Why can't I pay my electric bill using the MEA Smart Life app with a US credit card anymore?

MEA Smart Life app electricity bill payment US credit card issues foreign credit card acceptance direct debit from Thai bank Lazada payment bill payment methods in Thailand PEA payment processing

Jan 17, 2024

10 months ago

Steve *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Does anyone pay their electric bill with MEA smart life app? 

I have a US credit card and it was working for pretty much all of 2023 and now for some reason I can’t get it to accept the card anymore. 

Says it cannot be processed. 

Anyone else having this problem?

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TLDR : Answer Summary

A user is experiencing issues with paying their electric bill using the MEA Smart Life app with a US credit card, which had previously worked. Others have suggested potential causes such as the MEA no longer accepting foreign cards or issues with the credit card itself. Some users recommend alternative payment methods, such as using Lazada or setting up direct debit from a Thai bank account, highlighting that service charges now apply when paying through Lazada.

Charles ********

I use lazada to pay mea bill.. Easy, use foreign credit card. It was free for a long time, but now charges a 5b service charge.

10 months ago

Martin ******

Where in Lazada is this?

10 months ago

Charles ********

@Martin *****

they hide it in a new spot every month, it's like a game... No joke!

Currently, top right of the app home screen the wallet button, then scrow down a bit to "bill payment"

10 months ago

Martin ******

Thank you!

10 months ago

Reply to

Martin ******

Steve *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Charles *******

Charles this worked thank you for telling me about this you just saved me having to go to the ATM every time I need to pay my bill. Bless you!

10 months ago

Reply to

Steve *******

Steve **********

I had the same problem. My CC company said they did not even see an attempt at chargers. So it’s definitely with PEA.

I tried Bank of America and a credit union card. But were denied. So I called and found out no attempt was made.

10 months ago

Dave **********

@Steve *********

I have the electrical and water bill come directly from my bank account.

10 months ago

Steve **********

@Da**

I’ll have to look into that. Sounds so much easier.

10 months ago

Steve *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Steve *********

I just paid through Lazada with a US credit card so easy.

10 months ago

Reply to

Steve *******

Brian *********

So what I think you’re saying is:

Your card was working, now it’s not? ‘Can’t get it to accept the card anymore’ meaning it won’t physically take the data, or it’s declining the charges?

Have you attempted to contact your bank or ‘verified by Visa’ to see if it’s been declined?

I’ve had verified by Visa suddenly decline cyclical charges I’ve had in place for months for no real reason.

10 months ago

Kristian ************

They just introduced a new interpretation of foreign-sourced income taxation. It would be somewhat surprising if state enterprises accepted foreign credit cards now. You can set up a direct debit from your Thai bank account.

10 months ago

Steve *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Kristian ***********

ah yes I didn’t even think about that good insight

10 months ago

Reply to

Steve *******

Phil ******

@Steve ******

could be the MEA don't accept overseas cards anymore. Try your thai card and see what happens

10 months ago