3 Important tips on using ATMs in Bangkok

Video #21 | February 8, 2018

In this video I’m going to give you some advice on using ATMs in Bangkok. This video is aimed at tourists, or people who have just arrived in Bangkok.

The video will be broken down into 6 sections:

• Languages available through ATMs in Bangkok.
• How you’ll know whether your card will work in a Bangkok ATM.
• The THB200 fee charged for cash withdrawals by ATMs in Bangkok.
• Why you should consider using currency exchange shops rather than ATMs in Bangkok.
• Which ATMs in Bangkok allow you to withdraw more than THB20,000 per transaction.
• 3 Important tips when using ATMs in Bangkok.

Click on the following link to check out more on Money And Banking in Bangkok.

#VIDEO TRANSCRIPT#

Alrighty then! Welcome to the twenty-second video of Bangkok Unmasked! The YouTube channel that helps you get the most out of your visit to Bangkok city! If you’re new here, please click on the subscribe button! In this video I’m going to give you some advice on using ATMs in Bangkok. This video is aimed at tourists, or people who have just arrived in Bangkok.

Let’s get started!

Using ATMs in Bangkok is remarkably easy, and they’re literally everywhere. In the central part of Bangkok you’ll find an ATM on pretty much every street. The process of getting your cash is pretty much the same as in your home country. You’ll also likely be able to select your native language too. In general, ATMs in Bangkok support the following languages; …

The THB200 cash withdrawal fee…

Here’s the thing though; you’ll be charged a THB200 fee for every cash withdrawal that you make. As of today, this is about USD6 or GBP4.50. Once home, these Thailand ATM charges will not show up on your bank statement as a fee. They’ll be displayed as an extra cash withdrawal. Therefore, if you withdraw THB20,000 the statement will show you that you withdrew THB20,200. Any additional ATM fees that your bank charges you will be on top of the THB200 fee.

Use currency exchange shops!

If this charge doesn’t bother you, or you don’t feel comfortable carrying large amounts of cash, use the ATMs in Bangkok. There is a way to avoid the THB200 fee though. Simply exchange your own currency in Bangkok! If you bring bank notes to Bangkok they’re easy to exchange into Thai Baht at one of the many currency exchange shops in the city. I did a video on the currency exchange shop in Bangkok that I recommend, which is named Super Rich. You can find a link to this video at the end of this VLOG post! One important note. The currency exchange shops in Bangkok offer much better exchange rates than you’ll get through the ATM. The difference – or spread – is around 2 – 3.5%. If you’re taking out tens of thousands of Thai Baht from ATMs in Bangkok, you’ll save a lot of money. Especially when you factor in the THB200 ATM fees!

An important note. Always take your passport or a copy of the particulars page of your passport with you to the currency exchange shop. Thai law requires identification to exchange foreign currency.

Bank ATMs that allow you to get more cash!

Most Thai banks will allow you to withdraw a maximum of THB20,000 per transaction through the ATM. That said, there are a handful that go higher than this amount.

1. Citibank. Maximum withdrawal limit THB50,000
2. Krungsri Bank. Maximum withdrawal limit THB30,000
3. Thai Military Bank. Maximum withdrawal limit THB30,000
4. CIMB Bank. Maximum withdrawal limit THB30,000
5. Bangkok Bank. Maximum withdrawal limit THB25,000

Bear in mind that you might have to increase the per day withdrawal limit on your account if it is less than what you intend to withdraw. Contact your bank to get this done.

Some important tips when using ATMs in Bangkok

Before I close this VLOG post, there are some very important tips when using ATMs in Bangkok.

Tip #1.

Do not use credit cards for money withdrawal at ATMs in Bangkok! Depending on your bank, you’ll likely pay a fee of 2 to 5% on the withdrawal amount. Let’s low-ball the fee and say that it would be 2%. If you withdrew THB20,000 Baht your bank would charge you THB400 Baht. You would then have to pay the THB200 ATM fee on top of this. That’s THB600, or nearly USD20 / GBP14. Never use a Mastercard or Visa credit card to withdraw money.

Tip #2.

Many ATMs will offer to automatically convert the charge to your home currency. Refuse this option. This is Dynamic Currency Conversion and the exchange rate will be considerably lower [on the order of 5-7%] than the rate normally applied by your home bank. So if an ATM asks “Convert to [your home currency]?” just choose “Continue without conversion”

Tip #3.

Don’t forget to notify your bank that your leaving the country and where your going to use your ATM card. Many banks will freeze your ATM card if your using it out of the norm. Then you’ll have an expensive call back home to get the card unfrozen.

Anyway…That’s it for this video. I hope that helps you when using ATMs in Bangkok. Expect a new video shortly. It should be posted in about a week, or so.

For all you techies out there, this video was shot on a Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus, and edited using HitFilm Express.

Finally, please don’t forget to subscribe to this channel through the button below! Also, if you have any comments on this VLOG post, please do write something in the comments section!

Thank you very much for watching. I’ll see you next week. Goodbye.