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?

[advancebooking]

12 hours ago, oldcpu said:

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. 

But you put 5mill with a crappy second tier yellow bank. Please have some sense and move it to GSB govt bank.  Thanks for the lesson on diversifying financial assets. A bit off topic. Dont be so sensitive next time. This is an opinions based forum. Dont think too much

[Lacessit]

None. I only have debit cards. One with Kasikorn, two with an Australian bank.

 

I have a deep aversion to any form of credit. It's why so many people are drowning in debt.

 

Call me a dinosaur, at least I know I will die solvent.

[KhunLA]

None, as prefer not to be charged to spend my own money.   Wife does have a no fee, no interest if paid during grace period CC w/ttb, I think.   Only got that for payment option of EV CS.

 

A few vendors used to give 3% discount, but I think that promo is over.

 

I got 2 debit cards for my brokerage account in USA.  No TH or USA fee for the one, when used at TH's ATM's.  Again, I won't pay a fee to spend my money.   That's just stupid.

[Jenkins9039]

SCB Card X Platinum

 

I don't believe they give them (unsecured) to foreigners now, but those of us unsecured are still serviced as unsecured.

[Jake72]

Amex Platinum for work expenses, but as it's in my name I can use it for anything.

 

However for private spending I almost always use my Bangkok Bank Mastercard debit card.

 

I used to have a Bangkok Bank Visa card but for some reason Bangkok Bank stopped working with Visa some years back.

 

[MadAtMatrix]

17 hours ago, advancebooking said:

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?

I applied for Thai Amex without a WP and on LTR visa. They used my Amex history from my home country and asked me for a year of income statements. Gave me unsecured Amex that earns Thai airways points with a 300,000 baht limit. Accepted at about 60% of the places my KBank visa is accepted. 

[oldcpu]

3 hours ago, advancebooking said:

But you put 5mill with a crappy second tier yellow bank. Please have some sense and move it to GSB govt bank. 

 

You seriously believe that 'guarantee' will be honored by GSB when economy goes south that Thai banks are threatened?  Again - I remind you of Iceland and what transpired.  GSB offers nothing extra really, in terms of protection.  I may have swamp land in Florida to sell you ... < just kidding >

 

Other than a misplaced sense of security, what benefits does GSB give you for basically the same risk (compared to Krungsri exclusive benefits)?  

 

I do note your max 1-million per bank is a sensible strategy if that is a sensible limit for one's funds  ... but without going into detail on my Finances, even if I massively raise the limit you adopt to 5-million THB per bank, Thailand does not have enough banks for me to adopt such a strategy,   As I stated, aside from SCB where I just opened an account, Krungsri is my smallest account (where a good portion of that amount is in Krungsri bank managed mutual funds)..

 

Given the number of banks, and insurance on deposit aspects, I also use overseas banks (which is not as easy as it sounds given my being a resident here in Thailand).  ...

 

Further, after a while, when one gets too many bank accounts,, management of funds becomes a PIA, so there are limits as well to diversification.

 

Finally,  I caution everyone reading, do not naively believe GSB will protect one more than other banks when/if economy goes seriously south. There is no guaranteed protection, despite what one might read.

 

So back to getting on topic ...

 

Krungsri Exclusive credit card offers some good benefits.  I have yet to find a Thai credit card that can match Krungsri, with similar (or less) deposits AND without requiring massive spending on the credit card.

 

Perhaps others can share why they prefer their credit card in terms of benefits.

[advancebooking]

21 hours ago, oldcpu said:

Finally,  I caution everyone reading, do not naively believe GSB will protect one more than other banks when/if economy goes seriously south. There is no guaranteed protection, despite what one might read.

You are misinformed about GSB pink bank. Actually my wifes friend works in the local branch and we think she has high integrity. She told us that many VERY wealthy people in Thailand trust GSB and put massive deposits with them. This is not some story Im making up. 

 

Agriculture bank is also a govt bank. I have money with them as well. 

 

Cant go wrong with the government banks. I dont know about the 2nd tier retail banks. 

[Ralf001]

Unsecured cards with BKK and Kasikorn banks.

 

Not sure how to rate them... I use both and zero them end of month.

[oldcpu]

9 hours ago, advancebooking said:

You are misinformed about GSB pink bank. Actually my wifes friend works in the local branch and we think she has high integrity. She told us that many VERY wealthy people in Thailand trust GSB and put massive deposits with them. This is not some story Im making up.

 

 

Misinformed about GSB in what regard?  In the regard that it cannot collapse?  All banks can collapse, Government or not Government.  It is just some are more likely than others to have issues in bad financial times.

