Pattaya Reports

[Explorer8939]

I was offered no choice. The withdrawal fee was 220 baht.

This topic comes up all the time, and I shudder when someone asks about ATMs in Pattaya. The posts usually devolve into gdtting a Schwab account.

My personal solution is to get a Bangkok Bank savings account. I use Wise to transfer money from the USA. I walk around with a BB ATM card, but also have their app on my phone, so I can pay bar bills via QR code.

So my cost of money is low, and I can easily pay for stuff without going to the ATM.

Yes, I pay ladies via bank transfer, if they request.

[Explorer8939]

Instead of trying to boost my post count like you (I actually don't need to. No offense) I am going to respond to both of your posts in one. 2 for 1. What a bargain for you!

Newbies believe me because I speak truth. I am 'boots on the ground" right now. I am not jaded by years for fucking prostitutes. I have other relationships with girls other than being a trick.

Don't get it twisted. I have not ever compared the girls on Thai Friendly to Bargirls.

Many, if not most, TF girls in Pattaya work in bars as Sideline girls. You see them in the bars, checking their phones for customers all the time. They can leave the bar any time to go see a customer.

[Explorer8939]

Yes you see it as humorous, but if a busy bar girl manage to suck 300 baht each from at least 25% of her repeated Line customers, lets say 40 contacts, she still can get 3000 baht.

You don't get it.

Some former bargirls keep their social media contacts, go home to live with their Thai boyfriend, and send out urgent requests for 300 baht for food to lonely men. I know one lady who makes so much off lonely men that she can buy gold for her boyfriend. She posts 5 year old photos on Facebook, the lonely guys eat it up.

The other technique is used by bargirls when they need cash. They "borrow" money from anyone they ever met and have social media contacts. This includes other bargirls. Usually, these ladies have some vice to support, a drug habit, they gamble online, or a Thai boyfriend who is particularly demanding.

No one ever pays anyone back in Thailand, with few exceptions.

[Nixonbd]

I always use my Schwab debit card at Krungsri Bank ATMs (yellow in color). Every time I am asked whether or not to apply the bank markup and I always say no. Exchange rate is then very good. Are you saying some bank ATMs automatically charge the 5% markup without giving you a choice? If so I'll continue to always use Krungsri ATMs.

I was offered no choice. The withdrawal fee was 220 baht.

[HorseTrader]

I always use my Schwab debit card at Krungsri Bank ATMs (yellow in color). Every time I am asked whether or not to apply the bank markup and I always say no. Exchange rate is then very good. Are you saying some bank ATMs automatically charge the 5% markup without giving you a choice? If so I'll continue to always use Krungsri ATMs.

I always use Krungsri with my Fidelity card and will get an exchange rate that is very close to the rate published at the moment on XE.com. If XE says exchange rate is 35.5, I might get 35.4. As with Schwab, the 220 baht Krunsri charge is always reimbursed. I've never seen the 5% thing and I don't accept Krungsri setting the exchange rate.

[Banana Boi]

If you're going to use an ATM aren't the Aeon Bank ATM's still the cheapest in Pattaya? There's not many around though if they're even still around.

Personally, I load up my Wise account before any vacation or 6 month stay and just transfer money between international accounts as needed. Is it the cheapest? Not sure but it's the most convenient. Works for my lazy ass.

[Member #4807]

Yes you see it as humorous, but if a busy bar girl manage to suck 300 baht each from at least 25% of her repeated Line customers, lets say 40 contacts, she still can get 3000 baht.

Maybe she was just making an excuse to message you and get your attention, 300 is not a big amount and it sounds a bit humorous.

Anyway, hope you had a good time with those 2 cuties.

[Allover]

I used an ATM outside my hotel and also got the 5% mark up fee, in addition to my bank fee. The result was an exchange rate of roughly 32:3 to USD while the TT exchange rate was 35.2 to USD.

I always use my Schwab debit card at Krungsri Bank ATMs (yellow in color). Every time I am asked whether or not to apply the bank markup and I always say no. Exchange rate is then very good. Are you saying some bank ATMs automatically charge the 5% markup without giving you a choice? If so I'll continue to always use Krungsri ATMs.

