PAYING BILLS
Whether you own or rent, you will most likely be incurring bills for
electricity, water, telephone, cable/satellite TV, etc. So, you may ask
without a checking account, how do Expats pay these bills?
There are several ways to pay these routine bills short of physically going
to the suppliers’ offices. Generally, that trip can be avoided unless the bill
is past due.
Internet Banking
Telephone bills payable to TOT and ADSL bills payable to CAT can be paid using internet banking.
You can also use Internet banking to refill your prepaid mobile telephone if you use AIS One-2-Call or
DTAC (on Bangkok Bank, DTAC is identified as DPROMPT * HAPPY (Refill) TOTAL ACCESS
COMMUNICATION PCL. You first will need to add the payee from the list of payees shown. You
invoice will have two reference numbers, often identified in English as REF 1 and REF 2. You will
need to enter the REF 1 number when setting up the payee. In the case of setting up to refill your
prepaid mobile telephone, you will enter your telephone number.
Subsequently, when paying an invoice, you will need to enter the REF 2 number from the invoice
(often corresponds to the invoice number). Most companies will subsequently send you a receipt by
mail. When you are refilling your prepaid mobile telephone, your telephone number, there is no need
for a second reference number. When you select either AIS or DPROMPT, the screen will have a
drop down menu to select the refill package you want, e.g., 300 Baht, 500 Baht, etc. Once you
confirm the payment, your telephone will be refilled immediately.
CAUTION: Sometimes there may be more than one listing (CAT has 4 listings) or the payee
name may appear similar to that of whom you want to pay. In those cases, you should contact
the company you want to pay to ensure you select the correct payee name.
TIP: If you have someone you need to pay that is not on the payee list, you may be able to do
a transfer directly to their bank account. This usually works well when it is payment to an
individual such as a landlord. Be sure to make note of the Bank’s reference number for the
transaction in case you should need it in the future to obtain proof of payment.
Water and Electric bills in Pattaya
Although you cannot use Internet banking to pay for these bills, they can easily be paid at your
nearest 7-11 store. The cashier at the 7-11 will scan the bar code on the bill and another bar code
they have behind the counter for various companies for which they collect payment. They will add a
10 Baht fee to the amount owed and provide you with a receipt. If you reside in a condominium or
serviced apartment, they may be the one that pays for the water and electric for the building. In such
cases, they will use their own system for billing and collecting payment. In some cases, this may also
apply to housing estates (villages).
If you receive the bills direct from the water and/or electric utility, the meter reader has a hand held
device. They input the meter reading and the device calculates the amount owed and prints out a bill,
with the bar code. They usually place the bill in your mailbox. You cannot pay the same day you
receive the bill as the utilities billing information is updated overnight from the meter reader’s device.
CAUTION: Pattaya’s electric utility provides a very short window in which to pay your bill. They
will cut off service after the due date without warning (usually someone comes to your location
and removes the electric meter). You will then have to go to the electric utilities office, pay the
bill and a disconnect/reconnect fee. After this payment, the meter will be returned and service
restored - this can be several hours later. We suggest that you pay the electric bill within one
or two days of receipt to avoid this inconvenience.
Telephone/ADSL Bills
If you do not use Internet banking, TOT and CAT bills can be paid at your nearest 7-11, at a bank
service counter (Bangkok Bank, Siam Commercial Bank, Kasikorn Bank, and United Overseas Bank
(UOB). If you have an account with any of these banks, you can also pay your TOT bill using their
ATMs. If you have TT&T, the other land line telephone service provider, you will be getting your
telephone bill from TOT as they handle TT&T’s billings.
Bank Account Draft or Credit Card Payment
Some companies have procedures whereby you authorize them to send monthly drafts to your bank
to withdraw the amount due, e.g., CAT. Others will accept a credit card and bill the card each month
for the amount due, e.g., True Visions for satellite TV service. The companies providing for this type
of payment will usually advise you of its availability or you can inquire if it is available.