gearbox

On 6/29/2025 at 10:42 PM, oldcpu said:

 

Most banks will allow one to open a bank account on a 90-day type-O visa.  As was pointed out, one merely needs to go to immigration and ask for a residence certificate letter.  Typically such is valid for a week or so.  One needs a passport sized image of themselves to pass to immigration and possibly a TM30 (or other document). Immigration produces the certificate letter and gives it to the expat (for some nominal small fee). 

 

With that immigration residence letter/certificate, and the type-O visa in one's passport, one can then open a Thai bank account in most banks.  (For example, here is the Phuket Immigration volunteers webpage on that document:  https://piv-phuket.com/residence-certificate/ ).

 

Typically then, this means one needs to obtain a type-O or type-OA visa from one's home country first, in order to establish a bank account in Thailand.

 

There was a time when bank accounts could be opened on a visa exempt status (by use of an agent) but that possibility may have been closed recently ( i am not certain there).

 

The rules in Thailand are quite "elastic". They vary from branch to branch, and from person to person.

I arrived in Thailand with O-A visa a while ago and tried to open a bank account. All of the bank branches required a work permit from me...tried in vain to explain them that I'm on a retirement visa.

Then I brought with me my gf, which had substantial amounts in 2 banks and the staff was 'wai-ing" her, the accounts were opened pretty quickly.

The requirements seems to get tighter, I had to provide my Australian tax file number last time in order to open a term deposit. 

7 hours ago, Ebumbu said:

 

Right. His physical frame has the look of a parasitic infection. Big stomach, but bone thin. Needs a comprehensive stool test for starters. It's solvable, but not from Rayong. 

It is a possibility. I met a Brit in India 5 years ago just before covid. He got some infection in India which took nearly 3 months and quite a few doctors to diagnose in UK. He lost 16 kilos and was barely able to go upstairs in the end. 

7 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Just a suggestion.. If you decide to move to Non O retirement and extensions, suggest that you obtain the Non O in home country or outside of Thailand. 

 

Granted in your case with the 800k in bank for quite some time, the proof funds came from abroad is not a problem. 

 

However better option than enter visa exempt and apply for Non O in Thailand. imo. 

I did have issues converting from visa exempt last time, if I can get non-O outside probably would be better. Can I get non-O in Australia?

One observation relevant to this thread. Bangkok Bank in Samui can't do 12 months bank statements, from memory it is only 6 months. Myself can't be bothered updating my bank book too, I usually do it before extension. As a result there is a time gap in both the statement and the bank book for a few months. Initially I was worried that I would have problems proving I have the funds as required in the last 12 months, but the IO can't be bothered, it seems more relevant to them is to deposit 100 baht on the day the book is updated and the statement is done. TiT, every province and office could be different, this is the Samui Immigration.

5 minutes ago, BKKKevin said:

Very good!… What specific type of savings account did you put it into?… The name and term, and do you have a bank book?…  Does it stay in the same account or do you need to start a new account when the term ends?

 

I have had my 800k in Bangkok Bank for a number of years in a basic passbook checking account… 

 

I would like to switch to A higher saving account at Bangkok Bank but do not want to risk the problem of not having a clear paper trail of having the 800k in the bank for immigration.

 

I asked the lady at the bank once but her English was not so good and basically told me I needed to stick with the account I had to comply with immigration… 

 

I also asked my agent who handles my extension and she also basically said I was asking for trouble at immigration if I start moving the 800k from one account to another….

 

 

I opened term deposit with Bangkok Bank by transferring money from my savings account. I did get a separate bank book. Actually I opened 2 X 12 months term deposits - one 820k, the other 250k. As far as I know, there are no issues with the Samui immigration if you have 2 bank books, they are both with the same bank and there is clear trail. Anyway I don't need it now, currently in the country on visa exemption, departing again next month. If I do move to non-O retirement again it would be much simpler way to maintain. No tens of transactions in the bank book, and term deposits are generally safer, difficult to scam them, no ATM card attached to them.

2 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Does not have much to do with the thread which is related to financial compliance for extensions retirement. 

If you opt to leave your funds in a Thai Bank then fine. 

Out of interest without an extension how are you living in Thailand? 

Max 6 months per year, will move to DTV soon. I don't plan to spend more than 4-5 months in Thailand in the next few years, first I have extensive travel plans, second don't want to be a tax resident here.

9 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

Back up the high horse. 

