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Visa Crackdowns, QR Code Rules Spark Panic Among Pattaya Expats

Featured Replies

6 hours ago, SamSpade said:

I know of at least a couple of Starbucks that don't take cash. 

Which branches are they that refuse any cash payments?

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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 hours ago, Celsius said:
5 hours ago, fittobethaied said:

Once they get everyone on the digital payment system, then the banks will start taking their cut and we won't have any alternative except to pay. It's all part of their grand scheme to control our every move.

 

100%

 

It happens every time. 

Really?  Have you an example of "that happening every time"?

56 minutes ago, johng said:
1 hour ago, Liverpool Lou said:

Profit on whatever they're selling, obviously.

I mean how does the digital payment service make its profit

It is a banking facility, how does any bank make profit?

28 minutes ago, Liverpool Lou said:

Which branches are they that refuse any cash payments?

For sure the one next to Lumpini MRT (in the One Bangkok building) has been cash free since Covid times & IIRC the one at Central Festival in Pattaya is also cash free nowadays.

 

Somebody else posted it was a companywide thing in Thailand but I hardly ever go into one so couldn't say.

 

Edit: List of the Starbucks cashless stores... https://starbucks.co.th/cashless-store/

 

Looks like I was wrong with Central Festival, but in Pattaya, Bangkok Hospital, Caltex South & Harbour Mall are all cashless.  

17 hours ago, 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

Is there an app an American Tourist would use to pay using the QR code that can be tied to their U.S. bank account?  

I've just not been in Thailand permanently due a few years. When I started applying for my visa extensions my records were kept on paper. Now it's nearly entirely digital, I sign the bits of paper and they are scanned into my records.  

 

I would bet a reasonable sum of money that slowly, thoroughly and surely, all past immigration records are being scanned and digitised. I think I've noticed more articles about overstayers  and wanted criminals being rounded up. 

 

Your passport has your biometrics, your phone number is linked to your visa,  your Thai bank account is linked to phone number and uses face recognition software; CCTV is everywhere and there are no data privacy regulations in Thailand. 

 

 

 

 

3 minutes ago, Suetape said:

Is there an app an American Tourist would use to pay using the QR code that can be tied to their U.S. bank account?  

 

Nope, only works for Asean countries.

I posted a link to SCB explaining which countries can use the QR code, but the post was removed.

Informing AN members is obviously not appreciated

I've just not been in Thailand permanently due a few years. When I started applying for my visa extensions my records were kept on paper. Now it's nearly entirely digital, I sign the bits of paper and they are scanned into my records.  

 

I would bet a reasonable sum of money that slowly, thoroughly and surely, all past immigration records are being scanned and digitised. I think I've noticed more articles about overstayers  and wanted criminals being rounded up. 

 

Your passport has your biometrics, your phone number is linked to your visa,  your Thai bank account is linked to phone number and uses face recognition software; CCTV is everywhere and there are no data privacy regulations in Thailand. 

 

The clock is ticking. 

 

 

 

 

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Starbucks cashless coffee service is crap and the sugar levels are off the chart, especially in the silly caramel frappa-dappa-latte etc. sections. Why would anyone with an ounce of sense and a discerning palate drink coffee or eat food from such global monstrosities anyway? To hell with that.

31 minutes ago, Liverpool Lou said:

Which branches are they that refuse any cash payments?

 

The one in Central World for starters, and there has been a topic about on this forum, which you should have seen since you scoure the forum all day for posts you can argue about

23 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…

But the sex industry is still easy, friendly, carefree (and avaricious) 

38 minutes ago, SamSpade said:

For sure the one next to Lumpini MRT (in the One Bangkok building) has been cash free since Covid times & IIRC the one at Central Festival in Pattaya is also cash free nowadays.

 

Somebody else posted it was a companywide thing in Thailand but I hardly ever go into one so couldn't say.

 

Edit: List of the Starbucks cashless stores... https://starbucks.co.th/cashless-store/

 

Looks like I was wrong with Central Festival, but in Pattaya, Bangkok Hospital, Caltex South & Harbour Mall are all cashless.  

You mean totally cash free, so they wouldn't sell me anything if I showed up there without smartphone or card? 

5 minutes ago, thecyclist said:

But the sex industry is still easy, friendly, carefree (and avaricious) 

You must be (relatively) to Pattaya

24 minutes ago, Drumbuie said:

...there are no data privacy regulations in Thailand. 

Nonsense.  Personal Data Protection Act 2019.

24 minutes ago, Drumbuie said:

there are no data privacy regulations in Thailand. 

Cobblers.

4 minutes ago, thecyclist said:

You mean totally cash free, so they wouldn't sell me anything if I showed up there without smartphone or card? 

It would seem so... 

