is terrified of any technology although she does have a mobile phone (she won't use our front-loading washer), looks like we're back to my giving Madam her housekeeping in cash.

 

Anyone else seeing this trend?

[topt 4309]

26 minutes ago, Crossy said:

Anyone else seeing this trend?

In Pattaya SCB removed quite a few ATMs from 7/11s some years ago (more than 5) but overall still loads of ATMs around if you are vaguely central as you would expect in a city.

 

Unfortunately however I see the removal probably increasing but just hope it does not get as bad as the UK. 

Although I read that they are finally starting to try and make sure cash is available -

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12130283/Free-ATMs-enshrined-law-following-concerns-bank-branch-closures.html

 

Personally I use cash for most things here but was an avowed cc user in the UK - mainly for the cash back........

[John Drake 10183]

Two 7 Elevens within 400 meters and one Lotus GoFresh a little further. And a small produce market opposite one of the 7 Elevens. Used to be two SCB Atms. Both gone. Only Bangkok Bank left.

Edited June 1 by John Drake

[Liverpool Lou 13386]

1 hour ago, Crossy said:

SCB determined that it was not economical to maintain the service.

Genuine question, how did you determine that, did SCB confirm it?   I understood that (non-bank) premises had to pay the banks for ATMs to be installed.

Edited June 1 by Liverpool Lou

[Crossy 45769]

Just now, Liverpool Lou said:

Serious question, how did you determine that, did SCB confirm that?   I understood that (non-bank) premises had to pay the banks for ATMs to be installed.

 

There was a paper notice (in Thai of course) on the machine (sadly I didn't take a photo) which said that it was closing for "commercial reasons".

 

The machine was an on-street one in a booth, not associated with a shop. I wonder if the village had to pay for it?

[KhunBENQ 22761]

1 hour ago, Crossy said:

Anyone else seeing this trend?

Removing/shutting down ATM service is an obvious trend.

Kasikorn has removed multiple ATMs in our district.

And yes, we also have fuel stop with 7/11 and no ATM.

That was a new experience for me.

Also shutting down micro branches and even main branches (best example Kasikorn Pattaya).

Bangkok Bank closed micro branch at the only mall style center in the district town and not even supplying an ATM.

Edited June 1 by KhunBENQ

[Moonlover 12702]

1 hour ago, Crossy said:

SCB determined that it was not economical to maintain the service. It can't have been due to lack of use; it was always empty on a Sunday afternoon.

It will be, most certainly for commercial reasons. ATMs don't run for free as I'm sure you realize. Although you perceive that it got plenty of use, in a village setting it would probably be lots of customers drawing small amounts. The cost per withdrawal would be quite high from the bank's perspective.

 

Our nearest ATM is 7.5klm away, but I still pay Madam Moon by transfer. She likes to have money 'walking through her account' as she puts it.

[foreverlomsak 2521]

It does appear to be a trend, without doing a physical count my locality gives the impression of about a 35% reduction in ATM's, of course you never notice they've gone until you want one.

More worrying is the removal of the SCB and Bangkok branches from Big C and Lotus (with their associated ATM's, etc.), I've now got about a 75km round trip to visit a branch over the weekend. I know in this advanced electronic age we should not need to enter a branch, but if you want I'm a Luddite, cash rules.

[foreverlomsak 2521]

1 hour ago, topt said:

Personally I use cash for most things here but was an avowed cc user in the UK - mainly for the cash back........

I'm the same/was the same, will admit don't trust the phone payment idea, don't know how it hangs together. 

[puck2 1675]

It's a new trend - cashless paying. I have read about the same trend in Germany.

 

You can guess (as usual), money is the main reason for the banks, although the ATM-fees in Thailand are already horribly high for using an ATM, when your card is connected to a falang-country.

