Pattaya Reports

[LittleBigMan]

The QR-code system works really well in Thailand and I use it for everything, greatly reducing the frequency of ATM withdrawls.

On your phone you just need to open the app for your Thai bank account, and in that app there is a button called "scan QR code" or something like that. Click on that and it will turn on the camera and look at the picture / qr-code. Instant transfer from your account to the coconut-sellers account.

Thanks for the information, I could learn from my wife, son, and daughter-in-law but I haven't but I know it is a matter of time. I've been around when they use it and it has actually come in handy. They paid the granddaughter's hospital bill with it before we got to the hospital to pick her up that saved a lot of time usually we have to wait a few hours for them to settle up.

What bothers me about living here I end up in line, and I carry cash as old school as it gets, although fumbling around getting older I know I lost a lot of baht through the years I start to count my baht, and then find I'm short. I've dropped a few hundred baht stuffing changes in my pockets. What annoys me is I'm in line and someone is paying with I guess QR code, the system is slow or something what is worse is the amount is like 100 baht, I pull up at the gas station the Thais are using a QR code for 40 baht worth of gas I sit fuming but I play it cool like a Thai 555, whatever the reason the system is slow in clearing. Once I was at Tops it wouldn't clear she ended up running out to an ATM to get cash to pay this same thing happened at Chain Restaurant and waited 20 minutes for the guy in front to pay not sure how that one was resolved they started to write stuff down on paper.

Old days behind a lady after everything is rung up sees the total amount and then decides to get her purse out to pay! The only time I stop for Big Mac is at the rest stop going to the airport to pick up family or friends at the airport. They have this ordering kiosk to order I can't take the pressure with a line behind me breathing down my neck.

Yet time is changing it is a matter of time for LBM.

[Banana Boi]

The QR-code system works really well in Thailand and I use it for everything, greatly reducing the frequency of ATM withdrawls.

On your phone you just need to open the app for your Thai bank account, and in that app there is a button called "scan QR code" or something like that. Click on that and it will turn on the camera and look at the picture / qr-code. Instant transfer from your account to the coconut-sellers account.

Sounds great. I'm guessing 90% of my money transactions in Thailand go to girls, bars for drinks, restaurants that don't accept credit cards, and 711's. Unless the QR code thing works for any / all of the above I'm still going to need ATM withdrawals every few days.

My Bangkok Bank app says "Scan QR code / barcode".

[LittleBigMan]

So true. All the thai banks charge this fee. In addition they will ask if you want to use their exchange rate, which should always be refused. The same deal with credit cards. Always pay by local currency and your bank exchange rate is going to be better than Thai banks. I do have a Thai bank account and side step these charges. Like some one pointed out below, XE will give you a very good rate. Sadly XE will not work if you want to send money back to USD from Thai Baht.

I thought I had posted it but looking now not sure what happened! Here in Pattaya by far, the best rate and consistency is T&T they are the yellow booth that are all around Soi Baukhao, Second and even Beach Road has a few. Beware there are a few around that are yellow but they don't have the black T&T logo. There is also one at Big see extra that one is a bit lower than the rest majority of the time if that makes a difference.

I noticed last week right pass TreeTown, right side heading toward Soi Honey just before Sawasdee Hotel there is a green shack exchange it was a bit lower than T&T.

Good luck.

[Werqweq]

The ATM 220 is being charged right off the bat by the Thai Bank, Whenever I use Charles Schwab looking at my online statement I do know I'm being reimbursed for something.

Aeon Bank, there used to be a number of them around Pattaya, but now there is only one location Lotus North, which is the location of the Aeon lending office they now only have 1, fee of 150 baht. I read an article recently that many Thai banks are starting to reduce the ATM numbers especially outside in the public since many are going to other methods like the QR code, which I still don't have a clue how it is done.

The QR-code system works really well in Thailand and I use it for everything, greatly reducing the frequency of ATM withdrawls.

On your phone you just need to open the app for your Thai bank account, and in that app there is a button called "scan QR code" or something like that. Click on that and it will turn on the camera and look at the picture / qr-code. Instant transfer from your account to the coconut-sellers account.

[Paolo99]

Anyone try Baitoey she looks so Sad sitting with no Customers. Her deameanor tells me I shouldn't try asking again for a short time. She might be a KAREN. America reference.

I might try next month, just to see if she is really "Only Kim Jong Jung". But I suspect she's going to ask more than 1000.

[Paolo99]

I can do the math. 400 THB.

You got it wrong, like always.

1000 Baht is 40% of the barfine, not barfine equal 40% of 1000 baht.

Do the math and make us laugh again.

[Paolo99]

You going to call me a newbie, new poster, idiot also?

