For the last 2-3 years I've happily gone into the SCB in Chiang Kong and, using my debit card (Australian) and withdrawn sums ranging from 200,000 to 1,000,000 Baht. at a time.
They scan my card. I sign copies of my passport, they give me the money.
Today I went in. Presented my card with the intention of withdrawing 150,000.
It was declined!
The scanner showed error # 51.
There's plenty of money in the account. I'd checked online this morning.
The manager said " I don't understand".
So I went to an ATM and withdrew 20,000 and got a balance statement. No worries, plenty of money in the savings account in Aus.
I went back to the manager of SCB. Showed him the balance slip and asked him to try again.
After procrastinating for 10 minutes he swiped the card again.
Declined.
He then said that what I needed to do was to uses the ATM.
I explained that there's a 20,000 limit on ATM withdrawals.
He said, "well you can makes a withdrawal every day to get to the required amount."
I said, "so you'll get 150 baht everytime I use the ATM."
He laughed and said "that's not my problem."
"And if I want to withdraw a million it'll take 50 days"
Smile.
I left.
My questions to you all are;
1. Anybody else having this problem, or is it just here in the sticks?
2. What other banks will allow you to use the swipe machine for withdrawing more than 20,000. I know Kasicom wont.
All suggestion gratefully received.