Thaigreg Posted September 13, 2016 Share Posted September 13, 2016 (edited) Received email from US Embassy stating they will no longer accept cash (either US or Baht) at there Outreach Events. You must get a Bank Draft in advance made out to " US Embassy Bangkok" from Bangkok Bank, Kasikorn Bank, or Siam Commercial Bank for services. Also you must have a separate bank draft of 100 baht if you use Thai Post to mail back your passport. They will still accept cash or credit cards at the US Embassy in Bangkok only. Edited September 13, 2016 by Thaigreg misspell Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OMGImInPattaya Posted September 14, 2016 Share Posted September 14, 2016 (edited) What an extra pain in the butt...and those bank drafts ain't free. They're getting almost as bad to deal with as Thai Immigration. Was it so much trouble to bring a cash-box with them to these events and hand it over to the cashier when they got back to the embassy? Edited September 14, 2016 by OMGImInPattaya Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MyTHaiMyKe Posted September 14, 2016 Share Posted September 14, 2016 It's a government job! Don't want to over work them counting money and giving change!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lopburi3 Posted September 14, 2016 Share Posted September 14, 2016 Not there job to check for all our fake notes - let the banks do that - this is world wide so expect it is to remove financial handling/loss from Consular Officer Duties. Draft has always been a requirement for Thai making visa payments (and that was from post office queue) so the bright side is should be easier to obtain at bank. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phuketrichard Posted September 14, 2016 Share Posted September 14, 2016 this is sheer crazy/stupid and an added inconvenience for everyone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
koo Posted September 14, 2016 Share Posted September 14, 2016 While understanding that handling cash is unwise and this decision makes sense, I wonder why they default to bank drafts, which in my opinion is a step backward. They don't accept wire transfers? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JSixpack Posted September 14, 2016 Share Posted September 14, 2016 (edited) Anybody know what branch of what bank can do these here? The only time I needed one my local branch of Bangkok Bank sent me to Siricha! Edited September 14, 2016 by JSixpack Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ToS2014 Posted September 14, 2016 Share Posted September 14, 2016 Glad to see the DoS going the extra step in eliminating cash albeit providing an added step to its customers. Just wish the VA overseas program would jump into the 20th century and stop mailing DoT checks and do an auto deposit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IAMHERE Posted September 14, 2016 Share Posted September 14, 2016 6 hours ago, MyTHaiMyKe said: It's a government job! Don't want to over work them counting money and giving change!! Don't want to temp them either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peterb17 Posted September 14, 2016 Share Posted September 14, 2016 You all have it easy- the British Embassy only accepts groats- or if you are a bit posh guineas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OMGImInPattaya Posted September 14, 2016 Share Posted September 14, 2016 (edited) 3 hours ago, JSixpack said: Anybody know what branch of what bank can do these here? The only time I needed one my local branch of Bangkok Bank sent me to Siricha! I assume they mean just an ordinary cashiers, i.e., bank, check. These are available at any branch of a bank where one has a deposit relationship (and certainly the branch where you opened the account). The cost the last time I got one was 150 baht. Edited September 14, 2016 by OMGImInPattaya Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suradit69 Posted September 14, 2016 Share Posted September 14, 2016 4 hours ago, JSixpack said: Anybody know what branch of what bank can do these here? The only time I needed one my local branch of Bangkok Bank sent me to Siricha! All future payments at U.S. Embassy Outreach Events must be made in the form of a BANK DRAFT · Purchased from Bangkok Bank, Kasikorn Bank, or Siam Commercial Bank (SCB). o You do not need an account at the bank to purchase a bank draft. · Purchased in advance. · Made out to the “American Embassy Bangkok.” · In the exact amount of Thai Baht (THB) for your total service. · At the official embassy exchange rate at the time of the outreach. o Fees and exchange rates will be included in individual outreach announcements and posted on our website. · Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickJ Posted September 14, 2016 Share Posted September 14, 2016 What Horses!!@. Next will be appointments. Then pre appointment applications.only to be filed with a tax return..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JSixpack Posted September 14, 2016 Share Posted September 14, 2016 1 hour ago, OMGImInPattaya said: I assume they mean just an ordinary cashiers, i.e., bank, check. These are available at any branch of a bank where one has a deposit relationship (and certainly the branch where you opened the account). The cost the last time I got one was 150 baht. OK, thanks. I notice now that it can be in baht, which should help immensely. My local BKK branch could NOT write a cashier's check for USD payable to the US Treasury and, though there are obviously a number of other branches around town, insisted that I had to get it at the large branch in Siricha. They called in advance with all the info and it was waiting for me when I got there. B150 charge, too. Maybe the problem was that I wanted it rather quickly so they didn't have time to have it sent to them. They're good people at my branch, know me well, and of course love me like crazy so I know they did the best they could. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
csabo Posted September 14, 2016 Share Posted September 14, 2016 All you people asking questions must not be registered with the State Department. Sign up, get he emails yourself so you don't have to filter through third hand gossip and speculation. https://step.state.gov/step/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gk10002000 Posted September 14, 2016 Share Posted September 14, 2016 Well I can tell you that here in the USA you will have great difficulty in getting a bank draft, which I interpret as a cashier's check if you are not an account holder at the bank. I don't know how easy it is for a non account holder to buy one in Thailand from a bank one is not an account holder of Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OMGImInPattaya Posted September 14, 2016 Share Posted September 14, 2016 9 hours ago, JSixpack said: OK, thanks. I notice now that it can be in baht, which should help immensely. My local BKK branch could NOT write a cashier's check for USD payable to the US Treasury and, though there are obviously a number of other branches around town, insisted that I had to get it at the large branch in Siricha. They called in advance with all the info and it was waiting for me when I got there. B150 charge, too. Maybe the problem was that I wanted it rather quickly so they didn't have time to have it sent to them. They're good people at my branch, know me well, and of course love me like crazy so I know they did the best they could. Definitely some "up-hill" service there Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OMGImInPattaya Posted September 14, 2016 Share Posted September 14, 2016 6 hours ago, csabo said: All you people asking questions must not be registered with the State Department. Sign up, get he emails yourself so you don't have to filter through third hand gossip and speculation. https://step.state.gov/step/ And provide my email to the NSA...no thank you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
csabo Posted September 15, 2016 Share Posted September 15, 2016 1 hour ago, OMGImInPattaya said: And provide my email to the NSA...no thank you. Yeah I am sure they don't know all about you already. Your secrets are safe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thaigreg Posted September 15, 2016 Author Share Posted September 15, 2016 So, if I need a 100 baht bank draft for mailing by Thai Post. The total cost will be 250 baht! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elgenon Posted September 16, 2016 Share Posted September 16, 2016 The embassy doesn't accept credit cards? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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