ianguygil

Yes, with Bangkok Bank using a Credit Card. This provides more security. It was no problem at all. I use it relatively often.

Your friend should go to to a Bangkok Bank branch and tell them he wants to transfer the funds to the US. He should specify your account in the US which is a USD account. You will get the best (published) rate for the FX. The transfer will be done via SWIFT and their Correspondent network in the US. If your friend has iBanking he can transfer using that service but he would have to register for this service first.

This is a very straight forward process. You will not get a poor rate as you are sending USD to the US, the THB conversion is done here in Bangkok. They pay through their branch in New York.

I hope this helps. Good luck.

You can setup a recurring transfer on BangkokBank's iBanking service

It can be weekly, monthly or quarterly.

I hope this helps.

Always the best rate will be in Thailand. You will be amazed at how bad the rate will be for a small currency like the THB in a developed country

My understanding is that this reflects the different approaches of the Banks. Bangkok Bank (BBL) wants to ensure that the system is fully tested on each Browser and OS combination before oficially supporting it, otherwise you end up with situations like mentioned where some functions don't work properly. That is not acceptable in a transactional environment. Other banks may take a different approach.

BangkokBank.Com is not transactional and many browsers can be used.

Now that the browser market shares have changed my understanding is that BBL plan for future releases of iBanking (coming soon) to support FireFox, but that requires a full round of testing for each release to make sure there are no functional or security issues. In the interim it is possible (and not unusual) for customers to use a plug-in so their browser can pretend to be IE.

Also, as IE becomes better at supporting "standards" the differences between how the browsers display content is becoming much smaller.

Mobile iBanking (WAP2) supports many many Browser types and devices, but uses a "lowest common demoninator" approach to providing transactional services on mobile devices supporting WAP2. So instead of a DropDown list you will see a list. Make sense?

I have both accounts. Although I have been using SCBeasy for years but have just recently adopted BBL ibanking last week.

Anyway, the main disadvantage I find (from the brief usage) in ibanking is the lack of support on browsers other than Internet Explorer.

SCBeasy used to have that problem but they are slowing fixing it. I can now access it from google chrome and firefox (though some functions such as FUND do not work properly). Other than that I think they offer the same basic services - transfer to other banks, bill payments etc.

http://www.bangkokbank.com/Bangkok%20Bank/...ct_Deposit.aspx

Advice to Receiver using Direct Deposit Service If you are currently receiving payments such as pensions, annuities or payroll from US government agencies or private organizations, you can arrange for your payments to be directly deposited into your account at Bangkok Bank in Thailand via Bangkok Bank's New York branch instead of receiving United States Treasury or company issued cheques.

Benefits of the service

• You no longer need to visit the bank branch to cash or send your US Treasury or company issued cheques for collection.
  
• It eliminates the risk of losing cheques.
  
• You can receive funds faster.
  
• Your funds will be converted to Thai Baht using the rate receiving electronic funds transfers (Buying TT rate) which is better than the rate for buying foreign cheques (Buying sight bill rate).
  

How to apply for the Direct Deposit Service if you are receiving payments from a US government agency:

1. Download the 'Direct Deposit Sign-up Form (SF1199A)' from the website <A title="" href="http://www.socialsecurity.gov/online" target=_blank>www.socialsecurity.gov/online. Complete the form to sign up for Direct Deposit with your relevant US government agency.
   
2. Open a savings account at any Bangkok Bank branch (except micro branches). If you already have an account with Bangkok Bank, you can use your existing bank account for this service. Complete a 'Direct Deposit Service Application' form.
   
3. Submit all forms to Bangkok Bank with the following supporting documents:
   - Identification Card/Government Official ID Card/Passport together with a customer
   identification document such as your Social Security Card, Annuitant ID Card etc.
   - A document from the relevant agency giving evidence of your right to receive the
   payments.
   
4. After verifying your documents, Bangkok Bank will submit your application to the government agency asking them to approve your request for receiving the funds via Direct Deposit.
   
5. After the request to receive Direct Deposit is approved by the government agency, your payments will be electronically deposited directly to your Bangkok Bank account.
   

Important Note

If you use a direct deposit service to receive funds from a US Government Agency, you must appear in person at a Bangkok Bank branch to withdraw the funds.

In compliance with US regulations, Bangkok Bank cannot authorize the withdrawal of funds from your direct deposit account by an appointed representative, or via ATM or any other electronic channel. You must appear in person at a Bangkok Bank branch to withdraw the funds. You can, however, open a normal savings or current account and transfer the funds from your direct deposit account to this account. You may then withdraw your funds as usual via ATM or any other electronic channel.

