Elite visa - kiss of death for opening a bank account

[simon43]

Yet another reason for my decision to relocate to a neighbouring country.  Today I tried to open a bank account because I don't want to rely on a single ATM card for my existing account with Bangkok Bank - if the card is eaten by an ATM, then I'll be in deep doodoo.

 

Background:  I live in Thailand since 2002, have family and son, but do not work.  I donate about 30,000 baht each month to charitable efforts in Thailand, Burma and Laos - I have the donation receipts to prove this.

 

Last week I tried to open a bank account where I'm staying in Bueng Kan. I explained (when asked), that I do not work in Thailand but am a volunteer, teaching English for free, and I also showed my wad of donation receipts from registered Thai charities.

 

Bangkok Bank said no, (even though I have an account with Bangkok Bank since 2002)

TMB said that they don't open accounts for foreigners (even though I had an account with TMB about 15 years ago).

 

Today I was in Bangkok to try to open a bank account at the bank branches in Siam Paragon, which are open on Saturday.

 

Thai Panit branch 1 said they do not open bank accounts for holders of Elite visas

Thai Panit branch 2 said they do not open bank accounts for holders of Elite visas

Krung Thai said they do not open bank accounts for holders of Elite visas

Kasikorn said they do not open bank accounts for holders of Elite visas

Ayuthaya said they do not open bank accounts for holders of Elite visas

Bangkok Bank said they do not open bank accounts for holders of Elite visas

 

Finally in desperation I went into TMB bank.  They had never heard of an Elite visa and made a lot of effort and phone calls to management to see if they could open an account for me.  It was all going tits up again until I showed them some receipts of my donations.  After about 1 hour (yes one hour!)of discussion, the manager agreed to open a bank account and provide me with an ATM card.  I'm very grateful to the bank who claim not open bank accounts for foreigners......

 

What do I conclude from all this?

 

- Having an expensive Elite visa is of no benefit if you want to open a bank account.  One branch even said that if I had a 1 year retirement visa, then they would do this, but not for a 5-year elite visa.

- There seems a clear policy to restrict legitimate foreigners from opening simple bank accounts - how crazy is that?

- My decision to relocate to Luang Prabang, Laos (where I can open a bank account without any problem) was the right decision.

 

 

[madmen]

13 minutes ago, simon43 said:

My decision to relocate to Luang Prabang, Laos (where I can open a bank account without any problem) was the right decision.

A bit extreme over a bank account. Why would you think donating to charities would get you an account? banks could care less about it

Edited July 6, 2019 by madmen

[sfokevin]

Don’t the Elite Visa people do this for you?... I thought this was a service provided along with helping you with drivers license and golf T times?...

[NCC1701A]

18 minutes ago, simon43 said:

I explained (when asked), that I do not work in Thailand but am a volunteer, teaching English for free, and I also showed my wad of donation receipts from registered Thai charities.

when I open a bank account I say "I want to put one million baht into a savings account. Can you help me with this?" 

I have only done it twice but both times no problems.  And of course I always dress like I am going to a important business meeting.

[KiChakayan]

9 minutes ago, madmen said:

A bit extreme over a bank account. Why would you think donating to charities would get you an account? banks could care less about it

I guess he was trying to show that his money was readily accepted by other charities.

[madmen]

2 minutes ago, NCC1701A said:

when I open a bank account I say "I want to put one million baht into a savings account. Can you help me with this?" 

I have only done it twice but both times no problems.  And of course I always dress like I am going to a important business meeting.

I simply say need to transfer 10 million baht to buy condo. They cant open the account quick enough

[expatfromwyoming]

I would suggest that you go to Laos immediately as your list of complaints gets longer with the week. I have no problems opening bank accounts-I opened my accounts with my passport,  visa and my driver's licence. This got me internet banking too.

[steven100]

Thailand is not for you ....  I would stay in Laos,

[simon43]

Well done to all of you who were able to open bank accounts - my thread was specifically about problems opening a bank account when on an Elite visa.

 

To reply to specific comments, Thailand Elite said that they couldn't help. My comments about the donations is to explain to the bank why I need the account. I'm not moving to Laos because of my banking problems! The regime for expats is a lot less intrusive (based on my own experiences when I lived there in 2012/13)

[moana]

1 hour ago, simon43 said:

Luang Prabang, Laos (where I can open a bank account without any problem)

How? The last time I tried to open a bank account in Laos they REQUIRED a work permit, and I tried all the big banks. A work permit in Laos is easy to get, but goes for around $600.

 

BTW, I have plenty of bank accounts in Thailand, and never had a work permit here. In fact, most of the accounts were opened while I was on tourist visas.

 

 

[rvaviator]

when I open a bank account I say "I want to put one million baht into a savings account. Can you help me with this?" 
I have only done it twice but both times no problems.  And of course I always dress like I am going to a important business meeting.