 

image.png.b70c71b26caebb72a15fb923245c4fc8.png 

23 minutes ago, CallumWK said:

 

The one in Central World for starters, and there has been a topic about on this forum, which you should have seen since you scoure the forum all day for posts you can argue about

What's the matter with you...I asked him a question, how is that an "argument"?

1 minute ago, Liverpool Lou said:

What's the matter with you...I asked him a question, how is that an "argument"?

 

I didn't say that post was an argument, I pointed to your well known behaviour on this forum. Seems your reading capabilities are lacking

1 hour ago, Liverpool Lou said:

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

 

Utter tripe.  At least one agent accesses the app to increase the limits to allow the electronic transfer of 800,000 THB out and then does the electronic transfer using the app.

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Every thread about matters of vital importance to many expats seems to deteriorate into petty squabbles and insults.No wonder many of my friends don't bother with this site which could be a valuable resource but is just a venue for vicious name calling and abuse smh.

27 minutes ago, JoePai said:

You must be (relatively) to Pattaya

I assume you mean relatively new. Not really. My remark was more tongue in cheek. I am aware that this new generation of sex workers, the smartphone/Tiktoc generation is much more attentive to their phones than to their customers. It was a lot more fun 20/30 years ago. 

26 minutes ago, CallumWK said:
29 minutes ago, Liverpool Lou said:

What's the matter with you...I asked him a question, how is that an "argument"?

 

I didn't say that post was an argument,

No other implication could be drawn from your post.

16 minutes ago, chang50 said:

but is just a venue for vicious name calling and abuse smh.

There is still a lot of good information    name calling !!!

🤣  come on what do you expect in the 'big bad world' ?

'sticks and stones may break my bones but names will never hurt me'

 Thailand is not a sovereign country and we realize it day after day

8 hours ago, Wanderer555 said:
17 hours ago, Patong2021 said:

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.

Over the past year, I have rarely used cash THB (Thai Immigration being a notable exception) for my purchases/payments  in Thailand that typically exceed 100,000 THB monthly. Payments are quickly completed with QR code, True Wallet and direct bank transfers or similar. 
Mindful of the potential for a given app or system to not function at any given time, I do maintain enough cash THB on-hand to make normal payments for 2 weeks or more.  
 

US citizen on my 9th Retirement Extension using income method, and can say I’ve never even met ‘Agent’. 

Overall, as a single man living in a small Isaan village, life is good and much easier than other countries I have lived in. 
cheers

 

100% This....   

 

In the UK - Its nearly 100% ApplePay - tied to one of 3 cards and I use whichever I prefer. 

Anything can be purchased online in seconds, no hassles. Parking is Automatic, no need to collect a ticket etc (though initial set up can take a moment), train tickets purchased online in seconds - no need to go to a ticket counter or for a paper ticket... (can even get on the train you want and then purchase the ticket), can send the QR ticket to a friends 'digital wallet' simply etc... ).... 

... In the UK I need to keep a £1 coin on hand for the shopping trolley - thats it.

 

 

In Thailand, QR payment are the majority of the payments - everyone accepts then and its incredibly simple and fast (faster than cash IMO - though a few posters complain of slow people, but they have a negative bias and are exaggerating IMO).

I also keep cash (just incase the digital system doesn't work) - B1000 note and a couple of B100s inside the phone case, just in case... usually for a Taxi - though last time I had a flag fall taxi he had his QR code up so I quickly paid that way.

 

One very important part of ALL of this - is not to get rid of the cash system... No, cash is NOT king... not by a long shot, but that does not mean we should lose it - a cash payment should be an option for ALL users, this is just common sense and any business that removes payment options are shooting themselves in the foot IMO.

 

 

All of that said:  Yesterday I tried to pay with a Card (not a QR code) and the Shops payment systems were down, not just one point of sale, but all points of sale in the shop, and nationwide too...   they would accept cash but I didn't have it and couldn't be bothered to head to a cash-machine....   They would not allow me to purchase the items online and then select in-store pickup as they said the items had to be sourced from the main warehouse and delivered to the store for that, even though I already had the items in hand - Sometimes, these 'digital systems' are as flawed as the people programming them.

I left the shop and later ordered online for home delivery (now knowing the correct sizes of the items I wanted).

 

 

-----------

 

As far as visa trickery - thats been going on for years and people will always find a way to circumnavigate the system with agents etc...  That won't stop due to digital payments as the end 'decision maker' will still always be human and thus, corruptible flexible - thats just part of the game.

 

AND...  as far as Thailands systems are - someone mentioned that people suggest the similar restrictions are in place everywhere... and thats true - i.e. Banking etc...  its the same in the UK - you can't get an account unless you can prove residency etc.

 

 

 

 

  • Popular Post
10 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

100% This....   

 

In the UK - Its nearly 100% ApplePay - tied to one of 3 cards and I use whichever I prefer. 

