Will the hi-tech cashless future leave a dinosaur like me behind?

[Big Boy]

I hear what your saying, and yes, it is just me being a dinosaur. It is definitely a me thing. I've even added QR Codes to my son's monthly invoices that I send out on his behalf, and it works well. He also has a laminated QR Code for when customers don't want to pay him by cash. So as you can see, I'm quite au fait with the technology, in fact in another life (over 20 years ago) I was part of the team evaluating the use of 3D Bar Codes (now called QR Codes - at least, they look like the beasties we were developing) for the MOD.

Maybe when I eventually upgrade my 8 year old Smart phone, I might feel more at ease with the upgraded security, and move into 2024 .

As for your caddies, it wouldn't surprise me if you could tip many of them via QR Code. Creation of the code is simple, and anybody with half a brain can do it - I did.

[B6PTW]

In Thailand cash will still be used in many places. Using cash is a good way to avoid income tax.

[dundrillin]

In Thailand cash will still be used in many places. Using cash is a good way to avoid income tax.

Hence all governments are keen to go cashless. Also big savings for the banks. Personally I am happy to pay by QR code just using a small amount of cash for tips etc

[Dannie Boy]

I’m definitely more of a dinosaur than BB and have no intention of going to online/QR codes for paying for anything in Thailand unless/until I’m forced to - cash works for me.

On my annual purchase of airline tickets I pay using my UK banking facilities and there’s very little else of a major purchase that I need in Thailand.


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[2/cb]

Definitely a dinosaur here. I use a debit card at the atm, and pay cash for everything in Hua hin.

[buksida]

Hence all governments are keen to go cashless.

Indeed ... Thailand is apeing China, interesting reading for anyone that gives a rat's: https://www.fxstreet.com/education/pape ... 2408271434

Fortunately for all of the dinosaurs in here that are still fumbling with the concept that a phone is now a computer, Thailand is owned and managed by dinosaurs so nothing is going to happen fast. Cash is King!

[HHTel]

In 2021, cash was used for approximately 20% of all transactions. Fast forward to 2024, and the downward trend persists, with reports indicating that cash payments now represent a mere 16% of all transactions.

Ok that's North America.

For the first time, half of all payments (50 per cent) in the UK were made using debit cards.

And for Thailand:

Cash accounts for 46% of transaction value in Thailand

Looks like an unstoppable trend!

[Dannie Boy]

I’m assuming the 46% by value in Thailand equates to a significantly higher number of transactions, where the majority of the high value transactions will be by card/electronic transfer?


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[STEVE G]

^My partner has a local style shop out in Hin Lek Fai and I'm surprised by how many of her customers now make payments by phone.
As far as Hua Hin goes, I can't imagine it being a problem in the kind of businesses that most of us use as long as the system excludes western tourists because they're going to loose half their trade.
As for those places aimed at the HiSo Bangkok crowd, they're easily avoided, although BBs experience has exposed a crafty way to get family members to buy you dinner!

[pharvey]

Just spent 3 months in the UK and you get some very strange looks when offering cash to pay for anything.
This is the future!!

Indeed, but as mentioned above, the UK/Europe tends to be (contactless) cards. Must admit we've been to the odd pub/restaurant where you need to download an APP to order....

[Big Boy]

I don't know why, but quite often when reading a STEVE G post, I have a moment. Thanks Steve

I have a very large bill (>฿400K) to pay soon. If I drag myself screaming into the 20th century, would it be possible to pay that sort of amount using a QR Code, or is there a daily spend limit as with debit cards?

[Big Boy]

As for your caddies, it wouldn't surprise me if you could tip many of them via QR Code. Creation of the code is simple, and anybody with half a brain can do it - I did.

As a follow-up to this, a friend of mine had to send a little cash to his girlfriend to pay for a passport. When he asked for her bank details, she sent him her QR Code via Messenger

I'm sure your caddies have the same.

[HHTel]

I don't know why, but quite often when reading a STEVE G post, I have a moment. Thanks Steve

I have a very large bill (>฿400K) to pay soon. If I drag myself screaming into the 20th century, would it be possible to pay that sort of amount using a QR Code, or is there a daily spend limit as with debit cards?

There is a spend limit but you can ask your bank to increase it. Mine was 100K but I needed to transfer a lot more (400K). A visit to the bank and it was sorted in minutes.

[Big Boy]

Thank you for that - If I'm going to drag myself screaming into the 20th century, I'll have to get myself down to the bank (I presume), get the app, learn how to use it, and arrange payment of a hefty, one-off bill. Who knows, I might even like it.

[404cameljockey]

Meantime the youth of the West seem to be rebelling against the government drive to have all finances online. Might just be a fad but I read about it in the Daily Telegraph too.

https://www.hillingdontimes.co.uk/news/ ... al-tiktok/

Although I also read an article that in restaurants the young prefer to order and pay their bills online!