 

With regard to your wife's friend, ... her friend having a good job in a good bank is in my view an excellent and solid career.  Well done !!  I know a couple senior bankers (outside of Thailand), they are good people and they did very well financially.  Obviously thou, they would never say anything negative about their bank's finances that could be then quoted in public. Nothing.  So if judging a bank, other criteria is needed, in my view to judge a bank, than just the view of the employees.

 

With regards to very wealthy people putting their money in GSB.  Sure.  Of course. But all their money in GSB.  No. In my view not a chance.

 

I know some wealthy people and they have MULTIPLE accounts in each of the major Thai banks.  They diversify. 

 

However for them trying to stay under 1-million baht in any one bank is simply not practical for them, if they want more liquidity.  So they spread their money across multiple banks (which means significantly over 1-million THB in multiple banks).  I don't consider myself wealthy, but that is what I do (more outside of Thailand than inside).  I have accounts in a few Thai banks (and more foreign bank accounts), and I note (with exception of SCB where I just opened an account) Krungsri is my smallest account, and yes, I do qualify for Krungsri Exclusive status.

 

Looking back to Thailand's history, its true in the 1997 the Government Savings Bank (GSB) was only moderately affected, compared to some others.  At the same time, I note that Krung Thai bank (one of Thailand's largest state-owned commercial banks) had major issues.

I also understand that Kasikorn Bank (known as Thai Farmer's Bank at that time) in 1997 faced serious issues, with the bank dissolved in year 2000 due to the financial fallout from the 1997 Thai financial crisis, and it was later rebranded as Kasikorn Bank.  Today it is one of Thailand's largest commercial banks, and my understanding is that operates to a much higher standard than 30 years ago.  

 

With regard to the major (ie largest) Thai banks in 1997, my understanding is that none of the depositors of the major Thai banks were directly impacted in terms of losing savings in 1997.  Only the very small Thai banks had depositors hit the hardest, where for some they faced restricted access to funds for months. I believe that Thailand also did not have a formal deposit insurance scheme at the time.  

 

So perhaps GSB gave some piece of mind in 1997, but regardless, those with savings holdings in the large Thai banks were also pretty much ok then.

 

Now, one might say that Thailand was 'lucky' (?) in 1997.  Some other countries have had government banks and government controlled banks fail. ... Yes government banks.  ...   Some examples that come to my mind, and perhaps you know of more:

 

1.  Banco Nacion (Argentina) 2000 to 2001 - savings withrawals were restriced and frozen in cases.
2.  Gosban (Soviet Union) 1991 collapse - depositors in rubles lost much of their money through hyperinflation and currency collapse
3.  IDBI Bank (India) pre-2004 and after.
4.  Laiki Bank (Cyrus) 2013 - Depositors lost funds above the 100,000 euro insurance threshold
5.  Multiple State Owned banks (Zimbabwe) - 2000s - depositors lost much of their money through hyperinflation and currency collapse, bank withdrawal limits, official "dollarisation" (2009) where those who didn't have foreign savings lost much of their savings

 

BACK ON TOPIC - In regards to what Thai Bank credit cards AseanNow forum members have, I want to point out to achieve Krungsri Exclusive, it does not have to mean 5-million sitting in Thai baht cash in Krungsri (rather the financial asset can be in different forms). I think that point was lost.  My OWN experience is that mutual funds, managed by Krungsri also contribute to the qualification for Krungsri Exclusive and those mutual funds come with their own separate risk (like any mutual fund has risk).  So one's 5-million in Krungsri need not be all in Thai baht cash.  For example (I speculate) possibly one could have 1-million THB in cash, and much more in a Krungsri managed mutual fund to exceed the 5-million combined.  For this qualification, one would need to chat with the Krungsri branch manager at one's local bank.

 

Now, if you have heard up to date financial bad news specifics against Krungsri (or against any other Thai bank's) regarding their solvency, I think all in this forum would be most interested.

 

But again, in regards to the topic you started (on Credit Cards), I think we are all curious about what Thai bank credit cards people have, and curious about the benefits ... (and less curious about the bank financial details, unless one has solid news to point to that a bank is in trouble).  

 

Obviously, that is just my opinion.  Best wishes to all, and I am curious as to what Thai credit cards other have.

[Magictoad]

On 5/6/2025 at 5:49 AM, advancebooking said:

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

I don't have a CC just a debit card.

[save the frogs]

On 5/6/2025 at 10:52 PM, Lacessit said:

None. I only have debit cards. One with Kasikorn, two with an Australian bank.

 

I have a deep aversion to any form of credit. It's why so many people are drowning in debt.

 

Call me a dinosaur, at least I know I will die solvent.