 

Edited June 1 by puck2

[lopburi3 13793]

Actually ATM robbery has become a rather large issue over the last few years and believe many not located at banks or 24 hour establishments have made the decision to remove.  Not only a cost in cash but a cost in machine as they are often destroyed.  Of course this has been even more as many smaller branch banks also closed during pandemic.  But in turn more people have turned to phone/QR code and such so no longer require the cash machine for either cash or banking transactions.  Expect keeping the machines supplied/monitored/protected is an expense banks would prefer to eliminate.  

[The Fugitive 1608]

10 minutes ago, foreverlomsak said:

I'm the same/was the same, will admit don't trust the phone payment idea, don't know how it hangs together. 

I didn't either. Until my Mrs got some QR codes printed and laminated and stuck on the walls in her shop. Apparently customers were asking for an alternative to paying cash. It's a quick way for the customer to enter her bank account details into their mobile banking APP. Some insist that she takes a photo of the completed transaction off their mobile.  

[NotEinstein 306]

Here in Chiang Mai Bangkok Bank has closed their mini branches at the original BigC and what was Tesco Lotus, Hangdong Rd, now called Lotus's (what's with the superfluous 's?). Luckily there are ATMs if you know where to look.

 

A few years back we printed paper bills for our residential customers, who all paid with cash. Now we upload web-based bills and send a link via LINE with only the tuk-tuk driver paying with cash.

[The Fugitive 1608]

8 minutes ago, lopburi3 said:

Actually ATM robbery has become a rather large issue over the last few years and believe many not located at banks or 24 hour establishments have made the decision to remove.  Not only a cost in cash but a cost in machine as they are often destroyed.  Of course this has been even more as many smaller branch banks also closed during pandemic.  But in turn more people have turned to phone/QR code and such so no longer require the cash machine for either cash or banking transactions.  Expect keeping the machines supplied/monitored/protected is an expense banks would prefer to eliminate.  

Excellent points. Plus, although there is now such a thing as contactless cash withdrawals using your mobile phone, some people will continue to use their cards perpetuating the risk of reading PIN's over their shoulder and card cloning. 

[malathione 899]

And here I was thinking this was a post about some foreigner in a village passing away...

[lopburi3 13793]

2 minutes ago, NotEinstein said:

Here in Chiang Mai Bangkok Bank has closed their mini branches at the original BigC and what was Tesco Lotus, Hangdong Rd, now called Lotus's (what's with the superfluous 's?). Luckily there are ATMs if you know where to look.

 

A few years back we printed paper bills for our residential customers, who all paid with cash. Now we upload web-based bills and send a link via LINE with only the tuk-tuk driver paying with cash.

LINE?  What's that?  Some of us are zombies without a phone.

[OneMoreFarang 53665]

Also in Bangkok, in the middle of Sukhumvit, fewer ATM and fewer bank branches.

Obviously it's nice for us to have lots of ATMs from different banks, but I was wondering since some time if those ATMs can be profitable. I guess they cost at least a couple of 100,000 THB each, plus service, maintenance, etc. How often do people have to use them so that the bank brakes even?

 

Latest since Covid people do a lot more online transactions. And with the apps many things can be done which required a bank visit some time ago.

I guess the banks have to safe money or they will go bankrupt. 

 

 

 

[blackcab 9711]

2 hours ago, Crossy said:

SCB determined that it was not economical to maintain the service. It can't have been due to lack of use; it was always empty on a Sunday afternoon.

 

High usage is why it is uneconomical. Cash replenishment costs the bank money. Weekly cash replenishment even more so.

 

SCB has been closing branches and removing ATMs since 2021 while at the same time their digital app has seen increased use by customers.

 

Don't forget you should be able to withdraw cash fee free from other bank's ATMs 5 times per month (IIRC).

[Crossy 45769]

32 minutes ago, NotEinstein said:

what's with the superfluous 's

 

It's supposed to mean "smart"; it just looks wrong.

 

 

 

[Flying Saucage 4156]

It's a worldwide move of governments, central banks and big finance to get rid of cash money. The aim is to establish CBDCs, Central Bank Digital Currencies, as soon as possible. Google "Better than cash alliance", in which Thailand is also a member.

