Aeon Samui - Done

[devdrinker]

For those with foreign ATM cards both Big C and Tesco ATMs Aeon machines (which used to save the rip of 150baht charge) are failing with foreign cards for past two days. I thought it was just me just incase any makes trip up there.

Everywhere is 150baht surplus now (plus whatever con-mission and fees your own bank charges).

[smokie36]

Anyone staying any length of time...get yourself a Thai bank account. Just need an address and your passport to open.

Then use SWIFT transfers. Withdrawals are then free.....

[Jiu-Jitsu]

So far, two reports and you decide that it's all over.

[steelerian]

OP - sorry Im a little confused. Are you saying that there used to be no 150 baht charge, but now there is?

[Jiu-Jitsu]

OP - sorry Im a little confused. Are you saying that there used to be no 150 baht charge, but now there is?

He is telling us that the machine didn't work for him at all.

[smokie36]

OP - sorry Im a little confused. Are you saying that there used to be no 150 baht charge, but now there is?

He is telling us that the machine didn't work for him at all.

Its not that unusual for he ATM machines on Samui not to work for a day or two. Best try again tomorrow.

[devdrinker]

Ill try again today but it seems pretty conclusive to me from the reports on the other posts (prior to mine page on pages 1 and 2) that it is no longer 150baht. When you moving 1k-1.5k out a time then it always worked out better and more convenient to just use a debit card over a period of times (one with sensible bank such as Metro bank, or Carton, or Fairfx) etc... Always seem to get a crap rate with SWIFT and then the charges on both ends. Looking at it more realistically though I guess it pales overall when you wake up with a hangover and cant account for 3k the next morning but still annoying now the less.

[jfchandler]

Anyone staying any length of time...get yourself a Thai bank account. Just need an address and your passport to open.

Then use SWIFT transfers. Withdrawals are then free.....

Smokie...you must have been "smokin'" a bit too much lately...

The ATM withdrawal from a Thai bank using their own card may be free. But wire transfer process you advocate to get funds into the Thai bank is hardly "free" when the person sending money has to pay a fee to their home country bank -- as usually is the case, $25 to $40 U.S., and I assume similar amounts in other countries -- to send an international wire transfer to place funds into a Thai bank.

There are a few folks and few banking arrangements where international wire transfers are free, usually as a perk for having a very high account balance with the home bank. But for most ordinary people, the international wire transfer sending fee is not small... And that doesn't even figure in the practice of some home country banks to send their wires through "intermediary" banks en route, who then also tack on their own separate fees...

And then of course, the standard Thai bank charge for receiving international wire transfer funds is 0.25% of the amount received, with the fee capped at minimum 200 baht and maximum 500 baht.

All of the above is not the route best used by someone trying to maximum the use of their funds.

[yorkie100]

Anyone staying any length of time...get yourself a Thai bank account. Just need an address and your passport to open.

Then use SWIFT transfers. Withdrawals are then free.....

Smokie...you must have been "smokin'" a bit too much lately...

The ATM withdrawal from a Thai bank using their own card may be free. But wire transfer process you advocate to get funds into the Thai bank is hardly "free" when the person sending money has to pay a fee to their home country bank -- as usually is the case, $25 to $40 U.S., and I assume similar amounts in other countries -- to send an international wire transfer to place funds into a Thai bank.

There are a few folks and few banking arrangements where international wire transfers are free, usually as a perk for having a very high account balance with the home bank. But for most ordinary people, the international wire transfer sending fee is not small... And that doesn't even figure in the practice of some home country banks to send their wires through "intermediary" banks en route, who then also tack on their own separate fees...

And then of course, the standard Thai bank charge for receiving international wire transfer funds is 0.25% of the amount received, with the fee capped at minimum 200 baht and maximum 500 baht.

All of the above is not the route best used by someone trying to maximum the use of their funds.

The cheapest way of transferring funds if you have a Thai Bank account is through UK Forex to your Thai Bank account: 3w's.ukforex.co.uk/

Easy to do and NO transfer charges plus a good exchange rate which is fixed when the exchange is agreed. (There is a minimum amount you have to transfer, 2000 UKP I think but check on their website).

You can transfer in UK Pounds (best rate) or convert to Thai Baht before sending (not a good idea).You will need to use your visa debit/electron card to make the transfer from your UK Bank.

[Jiu-Jitsu]

Ill try again today but it seems pretty conclusive to me from the reports on the other posts (prior to mine page on pages 1 and 2) that it is no longer 150baht. When you moving 1k-1.5k out a time then it always worked out better and more convenient to just use a debit card over a period of times (one with sensible bank such as Metro bank, or Carton, or Fairfx) etc... Always seem to get a crap rate with SWIFT and then the charges on both ends. Looking at it more realistically though I guess it pales overall when you wake up with a hangover and cant account for 3k the next morning but still annoying now the less.

What is the matter with you?? There is one report of a local Thai making a withdrawal in Buriram and there being a 150 baht charge. Please learn to read and comprehend before creating scaremongering posts.

[jfchandler]

The cheapest way of transferring funds if you have a Thai Bank account is through UK Forex to your Thai Bank account: 3w's.ukforex.co.uk/

Easy to do and NO transfer charges plus a good exchange rate which is fixed when the exchange is agreed. (There is a minimum amount you have to transfer, 2000 UKP I think but check on their website).

