Any HSBC branch?

[Trvlr 50]

Anyone know if there is an HSBC Bank branch in Pattaya? Do they have any ATMs, if not a regular bank branch?

I know they have a branch in Bangkok, but I am looking for one in Pattaya, or at least an ATM machine. If there is one then its location will be helpful.

Thanks.

[farangkwaiyai 46]

Anyone know if there is an HSBC Bank branch in Pattaya? Do they have any ATMs, if not a regular bank branch?

I know they have a branch in Bangkok, but I am looking for one in Pattaya, or at least an ATM machine. If there is one then its location will be helpful.

Thanks.

 

My HSBC card works anywhere in Pattaya, infact one of the girls has it on her now. Occasionally I buy her lunch through it..

[marleyboy 140]

I have a card with HSBC. I ve used it often in pattaya atms! I "think" as long as it has "cirrus" written on the card, you can use it most places! May be worth you notifying your bank though, that you will be using your card in thailand!? Because one trip (i think it was the last one!), I used the card once, the next time it wasnt accepted? i think thats purely a safety measure for you though. (ie bank realises you dont normally withdraw money in thai! only in dismal blighty! so it stops the card from being used!)

hope this helps!

[torrenova 649]

As you state, the nearest HSBC bank in in Bangkok. However, the HSBC debit card has CIRRUS and MAESTRO on it and as such, it can be used in nearly every ATM in Pattaya.

 

Check your daily limit (usually GBP 500 or GBP 1000) and up the limit if necessary. Also, beware that if you are a heavy spender, it is better to infomr HSBC in the UK that you are going abroad and will be using a series of cash withdrawls.

 

Bring a couple of credit cards as well as backup.

[Trvlr 50]

Thanks for the helpful postings.

I was actually looking for an HSBC branch or HSBC-managed ATMs, but I guess they dont exist in Pattaya. I would have liked to open an account with HSBC in Thailand, but since there is no Pattaya branch I wont be able to do it unless I go to Bangkok. And if you withdraw money from HSBC ATMs you don't have to pay ATM fees. It's not a lot of money, but if it is as easy as selecting one brand of ATM over another then why not do it?

[HILLY 9]

OK the low down on HSBC LOS.

There is one branch that acts as head office and has banking facilities. It is opposite Lumpini Park in Bkk and that is all they have here.

HSBC was about to buy Bangkok Bank but it all went tits up in 2000 as they said that BOB was not a reliable purchase.

HSBC does not have the same banking permissions that fully licensed banks in LOS have and that includes not being able to issue Debit Cards. They have lower ATM daily limits than other banks and Internet banking does not work with them either. Interest rates are lower and they charge higher account charges so even though I have an account with them they are not that good. My HSBC ATM daily max is 80K Baht but Siam is 200K max.

I felt that as I had HSBC accounts in the UK and elsewhere that I would stick with them but this year I opened an account with Siam and they knock the socks off of HSBC. Money from an HSBC UK account gets to Siam even quicker and no hastle either with Siam. HSBC holds money recieved for 48 hours but Siam clears it the same day and improves the conversion rate a bit as well.

HSBC is second rate when it comes to Thailand but the ATM still works OK for visitors.

[Trvlr 50]

Hilly, I have a few questions about Siam, which you say has great service.

The first is whether they allow people without permanent status in Thailand to open accounts (work or retirement visa).

Secondly, do they allow Internet banking to foreigners with tourist status, and do they give foreign nationals interest on savings?

And lastly, do they charge any service fees on maintaining accounts?

Thanks.

[Eneukman 1]

Hilly, I have a few questions about Siam, which you say has great service.

The first is whether they allow people without permanent status in Thailand to open accounts (work or retirement visa).

Secondly, do they allow Internet banking to foreigners with tourist status, and do they give foreign nationals interest on savings?

And lastly, do they charge any service fees on maintaining accounts?

Thanks.

 

Can't comment specifically on Siam Commercial Bank, but I was able to open a savings account with Bangkok Bank with only a 30 day stamp in my passport. It earns interest but at a very low rate. I would think that you would be able to open an account with Siam without any problems. If they're not keen, just go to another bank.

 

I don't know about internet banking though I have a feeling that it could be restricted to those with a work permit or a retirement visa. I could however be very wrong on this.

 

Alan

[Trvlr 50]

Thanks Eneukman ... I do have a Bangkok Bank account. They are reputed to be the only bank that will open an account for foreigners with only a tourist visa.

According to their web site, accounts of this type do not earn interest - so you may want to check if you are really getting interest. They do pay interest on time deposits, probably over a certain amount.

Account holders cannot use Internet banking, and are not able to write checks.

About the only thing the bank allows is ATM withdrawals, which is better than nothing I suppose.

I would really like to be able to write checks - that way I can make desposits (for an apartment for instance) without having to pay horrendous money transfer fees.

I dont know if things have changed recently, but I hope to find out soon.

[Shit_Happens 31]

I would really like to be able to write checks - that way I can make desposits (for an apartment for instance) without having to pay horrendous money transfer fees.

I dont know if things have changed recently, but I hope to find out soon.

 

I have a Siam Commercial Bank account and it was opened just on a current visa stamp in my passort. So far the service is good. The exchange rate is slightly better than Bangkok Bank when I send money to LOS. Plus I can use it at the ATM's in Aust to withdraw or check the balance.

Check with the legalities of writing a cheque to purchase an apartment. If you ever want to get your money back out of LOS you will find that you need a certificate issued by the bank stating that the funds were transfered from overseas in foreign currency to purchase property.

[Eneukman 1]

Thanks Eneukman ... I do have a Bangkok Bank account. They are reputed to be the only bank that will open an account for foreigners with only a tourist visa.

According to their web site, accounts of this type do not earn interest - so you may want to check if you are really getting interest. They do pay interest on time deposits, probably over a certain amount.

Account holders cannot use Internet banking, and are not able to write checks.

About the only thing the bank allows is ATM withdrawals, which is better than nothing I suppose.

I would really like to be able to write checks - that way I can make desposits (for an apartment for instance) without having to pay horrendous money transfer fees.

I dont know if things have changed recently, but I hope to find out soon.

 

My account definitely pays interest - it seems to be added twice a year in June and December. The entry in my passbook is marked "Int".

 

I don't really need to write cheques here but I think the only way you can get a current account is if you have a work permit.

 

Alan