You may directly contact the United States government agencies in the US to send funds into your savings account with Bangkok Bank,. However, we still need to request that you change your savings account to a Direct Deposit account. Failure to comply will result in Bangkok Bank not being able to deposit funds transferred from the US government agencies into your account.

How to apply for the Direct Deposit Service if you are receiving payments from private organizations:

1. Request the 'Authorization Agreement for Automatic Deposits (ACH Credits)' form or Direct Deposit form from the private organization that you are receiving payments from. Complete the form to request the Direct Deposit service.
   
2. Open a savings account at any branch of Bangkok Bank in Thailand. If you already have an account with Bangkok Bank, you can use your existing bank account for this service.
   
3. Submit the form with the required information for account opening and the following supporting documents:
   - Identity Card/Government Official ID Card/Passport together with a customer
   identification document such as your Social Security Card, Annuitant ID Card etc.
   - A letter from the organizations authorized to make payments, as evidence of your right
   to receive the payments from the company.
   
4. After verifying your documents, Bangkok Bank will sign your 'Authorization Agreement for Automatic Deposit form (ACH Credits)' or Direct Deposit form and return the original form for you to mail to the US company asking them to approve the request and initiate direct deposits into your account.
   
5. After the request to receive direct deposits is approved, your payments will be electronically deposited directly to your Bangkok Bank account.
   (If you are a Bangkok Bank customer residing in the US you can submit your application form and supporting documents to Bangkok Bank's New York branch: 29 Broadway, 20th Fl, New York, New York 10006 United States, Tel: (1-212) 422-8200
   

Depositing a US check (cheque) into an account is totally different than transferring funds in. While it may appear to be the same thing to some, technically it is totally different as you are dealing with an item which needs to be presented to the issuing bank, then funds need to be cleared.

If you follow the link as previously provided for a funds transfer using the ACH network in the US, the funds will be available next day at the latest (if done properly). Importantly, the costs will be much less than a normal SWIFT transfer. As Bangkok Bank has a branch in New York they are able to offer this facility. Other Thai banks do not have a US presence.

Bangkok Bank has a branch in the US (New York). This should be a pretty straight forward process. The banks should easily be able to work out which correspondents to use, as this is how SWIFT works, correspondents are banks who have accounts with each other to enable the transfer.

The Thai bank should not need to know about your banks's SWIFT code. You should be able to tell your US bank the SWIFT code of the Thai bank you want to transfer to, and they will work out which correspondent(s) to use.

Depending on the amount you will get a rate, if it is a large amount you can agree and FX contract. You can also transfer USD into a USD account in a Thai bank. Bangkok Bank provides accounts in 13 foreign currencies (including USD) and you can access them from their iBanking service.

Instructions on how to transfer funds into the US can be found on the BangkokBank.Com website.

If you use Bangkok Bank you can also transfer via the domestic ACH system which saves transfer fees.

http://www.bangkokbank.com/Bangkok%20Bank/...from%20USA.aspx

================================================================================

==============

Convenient and safe via US ACH system and Bangkok Bank's New York Branch Holders of US bank accounts can save on fees for international funds transfers by transferring funds from the United States to Thailand via the US Automated Clearing House system (US ACH) and Bangkok Bank's New York branch.

By stipulating the 9-digit routing number for Bangkok Bank's New York branch (026008691) in your transfer instruction, the funds will be transferred via the US ACH system directly to the receiver's Bangkok Bank account in Thailand, for a lower fee than most other international wire transfer services.

Benefits of the service

• Fees for funds transfers via the US ACH system and Bangkok Bank's New York branch are up to USD 20 lower than most other international wire transfer services in the US.
  
• You can make transfers directly online via the internet banking service provided by your own bank in the US.
  
• You will enjoy a better exchange rate because the USD amount will be converted to Thai Baht at the daily Bangkok Bank exchange rate in Thailand.
  

Who can use it?The service is available for holders of US bank accounts transferring funds to recipients with a Bangkok Bank account in Thailand. It is particularly useful for:

• Making funds transfers via the internet banking services of US banks
  
• Receiving payments from US government agencies or private organizations (Direct Deposit service)
  
• Receiving E-Commerce payments from online payment service providers in the US
  

Step-by-step instructionsThe following step-by-step instructions are available:

- Advice to senders using US bank internet banking service

- Advice to Bangkok Bank customers receiving payments from US government agencies or private organizations (Direct Deposit)

- Advice to e-commerce business operators in Thailand

Click here to view fees

For more information, please call Bualuang Phone on 1333 or (66) 0-2645-5555 or Bangkok Bank's New York branch on (1-212) 422-8200.

