What Thai bank credit card do you have?

[advancebooking]

Years ago I didnt have a Work permit and gave a 100k deposit at KTB and obtained a KTC credit card. I still have it and find the app ok. Have used it overseas. 

 

Then a few yrs ago I got the WP and high salary. Got a Citibank card with 500k limit. Now its UOB 

 

I was thinking of applying again for another KTC to subsequently replace the first one and get my deposit back. i.e. cancel the old card and get a normal credit card with them with no depsosit. 

 

Or do you think I should apply at another bank and have 3 credit cards?

 

I now have the SCB planet travel card and about to get the Kasikorn journey travel card (debit cards). Ktb travel cards are not continuing for farang after June. 

 

What credit cards do you have with Thai banks and how do you rate it?

thanks

[Crossy]

Citi/UOB and AmEx credit card.

 

I got the AmEx card back in 2012, at the time they didn't need a WP, no idea if it's now a requirement.

 

[Yagoda]

I have a Krungsri Visa but I do not use it outside of Thailand.

[CharlieH]

MOVED to Banking

[JAS21]

I got a Citi credit card a few years ago. I was retired …no work permit and didn’t have to lock any money away. They gave me a 160,000 limit but could and did  increase it to pay a large bill …always paid it off every month though…the points were useful.

 

As said it’s now UOB. UOB are much more difficult to contact by phone …Citi were so easy and quick. But writing to UOB get a quick reply.

 

I need to spend 300k over some 12 month period to avoid the annual fee. Paying car insurance, hospital accounts, Makro etc goes a long way towards this. I do keep a running 12 month spending check. And if it begins to look iffee I’ll just cancel it or write a pleading letter to UOB lol

 

TBH I don’t really need a credit card, but it’s quicker than fiddling with  a bank app and the points save a little bit of money. Also as I gifted money from abroad to my wife, she pays for her golf, her car insurance and all her other expenses, so my credit card spending has reduced considerably ….

[oldcpu]

I have  Krungsri Exclusive creditcard.  To qualify for their absolute lowest category,  one needs 5 million Thai baht deposited and/or invested with Krungsri, for a combined 5 million THB total in one's Krungsri accounts.  This card is likely only for those with a bit more wealth.  It comes with some perks.  Even this lower 5 million baht category provides,  but is not limited to multiple monthly free passes to a large local gym/health club (they have a list of qualifying clubs), 2 free dragon pass airport Lounge access per year, plus if flying Thai airlines 2 Royal Silk airport lounge access per year. One also gets to use the vip lounge at a Krungsri branch when doing banking.

Since I need to maintain $100k US equivalent in cash in an account anywhere in the world as part of my LTR Visa ( for my self health insurance) then given I have that with Krungsri, I only had to add a bit more to meet the 5 million THB requirement.

I also recently opened an account with SCB and I have applied for a Planet travel card. I believe one of its perks is one lounge access ( priority pass? or dragon pass? ) after the first 20.000 THB equivalent of foreign currency purchase.

[mogandave]

I have UOB  converted from Citi. I did not need a WP to convert it, but I had WP when I got the Citi card 15-20 years ago. 

 

I have a B1M limit, and think it’s great. No/waived fees I get cash back bonuses each month. 

 

I had Thai Amex and a K-bank card, but I inadvertently let them go. 

 

Also two US cards I use for travel and whatnot 

[advancebooking]

1 hour ago, mogandave said:

I have UOB  converted from Citi. I did not need a WP to convert it, but I had WP when I got the Citi card 15-20 years ago. 

 

I have a B1M limit, and think it’s great. No/waived fees I get cash back bonuses each month. 

 

I had Thai Amex and a K-bank card, but I inadvertently let them go. 

 

Also two US cards I use for travel and whatnot 

May I ask about the american express card. I see they have a branch in Bkk. Is this only useful for travelling the states? and I suppose many european countries might accept it. But in Thailand I think its useless? Is this correct?

[advancebooking]

1 hour ago, oldcpu said:

I have  Krungsri Exclusive creditcard.  To qualify for their absolute lowest category,  one needs 5 million Thai baht deposited

No disrespect intended but do you realise that they are just fooling their customers with the gimmick offers. They hold your huge 5milliion deposit with great benefit knowing that anyone who actually does this has huge risk to themselves in the event of the bank going bankrupt. The thai govt only guarantees 1 million per bank per customer in the event of bank default. Smart and wealthy thai people hold such money with the gsb bank (pink bank) bc they know the govt owns it and unlimited guarantee of deposits. Krungsri knows that its customers buy business/first class tickets anyways and dont need the free gimmick of getting into the lounge bc its included anyway when one travels in the high class seats. 

 

Personally I have accounts at most of the banks and balance never goes above 1mill bc the govt doesnt guarantee it. 

[oldcpu]

57 minutes ago, advancebooking said:

No disrespect intended but do you realise that they are just fooling their customers with the gimmick offers. They hold your huge 5milliion deposit with great benefit knowing that anyone who actually does this has huge risk to themselves in the event of the bank going bankrupt.

 

No offence taken.

 

No disrespect, but you did read that for my LTR visa I am required to have a minimum of $100k US$ equivalent in only one bank anywhere in the world for self health insurance.   Stock trading accounts don't count.

 

Also, the amount ABOVE the LTR visa requirement, needed to top up to meet the Krungsri Exclusive 5-million, can be an investment managed by Krungsri (mutual fund or other).    Ok ?

 

 

57 minutes ago, advancebooking said:

Smart and wealthy thai people hold such money with the gsb bank (pink bank) bc they know the govt owns it and unlimited guarantee of deposits.

 

Sure - tell that to holders of Iceland government bonds who years back lost their shirt.

With respect, smart and wealthy people do not do what you thought/think.

 

Smart and wealthy people diversify their money across many financial institutes. 

 

I don't claim to be smart nor wealthy , but I do know a few who are, and like them I have diversified massively via many banks (mostly outside of Thailand).  Krungsri bank money is my 2nd smallest bank holding (my new SCB is my smallest).

This is all relative. 

 

I would never in 1,000 years put all my money with ANY institution, much less than ANY gsb bank (pink bank), just because some government claims unlimited guarantee. 

 

When push comes to shove, there IS NO SUCH GUARANTEE.  Again - go back in history - look at Iceland.

Frankly, and again, no disrespect, but if keeping 5-miilion THB in Krungrsi is a concern, and if it could cause you or anyone else concern, then do NOT adopt the approach I made.

I had thought i was clear when I stated that "this card is likely only for those with a bit more wealth".  I do not believe that statement of mine was understood.  Perhaps now I have clarified this better.

 

Is this thread intended to be limited to only those who need to worry per your observation?