Bangkok Bank - Nanthon

[samuijimmy]

This is a bit of a rant.... but need to get off my chest!

I generally give a lot of leeway to some places providing service, although I generally find service at many stores / businesses is actually very good, here... (yes I know there is a thread about dual pricing etc... not all stores do it..... )

But today, I happened to be doing my three month visa at Samui Immigration (that went fine! as usual for me) ... so that was a good start today!

Then I received a text message with a Western Union number of a transfer I had been expecting for XXXXX amount of baht... So being a Bank of Bangkok customer, I headed to the Nanthon branch... to withdraw the money... since I knew I would need my passport ..... (My branch is Bophut.... )

I get there (Nanthon branch) about 1.15 pm .... Get told "one moment please" ... OK .... patiently wait 10 to 15 minutes, seeing the one lady was actually doing something for another customer... That done, she disappeared for a few minutes, then came back.... another "one moment please" ... OK and smile! Keeping my cool!

Finally ! Fill in the Western Union form, with the WU number... to get money, she gets passport photocopied and then she says to me "how much money coming? " ...

I said about XXXX baht.... (it varies to exchange rate, from country of origin ) well the amount I gave her was WRONG ! "You have to tell me exact amount" .. so I tried to text sender of money ... .. no reply.... so wait a few minutes and go back to her...

"Oh cannot give you money .... bank policy you have to give exact amount" ... Now.... I am losing my cool! She started to tare up western Union form, and I grabbed it.... Next thing I know a security guard was on top on me, ... asking for the paper.... I folded it and put it in my pocket... and headed to the door.... he pursued me to my bike, (never actually touching me) asking for the paper... I kept saying no! & I drove off....

So then, I drive to Bophut BKK bank, (I always get satisfaction there!!!! ) walked in, got the WU form, a girl there who I had never dealt with before, says follow me... oh dahling I said! !.... ..... So she proceeded to fill in the form for me, got into the computer and filled out the amount of transfer.... within five minutes I had cash in hand.... I related what had happened in Nanthon, she was surprised.... The amount of money was about 1000 baht less than I expected.... mostly eaten by exchange and service charge... WU is ridiculous rate to send money....btw....

But it is the second time in Nanthon Branch, I've had a problem, or would I put it down to her just having a "bad day".... and moved on....

I've always thought Bophut BKK Bank branch gives 110% when it comes to service... too bad all branches not all same same!

Bit of a rant I know! .... Oh but feel so much better now, posting this, I told her I would.... ..... but will be writing to the manager about it.... (especially as second time, I've had problem there) ... whether that will make any difference, I am not sure, but there must be other here that deal with that branch of BKK.... any problems?

[insertmembernamehere]

Doesn't Western Union charge absurd rates for sending money?

Bank transfers are much easier and cheaper, particularly with Bangkok Bank if you are sending money from the US.

[samuijimmy]

Doesn't Western Union charge absurd rates for sending money?

Bank transfers are much easier and cheaper, particularly with Bangkok Bank if you are sending money from the US.

Yes, I said that in the post! WU is Totally outrageous, but the person who sends me this money keeps using WU... keep telling him to send by bank transfer....

[limbos]

Try Bank of Ayudhya to get you really frustrated.

[thehelmsman]

The Western Union method of sending money is many times hard. I use W/U only as a last resort. I've encountered the same problem. When asked how much was sent you should use the dollar amount sent as you have no idea of exact exchange rate. After the sender sends the money the sender needs to call you with the code numbers. You got the money and thats all that matters.

[BookMan]

A very good rant indeed. 5 Stars!

[insertmembernamehere]

US BANK ACCOUNT TRANSFER TO BANGKOK BANK IN THAILAND

Benefits of the service

Fees are lower than for most other international wire transfer services in the US payment system.

You can make transfers directly online via the internet banking service provided by your own bank in the US.

The recipient will get a better conversion rate for their funds because the USD amount will be converted to Thai Baht at the daily Bangkok Bank exchange rate in Thailand.

Funds will be received in Thailand within two business days after our New York branch receives the money transfer from your US bank account.

You can check your inwards funds transfer via Bualuang iBanking for personal accounts, Biz iBanking for business accounts, or Bualuang Phone 1333 or (66) 0-2645-5555.

How to use the service

You can initiate the transaction via the internet banking service linked to your US bank account. In general, the process to complete this is as follows:

- Go to the Domestic Interbank Transfer menu

- Go to the Inter Institution Transfers option

- Select Bangkok Bank’s New York branch as the recipient bank

- Enter the 9-digit routing number of Bangkok Bank’s New York branch as 026008691

- Enter the bank name as Bangkok Bank, New York branch

- Enter the 10-digit account number of the recipient with an account at Bangkok Bank in

Thailand

- Enter the name of the recipient account in Thailand, if required.

