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Visa Crackdowns, QR Code Rules Spark Panic Among Pattaya Expats

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  • "Gone are the days of cash-in-hand jobs...."   It'll be a cold day in hell when you can't get a hand job for cash in Pattaya.    

  • Rubbish    Probably three people in the entire Thai government could explain Blockchain technology.   I challenge this.

  • I continue to pay cash  everywhere...  at immigration, at the DLT at Lotus,sssss  Big C , 7/11  and the noodle vendor  use cash    keep the digital demon's at bay buy using cash wherever you can...onc

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5 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

Talking of banks, in my case SCB.

Last week I made my application for extension based on marriage.

Got my mountain of documents prepared, went to the bank in the morning and got the one year statement and bank letter stating funds in the bank.

The one year statement although signed by the bank employee, forgot to over-stamp it.

Immigration made me return to the issuing bank to get it stamped, even though I phoned them, and the IO officer spoke to the lady concerned who confirmed I was there in the morning.

Two hour round trip.

It is unfortunate that your bank messed up, but the IO officer was right as they have rules they are suppose to follow and they are unlikely to be the last one reviewing those documents.  On the bright side, you are now more knowledgeable about the process and document requirements - so you will able to check what the bank gives you in the future...

Post breaking forum rules removed.

 

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14 hours ago, Patong2021 said:

Easy to see who is not from a technologically advanced economy. The complaints are coming from UK and US nationals with a smaller contingent of grumpy elderly Australians.  I have spent the last few months commuting between multiple EU countries. Most are exclusively e commerce and have moved to electronic immigration procedures. Transiting Schengen to non-Schengen  zones is now done in minutes.  I have not paid cash for anything while here in the EU. I dread my return to Thailand where I will have to load up on cash for basic  purchasing. Most young people in the EU rely on options like Google or Apple Pay and are not afraid of electronic progress.

I’ve noticed several “‘cash only” signs in English at the beach resort in Croatia (EU member) where I am right now, although all supermarkets I’ve visited have accepted my credit card. I suppose that does show that people are now expecting all businesses to accept electronic payments.

  • Popular Post
4 hours ago, Walt Kowalski said:

Pattaya - I would't go there even if SHE were payin' me!!

Bob, you do understand you've been posting about Soi Buhkao lately, don't you?

19 hours ago, KhaoHom said:

Given the skint nature of the Pattaya expat the value to the nation is probably net net negative. They could all disappear and only a some floozies purses a bit lighter. No fuss will be raised. Bye bye 

 

I live in BKK and use only cash. I will as long as possible 

Hey, Big Time Charlie why are you living in a sh#thole 🤣😅

8 minutes ago, CygnusX1 said:

I’ve noticed several “‘cash only” signs in English at the beach resort in Croatia (EU member) where I am right now, although all supermarkets I’ve visited have accepted my credit card. I suppose that does show that people are now expecting all businesses to accept electronic payments.

People do not understand that in many cases THE MERCHANT is paying 3% - 6% in fees to do credit card transactions.  In other words, the FEE often is greater than the PROFIT.  Cash is KING.

10 minutes ago, EVENKEEL said:

Bob, you do understand you've been posting about Soi Buhkao lately, don't you?

No. 

 

And who's this Bob bloke?

1 minute ago, JustinTyme said:

People do not understand that in many cases THE MERCHANT is paying 3% - 6% in fees to do credit card transactions.  In other words, the FEE often is greater than the PROFIT.  Cash is KING.

Last time I was in Bangkok, the hair cutting place in the underground near Asok - was QR code only (use to accept cash via depositing into a machine and getting a slip).  QR code/Promptpay is quickly becoming the preferred payment option (low to no fee as opposed to foreign credit card networks).   I actually use QR code payment quite often now for local transactions.

2 minutes ago, Walt Kowalski said:

No. 

 

And who's this Bob bloke?

I'm on your side man, but gotta get some help.

Just now, bkkcanuck8 said:

Last time I was in Bangkok, the hair cutting place in the underground near Asok - was QR code only (use to accept cash via depositing into a machine and getting a slip).  QR code/Promptpay is quickly becoming the preferred payment option (low to no fee as opposed to foreign credit card networks).   I actually use QR code payment quite often now for local transactions.

 

1 minute ago, bkkcanuck8 said:

Last time I was in Bangkok, the hair cutting place in the underground near Asok - was QR code only (use to accept cash via depositing into a machine and getting a slip).  QR code/Promptpay is quickly becoming the preferred payment option (low to no fee as opposed to foreign credit card networks).   I actually use QR code payment quite often now for local transactions.

Reading is Fundamental:  They wrote: "I’ve noticed several “‘cash only” signs in English at the beach resort in Croatia (EU member) where I am right now, although all supermarkets I’ve visited have accepted my credit card. I suppose that does show that people are now expecting all businesses to accept electronic payments.

