Jim7777

31 minutes ago, EricTh said:

Look at this thread here on SCB. It's easier to open a bank account at Bangkok Bank

 

 

I’ve actually found SCB to be a lot better than Bangkok Bank but that’s just my own personal experience at my local branches where I live sounds like they’re all different sometimes.  

33 minutes ago, onera1961 said:

It is FATCA requirements. 

I figured it was something like that or an agreement with the United States FTC or something like that but it was a lot like opening a bank account in the States.  Honestly I don’t know off hand what the FATCA is but I know that all International wire transfers do go through the Federal Trade Commission in the States that’s what my bank in the States told me anyway a few times.  

2 hours ago, OzMan said:

I cam here two months ago on a retirement visa. Walked into SCB in Terminal 21 and asked to open an account. Filled in some forms, and the lady said she would need to ask head office if I could open account and get back to me. Next morning I had an SMS saying head office had approved my account and I opened it that afternoon.

I actually had an easier time then that at my local SCB branch at my local mall when I opened my SCB account, but it sounds like it just depends on what branch you are using for any Thai bank and more specifically I think it depends on the bank manager.  The female manager at my local SCB branch was awesome and the male manager at my local Bangkok Bank branch was a bit of a dick.  Just read my last post.  I’ve also noticed whenever I’m taking care of any kind of business around here the females treat us better usually then the men, not always but quite often they do.  Even somewhat at immigration as well but at my local immigration office they are all extremely helpful as long as you are following the rules male or female IO’s.  I did have one male IO cut me a break one day because I was doing my 90 day report and I had forgotten the original copy of the Tambien Baan that day, but instead of making me go back home and get it he gave me my new report date anyway and he just said “make sure you remember to bring it next time”.  That was the last time I reported before I did my last extension last year if I remember right.

I can’t really complain about anything here in Thailand except for maybe that bank manager at my local Bangkok Bank branch but that was an easy fix I just opened an account at my local SCB branch instead and their service is a lot better, even my monthly international wire transfers post to my SCB account faster so I’m actually glad I went to SCB instead.  

Overall I’ve been treated really well here in Thailand I can’t complain and I have been living here for almost 5 years.  That’s why when I read so many people complaining about everything on here I wonder if it’s the whole story.  I’ve had to figure out a lot of stuff by trial and error and I’ve had to ask for a lot of advice from someone very experienced living here but overall I love it here.  When living in a foreign country obviously there is going to be at least a little bit of red tape to get through but it’s really not that bad.  I’ve had to ask a lot of questions because this is my first time living abroad as a civilian I’m retired military and I’ve been all over the world and I’ve lived in Asia before but in the military you don’t have to worry about immigration and all that stuff except for when traveling and going through airports and I used to travel all over Asia when I was living in Tokyo especially Seoul, Korea.  I’ve been pulled into secondary many times when I was in the military mainly because I was a frequent flier always in civilian clothes and I was constantly traveling all over this part of the world.  I’ve been selected for surprise baggage inspections a few times when traveling through Seoul in secondary and have been questioned quite a bit in secondary but that was when I used to constantly travel in the military with a special type of unit almost always traveling alone.  This was also the first time I’ve ever had to personally open a foreign bank account so that was also a learning experience for me along with immigration and everything else in life as a civilian living abroad.  In my old job sometimes I traveled TDY under the guise as a civilian but it was still nothing like actually living abroad as a real civilian I learned quickly how different it really is then living abroad in the military.  But overall it’s not that difficult just renewing my extension once a year and the 90 day reports, and now having a Thai bank account I’m actually saving a lot of money by using my SCB account instead of my United States bank account all the time.  

22 hours ago, norbra said:

I showed them every extension (5)in my current Passport but they still want imm letter

That’s interesting because my local Bangkok Bank Branch wanted similar information from me as well the thing from immigration that they asked you for, a letter from the embassy, and my Social Security Card.  So ironically that’s exactly why I opened an account at my local SCB branch instead of Bangkok Bank and I’ve had nothing but great experiences with my local SCB branch.  

