1 hour ago, Halfaboy said:

Opened a new account at SCB yesterday. Only passport and proof of address was needed. Excellent service.

 

See how it further develops.

Hope you'll be happy with them. Do let us know what you think.

Will do !

In the end I opened an account at Bangkok Bank. Was skeptical at first since they only offer Union Pay, but that card is accepted more places than I first thought! Fees are lower than with VISA and Mastercard, and Thailand seem to have struck a deal with UnionPay to roll out on a big scale. The silver lining is the integration with the Rabbit card, and the wireless payments. The latter isn't too common yet, but noticed today that Burger King accepts it.

 

Yes, occasionally you find shops that don't accept UnionPay. So what. Then I pay cash. ATM use is free with Bangkok Bang ATM's, and only 20 baht for other banks. I also carry a VISA card that I use internationally anyway, so for me UnionPay card works JUST FINE :-)

 

Also like the no hassle procedure of getting the account. Only needed to get a proof of address from my embassy, since I don't have permanent visa or a work permit. Besides that, no problem. Not like Kasikorn Bank who will force you to sign up for their life insurance before they give you an account.

On 16/04/2018 at 10:10 PM, lyseoy said:

In the end I opened an account at Bangkok Bank. Was skeptical at first since they only offer Union Pay, but that card is accepted more places than I first thought! Fees are lower than with VISA and Mastercard, and Thailand seem to have struck a deal with UnionPay to roll out on a big scale. The silver lining is the integration with the Rabbit card, and the wireless payments. The latter isn't too common yet, but noticed today that Burger King accepts it.

 

Yes, occasionally you find shops that don't accept UnionPay. So what. Then I pay cash. ATM use is free with Bangkok Bang ATM's, and only 20 baht for other banks. I also carry a VISA card that I use internationally anyway, so for me UnionPay card works JUST FINE :-)

 

Also like the no hassle procedure of getting the account. Only needed to get a proof of address from my embassy, since I don't have permanent visa or a work permit. Besides that, no problem. Not like Kasikorn Bank who will force you to sign up for their life insurance before they give you an account.

I recently opened an account with Kasikorn at Sukhumvit (nr Em Quartier).  Wasn't 'forced' to sign up for life assurance or anything else and just got a standard ATM card (not one of the premium cards that some banks try to persuade, even insist, you to take at a premium annual fee).

House-Loans, (2 shophouses combined, different bank-loans) SCB for one because they extended the 3% flood-interest rate for another couple years. The other was a bank-sale with KrungThai. Not using the accounts for anything else.

SCB (local branch) used to have good service and helpful. New manager ended that.

Recently bought another shophouse for my brother, which was done through the BBL branch I use for personal banking. Other banks came with loads of rubbish upfront to submit and clear. Not so with BBL. Clear list of documents, submit that, no need to bank-statements Sir, we have that already. Sat at their branch for an hour or so to sign everything, after that it took about 7 days for approval and get to the land-office. Wonderful.. easy and fast.

 

Everything else is BBL as well. 2 accounts, at the branch close to my factory in Navanakorn. Dealing only with 1 guy taking care of everything, including the house-loan mentioned. Last two years started with an LTF and RMF fund. Everything arranged in my own office, guy comes over with documents, we discuss and fill in everything, he goes back to the bank and finishes everything. 

Calls me with advise on new funds every now and then, but very polite, nothing pushy. Happy with that.

 

Company same, 3 accounts (2 different companies), all with BBL. Very fast transfers from overseas, low cost, easy to use online-banking and good safety controls.

 

Their new ATM card.. problematic initially, getting better. Some GSB ATM's still not accepting it. Mostly in Thailand anyway, so I'm ok with that. Using AMEX for most on-line payments/orders from eBay and the likes.

 

In the end, what counts most for me is that I'm taken care of well. Personal contact and good service is very high on my list for choosing and staying with a bank (or any other service provider, be it a car-garage, insurance, anything)

 

Cheers,
Luc