Bangkok--20 Feb--Bangkok Bank
Bangkok Bank today launched Thailand’s first contactless credit card, Bangkok Bank’s Blue Wave, in conjunction with Visa International and SkyTrain operator Bangkok Mass Transit System (BTS). The new card allows customers to make faster payments using Visa’s contactless payWave technology and combines a credit card and BTS travel card in one.
Bangkok Bank Credit Card Division Manager Shoke Na Ranong said the bank is pleased to be the first in Thailand to offer a credit card that allows customers to make payments by simply waving their card past a contactless reader.
“Bangkok Bank has worked closely with Visa International and SkyTrain operator BTS to develop the Bangkok Bank’s Blue Wave credit card. The card combines a Visa credit card, a BTS travel card and Visa’s payWave technology which allows customers to make faster and more secure payments,” said Mr Shoke. “Customers will love not having to sign slips for small payments”, he added.
“The Blue Wave Credit Card uses contactless technology called ’Visa payWave’, a contactless form of payment that enables more secure transactions and value added services on the move, using the latest chip and wireless technology,” said Mr. Somboon Krobteeranon, country manager for Thailand, Visa International. “Bangkok Bank Blue Wave cardholders will be able to use their card for contactless payments of up to baht 1,500 per sales slip at any merchant where the payWave logo appears. Cardholders will enjoy more security as the card does not need to be handed over to the cashier. It also helps to save more time as the transaction can usually be completed in as little as four to six seconds because no signature is required .”
The Bangkok Bank Blue Wave Credit Card combines contactless technology features with the conventional swiping payment process so the payment can be transacted using which ever terminal is available at the merchant. Bangkok Bank Blue Wave Credit Card also replaces the need for carrying cash or for carrying small change. The card can be used wherever Visa is accepted. The contactless feature can be used where the Visa payWave logo is displayed. Merchants include McDonald’s, Burger King, The Pizza Company, Sizzler, Starbucks, 94o Coffee, Au Bon Pain, Umm Milk, Home Fresh Mart at the Mall, Gourmet Market at the Emporium and Siam Paragon, Park Food Hall at the Emporium, EGV Cinema, Major Bowl Hit, Major Complex, Siam Cineplex, and Nai In bookshops. More retailers are set to adopt the Visa payWave technology in the future.
Customers who sign up for the Bangkok Bank’s Blue Wave credit card by May 15, 2008, will receive a voucher for Baht 300 to top up the BTS travel purse in the card. To redeem the voucher, cardholders just need to use their Blue Wave credit card to top up the value on the BTS travel purse by Baht 300 or more at any BTS ticket box. In addition, cardholders who use their cards to make contactless payments until February 28, 2009, will receive double bonus points from the Bualuang Thank You program. The bank will also waive the Baht 200 entrance fee and the Baht 600 annual fee for the first year.
BTS Chief Operating Officer Surapong Laoha-unya said the card is another major partnership with Bangkok Bank after the successful launch of the Be1st BTS Visa debit card in 2007.
“Bangkok Bank’s Blue Wave credit card is a financial innovation which provides a quicker and more convenient way for the bank’s customers to travel on the BTS as they no longer have to carry so many cards. The card is used in the same way as the Sky SmartPass and the Be1st BTS debit card - cardholders only need to tap their card on a terminal at the entrance or exit of BTS stations. Once the card is tapped on the terminal, the BTS system will deduct the fare from the value stored on the card’s BTS travel purse. The BTS travel purse is separate from the credit card account and can be topped up at any BTS ticket box.
“Customers can use their Bangkok Bank’s Blue Wave credit card to pay for goods and services at more than 45,000 merchants nationwide, and more than 31 million merchants worldwide that display the Visa logo. Cardholders can also withdraw cash up to 100 percent of the available credit line at Bangkok Bank branches, or Baht 30,000 per day from more than 15,000 ATMs in Thailand, and ATMs around the world that display the ‘Plus’ logo. The card can also be linked to a Bangkok Bank savings account and can be used as an ATM card to withdraw funds from savings accounts. Cardholders can use Bangkok Bank’s Be Smart installment plan with the card and will also receive life insurance protection of Baht 2 million when they use the card to pay for public transportation. For every Baht 25 spent on the card, the cardholder will also receive a bonus point that can be redeemed for gifts from the Bualuang Thank You Program,” Mr. Shoke said.
Customers can sign up for the Bangkok Bank’s Blue Wave credit card at any Bangkok Bank branch in Bangkok, or find more information on the Bangkok Bank website www.bangkokbank.com or by calling Bualuang Phone on 1333.