@Rosslyn *******

You're not understanding the difference between ATM withdrawal charges on your end and the Thai end. There are two sets of charges and then usually a % fee applying to withdrawals in foreign currency too.

@Cole ********

Very very few banks refund withdrawal fees - and even if they refund the foreign withdrawal fee on your end, they usually won't refund the 220 Baht fee on the Thai end. This is very rare nowadays because it's a major fee for banks and they're simply unwilling to absorb these charges.

@Misha ******

Most Thais use cash.

@Nicola **********

Oh I see. It's possible Laos has mellowed, now with their new system but equally, if they're basically asking everyone to come in person, then perhaps they haven't. Will be interesting to hear whether this individual is approved or not.

@Cole ********

Of course they apply to you as nearly every bank applies the charges I've mentioned and there's no way of avoiding the 220 Baht ATM withdrawal fee inside Thailand while using a foreign issued bank card.

@John *********

Thailand's immigration system is based on the number of days you're allowed to stay, not months. Each visa type (or exemption) allows a stay of 30 days, 60, 90 or 180. Only extensions of stay and longer term visas such as the elite and LTV are done on the basis of years.

Other countries such as Malaysia allow a month, 2 or 3 months for short stays and don't put an exit date on your passport. You're to work that out yourself.

Ideally, one should stay in the country of submission or certainly, anywhere outside of Thailand until the visa has been approved. Some exceptions may exist, such as extended processing times impacting on the visa of the country you're in, but overall, I don't see why so many people are eager to return to Thailand on a tourist visa only to have to exit and re-enter on the DTV soon afterwards.

Moreover, processing times in Vietnam are rather quick, it rarely takes more than a week.

@Nicola **********

Assuming Laos continues to apply the same standards as when they were doing visas in person, it's 3 months. Better to apply in Vietnam, where they don't care how long the 500,000 has been sitting in your account for. Also, it's more convenient as you don't have to pay for the visa in person or come in for an interview.

@Jason *********

I guess, although I don't think one would normally find themselves in such circumstances very often. The best way is to pay in cash, especially when splitting a bill.

Saving on the huge 220 Baht ATM withdrawal fee for foreign cards, plus any fees your home bank charges, is the main attraction for holding a local bank account.

With one single exception over a year ago now (I had to pay someone on the spot) I have not withdrawn money from a foreign issued card in Thailand for almost 10 years now.

@Misha ******

I have 2 Thai bank accounts, but I almost never use QR codes. Cash is the way to go, complemented by the occasional use of credit cards, which can be a lifesaver in some circumstances. Just today I used my card to pay for fuel, after an ATM at the very gas (petrol) station I was at malfunctioned and erroneously told me that my account had no money in it! Decided it was easier to pay by card and withdraw money at the bank inside a mall, which I did later on.