14 minutes ago, NetJunkie said:

 

Actually one big thing has changed, the banks responsibility for reporting American citizens accounts, this is one reason why it is now a lot harder for them to open accounts.

Why do they need to report American accounts?

11 minutes ago, pr9spk said:

Why do they need to report American accounts? 

US law mandates foreign banks to report on American's money overseas.  They strong-arm cooperation, with the threat of foreign-banks not being allowed in the SWIFT system, etc.  This is, at least in part, because the USA has a policy of taxing foreign-earned revenue of its citizens (along with China and a few other totalitarian nations).  Such reporting-requirements increase the overhead of operating accounts for American citizens. 

Not sure if this is the Bangkok branch mentioned , (112, Sapphasit Rd., Nai Muang Muang District Ubon Ratchathani, 34000, Tambon Nai Mueang, Amphoe Mueang Ubon Ratchathani,)  but I've just been in my local BKK branch and questioned the assistant manager about foreigners requiring a work permit to open a Savings account.

Confused, she very kindly rang and spoke to the above branch.

 

They say a number of foreigners are failing to produce adequate proof of address. They are trying to use their wife's/gf Tabien Baan, ID card, when in fact that isn't their registered (rented) address. Without the correct address documentation (landlords TB and ID card, rental agreement) they advise they either need a Thai Driving licence or a Work Permit.

 

So somewhere along the line, something is being lost in translation.

Nobody has looked at my proof of addresses. They just wanted a work permit.

6 minutes ago, pr9spk said:

Nobody has looked at my proof of addresses. They just wanted a work permit.

I was retired when I opened an account....Many folk retire in LOS and open an account...

I think the best advice is to just forget about it for now. Will try again next year.

 

Hopefully then I will be married and have yellow tabien baan.

5 hours ago, pr9spk said:

Nobody has looked at my proof of addresses. They just wanted a work permit.

And who asks to open the account, you or your g/f.

Or do you ask, but get blank stares because they don't understand or speak English, so start a conversation with your g/f.

 

If you go alone, state you've just retired to Thailand and want to open an account, if they don't understand they'll soon get someone who does and you'll make better headway speaking to someone in a mutual language, than listening to two Thais chatting of which you understand nothing about the conversation.