On 8/27/2025 at 6:26 PM, Yagoda said:

Stricter immigration rules on top of that? The Guesthouses are emptying.

 

Skint lefties on top of it

I think you are lucky, can't be many smartphone users there to warrant changes in Cambodia..........?   

On 8/28/2025 at 8:27 AM, CallumWK said:

The QR code system has nothing to do with how foreign currency arrives in Thailand. It is a local payment system, so the foreign currency has already arrived in the Thai banks before the foreigner can make a payment to a local vendor.

 

So, how does that work, if 'the foreigner' cannot open a bank account?

On 8/28/2025 at 7:54 PM, Patong2021 said:

I understand and so do merchants.  They also appreciate; efficiency, improved cash flow, reduced exposure to employee theft and holdup and direct damage losses, ability to process larger purchases, greater appeal to demographic with disposable income and reduction of administration. Merchants with a Large credit card transaction volume do get fee rebates.

Way back in the day, in the USA, I was in Merchant Services ... your reply reads like a paragraph from a sales pitch back then, tailored to Western commerce.  The context of the original post, and my addition to it, was about tourism and small purchases, which, are often made directly to "Mom and Pop" who own the little soup stall, souvenir shop, etc.  

I actually think what you did is a copy / paste from an AI / Google search.  I asked Google "why are credit cards better for merchants" and it relied "Credit cards benefit merchants by increasing sales through wider customer reach and enabling larger, more frequent purchases. They also improve cash flow by providing faster access to funds, streamline accounting with detailed digital records, enhance business credibility, and reduce the risk of theft and counterfeit currency compared to cash."  Pretty close to your posting.  And like your posting, has exactly NOTHING to do with how small shops and Mom and Pop businesses operate in "the third world."

555 

8 hours ago, emptypockets said:

No cash, no free will, and total control of the populace.

I can imagine the day when you decide you will have a bbq with a few friends. Go to buy some beers and a few steaks.

Beer ....denied - you have exceeded you recommended limit for the week.

Steaks..... denied - you will exceed your mandated carbon limit for the week.

 

 

Even now I get annoyed when using my card to buy something and have to wait for the system to 'approve' it.

 

Wasn't it Canada that stopped truckers accessing their money during COVID?

 

Enjoy your cashless world.

 

I do thanks. Life is great.

 

Enjoy your imaginary conspiracy world.

8 hours ago, jacko45k said:

Not using an agent is a waste of time!

 

I do not know how much agents are paid but I can get all my paperwork together in one hour for my annual old bloke extension.

 

Go to the bank and get the 800k letter.

 

Twenty minutes drive to the Immigration office in Phuket.

 

One hour in the queue.

 

Pick up the next day.

 

Even a monkey could do it.

 

3 hours ago, KhaoHom said:

 

Well, they could. Or they could apply social credit score retroactively. You could be deemed a problem drinker and lose insurance over it. 

 

There's really no end to where it possibly could go. It's funny,  when all of it is officially acknowledged everyone will be like ... oh, yeah... 

 

Or... you could just pay cash.

 

But all that aside I think it pure madness to give a card to staff in so e small restaurant and pub as you've described. Years ago maybe now for all I know that was absolutely guaranteed to get your card details stolen. 

 

I don't know if you have been to any restaurant in the last ten years, they bring the machine to you, you tap your card, you immediately get a ping on your iPhone showing the amount has beed debited from your account, all safe, much safer than carrying money around.

 

As for you rest of your comment, I could add they could have done what what you say twenty years ago, why are they not doing it, cos we live in the real world not a mad conspiracy word. 

2 hours ago, KhaoHom said:

 

So what. Their loss. Go to Coldstone or wherever.

I could if I wanted to give up the specials.

 

My gym is going cashless. 

This to me at least seems strange. It has been introduced to cut down on theft from bank accounts, unfortunately it is highly unlikely to do that. If anything it may well increase illicit use of peoples bank accounts.

It seems that there is very little understanding of what "thieves" need to drain your account.

7 hours ago, transam said:

I think you are lucky, can't be many smartphone users there to warrant changes in Cambodia..........?   

