ATM machines (Automatic Teller Machines) are not the same all over the world. That’s one of the main problems people have when they come to Thailand and expect the machines to act as they do for them back at home at their own banks.
In Thailand we’ve seen a variety of processes at the ATM. You have to be ready for anything to happen.
What that means is, you need to be watching that card slot to see if the machine ejected your card and is waiting on you to retrieve it. If you don’t get it quick, the machine will keep it and you will have to visit the bank to try to get it back.
Problem is, some banks have 3rd party operators of thei own ATMs. That means that even if you go into the bank to try to get your card back, they can’t do it for you. We have had this happen twice. Both times the ATM machines were faulty and took our cards before we even knew what was happening.
It’s a VERY GOOD IDEA to bring multiple cash cards you can use at the ATMs in Thailand. You never know when one is bad. We’ve had 2 bad ones in 2 years. It’s a huge pain in the butt to try to get the cards back. Both times we gave up and just applied for new cards, cancelling the old ones so nobody could use them.
Thailand ATM Machine Protocol #1
- You enter your card.
- You enter your password.
- The machine ejects your card and you continue your transaction.
- You take the receipt at the end. You leave.
This one is good if you’re ready for it. Sometimes the machine makes a ding or bell to let you know to grab your card. Some machines don’t. The problem really is the non-conformity of ATM protocol. Banks owning the ATMs can choose the process you go through. Unfortunately, nobody has hit on the perfect formula for helping you not lose your bank cards and credit cards!
Thailand ATM Machine Protocol #2
- You enter your card.
- You enter your password.
- You go through the complete transaction.
- The receipt pops out of the machine.
- Your card ejects.
This one is bad because at a lot of ATM machines worldwide, the receipt ALWAYS comes out at the end after you’ve withdrawn your card. If you’re not looking at the slot, your card can come out silently and you’ll miss it. Probably 20% of all of our Lost Item Reports are about cards lost at the ATM machines around Thailand. Especially in the tourist areas of Pattaya, Phuket, Ko Samui, and Bangkok.
Thailand ATM Machine Protocol #3
- You enter your card.
- You enter your password.
- You go through the transaction.
- Your card ejects.
- Your receipt ejects.
This one is what most people seem to expect.
Cardless ATM Withdrawals
If you’re a local, or have access to a local bank in Thailand, you can use what is termed ‘Cardless ATM Withdrawal.’ You make a request to do it through your banking app on your phone and then when you arrive at the ATM, you scan a code and instantly your cash is withdrawn. No credit card or bank card needed. This is helpful, especially for people who have lost their cards or had them retained in the machine at a prior date.
The major takeaway of this article is for you to STAY VERY AWARE OF WHEN YOUR CARD IS EJECTED from the machine. That way you won’t leave it there for someone to grab or for the machine to keep.
If you lost something in Thailand, you need to file a LOST ITEM REPORT as soon as possible. It’s better to get our investigative process started as soon as possible.