So I guess it’s true each Thai bank branch do make their own rules but then again it’s not that much different back home in the States.  Just try a different bank or a different SCB branch until you find the right one.

When I opened my account at SCB they were able to get my immigration information off of my passport and my proof of residency off of my wife’s Tambien Baan and my lease agreement, my wife was with me and they asked to see her Thai ID Card as well.  But the account is still in my name only which I have heard is an immigration requirement and that it can’t be a joint account that’s another reason why I opened my own account at SCB in my name only.  We still have our joint account at Bangkok Bank but I use my SCB account in my name only for my monthly international wire transfers.  SCB did require me to fill out a lot of paperwork and provide copies of a lot of paperwork but at least it was paperwork that I had readily available and I didn’t have to get anything from immigration, the Embassy, or show my Social Security Card which I can’t even find lol.  Obviously if I have a passport I could not have got it unless the Embassy and or the State Department was able to verify my SSN.  I don’t know if you’re a US citizen or not but that’s how it works for us.

When I was opening my SCB account I actually did have to provide my Social Security Number when filling out some of the forms but I didn’t have to show my actual Social Security Card.  I actually had to fill out United States IRS forms and provide my SSN on the IRS forms, which totally surprised me I guess it’s a Thai bank account not a Swiss Bank Account or a Caribbean Bank Account LoL.  Apparently the Thai banks have an agreement with our Federal Trade Commission in the United States so I definitely would not try to hide money here in Thailand if I owed the IRS any back taxes which I don’t thank God.  Although it does make me feel more secure putting my money into a Thai bank account knowing that the Thai banks have an agreement with our FTC.  

At my local SCB branch the service is actually great, and their online banking is awesome they even set it up for me right there at the bank in 5 minutes the online banking.  I have a debit card with the MasterCard logo on it and it works when shopping when I swipe it it’s great.  I only pay a 300 Baht a year fee which is a little less than Bangkok Bank which charges 500 Baht a year for a savings account.  

Personally I highly recommend SCB if you can find another SCB branch that doesn’t require all that then great if not then just go bank shopping like I did the day I opened my SCB account.  I got really lucky that day because the manager at my local SCB branch was extremely helpful she was great.  Or maybe just go to immigration and try asking for that document if you have to I know I almost did until I walked into my local SCB branch that day.  

I remember when my local Bangkok Bank branch manager was giving me a hard time that day and telling me that he needed all that stuff from immigration, the Embassy, and my Social Security Card he said that “any other bank would tell me the same thing”, well that was BS because my local SCB branch didn’t and I had my SCB account opened in less than 30 minutes.  I even had to go back and see that manager at my local Bangkok Bank branch and show him my SCB debit card and pass book and I told him “no actually they didn’t tell me the same thing I opened the account really fast and their service was great”.  I usually don’t do stuff like that around here but I couldn’t resist that day because that Bangkok Bank manager was just being an a hole.  So I just had to show him that he was wrong I couldn’t resist.  He looked at my SCB debit card and pass book with a surprised look on his face and said that he was just following instructions from his superiors, and I said nicely that I can understand that because I’m retired military but I also told him that as a result Bangkok Bank just lost my business and SCB just gained my business.  And we parted ways on a good note at least but I did show him that he was wrong.  And honestly I like SCB a lot better than Bangkok Bank and I highly recommend SCB, but if you can’t find a decent SCB branch wherever you are then just go Bank shopping as I did that day I opened my SCB account in my name only.  If you have to then I guess just go to Immigration and ask them for what they want I almost ended up doing that but I didn’t have to.  If I would have had to get any documentation from immigration to open a bank account it only would have been a bit of an inconvenience but not really a big deal luckily I didn’t have to and I was able to quickly open my SCB account with no hassle.  I guess it’s true it just depends on what bank branch not even the specific bank but each branch has their own rules. But like I said we deal with the same BS in the States when trying to take care of business it’s just life stuff we all deal with.  