Oh look. Hes back with stupid and meaningless comments about Cambodia.

 

Guess the stalking little bedbug hasnt learned his lesson.

6 hours ago, Photoguy21 said:

This to me at least seems strange. It has been introduced to cut down on theft from bank accounts, unfortunately it is highly unlikely to do that. If anything it may well increase illicit use of peoples bank accounts.

It seems that there is very little understanding of what "thieves" need to drain your account.

 

You wrote: "It seems that there is very little understanding of what "thieves" need to drain your account."

 

It does indeed it seems after seeing the comments in this blog, it is extremely and almost impossible to drain money from another persons or company etc bank account but yet so many people think it is easy.

 

Of the billions of transactions per day via a bank and the billions of bank accounts around the world I wonder how many of the anti-tech brigade know of any real facts relating to bank security.

 

If it was not secure the whole of the world's banking systems would have collapsed decades ago.

 

 

11 hours ago, JustinTyme said:

Way back in the day, in the USA, I was in Merchant Services ... your reply reads like a paragraph from a sales pitch back then, tailored to Western commerce.  The context of the original post, and my addition to it, was about tourism and small purchases, which, are often made directly to "Mom and Pop" who own the little soup stall, souvenir shop, etc.  

I actually think what you did is a copy / paste from an AI / Google search.  I asked Google "why are credit cards better for merchants" and it relied "Credit cards benefit merchants by increasing sales through wider customer reach and enabling larger, more frequent purchases. They also improve cash flow by providing faster access to funds, streamline accounting with detailed digital records, enhance business credibility, and reduce the risk of theft and counterfeit currency compared to cash."  Pretty close to your posting.  And like your posting, has exactly NOTHING to do with how small shops and Mom and Pop businesses operate in "the third world."

555 

 

No, I did not copy from AI. On the contrary, AI  gathers information from a few sources, some of which I had long ago  read. What I wrote is standard textbook  summation that was in my seminar small business management. It has been around for  decades, much as you acknowledge. Meanwhile, you were unable to counter  the benefits.

 

In respect to "Mom and Pop' retail, what's your point? Most people who visit Thailand are not transacting with such retailers. Tourists prefer retailers like 7-11 and Tops shops for small consumer items. Larger retail purchases are at Lotus, Tops and Villa along with the shops at major shopping malls. The reality is that  much of Thailand's consumer economy will be digital in a decade. It will be accomplished by way of mobile phone applications. Yes, some small retailers  operate on a cash basis. So what. it does not  impact me or the majority of visitors to thailand. I check in at the  airport Hyatt and it's on my CC. I order a driver, it's on my CC. I purchase a meal at a restaurant and I pay by my CC. When I pay my  domestic staff, it is an e-transfer direct to their account., ensuring I have a record so no one can ever say i did not pay. Line and Shopee food deliveries are e-payments, not cash. Even McDonald's  and KFC kiosks offer e payments. Some people used to say that the the e order kiosks would never work, and yet consumers love them. No screwed up orders and it allows the consumer to decide on what they want at their own pace.

 

15 hours ago, JamesPhuket10 said:

Twenty minutes drive to the Immigration office in Phuket.

It would take me a lot longer to drive to Phuket, you are in a Pattaya forum!!!!

18 hours ago, KhaoHom said:

Or... you could just pay cash.

For how much longer. Even the banks are restricting access to that!

18 hours ago, KhaoHom said:

 

So what. Their loss. Go to Coldstone or wherever.

Could go to Haagen Dazs if one has enough money!!!!

18 hours ago, KhaoHom said:

 

So what. Their loss. Go to Coldstone or wherever.

Could go to Haagen Dazs if one has enough money!!!!

54 minutes ago, jacko45k said:

For how much longer. Even the banks are restricting access to that!

 

Every transaction made in cash or barter is a win for humanity 

On 8/29/2025 at 12:49 PM, IsaanGuy said:

Reading between the lines here, there’s some people gonna have visa problems if they’re unable to use an agent to help them meet the criteria. 

With regard to  payless and QR scans they’ve been in use in many of the countries where expats come from, BUT cash is still being used, so why the faux outrage?