Will you be so kind and let us know the type of visa you have in your US passport?


Sent from my iPhone using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

[NCC1701A]

Just now, rvaviator said:

Will you be so kind and let us know the type of visa you have in your US passport?


Sent from my iPhone using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

not a Elite Visa, I have a extension of stay based on retirement. 

[simon43]

5 minutes ago, moana said:

How? The last time I tried to open a bank account in Laos they REQUIRED a work permit, and I tried all the big banks. A work permit in Laos is easy to get, but goes for around $600.

 

 

My business visa and WP cost about $500 per year,  very good value to avoid bank hassles, TM30 hassles, 90 day reports etc. 

[ThomasThBKK]

i opened a new kasikorn account last week with my friend on an elite visa, also we opened a bangkok bank account for him. They gave him an invitation letter like always. Kasikorn in Thong Lor, Bangkok Bank in emquartier.

 

I have krungthai, UOB, Citibank, Bangkok Bank, 2x Kasikorn, all with elite visa...and an SCB business account.

I have THB, i have USD and i have SGD and EUR accounts here.

It must be you.

 

Also elite offers you to open Kasikorn and Bangkok Bank accounts and you will get an invitation letter... of course you didn't use that service because?!?!?!?!

 

Edited July 6, 2019 by ThomasThBKK

[Jonathan Fairfield]

38 minutes ago, simon43 said:

Well done to all of you who were able to open bank accounts - my thread was specifically about problems opening a bank account when on an Elite visa.

 

To reply to specific comments, Thailand Elite said that they couldn't help. My comments about the donations is to explain to the bank why I need the account. I'm not moving to Laos because of my banking problems! The regime for expats is a lot less intrusive (based on my own experiences when I lived there in 2012/13)

 

Elite Visa should open a bank account for you.

 

It's meant to be one of the benefits you get when you purchase it.

 

https://www.thailandelite.com/privilege?locate=en

 

and go to Banking - looks like accounts can be open with Bangkok Bank and Kasikorn.

 

You should contact them again

[simon43]

20 minutes ago, ThomasThBKK said:

.. of course you didn't use that service because?!?!?!?!

 

...because as I already said,  I asked Thailand Elite and they said they couldn't help... 

 

[sarcasm]

You're obviously right -it must be me [/sarcasm]

[lkv]

2 hours ago, simon43 said:

Having an expensive Elite visa is of no benefit if you want to open a bank account. 

As others stated, if you contact them they will help.

 

Same thing if you take a Thai friend with you and go to CIMB, you can open an account on any visa.

 

Or if you go to Bangkok Bank Headquarters with proof of residence or passport copy notarized by Embassy.

 

Or if you go to Krungsri, which is the friendliest. 

 

Or some Kbank branches.

 

It's been a hit and miss for years now with Thai banks. You somehow assumed that having an Elite visa would ensure red carpet treatment everywhere. That's mainly due to the false advertisment of the company a few years back, that "you can live like a Thai citizen", "you can open  a bank account". Yes, you can open a bank account at some Kasikorn (maybe), and Bangkok Bank Silom HQ with their "introduction", not anywhere else.

Edited July 6, 2019 by lkv

[churchill]

Why don't you go to the branch that knows you .... having been here for so long ?

 

I am on retirement visa ... no salary .

 

I recently opened a Foreign Currency account and a new deposit account at Bangkok Bank .. takes a few days for forms to be sent to BKK ... but as long as you know the staff they will help you .... the main requirement is a proof of residency letter from immigration .

[lkv]

@simon43

 

 

 

Edited July 6, 2019 by lkv

[ThomasThBKK]

Yes as i already said we used that service, last week.

 

Not the EPL service tho, as we have 2 legs ourselves and don't need a babysitter.

simply walk with the invitation letter and your elite card to the bank address they give you...

 

 

You should post the email here where thai elite declines to help you, i am burning to know what they told you.

[richard_smith237]

32 minutes ago, Jonathan Fairfield said:

 

Elite Visa should open a bank account for you.

 

It's meant to be one of the benefits you get when you purchase it.

 

https://www.thailandelite.com/privilege?locate=en

 

and go to Banking - looks like accounts can be open with Bangkok Bank and Kasikorn.

 

You should contact them again

 

Going about this properly wouldn't support the confirmation bias Simon43 is persistently seeking and writing about in justification of his choice to leave Thailand. 

[lkv]

14 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

Going about this properly wouldn't support the confirmation bias Simon43 is persistently seeking and writing about in justification of his choice to leave Thailand. 

Well, I'll make it easier for him.

 

Thai Elite was not what he thought it was, people had higher expectations from it, such as IO's at land borders actually knowing what it represents.

 

But it's all a kitsch anyway, like many other things in Thailand.

 

My concern would be what will happen when Simon discovers the kitsch of Laos, that only people living there for a while can.

