Are ATMs ubiquitous in Udon Thani? If so, are they safe and what is the maximum daily withdrawl? Does anyone know if most accept Cirrus and Pulse?

Also, is there a place one can rent a safe deposit box? It seems the hotel I am considering does not have room safes.

Thanks

Yes the town is littered with ATM's. Safe? I would say yes but observe the same common sense you would if you were at home... Maybe I'm a touch paranoid about safety but I usually take what I need in an enclosed ATM in the Charoensri Complex and avoid taking money out at night outside 7-11 for example.

Yes most accept Cirrus but Pulse I do not know. My daily limit is 20,000 Baht (Irish Bank.)

Sorry cannot answer about safe deposit boxes.

Good luck.

Sorry cannot answer about safe deposit boxes

have asked a couple banks and none for offer, so also no help there. i prefer to use an atm connected to the bank itself, during day hours. this way if card is eaten, no problem retrieving. 20k is usually the limit, if your bank allows more, you may need multiple withdrawal from different banks., or step inside for a cash advance. usually no charge depending on your bank.

As card fraud in Thailand (ATM & credit card) is deemed to be a problem by many western financial institutions it may help if you advise your card issuer of the dates when you will be in Thailand so that your cards are not automatically blocked by the computer systems automatically deciding that their use is fraudulent because they do not fit in with their previous pattern of use.

I have known some Thai ATM

JimboPSM wrote:As card fraud in Thailand (ATM & credit card) is deemed to be a problem by many western financial institutions it may help if you advise your card issuer of the dates when you will be in Thailand so that your cards are not automatically blocked by the computer systems automatically deciding that their use is fraudulent because they do not fit in with their previous pattern of use.

I have known some Thai ATM’s on occasion to limit withdrawals to 10,000 baht when previously they have allowed 20,000 baht - I don’t know whether this may have been set by the Thai or the western banks or whether indeed it may be an automated function limiting withdrawals if the ATM is running low on cash.

Sorry, cannot answer safe deposit question either

Yes indeed Jimbo... I had this problem with my credit card. I tried to buy a camera 3 years ago but a block was put on the card. Luckily I had a card that was accepted. When I went back home they said there was an attempted transaction in Thailand and the card was blocked. I asked if I was not allowed to travel but they said in future to tell them when and where I was going. So much for the bank that likes to say yes... The bank that likes to know where you are going...

I remember a few years ago, Bandung did not have a ATM.
We used to drive all the way to Nong Han to use the ATM.
Many a time the machine would be out of order.
Remember changing money before ATM's were everywhere.

Very good point jimbo on the informing card issuers of the country and times you will be there, been caught-out before, lengthy phone calls and a bit of grief to get it sorted.

Thanks for all the infomation.

mapache wrote:Thanks for all the infomation. Now that I remember I too had my ATM card blocked once, appreciate the reminder JimboPSM.

Only 19 more days until I arrive in Thailand.

I always call my card companies (ATM and credit) to let them know when I will be over here. I've never had any type of card rejected.

Also, some ATM cards have restrictions set by the bank of origination. Haven't had a machine override my requested amount yet. I try to use a Bangkok Bank ATM only because they provide amount selections over the standard amounts for withdrawal that are listed.

No problem with Amex/ Citibank/ National bank and Go mastercard/ went to Global house none of the cards worked at the check out, tried the ATM outside, same deal no work, just finished at the ATM when phone rang, it was Amex saying that some one was trying to use credit card, next 10 minutes same deal with the other cards operators ringing me saying overseas access being used, no worries allowed transactions to go through, 2 of the card suppliers ask if I wanted to put block on permanantly, If I go use a card just phone them up 24/7 and tell them I will be using card at such a place and the will release the card for use world wide for 30 minutes.
Love Kally

there are also safety limits the banks use, once an amount is passed, it has to be approved by personnel, who in thailand, usually do not, fear of making a mistake. this observation from personal experience, as i used to get cash advance of 50 k every month from inside bank, and it would be turned down 75% of the time, quick call to bank card, reset, and approved next slide of the card. most times, a verbal conversation would take place between bank personnel and transfer approving supervisor on phone. the best time was when he asked her all the questions, and i could see her face dropping, so i asked to talk with him, aske me every question you could image, answered correctly, ok, put lady back on, denied. it got to be such a hassle for her, i stopped going in, now just do my 3-4 atm withdraws, lucking my bank doesn't charge. the convenience for me was, inside bank, once money received, it was deposited by same gal, without me having to wait in another line.

the limit of less than 20k from atm, i think, is placed around the 1st and 15th of month, as this is payday for many, so they try to make the money last a bit longer. at bkk bank, they set it at 12500, which if your home bank charges per transaction, that sucks. so stay clear at these times, plus shorter lines.

What laphanphon says is really good advice. Use one connected to a bank or money exchange preferable during business hours, and in the event of a problem at least you have some recourse. And I'll give you a classic example, you neglect to select the English menu, and all of a sudden you're looking a bunch of scribbly Thai and afraid to touch any buttons for fear the thing will swallow your card.

UdornLA wrote:....... the limit of less than 20k from atm, i think, is placed around the 1st and 15th of month, as this is payday for many, so they try to make the money last a bit longer......

That's useful to know and quite logical.

Can anyone confirm the normal dates and/or days for weekly, fortnightly and monthly paydays as they will probably be good days to avoid the hassle of queuing, lower withdrawal limits and empty ATM's?

my system is to go to the inside of siam bank sit down with the gals behind the desk tell them how much I want in thai baht deposit to my siam bank account and in 5 minutes it there no limit on the amount and I get the exchange rate posted on the board which is always better than BKK bank
let be honest you don't get a good exchange rate using ATM machines and you pay on one end or the other Now once it in your thai account you have no more problems
Now bring your passport with you they need to copy it why I have no idea and also bring your wife it makes communicating a lot easier if you are not fluent in Thai

Find out what charges your card has on international transactions. Some of them are quite high now. Also try to have more than one card. Those magnetic strips seem to fail at the most inopportune times.