Foreign Atm Charges

[2peteok]

Do all banks charge 150 baht for me to use a foreign(Canadian) atm card to make a withdrawal. Is 20,000 baht the max? thanx.

[hellstens]

Yes, all banks charge 150thb of foreign bank card, but I suggest you go into the bank and withdraw money via Telex

then you will get a better exchange rate and avoid paying 150b, Max eliminator is 20.000thb but ask them to swipe the card twice so you can take out 40.000 thb

I do every month.

Tom/

[nattydread]

the Aeon bank does not charge anything for foreign withdrawls but i am not sure if they get their pound of flesh via the exchange rate

there are 2 branches in CM..........one on the 3rd floor of the Airport Plaza and the other Tesco Lotus on Hang Dong Rd

[thrilled]

I use schwab.The bank charges me 150 baht.schwab reinburses me back the money

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

Most of the info provided above is correct...

Thai banks do charge the 150 baht withdrawal fee on foreign ATM card withdrawals.

But AEON ATMs do not charge that fee, because they are not a Thai bank, but you can use regular MC and VISA logo debit cards to make withdrawals from their ATM. And their exchange rate is the regular VISA or MC international exchange rate without any fees or other hidden deductions. Best ATMs to use for any farang in Thailand.

The other approach as mentioned above is to pay the 150 baht fee at regular Thai bank ATMs, IF your home country account reimburses those fees in total. Charles Schwab does, so do some Capital One accounts, so does State Farm Bank, and a few others. Can't speak to Canada.

Af for ATM limits at Thai bank ATM, those vary some depending on the bank and ATM machine involved. But 25,000 baht is a common limit. But AEON ATMs for whatever reason have a much much higher limit. Your home country bank probably also has a daily limit of some amount on ATM withdrawals.

[vagabond48]

I use schwab.The bank charges me 150 baht.schwab reinburses me back the money

I also have several U.S fee free debit cards including Schwab. I realize some of us are not very near Chiang Mai's shopping Malls where AEON Atms are located but I would suggest that if you happen to be shopping at one of the malls, that you use AEON ATM machines so that Schwab doesn't get hit by the high150B ($5) fee. I think we all want these fee free cards to remain available for as long as possible.

[toastie]

@ Bangkok Bank ATMs you can withdraw 25000 baht.

If you are here for a while, open a local bank account and wire the money in. No ATM fee, just the wire charge which is set by your home bank.

[Jayman]

@ Bangkok Bank ATMs you can withdraw 25000 baht.

If you are here for a while, open a local bank account and wire the money in. No ATM fee, just the wire charge which is set by your home bank.

Along with the outgoing wire transfer fee also be aware that an incoming wire transfer fee will be removed from the transfer before they put it in your account. This makes it hard to even see how much is being charged. At SCB they charge 500thb per incoming wire. You have to go into your bank and ask them what the incoming wire transfer fee is as there is no way to see it in your bank book/statement.

God bless AEON as I use them exclusively when I do have to pull money via foreign ATM card.

[cnx355]

the Aeon bank does not charge anything for foreign withdrawls but i am not sure if they get their pound of flesh via the exchange rate

there are 2 branches in CM..........one on the 3rd floor of the Airport Plaza and the other Tesco Lotus on Hang Dong Rd /....

Aeon also have a branch at Lotus Khamtien and a single AEON ATM in the front corner lobby of BIG C Hangdong near airport. I use Aeon with my Canadian ATM card and like everybody say no 150 bahts fee and exchange rate similar to Visa or Mastercard.

[CMX]

I have never had difficulty in going into a bank, presenting my passport and a debit card, and withdrawing whatever amount I've arranged as a maximum per day by my bank(s). This at the 'exchange' post if it is separate. As there is no charge for this exchange beyond regular rates, I do not have to arrange for re-imbursement or select a bank that gives one. Nor do I overburden Aeon.

It can take a little while, so I select a bank and time where there is little/no waiting. Or fetch reading or go in on rainy days. Otherwise, I do use Aeon, which has also other outlets than those posted (see other thread now hot).

[hellodolly]

I go into the bank once a month transfer enough money for the month.

If I had to worry about saving 150 baht a month I would be in p ss poor shape.

Besides it would probably cost me that munch to get there and back also I would run the risk of impulsive buying.

[65Craig]

When I lived in Chiang Mai two years ago, I used the ATM at UOB (a Singapore Bank) and they didn't charge me a fee. Does anyone know if this has changed? I'm actually flying in on March 30th and staying for 3 months, and was planning on using this bank to get my money. If they are charging, I guess Aeon is an option as well.