 

At least, to be on his side, 500 dollars gets you visa and work permit, and as far as I understand, access to Thai METV.

Edited July 6, 2019 by lkv

[simon43]

I'm well aware of how it can be difficult to open a bank account in Thailand - I've been living here since 2002.

 

I'm also well aware that the Elite visa doesn't open doors, and nor should it.  It happens to be the visa type that I have right now, and that was the first question each bank branch asked me today.

 

The comment from Thailand Elite not to help me came in a telephone call to their member centre.

 

As I previously commented, I'm very happy that so many of you were able to open bank accounts, but that wasn't my experience, although I was finally able to open one bank account. 

 

I'll end my discussion in this thread and let you all bask in your glory of 'But I was able to open a bank account' ????

[ThomasThBKK]

So many of us, and suddenly you too. Not sure why you would need a thai bank acc in LAOS tho, i heard their banking is so excellent it's even controlled by the IMF.

[GeKoSc]

5 hours ago, KiChakayan said:

I guess he was trying to show that his money was readily accepted by other charities.

good point...

[simon43]

3 hours ago, ThomasThBKK said:

So many of us, and suddenly you too. Not sure why you would need a thai bank acc in LAOS tho, i heard their banking is so excellent it's even controlled by the IMF.

Lao banks are not supported by Paypal service - you cannot withdraw your Paypal funds to a Lao bank account.

[scoutman360]

8 hours ago, NCC1701A said:

And of course I always dress like I am going to a important business meeting.

 

You nailed it. Every time I go to the bank, I dress like a king. And they treat me accordingly. In Thailand, money talks a little, but image takes you everywhere.

[fletchsmile]

Quote

 

Last week I tried to open a bank account where I'm staying in Bueng Kan. I explained (when asked), that I do not work in Thailand but am a volunteer, teaching English for free, and I also showed my wad of donation receipts from registered Thai charities.

 

Bangkok Bank said no, (even though I have an account with Bangkok Bank since 2002)

TMB said that they don't open accounts for foreigners (even though I had an account with TMB about 15 years ago).

 

It's absolute rubbish that TMB don't open bank accounts for foreigners as a general policy.

 

What it likely means is that an (up-country bank) clerk either didn't want to deal with a foreigner for whatever reason (most likely) - you know: can't speak English, too difficult as they've not done one personally before, doesn't like foreigners, bad hair day etc etc; or that particular up country branch doesn't/ doesn't want to open accounts for foreigners  (possible). 

 

Even on TMB's website it alludes to the fact foreigners can open accounts. On the Thai version it says to bring "original ID card = bart prachachon tua jing" . On the  English one it says: 

"national ID card or other ID card bearing your photo and issued by government authorities."

 

As mentioned in your other thread, TMB Central Rama III was fine for us. Various staff speak OK English

 

Sounds like your issue generally in Bangkok was the Thai Elite Visa. So useful to know that. Again something out of the ordinary for your average bank clerk.

 

Glad you got it sorted ????

 

BTW Hope you also applied for internet banking. Their internet banking is fine. There are also other accounts you can open online once started. Occasional limit issue around channels used. Mobile banking is fine too.

 

Edited July 7, 2019 by fletchsmile

[dode57k]

22 hours ago, simon43 said:

Well done to all of you who were able to open bank accounts - my thread was specifically about problems opening a bank account when on an Elite visa.

 

To reply to specific comments, Thailand Elite said that they couldn't help. My comments about the donations is to explain to the bank why I need the account. I'm not moving to Laos because of my banking problems! The regime for expats is a lot less intrusive (based on my own experiences when I lived there in 2012/13)

Bangkok Bank absolutely open bank accounts for those on Elite visa. Part of the Elite visa service is to assist in opening bank accounts. I had two lovely assistants meet me at Silom BB headquarters to supply this very service. A few months later I went back to Bangkok bank on my own to open a second account, showed them my first account details and my Elite card and was out with a new account within 1 hour.

Not sure how you are approaching the Elite visa staff or what questions you are asking but as you can see from the replies here it is doable.

[Mark1066]

(To the OP)

 

You sound like a bit of a drama queen. Take a friend with an account at the bank you wish to open an account with. A referral is one of the options that Bangkok Bank, and probably others, accept in lieu of their more ridiculous requirements.

 

Not really sure why you’re pretending you’d be in deep trouble if you lost your atm card either. You can get a replacement at any branch, while you wait, so in the worst case you’d be slightly inconvenienced for a few hours (assuming you lost it when the bank was closed). You could also have just got a credit card with a very small limit if you wanted an extra card. Or two ATM cards for the same account...Why didn’t you just do that?

 

I’d hate to move to Laos. Very backward compared to Thailand.

 

You have to pay $500 for a visa and work permit (even though you’re not working), just so you can open a bank account in Laos, and you think it’s a better option than Thailand? That’s funny.

Edited July 7, 2019 by Mark1066