LivingNThailand

You are. Last year I needed a new ATM card and the call center told me I could go to any branch. Any branch, for sure. So I went to the nearest branch and they made a big deal about how I was at the wrong branch and I had to go back to the original branch. I held my ground, but the clerk made me suffer and fill out tons of paperwork. I was there for at least 2 hours just to get a replacement card. This has been festering for a while I guess.

Update: I didn't get as far as even showing any ID at BKK Bank. I was quizzed by the teller and her supervisor on why I wanted a new account. Even as I explained my reasoning, I was quizzed again and told I had enough accounts and that BKK Bank isn't opening new additional accounts to foreigners. Was treated like a criminal. Needless to say, I will be researching a new bank to open one or two accounts. Can anyone recommend a bank that is friendly to foreigners in Thailand? BTW, I find it interesting in a leading English Thai Newspaper websites this morning one of the stories was about scams / mule accounts / fraud and the photo was of BKK Bank passbooks. I guess they are running scared and don't want any foreigner money right now. I'm a bit worried they might close the accounts just to be hysterical. Sigh.

I just checked. 😅 Yes. But if you need to use it for an annual visa extension you need to renew in 9 years or immigration wont give you a full year extension. I did mine almost a year in advance so I won’t worry if it gets too close to the extension date. You never know what will happen

It was required on the form I filled out electronically. I just used my brother's address. It's probably all in the system electronically.

No an option on my shinny new PP from this July. On the application form I had to put a USA contact name and address, which I used my brother. LIke he'd know what to do if there was an emergency 🤣 I think it is all electronic now.

I do on line banking on my PC at home with BKK bank. One of the reasons I like them. My old eyes can't see the tiny type on the phone.

It's pretty strange. US Passport renewal wants a USA contact so I give them my brother's address. But a current photo ID? Very strange. I'll go to the other nearby branch, probably Friday. I'll let you know what they say.

Retired. for 10 years. Haven't been back to "home country" for 10 years. I pointed that out. But I was told too bad.... I am laughing now. What a farce.

What happened to the sad emoji. Very sad.

why are they in hot water? Aren't they all?

I told this person I could get one if needed. I think I will try the other branch. It just doesn't make any sense.....but sometimes it just doesn't, does it.

that's the plan. I think this person was "too busy" and didn't want to deal with me. Even though I have known this person for 10 years. Kind of sad. I'll go in 2-3 days and update

I was told I need a valid photo ID from my home country showing my home country address? I asked at least four times. Like a current driver's license from my home country with my home country address. So very weird.

I have a Thai driver's license and an expired DL from my home country. I have known this bank employee for 10 years. I sent over a copy of my Passport, visa, Thai driver's license and the proof of residency paper I have in my PP. I asked over and over and this person insisted that I needed a current un-expired ID from my home country. No exceptions. Going to the other branch in a few days. There are only two branches near me. Quite puzzling

I wanted to open a new bank account at Bangkok Bank this week. For the record, I have had several accounts at BKK Bank for 10 years. Understanding that the rules are tighter now for foreigners to open bank accounts and to save time, I contacted someone I know who works at the bank and forwarded the documents I thought they might need to open a new account. I called to confirm that the documents were ok, and I was told that they had new rules starting this week and that foreigners also have to submit a photo ID showing the foreigner's home address. I informed them that I had an expired driver's license from my home country, but since I have lived in Thailand over 10 years there is no way I could provide a current unexpired ID from my home country. Could they use the expired license as proof. I was told no. The photo ID has to be current. No exceptions. I was told that even if you have lived in Thailand for 20 years, you can't get a new bank account without a current photo ID from your home country showing your current home country address. Can anyone tell me how I can get a current photo ID showing my current address in my home country when I haven't lived in that country for 10 years? Although I was a bit upset after this phone call, I realized that there must be something I'm not getting here. A workaround? Any help? I could use another bank, but I'm not in a position to move everything around at this point in time. Everyone have a great day!