Kwarium

After contacting Kasikorn and SCB helplines today (and Krungsri branch staff previously) the concensus is that Thailand has no TOD (transfer on death) or beneficiary assignments to bank accounts. Interesting to hear of other experiences such as @gomangosteen who says he set a beneficiary with Kasikorn. It seems @freeworld has it right, as I was told by the two helplines that even joint account owners do not become owners in the case of the other owner passing. It seems the last will is indeed the best way to go, even for ‘simple’ bank accounts! Live long and prosper, but be prepared… right? Edit: Kasikorn says that both joint account owners must be present to make passbook counter withdrawals. Krungsri says either owner may do so. TIT!

SCB (along with Krungsri) have no beneficiary options available for savings accounts. They (call center) advised for my wife to use my atm card upon my passing. But if she notifies the bank of my passing, then documents from the Thai courts will be required. TIT In the case of a joint account, as either owner can make withdrawals, this type of account would not be a problem if one owner dies. It would still require court docments to close the account though. Of course the account would automatically be closed after a few months of no balance.

I recently opened a joint savings account with my wife as Krungsri Bank said that is the only way for her to easily gain access if I was out of the picture. Unfortunately the account cannot be accessed by phone app. They seemed concerned that one of us could use the money digitally. But either of us can empty the account at any branch. No logic? TIT

I can’t find anything online or on Wise dot com about any fee increases. The new look showed up in March 2023. I use Wise twice per month USD to THB and the fee is 89 cents plus point six percent. A direct SWIFT bank to bank transfer becomes cheaper at about eight thousand USD. About a fifty dollar fee. I

Pretty happy with the four week turn around to the Issan village! The “New Generation Passport” has the alpha-numeric passport number perforated through every page. Laser technology? While working in Bangkok, I carried a laminated credit card sized color copy of my passport in my wallet. Any photocopy shop can make it for about a dollar. ✌????️

Just an update re the OP question, exactly four weeks to renew US passport by mail from Issan. Someone mentioned the US Embassy Thailand website now says 3-4 weeks where previously it said 2-3 weeks. FYI: I used the US Embassy Thailand website, filled the form online, printed the form and checklist which needs to be included, paid online using Thai CC, went to the bank to teach them what a 100Bt bank draft is, stapled 2 photos using 4 vertical staples with only 1 staple into the second photo, mailed everything off using Thai Post EMS for ~70 Bt. My passport issue date is 18 days after I mailed The application. Upon checking the state.gov passport status page, it also showed “passport mailed” that day. Mailed from US passport printing office in Arizona to US Embassy Bangkok. 27 days after I mailed the application, I received an email from ACS Bangkok stating my passport(s) were mailed by Thai Post with a tracking number. Received the following day. Thai Post tracking page was updated about 8 times in 20 hours. Excellent experience all around, aside from the bank being a bit frustrating. Btw- Why do they return the 2nd photo? It was clipped inside my old passport, so maybe they think Thai immigration will want it? Why do they say your 2nd passport will be returned 8 weeks later? Maybe if applying in the US? I did “check the box” for the larger passport, but luckily it is only 5” x 3.5” like all passports. ???? YMMV