KKmike

This whole situation is really crazy, Immigration wants 400,000 Baht in the bank, no problem, bank will not open and account? 

 Thanks everyone, I appreciate your input.

Lopburi3,

I did take my wife with me to Bangkok bank in Khon Kaen where she has account and I have been sending money over the past years..

Did not help.

I really wanted an account with Bangkok bank because they have an office in New York.  Figured I could have my retirement money sent there and have access to the money while I’m in Thailand.

I wanted to stay in Thailand full time, however with this new tax the Thai government is talking about, I may only be able to stay 179 days.

 Thanks everyone, I appreciate your input.

Thanks for all the replies 

I’ll try some other branches. Maybe ask the agent at Bangkok bank Khon Kaen to provide me with the written statement that says he is not allowed to open an account for me.  I know, making him loose face is not going to go well with him, but at this point I have nothing to loose.

 Thanks and take care,

Thanks for all the replies 

I’ll try some other branches. Maybe ask the agent at Bangkok bank Khon Kaen to provide me with the written statement that says he is not allowed to open an account for me.  I know, making him loose face is not going to go well with him, but at this point I have nothing to loose.

 Thanks and take care,

I have gone to Bangkok bank in Khon Kaen with my Thai wife who has an account there.. I have been sending money from US to that account for years.. I’ve also had an account there several years ago. Bank tells me this is a new rule which started January this year. Bank not allowed to open an account for a person with any type of tourist visa?
I’ll go back to immigration and ask them how to solve this issue..

Before leaving the US I tried multiple times to do the online request for a visa without success. Tried calling the embassy in 

Washington, they never answer the phone.

Anyone know an agent in Khon Kaen?

Anyway, thanks for all the input.

12 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

OP, on a tourist visa you will require an agent.

Where are you located in Thailand 

Khon Kaen 

In an earlier post I was trying to get info for getting married visa.

update:  I arrived and received voa for 30 days, paid 1900 Baht, received a 30 day extension.  Went back with all required paperwork 

and received 60 days. Based on marriage. Went to Bangkok bank to open an account for the 400,000 Baht. That was my third visit, bank said I was still on a tourist visa and no they would not open an account for me.

So if you cannot open an account, and immigration requires you to have 400,000 Baht in the bank to obtain the visa.  How can I navigate this problem..

Over the past 18 years I have been to several.

it is my opinion only, why do you ask?

3 hours ago, steve187 said:

you can open an account with a tourist visa, try other banks and if they all fail, use an agent to open the account

Thanks, I’ve been to two banks, they both said it is a new law this year??

read a utube article today that says effective January 1 and money sent into Thailand would be taxed at 35% if you stayed more than 180 days???

I am married to Thai lady 17 years, I tried to obtain a married visa on line in the US, no luck, no matter how the online form was filed out, it would not go through.. Calling the Thailand embassy in Washington DC was a joke, no one ever answered.Tried calling 30 plus times over 2 months.  
So I arrived and got the 30 day VOA. Went to immigration paid 1900 baht and received another 30 days and for 500 Baht 

more they gave me a letter to take to bank to open an account (I have the 400,000 baht). Bangkok bank says effective this year they will not open an account to foreign people with a tourist visa.  
Immigration says they will give me another 60 days, which then will put me 30 days short of leaving 29 February 2024.

Any ideas please.

KKmike

Just saw I’m a newbie?..

Been on here since 2005?
must be because I   don’t often post?

And the beat goes on, live and let live.

Thanks everyone for the feedback,sounds like i should be ok then

I often fly with a one way ticket, never had a problem.

Shaking tourists down for fines in excess of the 'official' amount is not uncommon practice and customs is probably the most corrupt institution in Thailand. !

Another practice which is not uncommon is the fabrication of urban legends by gossipy farangs.

VERY VERY GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

KKmike

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