Aeon Bank now charge 150 B ATM fee

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

It's time to go to the Citi Bank!

AEON in Mega Bangna was so useful, but now I need to take BTS to get to Asok station...ha.

Last time I checked, the few Citi Bank ATMs in BKK such as Asoke had begun, quite a long time back, charging the 150 baht ATM withdrawal fee against at least U.S. cards, though some folks from other countries still said they were getting no fee.

I'll give the Citi Bank ATMs another try now.... but I'd be very surprised if they don't also still have the 150b fee.

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

This added "cost of business" is just another worldwide kiss from Wall Street. For almost 10 years I've been cashing personal checks drawn on my Hawaii bank in US dollars for Thai baht (at the exchange rate). Now ... no more. Now it's the ATM with a 150 baht charge at this end and a $5.00 US charge from my Hawaii bank. Oh, and a 2% international exchange fee.

Stay tuned ...

It might be time to do some home country bank shopping.

There's no reason an American needs to be paying $5 per withdrawal plus a 2% foreign currency fee from your home bank on foreign ATM withdrawals.

There are a variety of U.S. banking and credit union options available that don't charge those kinds of fees.

[4evermaat]

And exactly what are you going to complain about? That you are no longer going to use their credit card that you are not eligible to have in the first place? They were giving us this good deal because it gave them access to cash that they could then lend out to their THAI customers via the "float". They obviously determined that they no longer need to use this method to raise cash so are going to make money by using their network and not be the only FREE option available for foreigners

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Aeon was a good choice to use a foreign ATM card, mainly because it used to offer 40,000 baht withdraws AND no atm fee. They had the 1,000 baht bill restriction, and their ATMs were not nearly as plenty as other Thai bank ATMs, but holders of foreign ATM cards could plan a trip so that it passes nearby an AEON or if faced between 2 or more ATMs, would likely use an AEON ATM.

But if they have joined the Thai Bankers cartel and also charge 150 baht, and cap the max withdraw to 20,000 baht, what is the incentive to use their ATMs, except if you just so happen to be right next to one?

If you voice your opinion politely to them, they might eliminate or at least reduce the fee to remain competitive. I think most of us would prefer to pay 0 baht additional fee, but if we can get them to reduce it to 20, 30, or even 50 baht to remain competitive, wasn't that an email or phone call worth doing?

http://www.aeon.co.th/aeon/af/aeon/sec/contactus/contactUsChannel.do?channelId=-8709&selectedChannels=-8709〈=en

Edited February 12, 2014 by 4evermaat

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

As above: AEON uses published MC or Visa exchange rates.

Then it was coincidental that of the 5 times I used AEON, 3 of those times the Baht strengthened between the time I read the rate and when I hit the ATM. That is possible I guess as the baht/dollar rate fluctuates significantly.

As an aside, is AEON a bank? I thought they were something else, like a loan company or something?

KB

It doesn't much matter now because AEON has now probably dropped off the radar of most foreign bank card users.

But, for the record, when you use a Thai bank or AEON ATM here in Thailand to withdraw funds, the exchange rates are set by either the VISA or MC networks, depending on which flavor card you're using.

They're NOT set by the local banks or AEON, which is a finance company. Except in an exception that doesn't apply to AEON where a few Thai banks offers customers using MasterCards something called Dynamic Currency Conversion as an option at the ATM. If you opt for DCC, you'll see your withdrawal expressed in dollar amounts, and for that, you'll get a low/lousy exchange rate.

Other than that, ATM exchange rates are set by the card networks -- not the local banks. But the local banks do set their own exchange rates for handling wire transfers.

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

I WILL NOT pay any 150 Baht ATM theft to draw out MY money from the AH banking system and have nicely used the AEON ATMs for a few years now sop this news is not only sad it is bloody criminal!!! I thought the other banks would learn their lesson and follow AEON's excellent lead. Now they can all FO. Simple way is to go to the bank counter present your Debit or Credit (Visa or Mastercard) and draw the cash out you need there ALL for FREE at yes all the banks in Thailand that I have tried. Will cost them more man hours and administration than the ATM easy efficient method, but that is good and serves the bastards right due to their total right wing fat cat greed and bloody stupidity. Am I angry .. well YES you might have gathered that and with good reason too

It's NOT free. As mentioned before, for debit card is really hard to believe you can get a cash advance, for credit card you will be charged cash advance fee and interest rate with no grace period.

