PromptPay

[Jun]

One of my bar boy acquaintances just sent me his Prompt Pay QR code. My answer was no.

When even the vendors selling items for 20 baht on the trains have QR codes, I suppose it's no surprise to see bar boys with the ability to accept payments like this.

I like this technology even less now.

[Gaybutton]

I like this technology even less now.

I am of the opposite opinion. I very much like this technology and I use it to pay whenever and wherever I can, which now is close to just about everything - except tips in restaurants and tips for delivery boys. They still get cash.

I much prefer it to carrying a lot of cash. Of course having a Thai bank account is a big help and I realize most holiday makers won't have a Thai bank account, so they have to use cash or credit card.

However, now the boys are discovering they can have QR codes. I'm with you on that. When I give money to a boy, it's going to be cash and I'll give it personally. Before Prompt Pay came along I had boys try to get me to send money to them by bank transfer. Other than exceptional reasons, I won't do that. Cash only for the boys.

[Jun]

I am of the opposite opinion. I very much like this technology and I use it to pay whenever and wherever I can, which now is close to just about everything - except tips in restaurants and tips for delivery boys. They still get cash.

In Europe, the common cashless payment is with a card.
This is far quicker than the QR payments in Thailand.
Particularly if the idiot in front takes an age to open the app, has a slow phone signal, then holds the phone at 45 degrees to the QR code and finally types in the wrong amount, so he needs to repeat the process.

The only advantage QR payments have over cards is not having to pay Mastercard/Visa their 0.3% cut or whatever it is.

Before Prompt Pay came along I had boys try to get me to send money to them by bank transfer. Other than exceptional reasons, I won't do that.

When the "exceptional reason" for requesting money appears, am I going to believe it ?
Unlikely.
I suppose if a boy I have known for some time & has never asked tries it, there might be a slim chance.

Currently, the incoming requests are "money for food". The first such request came just a few days after a face to face meeting, where I'd tipped him well for services provided.

[Gaybutton]

Currently, the incoming requests are "money for food".

With me it's mostly "I not have money for room". In all my years in Thailand I have never seen any of these boys actually lose his room.

[Jun]

This is obviously the UK, but in principle, the same scam QR codes could apply elsewhere ?

https://www.which.co.uk/news/article/sc ... __20250320

[Gaybutton]

This is obviously the UK, but in principle, the same scam QR codes could apply elsewhere ?

I'm sure the scam artists will do their best to come up with QR code scams, if they haven't already. When scanning a QR code, it does show where the money is going before you confirm the transaction. If something is wrong, you can cancel the transaction, so make sure before confirming.

If QR code scams have made their way to Thailand, I haven't heard about any yet, although I'm waiting for those street beggars to start showing QR codes . . .

[Jun]

I was just downloading Kasikorn statements.

Even with the English option selected, the final description column contains some Thai explanations. I've never seen this prior to January 2025.

These appear to all be for online or QR transactions - Bangkok public transport (where the machines often don't take notes), Lazada and a hotel booking via Trip.com (first time I used that company).

Another learning "opportunity".

[Gaybutton]

Another learning "opportunity".

Many of the boys have also learned. Now many of them have their own personal QR codes on their phones that allow people to scan the code and direct deposit into their accounts. They can also send the QR code to your phone.

What will they think of next . . . ?

[Jun]

Many of the boys have also learned. Now many of them have their own personal QR codes on their phones that allow people to scan the code and direct deposit into their accounts. They can also send the QR code to your phone.

The learning "opportunity" I was thinking of was attempting to read the bank statement, with Thai explanations.

Unfortunately, I'm already aware of boys with QR codes . That might be one for another topic.