[LittleBigMan]

Sorry if this has been covered before. What about exchanging cash for Baht? Are the booths you see all over a good way?

In Pattaya. Exchanging cash for baht is T&T, yellow booth a number of them on Soi Buakhao, 2nd, Beach Road, generally the rate is the highest, the one inside Big see Extra is slightly lower than the other TT. There is one I've seen s tick higher but not so much worth walking to get to it. If on Soi Buakhao heading towards Soi Honey after you past Treetown on the right there is small green booth I've seen it a bit higher.

[Nixonbd]

On a recent trip to Jomtien / Pattaya- I used an ATM at my condo SCB Bank (Siam Commercial Bank) they provide a good Exchange Rate, a standard 220 Baht Access Fee or Charge based on my 10,000 Baht purchase, THEY ALSO INCLUDE A 5% "MARK-UP FEE" WHICH IS NOT DETAILED ON THE RECIEPT ONLY "MARK UP 5% Later in the trip I was referred to the "ATM outside 7/11" which had the standard Access Fee of 220 for 10,000 Baht, good exchange rate, but did not have any Mark-up Fee- this was Bangkok Bank, therefore they are about 5% better than the prior ATM provided by Siam Commercial Bank, I wish I had know this prior. That ATM was in an ultra busy Soi Buckalo area so I can assume that other ATM's at 7/11 could have similar, I would go back if nearby.

Seems to be quite a disparity which I was not aware of. I am wondering if Schwab will reimburse me for this "Mark-up" they have done so for the access fee based on my relationship with Schwab- I will ask.

I used an ATM outside my hotel and also got the 5% mark up fee, in addition to my bank fee. The result was an exchange rate of roughly 32:3 to USD while the TT exchange rate was 35.2 to USD.

[QCryptic]

IF ANOTHER BREAKDOWN SHOWS UP AS YOU INDICATED YOU NEED NOT PUSH " YES " TO GET YOUR MONEY this is the greedy Thai banks giving you their rates much lower so you are getting socked twice. Recently I wrote that SCB try to pull a fast one! In their breakdown, they gave you a much higher rate close to the international rate of the day but there is the 5% charge on top of the 220 already.

This is not unique to Thailand, but in fact every ATM I have used globally. Always decline the ATMs exchange rate in favor of your own bank who likely gives much closer to market rate.

[Downandup]

Can you say what the acronyms mean? I can guess what A+ means but can't guess the rest. Not in advanced section.

#A+ Anal.

#3 Threesome.

#+ Extras of some sort, read the review to know more.

#FT Fake tits.

#LB Ladyboy. Their profile will say that they are female but usually when you read further they will say that they are a ladyboy.

#PO Post op Ladyboy.

#RR Read the review, there is info there that you need to know.

#M Massage.

[EihTooms]

Maybe she was just making an excuse to message you and get your attention, 300 is not a big amount and it sounds a bit humorous.

Anyway, hope you had a good time with those 2 cuties.

A similar thing happened to me again last night.

A regular, non P4 P lady I had been casually dating and fucking for a while before my current GF moved in Lined me as she has occasionally lately anyway and again the Hi How Are Yous and When Can We Meets led to me explaining and confirming that I will not be meeting her in the foreseeable future and why. She didn't take it well.

A few minutes later she Lined back asking if I would transfer 300 baht to her. No reason given. She has a good regular job and makes enough money to take care of herself and her family. But I had done that every now and then as a token gesture while she was at work. "I sent you 300 baht just now to buy you lunch today, honey," kind of thing.

I said No. I knew she did not desperately need 300 baht for anything. If there was any hint that she really did desperately need 300 baht and right this minute because her life depended on it, I would have transferred 400 baht to her and really saved the day. LOL. But I knew and she knew I knew that request was only a last ditch test to see if I was still emotionally connected to her in any way.

You know, when many of these Thai women were babies they were told by Grandma that their absent Mother, who was working and living far, far away through much of their upbringing, certainly loves them because, "Look at the money she sent us from Bangkok"!

And, imo, that is a big reason they grow up concluding that Money = Love.