 

When I'm back in US I pay cash. Why would that be any different? Even more so

 

It's all coming... Exactly as China. 

 

Thailand won't entirely remove cash:

 

Feeds the corruption rackets

 

Lots of simple, poor, old people 

 

Tourism

 

I think it will be optional and largely up to the vendor. Having said that I recently read something about negative taxes and getting street and small vendors all online - taxes. Most already there using qr

On 8/27/2025 at 6:11 PM, KhaoHom said:

 

Rubbish 

 

Probably three people in the entire Thai government could explain Blockchain technology.

 

I challenge this.

Almost nobody in *any* country's government understands, let alone could clearly explain, blockchain technology. Or quantum mechanics. Or the workings of the internal combustion engine, for that matter. (In many cases they couldn't be trusted to change a light bulb). 

 

But they don't *need* to - they just hire someone who does. 

Good Morning, 

 

More Thai Drama 55555 🙂 Listen i certainly fo not nerf the aid of visa companies  🙂 But if you have cash there's ALWAYS !! Someone who will do it for money 🙂 In Thailand as sure as the sun will rise and set in Thailand 🇹🇭 ❤️ 

On 8/27/2025 at 5:23 PM, CallumWK said:

QR code is a simple transfer from your account, so there is no need for charge. You also don't get charged for withdrawing money from an ATM.

Credit cards have a charge, since the CC company loans you money to make a purchase, and they charge the seller the borrowing fee

Are you aware of the scam with a false Q code? A new method in use of criminals

The headline refers to 'panic among Pattaya expats'. I somehow doubt that. The only panic I experience, in my case in Bangkok, is standing in a queue, when I'm running late for an appointment, and a customer in front of me fiddles with his mobile for more than ten minutes trying to make payment for a small bottle of water.

2 hours ago, KhaoHom said:

 

When I'm back in US I pay cash. Why would that be any different? Even more so

 

It's all coming... Exactly as China. 

 

Thailand won't entirely remove cash:

 

Feeds the corruption rackets

 

Lots of simple, poor, old people 

 

Tourism

 

I think it will be optional and largely up to the vendor. Having said that I recently read something about negative taxes and getting street and small vendors all online - taxes. Most already there using qr

In the US it's easier to use credit card paying for gas. Don't have to go inside the store, slide card at the pump. I pretty much use credit card for most purchases except for restaurants. 

I am not panicking what will be will be 

Go with the flow enjoy life in the land of smiles 😃 

On 8/30/2025 at 6:00 AM, jacko45k said:

Not using an agent is a waste of time!

Rather waste time than money ! 

Time is free 

Money is not cheap 

8 minutes ago, stix40 said:

Rather waste time than money ! 

Time is free 

Money is not cheap 

 

You can always earn more money.  You can't gain more time.

12 hours ago, Patong2021 said:

 

No, I did not copy from AI. On the contrary, AI  gathers information from a few sources, some of which I had long ago  read. What I wrote is standard textbook  summation that was in my seminar small business management. It has been around for  decades, much as you acknowledge. Meanwhile, you were unable to counter  the benefits.

 

In respect to "Mom and Pop' retail, what's your point? Most people who visit Thailand are not transacting with such retailers. Tourists prefer retailers like 7-11 and Tops shops for small consumer items. Larger retail purchases are at Lotus, Tops and Villa along with the shops at major shopping malls. The reality is that  much of Thailand's consumer economy will be digital in a decade. It will be accomplished by way of mobile phone applications. Yes, some small retailers  operate on a cash basis. So what. it does not  impact me or the majority of visitors to thailand. I check in at the  airport Hyatt and it's on my CC. I order a driver, it's on my CC. I purchase a meal at a restaurant and I pay by my CC. When I pay my  domestic staff, it is an e-transfer direct to their account., ensuring I have a record so no one can ever say i did not pay. Line and Shopee food deliveries are e-payments, not cash. Even McDonald's  and KFC kiosks offer e payments. Some people used to say that the the e order kiosks would never work, and yet consumers love them. No screwed up orders and it allows the consumer to decide on what they want at their own pace.

