Cash or not to cash - Thailand moving toward "cashless society"

[Dodger]

Perhaps you should simply ask before ordering anything. If you don't like the answer, go elsewhere. If you are that opposed to using scanner pay, even once, then asking before ordering makes the most sense.

And if I were you I would ask every time you go to that restaurant again, or every restaurant you patronize, to make sure there won't be any surprises. Either that or eat at home . . .

I hate to belabor this, but I think you're missing my point. I don't believe scanners will completely replace cash in my lifetime, nor do I expect to ever have a problem not being able to pay my bill with cash...and on rare occasions my credit card. I can't say it any plainer than that.

I've never once been to a restaurant in any country including Thailand that didn't accept either cash or credit card, or both, and that includes my favorite restaurants in Thailand, e.g., the White Elephant that used to be located in the/BKK JW Marriott (my all-time favorite) and Table 38 also in Bangkok (Michelin Star).

When we go out to a restaurant anywhere around where we live, and that includes Pattaya, I ONLY carry cash. When we travel, or when we plan to enjoy fine dining at a place like Table 38, I bring my credit card. Simple as that.

Not carrying cash can sometimes get you into trouble, like you found out the hard way at that Thai restaurant you spoke about - when you thought you could scan your bill. Good thing you had cash.

[Gaybutton]

Not carrying cash can sometimes get you into trouble, like you found out the hard way at that Thai restaurant you spoke about - when you thought you could scan your bill. Good thing you had cash.

I admit that I was not personally carrying enough cash to pay the bill because I assumed that I could pay with scanner pay as I had always done at that restaurant for many years. One in our group had enough cash, so I returned that amount to his bank account later.

I have run into places that accept only scanner pay, but this was the first time I had run into a problem of cash only when I had been going to that restaurant and they had always accepted scanner pay.

On that particular point, I'll have to say your argument wins.

[Dodger]

I have run into places that accept only scanner pay,......

If you're talking about restaurants in Thailand, here's a challenge:

Name one.

[Gaybutton]

I have run into places that accept only scanner pay,......

If you're talking about restaurants in Thailand, here's a challenge:

Name one.

I'm talking in general, not just restaurants. That donut shop you mentioned in Little Walk was once of them. If we're talking about the same place, that's the place that used to accept scanner pay only, but now also accepts cash. If that is not the place, then as far as I know it is scanner pay only. I was there only that one time and haven't been back since. Their selections didn't appeal to me.

I have been to restaurants where I pay by scanner pay. Except for the one I mentioned, they all do, even the hole-in-the-wall mom-and-pop restaurants. I have no idea whether they accept cash or not. I didn't try to pay cash, so I neither know - nor care, since scanner pay is my preference.

[Dodger]

.......I have no idea whether they accept cash or not.

Thanks...

That's understandable considering your strong preference for using QR code scanning.

I wonder if Immigration accepts digital payments when collecting annual visa fee's (1,900 THB) ? I'm honestly not sure if they do or not, but would be surprised if they did because of accountability and traceability concerns.

[Gaybutton]

I wonder if Immigration accepts digital payments when collecting annual visa fee's (1,900 THB) ?

The fee at immigration, as far as I know, is cash only. You hand the cash directly to the officer checking your documents. I have seen nothing that appears to be a means of paying scanner pay. It never occurred to me to ask. I'll ask next time unless someone else finds out and lets us know.

My guess is immigration is cash only, at least for now - which is to me a little ironic since the Thai government is pushing for cashless.

[Jun]

I wonder if Immigration accepts digital payments when collecting annual visa fee's (1,900 THB) ? I'm honestly not sure if they do or not, but would be surprised if they did because of accountability and traceability concerns.

As for dining out, even the ladies who hop on trains selling food & drink have laminated QR codes.
I've never bought, but their sales pitch is usually "yii sip baht". So not exactly breaking the bank.