Most including myself are well aware of the term and meaning of "opportunity cost" 

 

I have 800k in Thai Bank for immigration and those funds (at some point) came from my CBus Superannuation account which historically pays 8%.

 

So yes there is an opportunity cost involved. 

It's a personal choice so IMO turn it down a notch. 

Implying someone is a fool for not using an agent is your opinion. 

My retirement non-O extension has lapsed now, but I still keep 1.2-1.5 mil baht in Thai banks as currency hedge. I transferred the amounts when the Aussie was 23-25 baht, so I'm ahead at least 10% for the time being.

Everyone has different circumstances, for me tax issues are much more important than 800k sitting in Thai banks.

9 hours ago, BKKKevin said:

What Thai bank are you using to get 1.5%?

Bangkok Bank...but I did it the beginning of January. I think they lowered the rates since then.

23 hours ago, Packer said:

 

Nothing at the moment as I haven't set up a retirement visa and extension yet. When I do I will likely pay 14,000 a year with no need to show the 800,000 funds, which will instead be invested in assets that return far more than the 14,000.

 

I started a discussion about it here.

 

https://aseannow.com/topic/1354895-alternate-investments-of-800k-retirement-funds/

 

Using the 800,000 to return substantially more than annual agent fees, along with the extension process being taken care of for you is an absolute no brainer. 🙂

 

You need to compare apples with apples, different investments carry different risks. Cash deposit rates are going down across the world, so the difference with the Thai rates is getting smaller. I have 800k on term deposit at 1.5%, the rates in Australia are going below 4% now, so not that much of a difference. Of course I can put them in penny stocks and make 100%, or lose everything... 

9 minutes ago, Quentin Zen said:

What if people from your own country were there fighting against Iran? Would it be OK to bomb them?

 

Are you actively rooting for China and Russia?

 

I just want to make sure there's no confusion when you get the letter in the mail.  

The people of my country have no business attacking other countries. And any country attacked should fight back, including Iran. 

18 minutes ago, zyphodb said:

 

 I think that will certainly happen, then what will the psycos do? 

 Anyone for WWIII?

WW3 is likely one way or another. Nothing to do with Iran, it is all about the containment of China. 

8 minutes ago, zyphodb said:

 

And what do you think will happen to them if they "meekly" give in? Just leave their fate in the hands of the Israeli war criminal and his puppet in the US? 

Time for China and Russia to provide nuclear umbrella and hand out a few hypersonic missiles. Give them a bit of a proxy war taste.

4 hours ago, shdmn said:

What are MAGAts pivoting to now that their whole "no war, no world police president blah blah" talking point is dead?  Not that anyone with half a brain ever believed that nonsense in the first place.

Nothing new...there will be more wars, until China dismantles this nest of parasites. I would be probably gone by then. 

41 minutes ago, Millian said:

Found this:

https://www.fatf-gafi.org/en/publications/Fatfgeneral/outcomes-FATF-MONEYVAL-plenary-june-2025.html

These new regs were formally published yesterday and countries have till 2030 to comply.

So for now, it's very unlikely Thailand passes any identification information from atm withdrawals with foreign cards.

Most of the fatf members do a process called "entity resolution". They have to legally attribute a transaction to a unique person. As a starter they would need your name, address and DOB - highly unlikely that 2 people with the same name and DOB would live in the same address. When they don't have all the required info they may try to triage the data, taking into account extra information...could be a passport number or a driving licence. 

For international bank wire transfers the banks are required to include the information, so the wire transfers are pretty much always traceable at the sending and receiving points. Agencies as AUSTRAC have vast databases with current and previous international bank transfers. However no ATM withdrawals data. The ATM withdrawals info can only be obtained from your bank by the tax and law enforcement agencies in your country if there is ongoing audit or investigations.

12 minutes ago, Millian said:

Both technically traceable. I'd assume bank transfers are traced more easily, as it's going into a Thai Bank account.  For that reason I'm mostly going the ATM route .

The ATM withdrawals with a foreign card are not traceable by any institution except the bank which issued the card. The debit cards don't have enough information for the transaction to be attributable to a specific person.

21 hours ago, JackGats said:

Really? I'd have thought it was just a magnet for expats fed-up with the retirement visa hassle as well as for those who fell short of qualifying for the LTR.

Depends on the circumstances. My retirement visa just expired, and DTV would be ideal as I don't plan to be more than 6 months per year here, at least for a few years. Hopefully the processing in Sydney is faster.