You should check with your US bank for the correct transfer menu for ACH payment. The terms and conditions of internet banking services may vary between banks. You should read all related terms and conditions of your account carefully before initiating any transaction. Bangkok Bank is not involved in the provision of internet banking services by banks in the US.

After the registration process, the US bank will initiate two trial deposits by sending small amounts of less than USD 1.00 to the recipient’s bank account in Thailand. This is to verify that the recipient account is valid. The bank in the US will send an email asking the recipient to check and confirm the trial deposit amounts.

The sending of trial deposit amounts depends upon the terms and conditions of the originating banks in the US and may vary from bank to bank. Bangkok Bank will be able to credit the recipient’s account in Thailand only when the name and account number of the recipient in the transfer instruction matches the name and account number at Bangkok Bank.

You will then need to ask the recipient in Thailand to check the exact amount of the two trial deposits. The recipient can do this by calling Bualuang Phone on 1333 or (66) 0-2645-5555.

Using the information provided by the recipient, you will be asked by the bank in the US to confirm the exact amount of the trial deposits. If this is correctly confirmed by you, the funds transfer can be made.

If you live in the US and want to transfer funds to your Bangkok Bank account in Thailand, you should advise Bangkok Bank of your contact email address, telephone number and full street address in the US by sending an email to: [email protected]. This will allow Bangkok Bank to contact you for more information if an incomplete payment instruction is received.

Fees

Bangkok Bank in New York charges the following fees for funds transfers initiated via the US ACH system:

Transferred Amount/

Fee

Less than USD 50.00

Free

USD 51.00 - 100.00

USD 3.00

USD 100.01 - 2,000.00

USD 5.00

USD 2,000.01 - 50,000.00

USD 10.00

USD 50,000.01 or more

USD 20.00

Bangkok Bank in Thailand also charges a fee of 0.25% of the amount in the Baht currency (minimum of THB 200; maximum of THB 500) when the funds are deposited into the recipient’s Bangkok Bank account in Thailand.

[BigC]

Doesn't Western Union charge absurd rates for sending money?

Bank transfers are much easier and cheaper, particularly with Bangkok Bank if you are sending money from the US.

depends how quickly u need the money.

I would report that to head office. get a thai to do it.

You are a customer someone should lose their job for that. People are queing up for a job like that. That service is terrible. i would make a complaint.

who knows if they get enough complaints then they might do something.

you do have a right to complain u r a bangkok bank customer.

If they do not do anything i would move banks. as bankers get commission based on how many csutomers they bring in. infact yo should complain to the person who you opened your bank account with and tell them tht you are going to call head offfice.

[koheesti]

If your the post office accepts Western Union you should be able to get the money for the current exchange rate with no charges. I was in another country, went to a currency exchange with a huge Western Union banner in the window. For the equiv of about $550 it cost about $50 to send and I would have lost another $50 on my end if I didn't say FTS and walk out. The next day I went to the post office and they gave the total amount I was expecting with no fees. I believe the banks/currency exchange places are supposed to get a cut from WU and not try to take it from the recipient (who might need the money for an emergency)

[samuijimmy]

Just an update here...

I sent off an email to BKK Bank, complaining about the service..in Nanthon Branch .... and actually got an email back saying they did not know where Nanthon, Koh Samui..... is!

I gather it is referred to as "Koh Samui" so sent that info to them to them and not heard anything since (Bophut etc as that, "Bophut branch" ) .... Perhaps under investigation!

I am well aware of WU charges, the sender has now sorted to being direct deposit....

[BigC]

Just an update here...

I sent off an email to BKK Bank, complaining about the service..in Nanthon Branch .... and actually got an email back saying they did not know where Nanthon, Koh Samui..... is!

I gather it is referred to as "Koh Samui" so sent that info to them to them and not heard anything since (Bophut etc as that, "Bophut branch" ) .... Perhaps under investigation!

I am well aware of WU charges, the sender has now sorted to being direct deposit....

can you get someone to write the e-mail in Thai?

[BusyBee123]

WU has two payment options one is to send an amount in your home currency the second is to specify the amount you want the reciever to recieve so there will never be confusion as to the amount you recieve you may wish to let your sender know this. Or just get them to deposit it in your bank in your homeland and withdraw from that account to save the ridiculous fees and lowly exchange rate.

Imo i think the bank teller was correct btw it is common policy for WU in thailand to ask you for the correct amount even direct at the WU counters, the frustration with this rule is to be blamed on the number of farangs commiting fraud in thailand.