Why was my over-the-counter withdrawal at a Thai bank denied when using my UK debit card?

Oct 18, 2023
a year ago
Hathaway *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Is it me? I just tried to withdraw 22500tb from the counter of local Thai bank using my UK VISA underwritten bank card, I gave 1. Bank Card 2. passport 3. I signed copy of passport at the desk 4. I offered UK driving license.

They asked if I had more but could tell me what, then asked for credit card, I swiftly declined and was shown the ATM's outside which of course will only dish out 10k, so back to ATM again tomorrow, was it me? Apart from DNA I really don't think I could provide any more proof, or was it something else?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user experienced difficulty withdrawing a large sum of money (22,500 baht) over the counter at a local Thai bank using a UK Visa debit card. Despite presenting a passport and signing a copy, they were asked for additional documentation, particularly a credit card which they declined. Other users commented on the typical withdrawal limits of Thai ATMs and banks, with many suggesting that the user may need to use specific banks like Bangkok Bank or Krungsri, which allow larger withdrawals without restrictions. The conversation highlighted variations in bank policies, withdrawal methods, and suggested financial services as alternatives.
Nigel ***********
Anna *********
I tried withdrawing more than 30,000 at Bangkok Bank with passport and girl pointed me to ATM outside.
Stevie ********
Go to Krungsri they do it no probe
Cliff *********
Go to the yellow bank to get 30,000 baht from the atm. All charge 200 baht fee
Jeffrey *********
@Cliff ********
The fee was raised to 220 baht many years ago.
Cliff *********
@Jeffrey ********
my typo yes 220
Michael ***************
Can withdraw up to 50,000 baht from Bangkok Bank (2 25,000) on one visit to ATM
Anna *********
@Michael **************
Tried that and only gave me 25,000 even thought my limit is more. I only use Krungsi attached to bank to get maximum amount.
John *******
When in thailand it is thai rules simple every branch has their own set of rules and requirements same as every immigration office all operate on their own rules it's never been one size fits all its thailand remember it's their country we are only visitors or farangs no matter how long we live there
Brown ********
It's 2023
David *******
They are lazy and sometimes stupid. Depends on the bank and the branch
Thomas ************
Krungsi Bank ATM = THB 30.000
Ron *******
Your UK debit card is fixed at a daily normal limit of £250.

That's why you cannot withdraw more.

A limit of £500 is possible from some UK banks but it's unusual to have that amount as a daily withdrawal limit.

Credit cards work differently
Phil ********
@Ron ******
Exactly what i said.
Phil ******
@Hathaway ************
yep its you. NO ATM only gives you 10k unless your UK bank has restricted your card as your OS. Go get a thai bank account
Robert **********
I have been withdrawing money over the counter at Bangkok Bank for years. Always using a credit card. I recently used the head office branch on Silom Rd, upstairs as usual and they told me they don’t offer this service anymore.

Luckily I have a bank account here and use Wise now to send myself funds, then withdraw with local bank card
Carsten ************
@Robert *********
he wrote "underwritten bank card". That's no credit card.
Phil ********
You tried to withdraw over £500. Not many UK banks allow this.
Robert *********
Citibank Asoke/Soi Cowboy always 50k with Visa Card.
James *********
@Robert ********
how many swipes does it take to get you through the night at S Cowboy 🤠
Hathaway *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@James ********
I really couldn't say, I'm about 400km away.
James *********
@Hathaway ************
I was asking Robert 👍
Hathaway *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Robert ********
Great, thankyou
Will ************
What’s your daily card limit in your home country. That’s probably why you can only get 10k
Paul ********
Try Bangkok bank
Martin *********
Over the counter , With Visa Debit card you cannot , with a credit card you can .. that goes for all Thai banks as far as I know .down here Pattaya anyway
Jon ******
Some branches are better about counter withdrawal than others, YMMV. Surprised no one mentioned services like Wise or WorldRemit to transfer funds cheaply (goal is to avoid the ATM fee). Wise is often instantaneous for local bank transfer payments or maybe 30 min for debit card payment. The ATM + trip to bank fees are offset by the better Wise exchange rate.
Jon ******
@Martin ********
not true, unless something has changed. But also, some tellers will see the debit word and refuse to do it. Not that it isnt technically possible. [Transfer]Wise is probably a better choice these days. The Wise exchange rate helps to offset the fees to where you actually net better than ATM or (debit option might be breakeven, or maybe ~฿100 after exchange offset)
James **********
@Martin ********
the Bangkok Bank up in Pai does it over the counter for Visa Debit no issues - all you need is a passport and to be withdrawing a minimum of 10k. The only caveat is they won't do withdrawals for foreigners in the mornings during high season. I assume it varies branch to branch.
Hathaway *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Martin ********
Thanks Martin every day a school day, hopefully Thai account opening tomorrow, then after I pick up my redundancy cheque I'm here full time.
Tony ******
@Hathaway ************
so welcome 🙏 Thailand crazy in a good way the thais joke about it as it's just how it is .I find it easier as well .😊 😃 😀
Martin *********
@Hathaway ************
good lad 😉👍🏻
Joseph *********
A ridiculous conversation.
Mark ********
I think only credit cards are allowed over counter. Debit cards cant do that way.
Hathaway *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Mark *******
Thankyou Mark.
Charl *********
@Hathaway ************
i have used debit card at Bangkok Bank for over the counter withrawals many times. It works.
Jim ********
Get a Revolut card, you can then transfer money from your current account if you need to withdrawn more than your atm card will allow