4 minutes ago, Kadilo said:

You need to do some reading first before posting. Processing fee?  

Yeah I did we all pay the same processing fees for the same things at immigration.  Then again you did say that it was your first extension so you probably just don’t know the process yet I guess I’ve been there myself as well but I didn’t complain about it.  You have to be fully prepared at immigration.  It’s not totally free but it’s not expensive either 500 Baht is definitely not exactly tea money.  

Then again you did say that it was your first extension so you probably just don’t know the process yet, I guess I’ve been there myself as well but I didn’t complain about it.  

17 hours ago, Kadilo said:

The reason I didn’t was because last year I tipped them for my reentry Permit which clearly meant jack. Had he not so deliberately bullshitted me I prob would of done so again. 

As I said previously they were off with me from the word go so it was t all about the tea money, although it got worse after the 500 was ignored granted. 

It wasn’t “tea money” that was just their normal processing fees for everything you were applying for extension usually 1900 Baht and I believe you said the reentry permit was 500 Baht.  It’s NOT a “tip”.  All that paperwork they process and the copies they make of everything and the service they are providing does cost money.  I read to many one side of the story posts like this.  Then again you did say that it was your first extension so you probably just don’t know the process yet I guess I’ve been there myself as well but I didn’t complain about it.  

46 minutes ago, Olmate said:

Yes and add this uncertainty to an IO having an off day, the fees and hassle every month, one mistake your done! Sure some folk are good at this financial aspect and perhaps enjoy the challenge, but not for me. Two months in and no clarity from banking sector.

Just make your monthly International wire transfers manually over the phone with your bank in your home country I’ve been doing that with no problems.  There might be easier ways but doing it over the phone shouldn’t go wrong.  Be weary of these 3rd party transfer apps.  

19 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

It suspect your bank used a intermediary Thai bank for the funds transfer.

What bank did you use for the transfer?

It looks like he’s using those darn transfer apps like Baht Net and Transfer Wise, they might be okay I don’t know but I personally wouldn’t use them.  I’ve looked into Transfer Wise but I’m a little leary about using those 3rd party apps.  I think it’s safer to go directly through your bank in the States each month manually over the phone.  That’s what I’ve been doing and all my monthly wire transfers can be easily verified as from my bank in the States and easily traced back to my Credit Union in the States according to my Credit Advices and my pass book shows the correct codes.  Sometimes the easier and cheaper methods are not the best but I don’t know for sure because I’ve never used those apps I do my monthly International wire transfers manually over the phone with my bank in the States each month and that never goes wrong or leaves me with any questions now that I understand the process.  

It’s really not as hard as some people make it seem.  And I’m not referring to the OP because in the beginning I had questions about it as well. It can be somewhat concerning at first but as long as you you’re doing it correctly it’s not a problem and it took me a little time to figure out little things as well such as that it has to be in my name only and not a joint account stuff like that but now I’ve got it down and it’s going smoothly.  Personally I wouldn’t use any 3rd party transfer apps but that’s just me.  

19 hours ago, JTXR said:

It was from a U.S. credit union to Bangkok Bank Thailand.

I use a credit union as well and I don’t have this problem, the correct code shows up in my pass book however the pass book is not that big of a deal you have to ask for the Credit Advice to verify the origin of your International wire transfers and I believe Immigration needs a letter as well from the bank once they stop accepting the income affidavits which should verify that they are International wire transfers.  

You should ask them for the Credit Advice just to make sure that they are in fact showing up as coming from your bank in the States the Credit Advice will verify everything you need to know as long as it is showing up as coming from your bank in the States.  Immigration is going to require more than just your pass book anyway they’ll probably want to see your pass book as well as a letter from the Thai bank and possibly the statements as well.  

I recommend making the wire transfers manually over the phone with your bank in the States as I do and I never have any problems.  I personally don’t like apps like Baht Net or Transfer Wise I’m very leary of the gimmicks that promise you a better exchange rate.  

