Answereda year ago
Can an expat in Thailand get a Thai credit card or should they use a home country card?
Not necessarily a visa question but I would imagine you need it, can you get a Thai credit card or are you better off with one from your home country - Australian
Answer summary
The discussion explores whether expats in Thailand can obtain a Thai credit card or if using a card from their home country is a better option. It's noted that securing a Thai credit card often requires a work permit and local income, making it difficult for many expats. Some banks may offer secured credit cards. Many expats find it easier and more beneficial to use credit cards from their home country, particularly those that do not incur international transaction fees. Experiences with using foreign cards in Thailand highlight their acceptance in various establishments, but caution is advised regarding fees and potential fraud.
31 repliesnewest first
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Mark *********
I got one years ago needed a work permit and got a 200.000 baht limit but had to put 200.000 baht in an account which I couldn't touch to guarantee the credit card use told them I was going to the uk and they no problem got to the uk and it didn't work 😡 came back and gave it back took 3 weeks to close and get my money back ,cash is king 😂 it was with the yellow bank all others said no
Lee *************
Use cash, there is an app that allows you to QR scan like Thai. Card use leads to skimming
Phil ******
@Darren ******
you Need a Non B Visa with a work permit and Thai income to obtain a credit card. Best go for a NON O visa to obtain a debit card. Usually your home country cards attract a ฿220 fee when withdrawing baht Cash from an ATM.John **********
Banks will happily give you a debit card
Ralph *******
@John *********
Even if you don’t have a bank account?John **********
@Ralph ******
don't be sillyRalph *******
@John *********
Idiot.John **********
@Ralph ******
you're still being sillyRalph *******
@John *********
Only because you left out salient information.John **********
@Ralph ******
it wasn't obvious to the person that asked the question though, was it. Some people, jeezRalph *******
@John *********
Then what you are saying is fucking obvious.
Darren *******
OP@John *********
visa/mastercard debit card you can use online?
Phil *******
@Darren ******
yes
Marty *******
I cut my credit cards up many years ago mate. The never ending cycle of paying back money with interest that was never your money to begin with is just the banks trap they love their customers to be in.
Todd *********
@Marty ******
why on earth would you not pay it off every month?!? It’s an interest free loan
Ling *****
@Marty ******
i make a profit out of my credit card as I have no fees and I pay it off all before the due date. Plus I get Qantas Frequent Flyer points and free travel insurance for up to 90 days. I will never cut this card up.
Kim **********
@Marty ******
unless you get miles from it… if you pay it on time you get no interest but can fly for free. Win winWylie *******
@Kim *********
yup, pay it off in full every month and collect the cash back or rewards.Kim **********
@Wylie ******
and do it autopay so no risk of forgetting. Our move to Thailand is completely financed by the credit card. Business class flights, with only a little bit of money in taxes and each of us getting two bags weighing up to 70 pounds.Wylie *******
Lived here for almost 6 years and dont have a Thai credit card, just US ones. So many places here don't even accept them. The only times I use them are for ordering/booking things online.
Richard ******
@Wylie ******
I use my US CC at gas stations, Big C/Lotus, most hotels (booked through Agoda), and Grab.Wylie *******
@Richard *****
I stopped using mine as frequently though because the first few years here I would have at least 1 or 2 cards per year compromised and its a pain the a** to get new ones shipped here or have to wait until I got back to the states. So now I am very careful about where I use them.Wylie *******
@Richard *****
yes, bigger hotels, many will charge 3% fee though unless booked through an app, and grocery stores accept them as well as most consumer apps. Not a lot else. I need to start using mine at Makro, but not worth it for the 150 baht fill up on my motorbike😂Richard ******
@Wylie ******
I have had a few smaller hotels charge a 3% fee (walk up and pay), but like you said, if you book through an app, those fees will be waived. I agree getting a CC card here can be a pain. Overall, I use my CC to build airline points, which I will use to fly back home.
Wayne ********
I always travel with a 2nd Visa debit card which can activated at any time should I need it. Yes I have had an ATM take a Visa card 5 hours out of Bangkok. It takes the stress off you, it takes 2 minutes to activate the new card.
Magnus ******************
Yes you can.
Andy ************
Use an Aussie card which doesn't have the 3% international transaction fee. That way you get the MasterCard or Visa exchange rate which isn't too bad. Commonwealth Bank has one or two fee-free cards
Brandon ************
If you don't have a Thai job with a work permit no bank will give you a credit card. Some banks might offer you a secured credit card (you make a deposit that is locked in a bank account to secure the credit card and then that is your credit limit and you can never touch that money until you close your card account)
Marianne ********
@Brandon ***********
This seems like a pretty solid way to keep out of debt, but still have a credit card to show when renting cars.They all seem to want a credit card.
Thanks for this information!
Brandon ************
@Marianne *******
Kasikorn minimum was 50,000 but that's the only one I checked since they are the bank I use. I found references to similar cards with other banks though
Peter ****************
@Brandon ***********
Yep. That I have on a fixed deposit account. The money which is in, is y'r credit/mastercard limit. Sometimes I call it a 'pre paid mastercard' 😉 You can transfer some money back to y'r savings account an ofcourse the remaining then is y'r 'new' limit. Bank tells me that if you transfer everything back to y'r savings account, the mastercard is void/canceled.Activity
19 joined19
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