Tourism what are they thinking?

[Git]

On one hand we saw a reduction on park fees ect. Now we see a seven times increase in foreign ATM card usage.

I understand that fees have been low for sometime, but to increase it like this so quickly seems counterproductive to attracting foreign money into the country. Not much but if you look at the number of transaction it isn't chump change. However, really deosn't seem user friendly to me. At the same time they are spending millions trying to get people here. But those same people are singled out to be treated differently.

This one is very confusing to me, it's almost like the different department of the government can't get on the same page.

Oh well it's not going to change my life much. But, it sure seems like the wrong message to be sending out at the moment.

[Sean Moran]

On one hand we saw a reduction on park fees ect. Now we see a seven times increase in foreign ATM card usage.

I understand that fees have been low for sometime, but to increase it like this so quickly seems counterproductive to attracting foreign money into the country. Not much but if you look at the number of transaction it isn't chump change. However, really deosn't seem user friendly to me. At the same time they are spending millions trying to get people here. But those same people are singled out to be treated differently.

This one is very confusing to me, it's almost like the different department of the government can't get on the same page.

Oh well it's not going to change my life much. But, it sure seems like the wrong message to be sending out at the moment.

I take it that you are referring to the charges for Cirrus_Maestro et al. by this seven times increase in (fees for) foreign ATM card usage ?

I think I remember it cost me around $6.00 AUD to make an ATM withdrawal in 2006. So if you are meaning that it now costs $42 to take out $200 in Thailand, then how much will it cost me in Burkina Faso?

[griser]

He's talking about the Thai bankers association's decision to levy a $4.50 Fee on to every foreign ATM transaction.

This was enacted the first of april I believe. remember this is ON TOP OF any fee that your bank charges you.

for example: you take out 10,000 baht from you bank account, 10,000 plus 250 baht plus currency fee of 1 percent (100 baht) plus my banking fee of 53 baht.

Thats 403 baht in fee's for a 10,000 baht transaction. pretty insane if you ask me. that's around 12 dollars US for a single transaction/

Pretty strange way to attract guests to Thailand. Maybe the Bankers WANT to tourism sector to fail. hmmm

Greg

[punter]

Griser, I think you may be on to something. The government very well may be trying to curtail tourism in Thailand. Tourism has brought a certain amount of affluence to ordinary Thai citizens. The same citizens are becoming reactionary and are raising thier expectations of governance, this is bad for the Thai Oligarchs and Plutocrats who are far more powerful when ruling a poor, desperate and ignorant population. The foriegners have brought freedom of thought, freedom of the press, freedom of assembly, all very dangerous things for the Status Quo. In the past 5 years the Thai government has very blatantly been on a smear campaign to turn the Thai people against foriegners and foriegn influences. The international press regarding Thailand has been very truthful and very negative. The powerful traditional leaders in Thai politics are no longer able to operate in secrecy and the libelous corruption and misdeeds of Thai leaders is squeezing political power into a newly created media vacumn .

Other countries which have existed on tourism are desperate to pass increased taxes on visitors in spite of the down ward spiral in visitor numbers. The deathspiral in Thai tourism will result in massive waves in new unemployment. The upside for the ruling class is that they will be able to recruit more children and woman to prostitute in thier brothels in Pattaya, Bangkok and Phuket to work as slaves for nothing. Just like the good old days. So if you want to make your Generals and Governors and Police Captains happy keep allowing them to destroy the economy.

[Sean Moran]

He's talking about the Thai bankers association's decision to levy a $4.50 Fee on to every foreign ATM transaction.

This was enacted the first of april I believe. remember this is ON TOP OF any fee that your bank charges you.

for example: you take out 10,000 baht from you bank account, 10,000 plus 250 baht plus currency fee of 1 percent (100 baht) plus my banking fee of 53 baht.

Thats 403 baht in fee's for a 10,000 baht transaction. pretty insane if you ask me. that's around 12 dollars US for a single transaction/

Pretty strange way to attract guests to Thailand. Maybe the Bankers WANT to tourism sector to fail. hmmm

Greg

That's not far off what it used to be in 2006. Six dollars back then was worth about twelve dollars now. It's always been better to make the largest single withdrawals that the ATM will let you so as to save the transaction fees. Maybe it's time the travel agents started informing their customers about Western Union before they leave home? Surely tourists could save that precious $12 if they just Western Union themselves 10,000 baht every month, couldn't they?

This "seven times" thing; that would have had me believing that the $6.00 is now a $42.00 cost; was that meant to be some sort of April Fool's Day joke?

[capealava]

I went to a Siam bank ATM on Beach Road in Patong. I planned to withdraw 10,000 baht-instead i received a notice stating there was a 150 baht fee for use of this machine. I declined the transfer and moved down to a Bank of Bangkok ATM. There was no fee on that ATM and a withdrew the money. Some machines charge 150 baht some do not. Certainly anyone would choose the ones that do not. In the USA the fee are from $1 to $2 to use a machine not associated with your bank. 150 baht is yes about $4.50. My Visa was free this year to attract tourism. But that is offset by these high fees and everything is more expensive in Thailand now. It is not he "reasonable priced place" of the past. Personally i resent being held hostage for $12 every time I want use a ATM so I can spend money in THAILAND. The people who are instituting these fees are hurting themselves. As for western union or moneygram -they cost more -and who would want to go back to that old system with ATMS at every corner. The Thai's are so foolish sometimes. It is the same thinking when a hotel or apartment owner in Thailand would rather leave the room empty rather than get someone in there at good discount. I see this all the time.

[Git]

Ok as usual I confused things the fee was 20 baht, it is now 150 baht. This only applies to foriegn ATM cards.

[capealava]

Hardly a stranger my friend-I have been here for 7 years. I am well aware of Thai oddity

[pachangamac042]

“The government will make 15 billion baht in loans available to the struggling tourism sector, Deputy Prime Minister overseeing economic affairs Kobsak Sabhavasu said on Monday.

The government would raise the money overseas.”

Source; http://www.bangkokpost.com/breakingnews ... 5bn-budget

Anymore questions about who is going to pay for it? And sorry for repeating myself.

[Git]

A friend was told by his bank that they did not recieve any benefit from the addtional transaction fee, it went to the government. Complete hearsay anyone got a clue about that. If so it's really a form of taxation. In Udon so far SCB is charging the fee some others are not.