4 hours ago, newbee2022 said:

I hope visa regulations will be straightened soon. 60/90 days for EU members visa free and costly 15 days visa for Britains with proof of paid accomodations and fully paid return flight and valid insurance. 

👍

GoFundMe will go bankrupt.

On 4/15/2025 at 12:57 AM, altayvan said:

I’ve been coming to Asia for many years, always on a shoestring. Not a digital nomad, not chasing luxury, just a little bit of a backpacker. The kind who speaks some Thai, stays in hostels, eats street food, and knows the backstreets better than the malls.

 

My first thought goes out to Cheap Charlie in Pattaya. I wonder how he’s getting on. He, like many of us, made a life of simplicity here.

 

I know I inspired friends to follow in my footsteps, some of them spent 30k GBP in a month on holidays, even medical trips. But that was never my style. I stretched every dollar, every baht. And it used to be enough.

 

Now, I feel like I’m considered a low-quality tourist. Immigration seems colder. More scrutiny. More suspicion. Like I’m not welcome anymore unless I can show a big bank balance and perfect insurance. I probably won’t even get 60 days in the country this year.

 

It’s like Thailand (and Southeast Asia in general) has shifted. It’s aiming for a new kind of tourist, those who book resorts from Instagram, drop cash on wellness retreats, and never talk to locals unless it’s through Grab or room service.

 

And that’s fine. Things change.

 

But it stings. Because I’ve loved this region quietly, humbly—for decades. And now I feel like I’m being pushed out of a home I never really had.

 

Just wondering if anyone else feels this shift? Or is it just me, feeling a bit left behind?

You are getting thin skinned. Nobody ever asked me to show bank balance, insurance or return ticket. There are still plenty of backpacker style places. I met quite a few people from all over the world camping for months at some of the best beaches on the Andaman islands, for around 500 baht per day for accommodation and food.

19 minutes ago, rough diamond said:

That is an Urban myth often quoted by "friends of a friend".

Is also said to have happened in every war since Hot Balloons/aircraft were involved in Wars.

 

"One of the most enduring yet baseless myths of the Vietnam War alleges that communist prisoners were thrown out of high-flying helicopters to induce others to talk. In my 21 years as a U.S. Army historian, I have never seen credible evidence that such an event occurred or that American military or civilian personnel participated in such practices."

https://www.quora.com/Is-it-true-that-Viet-Cong-prisoners-during-the-Vietnam-War-were-sometimes-thrown-out-of-airborne-helicopters

https://www.nzz.ch/english/vietnam-wars-forgotten-victims-brutalized-north-vietnamese-pows-ld.1665938

And how this story ended up in the Australia and Oceania forum?

I thought the passport was very expensive until I paid $220 for a 5 years NSW car driving licence two days ago. Just a plastic card, similar to the Thai driving licence which costs a few hundred baht.

1 hour ago, gargamon said:

 Canada to slap 25 per cent tariff on $155B of U.S. goods after Trump initiates trade war.

https://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/article/canada-to-slap-25-per-cent-tariff-on-155b-of-us-goods-after-trump-initiates-trade-war/

Just open the Canadian market to the Chinese...in 5 years you would barely find any American products on the market. China can take gas and oil as they don't have it.

Nobody would pretty much care what Trump says.

https://www.lowyinstitute.org/china-versus-america-global-trade

"In 2001, some 80 per cent of economies worldwide did more two-way trade with the United States than with China. Just over 20 years later, the newly published Data Snapshot reveals an almost complete reversal of global trade relationships: around 70 per cent of economies worldwide now trade more with China than they do with the United States.

China has not only widened its global trade partnerships but also deepened them. More than half of all economies now trade twice as much with China compared to the United States."

Chairman Xi calls the shots.

4 minutes ago, HappyExpat57 said:

Sh!t.

US tax ID is my social security number. Like I'm gonna give THAT to any Thai.

While I was at the counter I sighted a filled in KYC form, looked more intrusive than the Australian one. I don't remember if I filled in something like this 6 years ago when I opened the account. In principle the KYC details need to be updated at some time, CBA in Australia says 2 years, but I don't remember filling in KYC form at all with Bangkok bank. Maybe my memory is fading 😄

10 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

Add the most important blacklist of them all. The Russians. Stop the Bratva from operating in Thailand. Don't invite in crime families. 

There are a lot of Russians now in Samui, the vast majority don't look like they belong to crime gangs. Families with children, no tattoos, neatly dressed.