Good way to remind everyone you're a Buffalo, in case they didn't realize yet.

[Downandup]

Hi Seniors, what's the best place for cash exchange in Pattaya?

Since it has not been mentioned for a while, use TT Exchange as they have the best rates. There are plenty around the town.

[Ibaski]

The ATM 220 is being charged right off the bat by the Thai Bank, Whenever I use Charles Schwab looking at my online statement I do know I'm being reimbursed for something.

So true. All the thai banks charge this fee. In addition they will ask if you want to use their exchange rate, which should always be refused. The same deal with credit cards. Always pay by local currency and your bank exchange rate is going to be better than Thai banks. I do have a Thai bank account and side step these charges. Like some one pointed out below, XE will give you a very good rate. Sadly XE will not work if you want to send money back to USD from Thai Baht.

[SubCmdr]

You taking Raj Raj position E man that quality pussy cannot be found at 1000 THB? Because that is what you post below sounds like to me.

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.

Every girl on TF that has contacted me that works in a bar has asked me to meet them in the bar and buy them a drink to help with their quota. I've always agreed and told them that I would not bar fine them. They would have to see me after work.

You going to call me a newbie, new poster, idiot also?

[Raj Patela]

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.

When I do have a chance to glance at a Bargirls phone when they are Free in a bar setting.

To my amazing amazement they are usually.

1. Looking at pictures of themselves.

2. looking at photos of Dresses.

3. looking at photos of K Pop Stars like Justin Beaver.

4. Just shopping, cosmetics etc.

[TravelMatt52]

Hi Seniors, what's the best place for cash exchange in Pattaya?

The ATM 220 is being charged right off the bat by the Thai Bank, Whenever I use Charles Schwab looking at my online statement I do know I'm being reimbursed for something.

Aeon Bank, there used to be a number of them around Pattaya, but now there is only one location Lotus North, which is the location of the Aeon lending office they now only have 1, fee of 150 baht. I read an article recently that many Thai banks are starting to reduce the ATM numbers especially outside in the public since many are going to other methods like the QR code, which I still don't have a clue how it is done.

If one wants their money using an ATM, they aren't going to be able to get around the fee of 220, or 150, As noted if you live or stay here for a long period opening a Thai bank and using Wise is by far the best method.

It isn't just Krungsri but all the Thai Banks, the added fee or breakdown to rip you off is based on the CARD you are using! As noted by Charles Schwab and Wells Fargo Bank, two cards I used in the past the added fees never show up. It did happen a year ago with my Charles Schwab at an SCB, I cancelled the transaction and used the next machine Bangkok Bank, with no added request..

[LittleBigMan]

The ATM 220 is being charged right off the bat by the Thai Bank, Whenever I use Charles Schwab looking at my online statement I do know I'm being reimbursed for something.

Aeon Bank, there used to be a number of them around Pattaya, but now there is only one location Lotus North, which is the location of the Aeon lending office they now only have 1, fee of 150 baht. I read an article recently that many Thai banks are starting to reduce the ATM numbers especially outside in the public since many are going to other methods like the QR code, which I still don't have a clue how it is done.

If one wants their money using an ATM, they aren't going to be able to get around the fee of 220, or 150, As noted if you live or stay here for a long period opening a Thai bank and using Wise is by far the best method.

It isn't just Krungsri but all the Thai Banks, the added fee or breakdown to rip you off is based on the CARD you are using! As noted by Charles Schwab and Wells Fargo Bank, two cards I used in the past the added fees never show up. It did happen a year ago with my Charles Schwab at an SCB, I cancelled the transaction and used the next machine Bangkok Bank, with no added request.

My other cards, Credit Union issue when used get the added message every time no matter what bank ATM is used. I have a Bangkok Bank Debit card I recently visited Sukhothai and used another ATM Bangkok Bank ATM outside a 7/11, When I returned to update my passbook noticed a small charge I asked the teller said "That was a charge for using the ATM outside of the province!

Not techno enough to know how some cards issued by institutions to not allow other banks to request added charges.

[GatorAk]

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.

I only use their ATM with my credit union debt card. Outside of 220 baht fee there is no markup. They are the orange ATM machines.

[Explorer8939]

One factor most mongers don't consider: many of the ladies are in bad physical condition.

Its very common for bargirls to try to lose weight by taking laxatives. This results in frequent trips to the toilet. Not good for long sessions with customers.

A surprising number of bargirls have serious diseases like cancer, especially if they are 40+. They grit through it as long as they can, before going through chemo or dying.

During Covid, many bargirls ignored the symptoms and went with customers. I had a couple who left a session with me and went to the hospital. But head colds generally won't stop a bargirl.

My point is that sometime crappy sessions are not intentional on the part of the bargirl.