 

With credit cards, there is fraud protection. With debit cards, is there any? 

 

 

[oldcpu]

On 5/6/2025 at 5:49 AM, advancebooking said:

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.

 

 

I also recently acquired the SCB planet card.  Until now I have been using my Wise card for foreign currency transactions, but I may now use SCB planet card for some so to quickly reach a 20,000 baht transaction point.

 

My understanding is that the perks of the Thailand SCB bank Planet card include:

• It has some, global currency flexibility, providing multi-Currency Support. One can store up to 13 currencies on a single card, including USD, EUR, JPY, SGD, CNY, HKD, GBP, KRW, AUD, TWD, NZD, CHF, and CAD.
•  It claims to offer competitive Exchange Rates: Exchange currencies at rates comparable to leading money changers
• it claims no Foreign Transaction Fees: Make payments in any currency worldwide without incurring the typical 2.5% foreign currency conversion fee.
• it claims ATM Withdrawals: Withdraw cash from ATMs worldwide displaying the VISA logo, with a daily limit of up to 300,000 THB.
• It has a daily spending limit: Spend up to 500,000 THB per day on purchases.
• it is Lifetime Free Annual Fee
• it provides free complimentary travel insurance coverage for up to 10 days, provided by CHUBB (some conditions apply).
• currently if one spends a foreign currency amount of at least 20,000 baht, it will provide one with (quantity one Dragon pass) airport lounge access.  This is during a campaign period and I suspect that it could be temporary.

I may have some of that wrong above - but that is my current understanding.  I travel internationally a bit, so i suspect I will be using the one Dragon Pass one can get from it (I also obtain two Dragon Pass yearly from Krungsri Exclusive and two Dragon Pass yearly from a foreign bank credit card).

[Yumthai]

25 minutes ago, oldcpu said:

I don't consider myself wealthy

If your net worth is at least $1 million, you are wealthy by western standards.

[oldcpu]

4 minutes ago, save the frogs said:

 

With credit cards, there is fraud protection. With debit cards, is there any? 

 

 

 

I suspect it depends on the card.

[oldcpu]

4 minutes ago, Yumthai said:

If your net worth is at least $1 million, you are wealthy by western standards.

 

I guess its all relative.  I would consider one needs to be more than a basic (dollar) multi-millionaire to be wealthy.

 

For example, the average home price in Greater Vancouver, Canada, is $1.2 million dollars.  Does that mean the average person owning a home in Greater Vancouver is wealthy? 

 

Not in my view.

 

But I guess it is all relative.

[Sierra Tango]

6 minutes ago, save the frogs said:

 

With credit cards, there is fraud protection. With debit cards, is there any? 

 

 

I have a credit card but now, after several cases of using it whilst traveling and having it cloned, keep it only for emergencies. The bank that I'm with were pretty good at reimbursing funds, lucky me.

I have a couple of debit cards but only keep a minimum amount in those accounts and just feed them as needed. So, if there is any scam, fraud or whatever, any loss would be minimal. 

Not sure about fraud protection as such but I try to minimise the potential damage myself.

[Yumthai]

3 minutes ago, oldcpu said:

I guess its all relative.  I would consider one needs to be more than a basic multi-millionaire to be wealthy.

 

For example, the average home price in Greater Vancouver, Canada, is $1.2 million dollars.  Does that mean the average person owning a home in Greater Vancouver is wealthy? 

 

Not in my view.

 

But I guess it is all relative.

Sure it's relative especially if you compare with the most expensive areas in the world, but on average 1M USD in liquid assets will be considered wealthy in most places and certainly in Thailand.

[save the frogs]

11 hours ago, Sierra Tango said:

I have a credit card but now, after several cases of using it whilst traveling and having it cloned, keep it only for emergencies. The bank that I'm with were pretty good at reimbursing funds, lucky me.

I have a couple of debit cards but only keep a minimum amount in those accounts and just feed them as needed. So, if there is any scam, fraud or whatever, any loss would be minimal. 

Not sure about fraud protection as such but I try to minimise the potential damage myself.

 

I do the same regarding the debit cards. 

 

For credit cards, some western cards have the option of being able to lock the card in the app, so offers additional protection from fraud. I would look at Thai cards to see if they have that. But I don't have any Thai credit cards. 

 

[msbkk]

16 minutes ago, save the frogs said:

 

I do the same regarding the debit cards. 

 

For credit cards, some western cards have the option of being able to lock the card in the app, so offers additional protection from fraud. I would look at Thai cards to see if they have that. But I don't have any Thai credit cards. 

 

Bangkok Bank has the option to suspend credit cards within the app and also limit their use.