The new monthly income rules actually makes it easier for us once you understand everything.  Personally I like the new rules it’s so much easier no more trips to the Embassy in Bangkok every year just for one of many things.  Now I just go to my bank down the street and get my statements and an official letter from my bank.  But still some people don’t like the new rules, although there are a lot of people living here that will complain no matter what they do or how easy they make it for us.  

18 hours ago, Sheryl said:

Doesn't matter what the passbook shows. It is the detailed bank statemment that matters. Check that.

Sent from my SM-J701F using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app
 

That’s right again 

22 hours ago, Pib said:

Any fee associated with getting this letter? 

 

Heck, I think I will go ask for one....see if it shows ACH, Transferwise, SWIFT, etc., transfers....just any type of transfer originating from outside Thailand regarding of transfer system used.  I have not done any SWIFT transfers but have done ACH and Transferwise transfers over the last 12 months.

Nope the letter combined with all 12 months worth of Credit Advices are all 100% free of charge I know because I get them both printed out once a month the day after each of my monthly international wire transfers posts to my SCB account.  I do it once a month the same day I update my pass book the day after my International wire transfers post to my SCB account.  Swift code transfers done manually over the phone with your bank in your home country every month are the only guaranteed way that I know of to ensure that your Thai bank can verify that your monthly wire transfers are coming from your home country.  I’m sure there are other ways but swift transfers are best.  

Beware of apps like transfer wise and other gimmicks that promise you a better exchange rate.  I think it’s best just to make the monthly wire transfers manually over the phone with your bank in your home country.  That’s the safest way at least maybe not the only way.  

22 hours ago, sam6345 said:

All SWIFT code transfers.

Good that’s exactly the best way to do it and my bank basically told me the same information at my local SCB branch.  

7 minutes ago, patsfangr said:

I have a quick follow up question on this bank statement/letter requirement. Does anyone know what limit TI (Jomtien office) has on the number of days prior to applying for extension the bank statement/letter must be dated? I had read earlier that it has to be within a day or two. Since the banks are not consistent as to the days required to complete the letter, that could become a problem. 

That’s actually a good question.  I’m gonna ask my local Immigration office that before I do my next extension next year.  

Do not use Bahtnet, transfer wise or any of that crap.  Just call your bank in your home country and have them make the International wire transfers manually.  Then ask for the Credit Advice at the bank the day after your wire transfers posts.  The Credit Advice is free I never pay anything for it and it perfectly verifies everything such as your name, address in Thailand, the origin of your wire transfers including the name of the bank in your home country that it came from, the amount of each transfer in Thai Baht, and your Thai bank account name and account number which will match your pass book.  

The Credit Advice is free and it verifies everything you need I have them printed every month at my bank and it doesn’t cost me anything.  When you actually get your extension you’ll probably need a letter from your bank which verifies the same information for all of your International wire transfers but according to my bank they are free as well and can also be easily produced by the bank.  Of course that’s my branch but as far as the Credit Advice I know any bank in Thailand can provide those for free you just have to specify the Credit Advice, and I think it’s best to make your International wire transfers manually over the phone with your bank in your home country because that way can be easily verified by your Thai bank.  

I’ve looked into transfer wise and other apps that people have advised me about and I’m not liking the transfer apps very much if it’s to good and easy to be true it probably is.  

18 hours ago, Sheryl said:

Get the Credit Advice from Kasikorn and see if it shows the international origin. It should, and if it does then you can show it to yhe bank and ask them to include the details in the bank letter.

Yep exactly get the Credit Advice that will at least verify what you want to know regarding your transfers.  

1 hour ago, jesimps said:

And lose 2000 baht month on the  transfer compared to TW.

My pension is in USD and I do lose a little bit every month SOMETIMES when I make a wire transfer because of the exchange rates but it’s not that bad and I’m actually saving money because I don’t have to worry about ATM fees anymore when using a local Thai bank.  Before with the income affidavits I used my US ATM Card only and I paid a 220 Baht ATM fee every time I used the ATM.  So I actually like this way better because I never bothered to use a local Thai bank account before.  And it encourages me to save the money that I leave behind in my bank in the States because my pension is between $4 and $5,000 USD a month as a disabled veteran and a retired military member.  