 

If you ask why they do this, the answer is clear and obvious:

 

Without cash, you will transparent as glass. All your purchases from birth till death will be trackable. Negative interest rates and expiry dates can be applied to your money. And if you are politically too naughty, next time in the supermarket you can't buy anything anymore.

 

China does this with the e-Yuan already, Russia is working on the e-Rubel and Europe on the e-Euro. 

 

I pay as much as possible with cash. Keep your freedom, say no to this dire future!

[NotEinstein 306]

28 minutes ago, lopburi3 said:

LINE?  What's that?  Some of us are zombies without a phone.

Our residence is low-so and cheap, so, full, but with younger Thais that would die without a smart phone in their hot and sweaty.....

[digbeth 1990]

7-11 now has deals with many banks where you can use the app to withdraw cash from 7-11 as 'Banking Agents' 

The fee are like 5-10 baht each time though, and if you already use the app, QR payment/transfer are widely accepted by most traders anyway

[rwill 5286]

It's probably all part of the process of weaning everyone into a cashless society.  Instead of just thrusting it on us and people complaining.

 

[matchar 353]

I had to use cash yesterday as the Thai banking network still always crashes on payday in the evening.

[herfiehandbag 13866]

Now I am a complete numpty (widespread howls of agreement), so how does this paying by QR on your mobile phone work?

 

I presume that somehow the QR code links to the vendors bank and allows you to transfer money to their account.

 

Since I bank with Krungthai, and their new app seemingly is not available to foreigners (the last two visits to my branch to sign up have met with"sorry, cannot!" although I haven't tried for a couple of months) it seems to be a route not open to me

[david555 7623]

52 minutes ago, Flying Saucage said:

It's a worldwide move of governments, central banks and big finance to get rid of cash money. The aim is to establish CBDCs, Central Bank Digital Currencies, as soon as possible. Google "Better than cash alliance", in which Thailand is also a member.

 

If you ask why they do this, the answer is clear and obvious:

 

Without cash, you will transparent as glass. All your purchases from birth till death will be trackable. Negative interest rates and expiry dates can be applied to your money. And if you are politically too naughty, next time in the supermarket you can't buy anything anymore.

 

China does this with the e-Yuan already, Russia is working on the e-Rubel and Europe on the e-Euro. 

 

I pay as much as possible with cash. Keep your freedom, say no to this dire future!

" I pay as much as possible with cash. Keep your freedom, say no to this dire future! "

 

 

Lucky  " They can't print Gold ...." Avoid Big Brother's curiosity this way a little bit for future comings  😉

Edited June 1 by david555

[Sticky Rice Balls 5639]

The headline had me thinking the only farang in the village died!   🙂

 

as all the bargirls mourned and the family fought over who gets the car and iphone

[Sticky Rice Balls 5639]

1 hour ago, NotEinstein said:

without a smart phone in their hot and sweaty.....

keister?      🙂

[scorecard 27675]

Yes, ATM machines disappearing by the minute across Chiang Mai. 

 

Pantip plaza and nearby zero machines. 

 

Seven minute walk to nearest bank & ATM. 

 

Small shops in the malls in CM were cash only but within last 6 months 99% offer QR code payment, some now won't accept cash.

 

Also disappearing from 7/11 stores. 

 

I use BOLT taxi, excellent service, cheaper than GRAB, but cash only so I have to check what cash I have every time I go a BIG C etc., mall to be ready to pay BOLT driver.  

[scorecard 27675]

34 minutes ago, herfiehandbag said:

Now I am a complete numpty (widespread howls of agreement), so how does this paying by QR on your mobile phone work?

 

I presume that somehow the QR code links to the vendors bank and allows you to transfer money to their account.

 

Since I bank with Krungthai, and their new app seemingly is not available to foreigners (the last two visits to my branch to sign up have met with"sorry, cannot!" although I haven't tried for a couple of months) it seems to be a route not open to me

Have several farang friends using Krung Thai banking app on their phones (Bkk, CM, Pitsanalook). Try a different branch.

 

Once set up (super easy) if makes payments very quick and easy.