I think people are talking about two different things here:

1. Using a regular VISA or MC DEBIT card linked to your checking account, it is possible to do a so-called counter withdrawal at the various Thai banks -- if they don't refuse and try to send you to their ATMs. The funds are simply debited from your home checking account, so no cash advance is involved. Requires you to present your passport. Generally no fee on the Thai end, and the home country end depends on how your home bank treats foreign transations.

2. However, doing that same kind of thing with a CREDIT card is usually an entirely different transaction. With credit cards, most of the time, you'll pay a x% fee for the cash advance itself, you may also pay an x% foreign currency fee depending on your card, and you'll typically be charged interest at the specificied "cash advance rate" -- which usually is higher than the regular purchases rate -- starting from the day of the transaction. No month grace period. In most cases, credit card cash advances are a BAD deal done at home, and an even worse deal when done abroad.

[slipperylobster]

This added "cost of business" is just another worldwide kiss from Wall Street. For almost 10 years I've been cashing personal checks drawn on my Hawaii bank in US dollars for Thai baht (at the exchange rate). Now ... no more. Now it's the ATM with a 150 baht charge at this end and a $5.00 US charge from my Hawaii bank. Oh, and a 2% international exchange fee.

Stay tuned ...

It might be time to do some home country bank shopping.

There's no reason an American needs to be paying $5 per withdrawal plus a 2% foreign currency fee from your home bank on foreign ATM withdrawals.

There are a variety of U.S. banking and credit union options available that don't charge those kinds of fees.

t

hat is 1 % foreign currency fee

[slipperylobster]

Fee comes from Thai bank Atm...not a charge at my bank in usa...just the 1 percent foreign feel

[slipperylobster]

By the way people...banks are in business ...to make money... go figure. What do they gain from free service to non members. dooooh

[NanLaew]

<deleted>????????? Worst news all year

Yes, I am sure the people struggling out of Homs in Syria will agree. Or the ones in the Somerset Flats whose waders are suddenly too short. Even those sad Man U supporters....?

AEON ATM fees? As Will Shakespeare said, "Much Ado About Nothing."

some people do not understand sarcasm when it blatantly smacks them in the face. Maybe you should apply William Shakespeare to you're post Zzzzzz

Talk about missing being lampooned....

[prk888]

what a bitch !! Those wb....ankers supply a plastic card which can be used in a hole in the wall machine virtually anywhere in the world and then .................... have the audacity to charge you for that facility. Life is a bitch, no question!

[Murf]

If you voice your opinion politely to them, they might eliminate or at least reduce the fee to remain competitive. I think most of us would prefer to pay 0 baht additional fee, but if we can get them to reduce it to 20, 30, or even 50 baht to remain competitive, wasn't that an email or phone call worth doing?

http://www.aeon.co.th/aeon/af/aeon/sec/contactus/contactUsChannel.do?channelId=-8709&selectedChannels=-8709〈=en

Email sent

[Merryman88]

Yes I agree Only the 150 Baht charged by most ATM's is a Thai government Tax and up untill recently Aeon has not been charging it, I noticed Today when drawing some cash for the first time for some weeks that the 150 Baht Fee was to be charged by Thai standards thats half a day's pay but whatever Ferangs get ripped off all over Thailand so why should the Banks or the Government not do so. There is a backlash to this, I know of at least two families that will not come on holiday to Thailand because of this charge - So how many other families will not come just because of this Exorbatant Tax.

My Old withdrawal system

Anyway I will now resume my old system of getting my money out of my UK bank , I go into my Thai Bank SCB quew up with my passport and go through he usual procedure ( Photocopy passport and Visa card etc, sign all the relevent copies sign my reciept ) take my cash generaly takes about 10 minutes including the queueing. I dont mind that the Banks a;ready rip me of in the UK with the visa international currency charges then the visa cash withdrawal charge then th NTFS charge I already pay nearlyy 7% on all the cash I withdraw by my Visa card If I paid the 150 Baht that would bring it up to 10% Thats nearly £ 900 pounds a year out of my pension.

