Consumers Angry About Inter-Bank ATM 20 THB Transaction Fee

Published : February 16, 2012 :: 10:02:43 [ 1,633 views ]

The Thai Consumer Foundation revealed that the commercial banks are taking advantage of the consumers and charging them a 20 THB inter-bank transaction fee. This a burden especially, for many low-income up-country workers who daily use AMT machines to transfer money to relatives in the provinces.

The Thai Consumer Foundation will meet the National Bank, representatives of commercial banks and the Consumer Protection Association to solve this problem.

Recently many angry complaints reached a Samutsakorn bank after installing an ATM machine and charging the customers a fee of 20 THB for withdrawal although this is not an up-country branch.

Many people have complained about this “injustice” for a long time but there is still no improvement from the banks. Millions of THB in ATM transaction fees are collected every day.

In a popular website www.panthip.com many people warned about the extra 20 THB ATM bank-fee.

On a message posted on February 7, 2012. A consumer used the ATM machine at a petrol pump in Phraram II road, in Amphur Bangkhunthien, Bangkok. He withdrew money from a different bank for the first time in the month which comply with the regulations: the customers can withdraw money from a different bank in the same province up to 4 times per month without having to pay additional fee – but in this case he was deducted for 20 THB.

When the the bank, the owner of the ATM machine and a clerk was contacted. The clerk said, that it was a withdrawal of money from a different area, although the consumer used an ATM in Bangkok – but this ATM machine belongs to Petchkasem 91 branch in Samutsakorn province. So he was slapped with a service fee of 20 THB for withdrawal from an ATM machine in a different province.

The clerk told him to complain in order to have a refund. The bank had received many complains – but had done nothing to correct the problem.

Ms. Saree Ongsomwang, the secretary to the Consumer Foundation said, that in this case Samutsakorn branch bank set up an ATM machine in an urban area of Bangkok and still deducted a 20 THB fee. This is a case of cheating the customer.

“We would like the National Bank of Thailand to monitor and control the commercial banks not to take advantage of the ATM users.”, said Ms. Saree

“The banks claim the high operating cost and inefficient administration had forced the banks to collect these ATN fees.

The solving of the ATM transaction fee will on the agenda on March 15, 2012 at the meeting among the National Bank, Ministry of Finance, the representatives of commercial banks and the Consumer Protection Association. The rules and regulations will be clarified in order to bring justice to consumers” Ms. Saree, said in conclusion.

Comments

dom

said :

What about the 150 baths fee charged by thai banks on foreigners for each ATM withdrawal???

A nice rip off considering the amount of this fee.

Email : domsan@hotmail.com Date : 2012-02-18 00:11:16

per berntsen

said :

What about the farangs then......been charged for 150 Bath using hes falang ATM cards in all Thai banks!!!!! Dont care about the farangs, they can afford it....I lived here for 8 years now...and I could use that money on something else.

Email : perolafberntsen@yahoo.com Date : 2012-02-17 19:14:48

Kurdish

said :

Take out cash with a foreign card and pay hundreds of baht in fees-banks are crooks!

Email : Tuute@hotmail.com Date : 2012-02-16 11:59:31

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