You can transfer in UK Pounds (best rate) or convert to Thai Baht before sending (not a good idea).You will need to use your visa debit/electron card to make the transfer from your UK Bank.

Their web site appears to say they have a standard 7 pounds fee that is waived if the sent amount is 3,000 pounds or above, and there is a single recipient. I believe I read the minimum amount to send with them is 1000 pounds.

http://www.ukforex.co.uk/information/fees-and-fee-free-thresholds.asp

[devdrinker]

Ill try again today but it seems pretty conclusive to me from the reports on the other posts (prior to mine page on pages 1 and 2) that it is no longer 150baht. When you moving 1k-1.5k out a time then it always worked out better and more convenient to just use a debit card over a period of times (one with sensible bank such as Metro bank, or Carton, or Fairfx) etc... Always seem to get a crap rate with SWIFT and then the charges on both ends. Looking at it more realistically though I guess it pales overall when you wake up with a hangover and cant account for 3k the next morning but still annoying now the less.

What is the matter with you?? There is one report of a local Thai making a withdrawal in Buriram and there being a 150 baht charge. Please learn to read and comprehend before creating scaremongering posts.

I just properly took the time to reread the linked post (in a sober state) there were 3 pages and I did get knocked back over 2 days, it looks like it all 3 people, I could of sworn reading a dozen last night , so hopefully Im wrong. Ive not been back yet as I got enough out yesterday from SCB for a few days, hate giving over an extra 150baht for nothing. :jap: So hopefully an overreaction my bad..

Edited May 15, 2011 by devdrinker

[Jiu-Jitsu]

Ill try again today but it seems pretty conclusive to me from the reports on the other posts (prior to mine page on pages 1 and 2) that it is no longer 150baht. When you moving 1k-1.5k out a time then it always worked out better and more convenient to just use a debit card over a period of times (one with sensible bank such as Metro bank, or Carton, or Fairfx) etc... Always seem to get a crap rate with SWIFT and then the charges on both ends. Looking at it more realistically though I guess it pales overall when you wake up with a hangover and cant account for 3k the next morning but still annoying now the less.

What is the matter with you?? There is one report of a local Thai making a withdrawal in Buriram and there being a 150 baht charge. Please learn to read and comprehend before creating scaremongering posts.

I just properly took the time to reread the linked post (in a sober state) there were 3 pages and I did get knocked back over 2 days, it looks like it all 3 people, I could of sworn reading a dozen last night , so hopefully Im wrong. Ive not been back yet as I got enough out yesterday from SCB for a few days, hate giving over an extra 150baht for nothing. :jap: So hopefully an overreaction my bad..

It's not even three people. For at least one of the people, it is his bank; Bank of America, that charged him US$5(150 baht). He was told this repeatedly, but refused to believe it. He does now.

So it's one....because you have not been charged 150 baht either.

Thank goodness for AEON.

[smokie36]

Anyone staying any length of time...get yourself a Thai bank account. Just need an address and your passport to open.

Then use SWIFT transfers. Withdrawals are then free.....

Smokie...you must have been "smokin'" a bit too much lately...

The ATM withdrawal from a Thai bank using their own card may be free. But wire transfer process you advocate to get funds into the Thai bank is hardly "free" when the person sending money has to pay a fee to their home country bank -- as usually is the case, $25 to $40 U.S., and I assume similar amounts in other countries -- to send an international wire transfer to place funds into a Thai bank.

There are a few folks and few banking arrangements where international wire transfers are free, usually as a perk for having a very high account balance with the home bank. But for most ordinary people, the international wire transfer sending fee is not small... And that doesn't even figure in the practice of some home country banks to send their wires through "intermediary" banks en route, who then also tack on their own separate fees...

And then of course, the standard Thai bank charge for receiving international wire transfer funds is 0.25% of the amount received, with the fee capped at minimum 200 baht and maximum 500 baht.

All of the above is not the route best used by someone trying to maximum the use of their funds.

Good point JFC .

My bank charges me nothing for a transfer of £3k or above. The Thai charges still apply though. There are several banks in the UK offering this or probably netter but I heard the Nationwide free withdrawals had ceased.

[steelerian]

Natiowide free withdrawals ceased 1st November 2010. They now charge 2% exchange commission plus a £1 flat fee.

[yorkie100]

The cheapest way of transferring funds if you have a Thai Bank account is through UK Forex to your Thai Bank account: 3w's.ukforex.co.uk/

Easy to do and NO transfer charges plus a good exchange rate which is fixed when the exchange is agreed. (There is a minimum amount you have to transfer, 2000 UKP I think but check on their website).

You can transfer in UK Pounds (best rate) or convert to Thai Baht before sending (not a good idea).You will need to use your visa debit/electron card to make the transfer from your UK Bank.

Their web site appears to say they have a standard 7 pounds fee that is waived if the sent amount is 3,000 pounds or above, and there is a single recipient. I believe I read the minimum amount to send with them is 1000 pounds.

http://www.ukforex.co.uk/information/fees-and-fee-free-thresholds.asp

I forgot to say the transfer is normally complete within 2 working days although the first time I made a transfer to my bank in Samui the money was held at their head office in Bangkok until I made a call to them from my own branch to see where the money had got to.

Edited May 16, 2011 by yorkie100