This is why I said "
THE MERCHANT is paying 3% - 6% in fees to do credit card transactions"

I have lived in Thailand for 14 years, so ... yeah ... pretty familiar with QR Code - Bank Direct Payments that are in no way associated with CREDIT CARDS.

But thanks for your meaningless input / update / advice.

15 minutes ago, Toby1947 said:

Hey, Big Time Charlie why are you living in a sh#thole 🤣😅

 

BKK best standard of living in Thailand champion . So  wherever you're living is a step down. 

 

You're either in the sticks, Pattaya or as I really suspect nothing more than a tourist 

19 hours ago, Everyman said:

You can do it in Hong Kong without even going there.

Nonsense.  HK banks do not open bank accounts remotely.

19 hours ago, Everyman said:

You can do it in the USA, you don’t even need to be in the country legally.

Only if you have ID.

19 hours ago, johng said:
19 hours ago, Everyman said:

 

There is no charge for the Thai QR code payment system. 

So how do they make money ?

Profit on whatever they're selling, obviously.

19 hours ago, Hellfire said:

This is how the “Thai Visa Casino” has been running for years: the government - essentially part of the casino management - rolls out new restrictive and harsh rules. Then the agents (the dealers), working hand in hand with the "casino management", rush in with their “special solutions” for foreigners (the gamblers). The foreigners — the gamblers in this casino - pay up, often without realizing they’re being nudged into illegality, since everything is done so openly it feels official.

But eventually, the crackdown comes. Someone shouts “ZERO!”. Then, the “foreigner criminals” are punished, and nobody ever gets reimbursed - neither for their money nor for their moral distress. The casino, of course, carries on without a scratch. Soon the cycle repeats: new rules are introduced, new shady “solutions” appear, and a fresh line of punters (foreigners) queue up at the roulette tables of the "Thai Visa Casino" to place their already doomed bets.

Absolute b0llocks.

8 minutes ago, KhaoHom said:

 

BKK best standard of living in Thailand champion

Champion? are you taking the proverbial urine?

 

what about the smog, the traffic, the heat, the hassle, the noise, the foul odor, the rats....

 

you see none of that ey?

8 minutes ago, Liverpool Lou said:

Profit on whatever they're selling, obviously.

I mean how does the digital payment service make its profit,  if it's not from a fee then it will be from data harvesting..I'm sure their not doing it for purely altruistic reasons.

6 hours ago, Mason45 said:

I need to use Bangkok Bank and I'm not sure whether they will allow 80 yo's like me to keep my app

Ridiculous.  What makes you think that those in their 80s are not allowed the BBL app?

6 hours ago, Mason45 said:

Krungsri Bank have already locked my app because of my age.

That is not true unless you are deemed to be in the "vulnerable" category.  You need to post some kind of evidence that Krungsri are doing that solely because of your age.

Post removed commenting negatively on the News.

 

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6 hours ago, Mason45 said:

That could be right to the point as the last time I renewed my retirement visa the people who had the Bangkok Bank app on their phones where in and out of the bank in about 20-30 minutes.

More nonsense.  The use of an agent with BBL customers does not utilise the bank app, only the account passbook.   

20 hours ago, johng said:

So how do they make money ?

According to a restaurant-owning friend here, it costs around 2% of the bill to take payment by QR code. Not only that, but cash payments have the capacity to be "hidden" meaning that the amounts involved are not included in their tax accounts. It is easy to see that by avoiding a QR/Scan transaction, the business benefits in both directions - no bank charge, and a likely tax saving. The banks save too inasmuch as they need fewer employees to handle QR transactions and receive a payment from the service provider. Restaurants prefer to take cash, and there is little chance of them increasing their prices to compensate for the cost - so it is a win-win for them, and their customers. Simples.

Panic, speak for yourself....my life has not changed on bit since these rules or whatever the hell they are coming up with are under discussion.

 

This is Thailand, I am a guest and will survive....much better than anything the West has to offer.

 

 

22 hours ago, JoePai said:

Quite simply Pattaya is not as easy/friendly/carefree (call it what you want) as it used to be, but then where is…

Such is life....Change is constant.

22 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Benjamin Hart, an American lawyer and Thai citizen, attributes Thailand's new direction to global influences. In his videos, he cites the World Economic Forum’s push for a tech-driven surveillance state. Hart cautions that emerging policies, including negative income tax and increased data harvesting, could have unintended consequences for both locals and expats

I think Benjamin Hart is that extremely negative guy on YouTube. 

 

His videos make you think it's the end of the world..which it is but have a little fun for Christ sakes!

Just now, Furioso said:

I think Benjamin Hart is that extremely negative guy on YouTube. 

 

His videos make you think it's the end of the world..which it is but have a little fun for Christ sakes!

Yes, he is all hype.

Why the hell do immigration allow these visa agents along with the fake bank entries to carry on 

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