It isn't always and only about tricking and scamming us. Sometimes, OK maybe rarely, it is also about checking to see if we are still connected to them in the way they associate with "taking care" of them emotionally as well as financially.

However, even with that generous view of such a thing, I would consider requests for almost any amount of money when you are not even in the same province, much less the same country, where it is impossible to meet in person within the hour or tomorrow to very, very likely be just a cold-hearted scam to get money for nothing.

[ThaiGoodTimes]

I finally got around to watching the video and have to say I see and mostly hear what you have described at the time mark you cited. I only say mostly hear because I found some of what the filmers saying to be inaudible on my smartphone.

I don't know about "violent" but the shouting at the filmers by some of those bargirls even after the filmers move along is definitely a extremely aggressive move by Thai standards.

I should also mention that the incident is both partially obscured and distracted from on the video and made more complex by the fact that it happens precisely as 4 prime suspect Asian customers are walking between those bargirls and the filmers. The bargirls' hiding their faces and shouting at the filmers even causes one or two of the passing potential customers to turn around to see what the bargirls were upset and shouting about.

Was the fact that they were being filmed as 4 juicy potential customers were walking by, therefore stepping on their opportunity to really strut their stuff and pull them in a trigger for their particularly aggressive behavior? Being filmed full face while just standing or sitting on a barstool is one thing. But being caught and memorialized on YouTube forever in action roping in customers might be a bridge too far for them.

Have they heard from potential customers like those 4 that they are reluctant to cruise through Soi 6 these days because of all the filming and therefore the face hiding and shouting was in part an attempt to warn the guys and demonstrate that they are doing whatever they can to protect their privacy and encourage their and their friends' patronage?

A lot of things happening or potentially happening all at once in that moment.

Thanks EihTooms, a good assessment by you.

That's why I called bullshit on the in my opinion over the top claim of it being a violent response.

Shouting and finger pointing is unusual and aggressive by Thai girl standards, but not by bargirl standards, and definitely not by Soi 6 bargirl standards.

[Gtocrzy]

I've written about this several times of course not everyone is going to get it. But here is it again. From my experience and research with ATMs here particularly in Pattaya the last 20 years when it comes to all the Thai Banks here it does depend on your debit card and I have a number. For example I have a Charles Schwab, it has only happened once and it was with SCB, in general cards like Charles Schwab, and Wells Fargo will not allow the Thai banks to add on their own fees or rates it will go directly to close to the International rate of the day. I also have used my Credit Union cards for whatever reason when I do they always give addition charges as you noted nearly all the Thai Banks does this but recently I haven't been asked by Bangkok Bank (Blue machine ) what I've seen is if the market is 36 the Thai ATM wil give you 35.20 with the 220 rate, you bank card might charge you 1% on the other end, as many know a card like Charles Schwab will reimburse you end of the month for the fee.

Now here is the CATCH, if you put in your card the charge is going to be 220, you push yes, and IF ANOTHER BREAKDOWN SHOWS UP AS YOU INDICATED YOU NEED NOT PUSH " YES " TO GET YOUR MONEY this is the greedy Thai banks giving you their rates much lower so you are getting socked twice. Recently I wrote that SCB try to pull a fast one! In their breakdown, they gave you a much higher rate close to the international rate of the day but there is the 5% charge on top of the 220 already. Do the math and you are being played for a fool. I could have just pushed NO but I canceled the transaction not giving them the time of the day.

WHENEVER ANY THAI BANK,. AFTER THE 220 FEE, ANTHER BREAKDOWN SHOWS UP, YOU DON'T NEED TO PUSH " YES ".

YOU PUSH " NO NO NO " AND IT WILL GIVE YOU SOMETHING CLOSER TO THE MARKET RATE, DOUBLE CHECK GO BACK TO YOUR BANK RECORD ONLINE AND YOU WILL SEE WHAT I'm TALKING IT WILL OR SHOULDN'T BE THE RATE THEY ARE TRYING TO SUCKER YOU INTO ACCEPTING. IT IS NO NO NO AND FUCKING NO!

Sorry if this has been covered before. What about exchanging cash for Baht? Are the booths you see all over a good way?