About 30% cheaper to live here than England

I admit its a little cheaper to live over here and we dont get ripped of here by local tax charges waters cheap electricity is cheaper we dont have cold weather and high heating bills, its a nice place to live, the beers cheaper but the cost of living generaly has increased by about 20% over the last three years, a Box of weetabix in tesco lotus cost 173 baht for 24 Biscuits in England the same cost will get you twice as many buiscuits (48) So we save about 30% off the cost of living in England - But with all the political trouble and general unrest I would still rather Live here in Lovely Thailand .

Ray Bowley

900

[Merryman88]

I would be happy to pay 50 Baht........ but 159 Bhat - I think is an imposition - legalised robbery long live BITCOIN

Merryman88

[55Jay]

By the way people...banks are in business ...to make money... go figure. What do they gain from free service to non members. dooooh

Exactly, they aren't a bank and LOS residents and tourists aren't their targeted customer base either. This is extra money without any extra effort.

However, in the event they did an analysis of foreign card usage and estimated potential revenue, they might respond to the notion this figure will be diminished.

Maybe they didn't analyze squat, and are doing it because everyone is, and they can.

FWIW, just sent an email, laying out the reduced revenue stream angle, and suggested a more modest fee to retain existing foreign traffic, which also drives new foreign traffic to their preferred machines vs. a 150 Baht machine. Also mentioned the previous 20k withdraw limit change.

For me, I'll quit driving out of my way to visit AEON machines, and simply use the Bangkok Bank ATM and CDM near my house.... and hope Scwhab doesn't see a trend and raise an eyebrow. Bummer.

[Merryman88]

Aeon is A Japanese finance company and like any other finance company charge the Thais Exorbitant rates to Borrow money they are legalised Loan sharks I believe they are a registered Bank in Thailand but they dont offer normal banking services, They advance money on a Card their terms and credit checks are pretty lax and its very simple for Thai nationals to borrow money and they generaly do if the banks wont make them a loan they are the second level after the banks and before the Gold Shops, Payday loan co's, registered Pawn shops and Private loan sharks of which there many in Thailand, totaly ilegal and Unlicenced and as in most Western countries part of he criminal underworld .

Going back to the 150 Baht charge that Aeon have started, I am sure its a Government Tax and knowing how hard up the present Government is one can only assume it has something to do with there exchequer and not Aeons.

If anyone knows any different I will be interseted in comments.

Merryman88

[KRS1]

The solution is simple - it just takes a few minutes longer. Just go into the bank with your passport & foreign credit/debit card & ask for a cash advance on your credit card. The trick is that the sum being requested must be higher than the ATM's usual maximum advance (THB 20,000?).

The bank does the paperwork, gets the authorisation, copies your passport (which you also sign) and the bank give you the cash. Best thing is that there's no fees! Not a single Baht & you get personalised service as part if the deal

just to add to this...cash advance limits are by branch....you can go to multiple branches and keep taking money out all day long. (multiple 20k cash advances)

helped someone purchase a motorcycle recently and we had to do this.

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

This added "cost of business" is just another worldwide kiss from Wall Street. For almost 10 years I've been cashing personal checks drawn on my Hawaii bank in US dollars for Thai baht (at the exchange rate). Now ... no more. Now it's the ATM with a 150 baht charge at this end and a $5.00 US charge from my Hawaii bank. Oh, and a 2% international exchange fee.

Stay tuned ...

It might be time to do some home country bank shopping.

There's no reason an American needs to be paying $5 per withdrawal plus a 2% foreign currency fee from your home bank on foreign ATM withdrawals.

There are a variety of U.S. banking and credit union options available that don't charge those kinds of fees.

t

hat is 1 % foreign currency fee

Fee comes from Thai bank Atm...not a charge at my bank in usa...just the 1 percent foreign feel

I was responding to ThaiGold's quoted post and details, not you or yours.

But either way, have no idea what you're trying to say here.

ThaiGold didn't explain, but, lots of U.S. banks have set amount $ fees (usually $3 to $5) anytime their customers use a non-network ATM, in addition to having a % fee on foreign transactions. I don't know the details in ThaiGold's case. But it's entirely possible his U.S. bank is charging him both a $ fee and a percentage fee.

In fact, he specifically mentions the 150 baht withdrawal fee from the Thai banks AND then goes on to talk about a $5 fee and 2% charge from his U.S. bank. It wouldn't be unusual for an American bank customer in Thailand to get hit with those exact kind of fees, particularly from the biggest U.S. bank chains.