Important Note

You cannot transfer funds from Bangkok Bank's account in Thailand to your account with banks or online payment service providers in the US via Bangkok Bank's New York branch and the ACH system. If you initiate direct debit or ACH debit transactions to Bangkok Bank's New York branch, banks in the US and online payment service providers may suspend your account.

This is the normal process for non account holders. It is used all over the world. You only need to specify the SWIFT code for the Bank and country. And that is all on the website.

It is an option offered and it is up to each customer to choose the approach which is best for them. The website is pretty clear with what needs to be specified as I said in my prior post.

And as I said, nobody should ever expect any Thai bank to open an account when the person is not eligible under law or central bank regulations of any country.

Good luck.

The point about PUPID is that you can transfer via SWIFT from your local bank in the UK, to Bangkok Bank in Thailand. You just need to provide the specific details on how they can identify you when you come in to pick up the money.No need to use the local branch. So that makes it much easier I would assume

You an also receive funds without a Bangkok Bank account using what is called in the industry PUPID (Pay Upon Proper ID). Please see teh website regarding funds transfer, receiving funds from overseas and the checklist on "getting your money faster"

Tips are

"Faster Service

• For the same day payment service, payment instructions must reach Bangkok Bank by 4.00 pm* and be correctly formatted with complete details.
  
• If you are an international traveler without a Bangkok Bank account and wish to receive funds from abroad in cash, please remind the person who is sending the funds to specify your passport number, telephone number and address in Thailand in the payment instruction.
  
• If you are a Bangkok Bank account holder, make sure that you advise the remitter to specify the correct account name and account number as it appears on your accounts - errors may cause delays.
  
• Instruct the remitter to send the funds via a Bangkok Bank correspondent bank. Please phone (66) 0-2685-7777 for more information."
  

Sorry, I forgot to mention in my post that I am associated with Bangkok Bank. I have tried to be up front with that in prior posts. This morning I was in a rush and saw this post.

The link to information about the branch is on the website and easy to find, just select International Branches from the dropdown at the top right of the home page. Then select the UK from the list on the page.

Please note that Thai banks need to conform to the laws and regulations of the government and the central bank. I see many items about opening an account on ThaiVisa and never express an opinion. I would assume that all would understand, accept and expect that banks need to obey the law, in Thailand or any other country.

It is a good idea to call the branch in the UK to ask for their advice on this amount you want to move. There are many options, the worst of which would be to bring a lot of cash. Their number is Tel: +44 207 929-4422. I have no idea of the circumstances of the person wishing to move funds or if they will be legally eligible for an account, so calling the branch is a good idea, and it is just a domestic call, so cheap.

Good luck.

If you are in London, Bangkok Bank has a branch in the City next to the Gherkin. You can go to them in person and arrange the transfer.

Also, transferring to Bangkok Bank via SWIFT will give you better overall value (ever after fees) than using banknotes, but you need an account in Thailand to transfer the money into. Also, as others state, there is much less risk in a transfer than in bringing a huge amount of cash. You could also consider a Cashier's cheque.

I think I can help with this. For full disclosure I need to tell you I am associated with Bangkok Bank.

The best option is for you to transfer funds from your US bank into Thailand via SWIFT. You can route through BBL's New York branch directly into a BBL account anywhere in Thailand. If you send in USD then the exchange rate will be better than sending in baht. If you are with a large bank in the US (such as Chase that you mention) they will be very familiar with how to do this.

Cheques take up to 6 weeks to clear, so are not a good option and there are clearing fees. Using an international ATM / Credit card is one option, but there is a fee of 150 bt per transaction which can add up.

The way to transfer funds to your account in Thailand this way is provided at the Bangkok Bank website. I tried to paste the full URL to the content but this board will not let me post a URL

I hope this helps

Ian

Hi,

okay my Thai Wife is going back to Thailand for the first time in a year and I've just started thinking about cash issues.

First question... if she walks into Bangkok Bank or Thailand Farmers Bank and writes a check from our US Bank account and deposits it into an account are there fees or costs involved in that? We want to give some money to her Khun Mae but I don't want to deal with travelers checks or atm w/d fees or anything like that.

Okay so that's really the only question I guess... she has a Chase Bank (US) "debit" visa card so she can just use that like a Visa anywhere they accept cards and if she needs cash in hand she can make an atm withdrawal for that (plus she'll have maybe 600usd cash in hand when she arrives to change into baht when she gets there.

Thoughts?