I have looked into Transfer Wise and maybe I just don’t know how to use it but from my experience TW sucks, it’s useless but I might not know how to use it right.  

On 2/19/2019 at 12:55 PM, indepth said:

Jolly good topic ol man, what about Siam Bank?

SCB can verify your transfers from the states as well I know because I have an account with Siam Commercial Bank and I’ve verified my International wire transfers from my bank in the States by asking for the Credit Advice.  It’s pretty simple I’m sure most banks in Thailand can probably do it the same way but I’d probably avoid the smaller banks.  I know that Bangkok Bank can do it as well because I have an account with them as well.  

The day after your International wire transfers posts to your Thai bank account then just go to the bank and ask for the Credit Advice regarding your last International wire transfer you made and it’s a print out that verifies everything such as your name, local address here in Thailand, your bank name from the States or whatever country, the account number that your wire transfer originated from, the amount in Thai Baht of the wire transfer, the Thai bank account and account number that your wire transfer went into which will match your pass book, and everything else that Immigration would need to verify that your International wire transfers are coming from your home country.  Although you’ll probably still need an official letter from your bank for Immigration when you do your extension according to the police orders.  

The Credit Advice might be accepted by immigration but I don’t know, for me I just get the Credit Advice print outs every month so I have a record and a paper trail of my wire transfers from my bank in the States to SCB every month and so I know that they can be verified.  Immigration will probably just need your pass book and an official letter from your bank.  

I like the new rules it’s a lot easier to take care of everything for Immigration when I do my extension right here where I live instead of making that long trip to the Embassy in Bangkok once a year for their stupid income affidavits.  Good riddance to the Embassy letters.  Immigration actually made it easier for those of us who fall within their financial guidelines.  

6 hours ago, Sheryl said:

In some provinces you do not need to re-file TM30 for overnight trips within the country, only after leaving the country. And a few provinces don't require it at all though that seems to be changing. My province (Prachinburi) didn't use to either...and then suddenly they did.

 

Even when it is only required after leaving the country it can indeed be quite  hassle.

 

I am the "housemaster" and have to file TM-3os both for myself and for my Cambodian household staff, who go back and forth a lot as their home is near the border. I would estimate that I file about 10-15 TM30s a year, each one accompanied by a massive stack of photocopies.

 

The only "plus" is that it has made me quite well known to my local Imm office. I'm there what feels like constantly.

 

You do not really have to report within 24 hours. 1st working day after day you arrived is fine. After all, arrival may often be on a non-working day or after working hours.  Maybe aim for arrivals on Fridays or Saturdays if you want to give yourself time to rest up.

 

You’re right where I live this is totally a non issue.  I was expecting it to be when I got my last extension so I brought a copy of my landlord’s Tambien Baan signed by him and a copy of his Thai ID card signed by my landlord as well, and a current renewed copy of my lease agreement with my wife’s original Tambien Baan (Thai house registration) to Immigration.  Although Immigration didn’t even want to see it when I offered it to them even though our pictures are at the house we lease they only wanted to see my wife’s original Tambien Baan which is for her family’s house down the street  (Thai house registration).  I even offered to take new pictures in front of my wife’s family’s house where her Tambien Baan is registered but Immigration said that our pictures at our house that we lease was perfectly fine and acceptable.  So even though we lease a different house than where my wife’s Tambien Baan is actually registered it was okay, Immigration didn’t require a TM-30 that I recall or a copy of my landlord’s Tambien Baan, Thai ID Card, or my lease agreement.  Immigration only wanted to see my wife’s original Tambien Baan and of course her Thai ID Card as well as all the rest of the required paperwork for my marriage visa extension.

I’ve been living here for almost 5 years and reporting every 90 days and it’s never been an issue up here.   Maybe my landlord reported my address to Immigration and I just wasn’t aware I don’t know I just know that I’ve never had any problems with that before.  