[vagabond48]

It might be time to do some home country bank shopping.

There's no reason an American needs to be paying $5 per withdrawal plus a 2% foreign currency fee from your home bank on foreign ATM withdrawals.

There are a variety of U.S. banking and credit union options available that don't charge those kinds of fees.

I went back to the US last fall after being away for 6 years and took the opportunity to get 2 more DCs, TD Ameritrade and State Farm. The State farm DC refunds you up to $10 per month or unlimited if you have a monthly direct deposit in your account. Although, TDA does not refund overseas fees, it does not have the 1% foreign exchange fee so it was perfect for AEON until now. I still will be able to do a bank teller counter withdrawal with it.

Edited February 13, 2014 by vagabond48

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

By the way people...banks are in business ...to make money... go figure. What do they gain from free service to non members. dooooh

Yes, but here in Thailand in terms of the 150-180 baht withdrawal fees on foreign bank cards, there's monopolistic collusion, not the normal compeition that would exist in the business world.

Here, the Thai Bankers Assn. got together some years ago and decided as a group made up of all the Thai commercial banks to impose the 150 baht fee, whereas before, I believe, there hadn't been any fee at all.

By comparsison, think about your home countries. How many come from a situation where every single bank in the country charges exactly the same ATM fee? In a normal marketplace, banks compete on fees. Here, when it comes to foreigners and quite a few other things like fees and interest rates, they don't.

No one's begrudging the need for banks as businesses to make money. But they ought to be competing to do so, not colluding, which would earn them a criminal prosecution in a lot of other places. I wouldn't mind paying a fee to support the banks' use of ATMs, just like the 10 or 20 baht fees paid by Thais. But 150 to 180 baht per withdrawal...amounts that bear no connection to the banks actual costs???

And BTW, think back to when ATMs arrived on the banking scene: they were heralded in part as a way for the banks to SAVE money/CUT costs because they're more efficient and less expensive than having human bank staff perform all the same functions. The 150-180 baht ATM fees on foreign cards are just another local ripoff, one among many.

[Ticketmaster]

Don't know if it will do any good, but can't hurt; I took advice above and sent the following e-mail to Aeon:

Dear AEON,

I am not happy about the new 150 baht ATM fee. I was not happy when AEON instituted a 20,000 baht per transaction limit. As long as these policies are in place, I will no longer use AEON. If AEON either: (1) cuts the fee to 50 baht; or; (2) raises its per transaction limit to 50,000 baht, I would continue using its services.

A formerly happy customer,

My Name

[wave]

Don't know if it will do any good, but can't hurt; I took advice above and sent the following e-mail to Aeon:

Dear AEON,

I am not happy about the new 150 baht ATM fee. I was not happy when AEON instituted a 20,000 baht per transaction limit. As long as these policies are in place, I will no longer use AEON. If AEON either: (1) cuts the fee to 50 baht; or; (2) raises its per transaction limit to 50,000 baht, I would continue using its services.

A formerly happy customer,

My Name

I sent an email to AEON regarding the new fees yesterday and they replied by directing me to the announcement on their website.

Rather shoddy response imho.

I've followed this up by asking for further clarification of these fees.

Specifically I'm interested in why fees for foreign issued cards are 150 baht and Thai issued cards 20 baht

Prior to this imposition of the fee, all withdrawals, irrespective of where the card was issued were free.

AEON are not members of the Thai Banking Association and so are under no obligation by them to impose this fee.

Neither are these fees a government tax, which was implied by a previous comment.

I also see that on the Aeon Corporate (Japanese) website, one (among many) of their stated aims is

"We consider all customer opinions, requests, and complaints to be the starting point for management decisions. We gratefully listen to and acknowledge our customers’ voices as a valuable contribution to our uniqueness, and we work to quickly react to their input."

Curious to see if this aim will extend to their Thai operation.

[55Jay]

Don't know if it will do any good, but can't hurt; I took advice above and sent the following e-mail to Aeon:

Dear AEON,

I am not happy about the new 150 baht ATM fee. I was not happy when AEON instituted a 20,000 baht per transaction limit. As long as these policies are in place, I will no longer use AEON. If AEON either: (1) cuts the fee to 50 baht; or; (2) raises its per transaction limit to 50,000 baht, I would continue using its services.