Ok you will get charged 2 lots of transaction fees but it’s useful if you need to withdraw a large amount in one day.
Hathaway *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
The point is I was trying to avoid the 225 surcharge, so tried over the counter withdrawal, I won't bother again.
Javier ****
@Hathaway ************
I have done it a few times in different Bangkok Bank branches without any issues. Only the passport and card (debit) was required.
Hathaway *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Javier ***
I'm a long way from bkk but I thankyou.
Javier ****
@Hathaway ************
Bangkok Bank. The bank, not the city. It's all over Thailand, as Tito said.
Hathaway *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Javier ***
yeah, it's late I'm tired, sorry.
Javier ****
@Hathaway ************
no problem 😉
Tito *********
@Hathaway ************
he means the bank that is called "Bangkok bank". It's all over Thailand, not only Bangkok
Kilie *******
Try a krusing bank ATM you can take out 30,000 baht.
Neil ******
Most bank ATMs here will allow you to withdraw 25k baht per day.
Roy *********
@Neil *****
Krungsri 30 k, Bangkok Bank 25 k.

Almost all other banks 20 k.
Jeffrey *********
@Roy ********
TTB is also 30k.
Richard *********
@Neil *****
SCB 30,000
Joe ******
@Neil *****
The daily withdrawal limit is determined by yourself but the individual transaction limit is determined by the bank. If you set your daily limit to 100'000THB and want to withdraw that amount, then you just do it in four transactions. Of course that will cost you four times ATM fees too.
Neil ******
@Joe *****
I'm going to check my card settings. Thanks. I have honestly never needed that much cash.
Joe ******
@Neil *****
I never used to have a problem withdrawing or transfer big amounts, until last month when I wanted to pay my yearly rent. I was unable to transfers 100'000THB to my landlord and got a notice to come to the bank for ID verification if the amount is 50'000THB or more.

So I tried twice 49'999THB which was no problem.
Neil ******
@Joe *****
the banks recently implemented an ID verification system in order to transfer more than 50k thb. Once you do it, you have to use facial recognition on the app and then blink to confirm. It's pretty wild.
John **********
@Neil *****
per transaction
Brandon ************
What bank ATM are you using that only allows 10,000 baht?? Look for a better ATM machine if that's the case. Some allow up to 30 bills or 30,000 baht
Peter *******
@Brandon ***********
my uk bank the same, I’m on £300 per day at the atm
*****
baht
Hathaway *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
I did that, selected 25k after a lifetime of whirring it spat my card out, I haven't yet checked I wasn't charged.
Bob **********
@Hathaway ************
been here 14 years and never heard of that I have US Banks and never have a problem
Bob **********
@Hathaway ************
your banks limit is what you’ll get speak to your bank and raise the limit
Wylie *******
@Bob *********
I have a $1,000 or roughly 36,000 baht limit on my card. I've confirmed it with my bank and my financial advisor that manages that and other accounts yet every single atm (I've tried most of the banks) i go to will only give me 10,000 baht.
Brandon ************
@Hathaway ************
have you ever used this particular ATM card to do such a withdrawal at an ATM? You may need to check your daily ATM limit and adjust it upwards.
Hathaway *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
My question is not about atm machines, I was asking why impossible over counter.
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