Open Thai bank account while in USA?

[mekong.star]

I looked at USA Bangkok Bank web site then sent email. More than once.

No response.

Is there another bank I should try?

Thx, jp

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

[NCC1701A]

32 minutes ago, mekong.star said:

Is there another bank I should try?

not possible.  too much ID and docs needed in person.

 

you can't even get a Rabbit Card to ride the BTS without a DNA sample. 

 

 

Edited March 6, 2019 by NCC1701A

[SteveK]

I emailed the London branch last year - no response.

 

It's painful enough opening an account when you are in Thailand - I would be gobsmacked if you managed to do it from the US.

Edited March 6, 2019 by pr9spk

[Puchaiyank]

Many copies of passport, visa, and other docs to sign...each copy has to be signed by you as you are opening the account in person...to do internet banking you need a Thai phone number...

 

Paperwork in the extreme is normal here...

[Crossy]

I agree, no way José.

 

Literally yesterday, I opened a second SCB account to deposit my shiny new pension payments.

 

It took over an hour of mostly sitting watching 3 pretties and the branch manager (who I've known for years) battling with a flaky IT system (taking screen photos and sending them by Line to HQ) before I got my new passbook and debit card (MasterCard).

 

Multiple copies of everything, all signed, lost count of how many times I entered my preferred PIN number.

 

All good fun. 

[Curt1591]

Years ago, I spoke with Bangkok Bank staff about opening an account at the US branch. They said no can do. The USA branch is to service existing customers, mostly businesses. 

And, as pointed out by Crossy, opening an account in Thailand is a total goat roping. Since I was opening my first accounts, it took 2.5 hours and required proof of residence.

[KMartinHandyman]

I agree, no way José.
 
Literally yesterday, I opened a second SCB account to deposit my shiny new pension payments.
 
It took over an hour of mostly sitting watching 3 pretties and the branch manager (who I've known for years) battling with a flaky IT system (taking screen photos and sending them by Line to HQ) before I got my new passbook and debit card (MasterCard).
 
Multiple copies of everything, all signed, lost count of how many times I entered my preferred PIN number.
 
All good fun. 

I don’t mind the pretties part at BB. Recently we had to open a new joint account because unbelievably they have no ability to add me to one of my wife’s exists accounts. Surprisingly it was rather expedient as we both have accounts there and brought all of the needed identifications.
Then came the phone call after returning home,, “can you come back to sign something we forgot,,sorry”
Then there was the time she exchanged U.S. dollars for Baht and the call came an hour later,,”we gave you too much,can you come to the bank and give it back?”

[Pib]

No can do...must appear in person to open a Thai bank account.   Not like in the US where you can easily open an account online/from the comfort of your keyboard.