A formerly happy customer,

My Name

I sent an email to AEON regarding the new fees yesterday and they replied by directing me to the announcement on their website.

Rather shoddy response imho.

I've followed this up by asking for further clarification of these fees.

Specifically I'm interested in why fees for foreign issued cards are 150 baht and Thai issued cards 20 baht

Prior to this imposition of the fee, all withdrawals, irrespective of where the card was issued were free.

AEON are not members of the Thai Banking Association and so are under no obligation by them to impose this fee.

Neither are these fees a government tax, which was implied by a previous comment.

I also see that on the Aeon Corporate (Japanese) website, one (among many) of their stated aims is

"We consider all customer opinions, requests, and complaints to be the starting point for management decisions. We gratefully listen to and acknowledge our customers’ voices as a valuable contribution to our uniqueness, and we work to quickly react to their input."

Curious to see if this aim will extend to their Thai operation.

I got the same response on my email, a link to the fee announcement on their website. I figured these emails would hit a low grade employee. I looked around on AEON's Japan website for an email to CC but none was apparent. I am not sure a sustained campaign from any and all TV members would make a diff, but worth a try.

RE: Foreign ATM card fee AEON Customer Service Feb 12 at 6:12 PM AEON Customer Service

Dear Sir,Madam

Thank you for your information/comment , This is a announce for charge fee International card.

http://www.aeon.co.th/aeon/af/aeon/unsec/custSrv/custServicesChannel.do?channelId=-9294&selectedChannels=-8758,-8757,-9294〈=en

Thank you for co-operation. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.

Best Regard,

Sirinapa Intharalib (Earn)

YlYlYlYlYlYlYlYlYlYlYl

Customer Service Dept.

699 Modernform Tower 21st Fl. Srinakarin RD.

Suanluang, Suanluang, Bangkok 10250

Tel.02-6650069

Fax.02-6650379

E-Mail [email protected]

==============================

Sent: Wednesday, February 12, 2014 5:31 PM

To: Customer Service Development

Subject: Foreign ATM card fee

Dear Aeon,

I, as well as the many foreign residents of Thailand, are deeply disappointed at your decision to begin charging 150 Baht for foreign card ATM use at your machines, coupled with the previous reduction of ATM withdraw from 40,000 to 20,000 Baht.

Your policy decision has spread rapidly through the foreigner community via social media.

Foreign residents and tourists alike, were attracted to AEON ATM because there was no 150 Baht fee. Thai bank ATMs are numerous and more convenient, however a large majority of foreigners travel further to visit an AEON ATM.

The current sentiment of foreigners on social media is that seeking out an AEON ATM is no longer advantageous, and thus, AEON's policy changes will simply drive existing and new foreign traffic to the numerous and more convenient Thai Bank ATMs; which also offer higher withdraw transaction limits.

While I/we realize AEON is not a bank, and that non-member foreign ATM users are not your targeted demographic, estimates for this new revenue stream based on historical foreign ATM cared usage data, will be significantly diminished.

Request AEON consider reversing this policy or, at best, consider a more modest fee. This would continue to drive existing and new foreigner traffic to AEON ATMs, achieve new revenue, and ensure AEON remains the preferred ATM brand for foreign residents and tourists across the whole of Thailand.

Thank you for providing this feedback portal, and for reviewing my comments.

Best regards,

-------

Resident of Thailand

[Langsuan Man]

How are you people in any way a customer of AEON ? Do you have an AEON credit card ? Do you foreigners have a credit account with them ? A customer / business relationship has to be based upon both parties getting something out of the deal. Other than the good will AEON got from giving you free international transfer of your funds they got nothing in the past so they have nothing to loose in the future

Many here are acting like a bunch of petulant children that are mad that the free lunch is over. And by the way, the 150 / 180 baht fee to use a foreign credit card at a Thai bank has absolutely nothing to do with the Thai Government. It is wholly a measure started by the Thai Bankers Association a NGO ( http://www.tba.or.th/default.htm)

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

I would think a more compelling argument to AEON here would be something like this:

--By going to a 150 baht fee, you're essentially losing all of your current foreigner ATM users because AEON ATMs no longer have any advantage over the Thai retail banks. In the process, you're also failing to earn any money from that large customer population.