[vagabond48]

I have never had difficulty in going into a bank, presenting my passport and a debit card, and withdrawing whatever amount I've arranged as a maximum per day by my bank(s). This at the 'exchange' post if it is separate. As there is no charge for this exchange beyond regular rates, I do not have to arrange for re-imbursement or select a bank that gives one. Nor do I overburden Aeon.

It can take a little while, so I select a bank and time where there is little/no waiting. Or fetch reading or go in on rainy days. Otherwise, I do use Aeon, which has also other outlets than those posted (see other thread now hot).

I have never made a teller counter debit card withdrawal. I do wonder if the exchange rate for a counter withdrawal is dictated by the bank rather than Visa or MC. I recently found out when using my credit card they may charge you using your home currency if you don't tell them to use local currency. Using your home currency would tack on a 3% to 4% fee so in this case the banks are controlling the final exchange rate not Visa/MC.

[TongueThaied]

I use schwab.The bank charges me 150 baht.schwab reinburses me back the money

AND you get your exchange from Schwab at par -- they don't make a dime on it. You can never get that rate from any bank or machine in Thailand (w/out the Schwab card). Living in Thailand, you will never find a better deal than having a Schwab account back home. My Schwab account has a $2,000/day limit, but no Thai ATM will allow you to take that much (61,000 baht) -- that I have found. However, you can walk down a string of machines and take 10-20,000 baht from each, up to $2,000, with all fees reimbursed by Schwab.

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

@ Bangkok Bank ATMs you can withdraw 25000 baht.

If you are here for a while, open a local bank account and wire the money in. No ATM fee, just the wire charge which is set by your home bank.

No, that info about wire transfers doesn't cover all the bases.

The sender's home country bank will charge them a flat fee for sending, and some are quite expensive depending on the bank, $30 to $50 per international wire isn't uncommon.

Also depending on the sending bank, there may be an intermediary bank involved that will add charges.

And then the receiving Thai bank typically charges a commission on the amount of the received funds.

Plus, wire transfers are handled by the Thai banks at the buying TT exchange rate, whereas ATM withdrawals (assuming one is using a no foreign currency fee ATM card and ATM machine like AEON) are done at the usually higher/better VISA or MC network rates.

But if one doesn't have or can't get a no fee ATM card and/or doesn't have an AEON ATM nearby/convenient in Thailand, at least for Americans, BKK Bank's ACH transfer system from their New York branch to Thailand usually is going to be cheaper/more economical than any traditional wire transfer from the U.S. to Thailand. And BKKB has a similar setup for Brits to send money from the UK to Thailand.

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

I use schwab.The bank charges me 150 baht.schwab reinburses me back the money

AND you get your exchange from Schwab at par -- they don't make a dime on it. You can never get that rate from any bank or machine in Thailand (w/out the Schwab card). Living in Thailand, you will never find a better deal than having a Schwab account back home. My Schwab account has a $2,000/day limit, but no Thai ATM will allow you to take that much (61,000 baht) -- that I have found. However, you can walk down a string of machines and take 10-20,000 baht from each, up to $2,000, with all fees reimbursed by Schwab.

I generally agree with the value of the Schwab checking account and ATM card for expats... But want to add a couple things...

1. The exchange rate on the Schwab card is simply the regular VISA card network international rate...without any foreign currency fee or other deductions. That same rate is available from other no fee cards as well.

2. Although I personally haven't tried it, quite a few other TV members here have reported that the no fee AEON ATM machines also have much higher per withdrawal limits than the regular Thai bank ATMs.... and some of those members have reported amounts of 50,000, 60,000 or even higher.

Most of the time that won't matter too much, because most people's home country banks have daily ATM limits of $500 or so... But Schwab, to their credit, is one of the few consumer banks that have higher daily limits on their debit cards, along with all their other advantages.

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

When I lived in Chiang Mai two years ago, I used the ATM at UOB (a Singapore Bank) and they didn't charge me a fee. Does anyone know if this has changed? I'm actually flying in on March 30th and staying for 3 months, and was planning on using this bank to get my money. If they are charging, I guess Aeon is an option as well.

The Thai banks' 150 baht ATM fee on foreign (non-Thai) cards was instituted about two years ago... And if memory serves, UOB was late to the game in implementing that fee on their ATMs.... In other words, they were one of the last Thai banks to begin charging it, along with Government Savings Bank. But UOB and GSB ATMs do charge it now on foreign cards.

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

I have never had difficulty in going into a bank, presenting my passport and a debit card, and withdrawing whatever amount I've arranged as a maximum per day by my bank(s). This at the 'exchange' post if it is separate. As there is no charge for this exchange beyond regular rates, I do not have to arrange for re-imbursement or select a bank that gives one. Nor do I overburden Aeon.

It can take a little while, so I select a bank and time where there is little/no waiting. Or fetch reading or go in on rainy days. Otherwise, I do use Aeon, which has also other outlets than those posted (see other thread now hot).

