bmanly

I spend 4 or 5 Months a year in Thailand and everytime I come back I find myself having to buy a new SIM with new number as the old one expires. I also note that different plans come out fairly regularly so at this point in time who is best for a long expiry plan? I use my phone sparingly, like maybe 100 baht a Month. Mostly need it for emergencies and sending sms's back home to farangland.

I just can't justify pre loading my sim say 3,000 baht just to keep my sim active for a year as I am a low user. Any thoughts or recommendations?

(I read a thread dating back to 2007 but I think it might be old news now.)

I have held a Bangkok Bank Account with Visa Electron card for nearly 10 years now. My branch is the one opposite soi6 on 2nd. road. Last year I tried to set up internet access with this account at that branch but I wasn't successful. Apparently I had the wrong visa and needed a Non immigrant visa.

This year I am coming over for a long term stay. I want to open up a new account which is hassle free. I would like:

1. Internet Access
2. SWIFT code so I can transfer foreign funds into my account when the rate is good
3. An ATM card that works all over Thailand and overseas

Who would you recommend in Pattaya these days and how hard is it to get all the above? Good customer service would be nice as well as an efficient bank.

Mods, can you leave this post in the Pattaya section as that is where I am based so I really only need to know about the local branches there, thank you.

I've been out of Pattaya for quite a while and things change all the time so I need an update if you can help.


What is the maximum amount in baht local ATM's will dispense with a foreign Mastercard?


I have a withdrawal limit of $1,000 so I can take out 30k in one hit but last year I had trouble finding an ATM to dispense that much.


I know Pattaya very well so if you do know of an ATM that dispenses more than 25K can you please give me the location, thank you.