--On the other hand, if you implemented a 50 baht fee for foreign card use, for example, you'd keep all of your current foreigner ATM customers and earn a good income stream for the company in the process, because AEON ATMs would continue to have a competitive advantage over the Thai retail banks.

Something along those lines...

They may have other reasons for making this decision, like getting pressure from the TBA and/or the Thai government, since AEON has kind of been an out for foreigners from getting ripped off by the Thai banks. But if there's an argument to be made here, it's an economic one... Not that farang customers won't patronize AEON anymore.

[SurfRider]

.

Excellent suggestion TallGuy, but my guess is that they're probably getting pressure from the Thai <deleted> Association and couldn't care less about the Expats pulling cash from their ATMs, since they're NOT customers and are producing no revenue for AEON. Fee-free withdrawals were simply an added bonus for their paying customers.

.

Edited February 13, 2014 by SurfRider

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

SR, I also kind of doubt AEON would be likely to change their change at this point, but there's no harm in people asking, if they're so inclined.

Meanwhile, I'll add a couple of pertinent facts to the current situation:

--Re the few Citibank ATMs around BKK, I visited the ones at Asoke today, and tried one U.S. VISA debit card and one U.S. MasterCard debit card. And, contrary to what some have been posting, at least for U.S. cards, Citibank here IS charging the 150 baht withdrawal fee, both on foreign VISA and MC cards. The same 150 baht fee message came up on the ATM video screen each time I attempted a withdrawal. I can't speak to whether cards from other countries will or won't have the same experience. So, Citibank, at least for Americans, isn't any kind of substitute for AEON.

--Re using MasterCard logo cards at AEON, today, I tried my U.S. MasterCard logo at one of AEON's ATMs, and I got the 150 baht fee message on the screen. So, if there's any good news here, it's at least that neither Citibank nor AEON for now are charging the higher 180 baht withdrawal fee that the Thai retail banks have for foreign MasterCards.

[Gillyflower]

I have already said....I have an American Express Credit card. I do not and have never paid the 150 baht when taking money out of an ATM. The only bank - as far as I know -that will not take an Amex is the Siam Bank.

[Naam]

Don't know if it will do any good, but can't hurt; I took advice above and sent the following e-mail to Aeon:

Dear AEON,

I am not happy about the new 150 baht ATM fee. I was not happy when AEON instituted a 20,000 baht per transaction limit. As long as these policies are in place, I will no longer use AEON. If AEON either: (1) cuts the fee to 50 baht; or; (2) raises its per transaction limit to 50,000 baht, I would continue using its services.

A formerly happy customer,

My Name

that will make them sit up!

[fredkelder61]

that is bad news. Now AEON can watch a significant drop in ATM usage from farang's taking money out as there is no incentive anymore

why is this bad news? ALL the Thai banks have been doing this for the past two years or more! AEON is just catching up with the herd!

It started in 2009. For any card registered outside Thailand. By the way, as I called AEON hotline today, I can confirm all their ATM will be charged. If someone can still find an AEON ATM free of charge, use it quickly, its update will be made soon.

[wave]

How are you people in any way a customer of AEON ? Do you have an AEON credit card ? Do you foreigners have a credit account with them ? A customer / business relationship has to be based upon both parties getting something out of the deal. Other than the good will AEON got from giving you free international transfer of your funds they got nothing in the past so they have nothing to loose in the future

Many here are acting like a bunch of petulant children that are mad that the free lunch is over. And by the way, the 150 / 180 baht fee to use a foreign credit card at a Thai bank has absolutely nothing to do with the Thai Government. It is wholly a measure started by the Thai Bankers Association a NGO ( http://www.tba.or.th/default.htm)

against the wind.png

When you make a withdrawal from an Aeon ATM they make small amount on the exchange rate.

So they provide a service which they benefit from and the user of the ATM benefits from the access to their funds.

This is the customer relationship.

So this is not a free international transfer of funds and, lets be clear, when would any financial institution offer something when their is no benefit to them.

If they were not benefiting in some way before they would not have offered the facility.

This was no free lunch

This measure was indeed started by the Thai Banking Association but Aeon are not a member and neither are they a Bank but a credit financing company.

With regards to CITIbank ATM

I made a withdrawal today and still fee free on my UK issued Mastercard Debit Card.

So if you are a UK debit card holder this would appear to be an option for you.