I have never made a teller counter debit card withdrawal. I do wonder if the exchange rate for a counter withdrawal is dictated by the bank rather than Visa or MC. I recently found out when using my credit card they may charge you using your home currency if you don't tell them to use local currency. Using your home currency would tack on a 3% to 4% fee so in this case the banks are controlling the final exchange rate not Visa/MC.

Vagabond, I do think so called counter withdrawals are a bit of a crap-shoot here.... As follows:

--Some Thai bank staff will simply refuse to do them, and tell the customer to go out and use their ATMs... Don't know if they're just being lazy, or know that they'll get the added 150 baht fee if the ATM is used. Either way, it adds some uncertainty to the process.

--Most if not all Thai banks will want to see your passport for a counter withdrawal, meaning you have to carry it around with you for those banking transactions. I prefer to avoid the risk of loss or theft, considering the visa/extension issues and hassle of replacing a lost/stolen passport. So mine stays safely at home.

--The exchange rate issue is a potential concern, depending on the particular bank a person is doing the counter withdrawal at. SCB, for instance, has very high limits on their counter withdrawals, but they also do them at a significantly reduced exchange rate compared to no fee ATM withdrawals. And other Thai banks may do the same... You never quite know.

Also, I've noticed, some U.S. banks, in their external quest for more fee revenue, have begun adding percentage fees on counter withdrawals. So if someone's going to be doing a counter withdrawal in Thailand, you want to be sure your home country bank isn't charging you a fee of their own every time you do one.

In my case, I have AEON ATMs convenient to my home, so I primarily use those.

If I didn't have AEON ATMs, I have Schwab and other accounts that would fully reimburse my foreign ATM fees...

And if I didn't have either of those approaches, I probably would consider counter withdrawals as an alternative to 150 baht per withdrawal Thai ATM fees. But I'd do so carefully, and watch closely the details for that kind of transaction until I was sure how my home bank and the Thai bank involved were processing the transaction.

[2peteok]

Excellent feedback. thank you.

[hml367]

Regarding the AEON ATM and the 150 baht charge: I have recently been checking the conversions. My transactions appear in my online banking immediately. For s short time now, the AEON transactions are about 150 THB different than the exchange rate would convert to posted by Visa, which is the brand of my card.

MSPain

[vagabond48]

Regarding the AEON ATM and the 150 baht charge: I have recently been checking the conversions. My transactions appear in my online banking immediately. For s short time now, the AEON transactions are about 150 THB different than the exchange rate would convert to posted by Visa, which is the brand of my card.

MSPain

I use AEON every 2 weeks, still no 150B fee and no hidden fees through lower rates. I made 2 withdrawals 2 days ago using 2 different debit cards and got the same rate which happen to be .20% higher than the ex-rate.com rate for that day. Both my US debit cards are 100% fee free.

[searcher22]

I have never had difficulty in going into a bank, presenting my passport and a debit card, and withdrawing whatever amount I've arranged as a maximum per day by my bank(s). This at the 'exchange' post if it is separate. As there is no charge for this exchange beyond regular rates, I do not have to arrange for re-imbursement or select a bank that gives one. Nor do I overburden Aeon.

It can take a little while, so I select a bank and time where there is little/no waiting. Or fetch reading or go in on rainy days. Otherwise, I do use Aeon, which has also other outlets than those posted (see other thread now hot).

Since there were 20 people lined up at the AEON ATM machine today at Lotus, I decided to give the Kasikorn Bank a try at that location. I entered the bank and showed them my Canadian bank card and told them I wanted to withdraw some cash. The teller asked the manager, who told me in no uncertain terms that I had to use the ATM machine outside to withdraw money from my foreign account. Ah well, I guess every branch has its own policies

[hml367]

Regarding the AEON ATM and the 150 baht charge: I have recently been checking the conversions. My transactions appear in my online banking immediately. For s short time now, the AEON transactions are about 150 THB different than the exchange rate would convert to posted by Visa, which is the brand of my card.

MSPain

I use AEON every 2 weeks, still no 150B fee and no hidden fees through lower rates. I made 2 withdrawals 2 days ago using 2 different debit cards and got the same rate which happen to be .20% higher than the ex-rate.com rate for that day. Both my US debit cards are 100% fee free.

Lucky you!

After I made the last post I went to the AEON ATM and I did receive the posted exchange without any difference. I also do not have any of the interchange fees if I use a Visa credit card. If I use a Visa debit card I am charged the interchange fee.

MSPain

Edit: At least once every month I go in to a Bangkok Bank branch that can do international over the counter transactions (not all of them are allowed by their main office) and make a larger withdrawal. I know use my Visa credit card to do this and then go online and transfer the money from a deposit account. No interchange fee; no ATM fee; the limit of the transaction is the credit limit of the card.