Anything can be purchased online in seconds, no hassles. Parking is Automatic, no need to collect a ticket etc (though initial set up can take a moment), train tickets purchased online in seconds - no need to go to a ticket counter or for a paper ticket... (can even get on the train you want and then purchase the ticket), can send the QR ticket to a friends 'digital wallet' simply etc... ).... 

... In the UK I need to keep a £1 coin on hand for the shopping trolley - thats it.

 

 

In Thailand, QR payment are the majority of the payments - everyone accepts then and its incredibly simple and fast (faster than cash IMO - though a few posters complain of slow people, but they have a negative bias and are exaggerating IMO).

I also keep cash (just incase the digital system doesn't work) - B1000 note and a couple of B100s inside the phone case, just in case... usually for a Taxi - though last time I had a flag fall taxi he had his QR code up so I quickly paid that way.

 

One very important part of ALL of this - is not to get rid of the cash system... No, cash is NOT king... not by a long shot, but that does not mean we should lose it - a cash payment should be an option for ALL users, this is just common sense and any business that removes payment options are shooting themselves in the foot IMO.

 

 

All of that said:  Yesterday I tried to pay with a Card (not a QR code) and the Shops payment systems were down, not just one point of sale, but all points of sale in the shop, and nationwide too...   they would accept cash but I didn't have it and couldn't be bothered to head to a cash-machine....   They would not allow me to purchase the items online and then select in-store pickup as they said the items had to be sourced from the main warehouse and delivered to the store for that, even though I already had the items in hand - Sometimes, these 'digital systems' are as flawed as the people programming them.

I left the shop and later ordered online for home delivery (now knowing the correct sizes of the items I wanted).

 

 

-----------

 

As far as visa trickery - thats been going on for years and people will always find a way to circumnavigate the system with agents etc...  That won't stop due to digital payments as the end 'decision maker' will still always be human and thus, corruptible flexible - thats just part of the game.

 

AND...  as far as Thailands systems are - someone mentioned that people suggest the similar restrictions are in place everywhere... and thats true - i.e. Banking etc...  its the same in the UK - you can't get an account unless you can prove residency etc.

 

 

 

 

You will notice it when you are no longer in control of your money and an algorithm will establish how and when you can spend it.

Good luck

15 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

100% This....   

 

In the UK - Its nearly 100% ApplePay - tied to one of 3 cards and I use whichever I prefer. 

Anything can be purchased online in seconds, no hassles. Parking is Automatic, no need to collect a ticket etc (though initial set up can take a moment), train tickets purchased online in seconds - no need to go to a ticket counter or for a paper ticket... (can even get on the train you want and then purchase the ticket), can send the QR ticket to a friends 'digital wallet' simply etc... ).... 

... In the UK I need to keep a £1 coin on hand for the shopping trolley - thats it.

 

 

In Thailand, QR payment are the majority of the payments - everyone accepts then and its incredibly simple and fast (faster than cash IMO - though a few posters complain of slow people, but they have a negative bias and are exaggerating IMO).

I also keep cash (just incase the digital system doesn't work) - B1000 note and a couple of B100s inside the phone case, just in case... usually for a Taxi - though last time I had a flag fall taxi he had his QR code up so I quickly paid that way.

 

One very important part of ALL of this - is not to get rid of the cash system... No, cash is NOT king... not by a long shot, but that does not mean we should lose it - a cash payment should be an option for ALL users, this is just common sense and any business that removes payment options are shooting themselves in the foot IMO.

 

 

All of that said:  Yesterday I tried to pay with a Card (not a QR code) and the Shops payment systems were down, not just one point of sale, but all points of sale in the shop, and nationwide too...   they would accept cash but I didn't have it and couldn't be bothered to head to a cash-machine....   They would not allow me to purchase the items online and then select in-store pickup as they said the items had to be sourced from the main warehouse and delivered to the store for that, even though I already had the items in hand - Sometimes, these 'digital systems' are as flawed as the people programming them.

I left the shop and later ordered online for home delivery (now knowing the correct sizes of the items I wanted).

 

 

-----------

 

As far as visa trickery - thats been going on for years and people will always find a way to circumnavigate the system with agents etc...  That won't stop due to digital payments as the end 'decision maker' will still always be human and thus, corruptible flexible - thats just part of the game.

 

AND...  as far as Thailands systems are - someone mentioned that people suggest the similar restrictions are in place everywhere... and thats true - i.e. Banking etc...  its the same in the UK - you can't get an account unless you can prove residency etc.

 

 

 

 

Can I have a summary??❤️

4 minutes ago, Russel said:

You will notice it when you are no longer in control of your money and an algorithm will establish how and when you can spend it.

Good luck

"...can even get on the train you want and then purchase the ticket." Need to be careful with that.

1 hour ago, Drumbuie said:

I've just not been in Thailand permanently due a few years. When I started applying for my visa extensions my records were kept on paper.

 

Thai Immigration still requires the submission of half a rainforest pile of paperwork ..maybe they digitise it afterwards ???

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