21 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

According to the rules and what immigration has stated it should still be accepted.

But I am aware of Phuket immigration not accepting one from the UK embassy for an extension based upon mariage. They said they are no longer accepted because they consider them as not being valid.

In his case I would keep the old income affidavit from December 21st 2018 because they’re technically still supposed to accept it up to six months after the date of completion and he is within the six month grace period although he’s pushing it to the last minute in his situation.  And I have read things like that about Phuket Immigration as well.  

So if I were him I’d do both have the old income affidavit from December 2018 ready because theoretically they should still accept it even though he’s barely within the six month period, and also begin preparing for the new rules.  In other words begin making the monthly wire transfers into a Thai bank account of at least 65K Baht per month because I believe he said that he’s on a retirement visa extension if I’m not mistaken.  Regardless it’s always better to transfer more than the minimum monthly income requirement, that is always best if possible depending on his financial situation obviously.  OR, depending on his financial situation deposit the 800K Baht into a Thai bank account.  Basically either start making the monthly wire transfers into a Thai bank account of at least 65K Baht a month or deposit the 800K Baht into a Thai bank account.  

If he’s going by the monthly wire transfers into a Thai bank account (the monthly income option) than I believe according to the police orders for this first year he shouldn’t have to show a full 12 months of monthly wire transfers.  I believe I remember reading that in the police order when it came out for people in his situation but I might be mistaken because I don’t recall that part exactly I’d have to go back and read it and then post a copy of it for him which I can do if he needs help.  But I’m pretty sure I remember reading in the new police orders that people didn’t have to show a full 12 months of monthly wire transfers for the first year since it just went into effect this year.  Feel free to correct me if I’m wrong about that part and I understand that Phuket Immigration might not be on the same page as every other Immigration office in Thailand I’ve heard as well that they sometimes are not.  

In my situation I don’t have to do my next extension until literally January or NLT February of 2020, so they accepted my last income affidavit for the final time when I did my last extension early in December 2018, although that was at a different Immigration office though.  So in my situation I will have to show my Immigration office a full 12 months of monthly wire transfers into my Thai bank account in around January or February of 2020 when my next extension is due.  I’m on a marriage visa extension though and I’m in a totally different area of Thailand then the OP so I’m not sure how much different my area is compared to his.  

I hope this advice helps the OP.  Basically in his situation I’d want to be prepared for both scenarios.  

On 2/14/2019 at 10:06 AM, ubonjoe said:

Since you have a statutory declaration for this years extension you should not be asked for anything more than some basic back up proof for it if any is needed.

You can get a statement from the bank but it will show all transactions not only the deposits or transfers into the country. As far as I know that is all they can provide.

What I do is have them print out my Credit Advice once a month the day after my monthly wire transfers post and they show exactly where my deposit originated from my bank in the States, the amount of each deposit, my name, Thai address, and my SCB account number that my wire transfer went into which matches my pass book.  So if you have those printed out every month you make your wire transfers it’ll show your monthly wire transfers only and verify where each of them originated from and the account number your deposit went into as well as your name address and everything required.  So your wire transfers definitely can be verified by the bank and SCB at least my branch anyway is aware of Immigration’s requirements and will provide a formal letter if requested.  

The police orders just say “in a Thai bank account”.  They don’t tell you what kind of Thai bank account it has to be just a Thai bank account.  Although I understand people want to be smart with their larger investments though.  