The way Thai banks are working now I can then transfer amounts from Bangkok Bank to my other local banks with Bangkok Bank Online banking.

[CMX]

Searcher22,

It's true; I've only tried Bangkok and Siam Commercial. At those, I've not been refused.

But did you offer your passport? I've always had to have it inside a bank to make an exchange - or at a dedicated exchange counter; they've photocopied it and I've had to sign it.

Plus, mine are U.S. cards.

[Jayman]

Searcher22,

It's true; I've only tried Bangkok and Siam Commercial. At those, I've not been refused.

But did you offer your passport? I've always had to have it inside a bank to make an exchange - or at a dedicated exchange counter; they've photocopied it and I've had to sign it.

Plus, mine are U.S. cards.

Are you confirming that SCB gives you a preferable exchange rate when doing this? Other posters on TV have said that SCB will do the transaction but end up giving you a lower exchange rate.

[searcher22]

Searcher22,

It's true; I've only tried Bangkok and Siam Commercial. At those, I've not been refused.

But did you offer your passport? I've always had to have it inside a bank to make an exchange - or at a dedicated exchange counter; they've photocopied it and I've had to sign it.

Plus, mine are U.S. cards.

At first the teller, unsure what to do, asked me if I had my passport. I didn't have it on me, so I gave her my driver's licence. But in the end, I don't feel it was a passport issue. Two higher-ups indicated that they don't do these type of transactions, and that I had to use their ATM. I'll try at my Bangkok Bank some day, and I'll let you know what happens!

[hellodolly]

Regarding the AEON ATM and the 150 baht charge: I have recently been checking the conversions. My transactions appear in my online banking immediately. For s short time now, the AEON transactions are about 150 THB different than the exchange rate would convert to posted by Visa, which is the brand of my card.

MSPain

I use AEON every 2 weeks, still no 150B fee and no hidden fees through lower rates. I made 2 withdrawals 2 days ago using 2 different debit cards and got the same rate which happen to be .20% higher than the ex-rate.com rate for that day. Both my US debit cards are 100% fee free.

Lucky you!

After I made the last post I went to the AEON ATM and I did receive the posted exchange without any difference. I also do not have any of the interchange fees if I use a Visa credit card. If I use a Visa debit card I am charged the interchange fee.

MSPain

Edit: At least once every month I go in to a Bangkok Bank branch that can do international over the counter transactions (not all of them are allowed by their main office) and make a larger withdrawal. I know use my Visa credit card to do this and then go online and transfer the money from a deposit account. No interchange fee; no ATM fee; the limit of the transaction is the credit limit of the card.

The way Thai banks are working now I can then transfer amounts from Bangkok Bank to my other local banks with Bangkok Bank Online banking.

That is what I do with Bank of Siam. Once a month make a transfer into my Bank of Siam account for which I have a ATM card that is free if I use it at a Bank of Siam ATM.

I of course have to pay the exchange rate plus what ever my bank charges so far only $5 not bad for one month and very convenient.

[elektrified]

Regarding the AEON ATM and the 150 baht charge: I have recently been checking the conversions. My transactions appear in my online banking immediately. For s short time now, the AEON transactions are about 150 THB different than the exchange rate would convert to posted by Visa, which is the brand of my card.

MSPain

Likewise, whenever I have used my Maestro Card at AEON, the 150 Baht is always taken on the exchange rate. I always get a confirmation from my bank in Europe a week or so later in the post and go through the numbers and it's always off by about 150. UOB was always right on but they began charging the 150 about a year and a half ago.

[elektrified]

I have never had difficulty in going into a bank, presenting my passport and a debit card, and withdrawing whatever amount I've arranged as a maximum per day by my bank(s). This at the 'exchange' post if it is separate. As there is no charge for this exchange beyond regular rates, I do not have to arrange for re-imbursement or select a bank that gives one. Nor do I overburden Aeon.

It can take a little while, so I select a bank and time where there is little/no waiting. Or fetch reading or go in on rainy days. Otherwise, I do use Aeon, which has also other outlets than those posted (see other thread now hot).

Since there were 20 people lined up at the AEON ATM machine today at Lotus, I decided to give the Kasikorn Bank a try at that location. I entered the bank and showed them my Canadian bank card and told them I wanted to withdraw some cash. The teller asked the manager, who told me in no uncertain terms that I had to use the ATM machine outside to withdraw money from my foreign account. Ah well, I guess every branch has its own policies

If there were only 20 people in queue on the 2nd of the month, that wasn't so bad. Usually there are about 30-40 all day long at that particular branch.

[visarunservice]

Charles Schwab never charges a ATM fee. All fee are refunded monthly.