How do you pay?

[garygooner]

Saw an article saying Thailand could be cashless by 2028. Don't believe this will happen so soon, but just interested in knowing how most people here pay for things nowadays. Shopping, taxis, apartment etc. Do you use debit cards, Promptpay etc? I personally still believe cash is king and we should always have options. 

[Robin]

Just try using a credit/debit card in any shop in Thailand.  "No like, No want"  is the usual response, followed by over-charging to cover the car company's fee.  

Thailand is a "cash only"  economy.  It suits the numerous criminals who live here, and supports tax evasion.

[Presnock]

agree, but over the past year I have noticed in Robinson's Mall Latkrabang that some stores/restaurants say "no cash" ( in Thai but I understand it)  I only use cash, while my wife and daughter seldom do!   Anyway I ask if I can pay in cash only - 90% say yes others say they can't accept cash.  If not, then I move on to someplace else - wife just smiles.  I note from the PI forum that cash is king there.  They recommend for visitors to immediately upon arrival at airport change money into local pesos as most shops except for big malls

don't accept foreign charge cards.

[jaywalker2]

I pay 90 percent in cash. For big items, I'll use a card but it hardly seems worth it for small purchases and I'm not interested in fiddling with my mobile phone and QR codes at the register.

[stevenl]

I pay cash. I wish all would do that, would make checkout at convenience stores much faster.

[oldcpu]

I usually 1st try to pay by Thai credit card (gives points), unless they have a 3% charge. My Thai wife always asks before I pay, asking if they have an extra small charge for credit card payment.

 

If they have a 3% charge for credit card use, then I will typically pay by bank transfer from a Thai bank account of mine.

 

And if my small bank (currency) notes is getting low (ie I have none or very few 20-baht or 50 baht notes) I will pay by cash with a 1,000 baht note, so to get smaller notes as change in return.    I like to use the smaller notes for tips, as I prefer to give tips in cash (as opposed to adding to bank transfer or credit card).

[Will B Good]

 

 

Typo......2128

[bkk6060]

 Cash. 

[phetphet]

1 hour ago, Robin said:

Just try using a credit/debit card in any shop in Thailand.  "No like, No want"  is the usual response, followed by over-charging to cover the car company's fee.  

Thailand is a "cash only"  economy.  It suits the numerous criminals who live here, and supports tax evasion.

But it is the Government (in fact most governments) that want to create a cashless society, as (a) it gives far more control over it's citizens, and (b) it can see where all the money goes, and tax it, confiscate it, or take away your right to spend it how you please.

[billd766]

Both my wife and I usually pay in cash except for the monthly bills and transferring funds to our son who is at Chiang Rai University, some 500km away.

[Ralf001]

I dont carry cash... 100% credit card use.

[a3tsw]

Virtually everything I pay with my phone and banking app , only things I pay using other methods are 

1) Gasoline - Card

2) 7/11 - Cash

3) Utilities (Electricity , Internet ..) - Direct Debit

[Mark Nothing]

I am about 80% cashless now.  Year by year my vendors require cashless.

 

Even though my condo has an office with staff they will not accept cash for fees and utilities anymore.

 

My airplane vendor charged me $200 because my bags were overweight on the last overseas trip.  Cash denied.  They only accepted credit cards.

 

While overseas I attended a ballgame concession stand ordering the $20 hotdogs and beers for a group of 5 and cash rejected.  Only cashless allowed.

 

The noose keeps tightening.

[Dcheech]

Over 50% of monthly expenditures paid by Bank App, Q code scan or transfers. We pull out 15 or 20 K, first of the month from the ATM. Ready baht in hand for local markets & whatnot. We are regular market shoppers, cash & carry.

 

Edited 16 minutes ago by Dcheech

[Celsius]

bank app and credit card.

 

The only thing I use cash for is to pay for toll as some still don't accept the card.

[FritsSikkink]

Cash unless not possible than debit card