Every bank can provide documentation verifying that your monthly wire transfers are coming from your home country.  Every month the day after my monthly wire transfer posts to my account I go to my local bank branch once a month just down the street and I first have them update my pass book and then I ask them to print out what’s called a Credit Advice which shows everything.  The document is basically a statement print out that shows your name,  local Thai address, the bank in the States where your wire transfer originated from which is the important thing or whatever country you’re from, it shows your Thai bank account number and bank name that your wire transfer went into, and of course the amount of each wire transfer in Thai Baht.  Those are great I get them printed at the bank every month the day after my wire transfer posts to my account and I get my pass book updated the same day.  When it comes time for me to get my next marriage visa extension next year I’ll probably still need a more official letter from my Thai bank as well which shouldn’t be a problem according to my local SCB branch.  I use both Bangkok Bank and SCB now pretty much just SCB but they are both able to print statements verifying that your monthly wire transfers originated from your bank in your home country it actually shows the originating bank and the country your money came from, your name and your local Thai address, the amount of your wire transfer in Thai Baht, and the account number for your local Thai bank account and the Thai bank name and it shows your name on the account.  Plus the Thai bank account number on the print out will match your pass book.  So yes the banks around here can easily verify that your monthly wire transfers are coming from your home country and even narrow it down to your home country bank account.  SCB told me that if I also need an official letter from them eventually that it would be no problem.  

Also make sure the Thai bank account is in your name only.  I don’t know why but apparently Immigration wants the account in your name only.  I think just to prove that it’s actually your money and not your wife’s money or something I don’t know.  I originally had a joint bank account at Bangkok Bank in my name and my wife’s name but then I heard from a very reliable source that it probably has to be in my name only and that Immigration MIGHT NOT accept a joint bank account.  

So I opened up a Thai Bank Account in my name only at my local Siam Commercial Bank (SCB) branch which turned out to be MUCH BETTER THAN Bangkok Bank.  I went to SCB because Bangkok Bank wanted a bunch of documents that would’ve been out of my way to get and gave me a hard time about it so I went to SCB and opened my own account in my name only in about 30 minutes.  They just needed to see the original Tambien Baan, lease agreement, marriage certificate, my wife’s Thai ID with her present BUT THE ACCOUNT IS STILL IN MY NAME ONLY, they made copies of all our documents and I had to sign each copy.  I even had to fill out IRS forms and provide my US Social Security Number on the forms so I guess the banks here have an agreement with the FTC in the United States, it’s a Thai bank account NOT a Swiss Bank Account so if you owe back taxes in the States the IRS can still reach out and touch you even here in Thailand.  So anyway at SCB I had to show a lot of documents but it was only documents that I had readily available and I had to fill out a lot of paperwork but I was able to open my own personal savings account in my name only at SCB and it was relatively painless.  And they can provide official letters and statement print outs verifying where your monthly wire transfers are coming from so SCB is great. I have great online banking I have a Master Card Debit Card and it is all easy.  A LOT EASIER THAN DRIVING ALL THE WAY DOWN TO BANGKOK TO GET THAT STUPID EMBASSY LETTER ONCE A YEAR!  And I’m actually saving money by using a Thai bank account regardless of the exchange rate because there are no ATM fees.  Before I was just using my US ATM Card and paying 220 Baht ATM fees every time I used the ATM.  Now I pay no ATM fees.  So overall I love the new rules it’s gonna make everything easier and the extension process easier for me.  And it should be easier for everyone else as well as long as you do make the minimum required monthly income and transfer it into a Thai bank account every month for the entire year between extensions or have enough money saved in a Thai bank account.  My pension is between $4 and $5,000 US dollars a month so I wire transfer at least half of my monthly pension payments into my Thai bank account every month so I’m well above the minimum monthly income requirement.  I still leave at least some of my monthly pension payments in my bank in the States but most of it is going into my Thai bank account which works fine for me.  

2 minutes ago, Spidey said:

No problem. It's a discussion forum. We all have our views, none of them should be taken too seriously. Sorry if I came across as confrontational.

It’s fine although when people post topics about this kind of issue they should have the facts or don’t post anything at all.  I don’t mean you just a lot of other people who have something to say about this issue regarding the new monthly income verification requirements.  But it’s okay I know what you meant now I just misunderstood you before.  

55 minutes ago, Henryford said:

The problem is it can't be withdrawn or used for emergencies, unless you are leaving Thailand for good.

That’s yet one of several reasons why I would not want to be retired here without my monthly pension payments.  I thank God for my monthly pension payments of almost $5,000 USD a month.