 

You are conveniently conflating "E Purchases" with Credit card Payments. The thesis here was that merchants elect to insist on cash, and are willing to forego those sales where customers only will use Credit Cards that you and I acknowledge generate meaningful costs and fees.

You are not a typical Tourist, since most do not have ".... domestic staff" and yet again, you pay E _ Transfer, which generates ZERO fees.

What you have done here is make a great supporting argument that - There are many ways to purchase goods and services that do NOT generate fees and pretty much make credit cards a pretty dumb choice for both merchants and consumers.

There seems to be a trend in this world where people like you just lump things together, even though they are very, very different.  EXAMPLE: We see people whining and moaning all day about the new, more strict MOBILE PHONE banking applications, and not understanding that is DIFFERENT than the Online Banking System.  Same bank, different account access and rules.

And here you are, part of the same "Cognitive Dissonance Club"  suddenly lumping E Commerce / No Fee / Solutions with CREDIT CARDS. 

Kind of makes me wonder if your "need to win" over rides your grasp on objective reality, which does push my buttons because it is the beating heart of the MAGA "reality is not a real thing" movement.

13 hours ago, Patong2021 said:

 

No, I did not copy from AI. On the contrary, AI  gathers information from a few sources, some of which I had long ago  read. What I wrote is standard textbook  summation that was in my seminar small business management. It has been around for  decades, much as you acknowledge. Meanwhile, you were unable to counter  the benefits.

 

In respect to "Mom and Pop' retail, what's your point? Most people who visit Thailand are not transacting with such retailers. Tourists prefer retailers like 7-11 and Tops shops for small consumer items. Larger retail purchases are at Lotus, Tops and Villa along with the shops at major shopping malls. The reality is that  much of Thailand's consumer economy will be digital in a decade. It will be accomplished by way of mobile phone applications. Yes, some small retailers  operate on a cash basis. So what. it does not  impact me or the majority of visitors to thailand. I check in at the  airport Hyatt and it's on my CC. I order a driver, it's on my CC. I purchase a meal at a restaurant and I pay by my CC. When I pay my  domestic staff, it is an e-transfer direct to their account., ensuring I have a record so no one can ever say i did not pay. Line and Shopee food deliveries are e-payments, not cash. Even McDonald's  and KFC kiosks offer e payments. Some people used to say that the the e order kiosks would never work, and yet consumers love them. No screwed up orders and it allows the consumer to decide on what they want at their own pace.

 

 

Cashless payment has already happened in Phuket, it has been here a few years, most Thai I see paying for items use their smart phone, I suspect it is the same all over Thailand in the big cities.

 

The only people who seem to be moaning about a cashless system are the old codger farangs on blogs like this.

 

 

4 hours ago, EVENKEEL said:

In the US it's easier to use credit card paying for gas. Don't have to go inside the store, slide card at the pump. I pretty much use credit card for most purchases except for restaurants. 

 

7 hours ago, jacko45k said:

It would take me a lot longer to drive to Phuket, you are in a Pattaya forum!!!!

 

It was an example of how easy it is to get a visa extension, you deleted the rest of my comment.

 

I can imagine the immigration office in Pattaya is local and not in Bangkok, so the same time frame I mentioned still applies.

 

Correct me if I'm wrong but this thread was about cash yet we are talking of immigration, so chats do expand, and the aseannow forum is generally about Thailand as a whole, this thread was about cash. 

2 hours ago, treetops said:

 

You can always earn more money.  You can't gain more time.

 

It depends on your skills I suppose, it would tale me about the same time to do the visa extension myself than to get all the info to the agent for them to do it. 

On 8/29/2025 at 7:22 PM, JamesPhuket10 said:

 

It has been an almost 100% digital economy for decades and it is great.

 

Do you think when Bill Gates etc send hundreds of millions to charities the money is delivered in cash by the truckload. 

 

I do laugh at the comments though where people are stating they will avoid places which do not take cash as though their weekly spend of 2 pounds six shillings and sixpence will make any difference. 😀

 

But if ALL the farangs (in Thailand) only used cash, we might see some action.

 

In the UK, there are groups dedicated to cash only.