Thai Opening an Aussie Bank Account in Thailand

[teacherofwoe]

Does anyone know if a Thai can open an Australian bank account in Thailand? Thanks in advance.

[Haveasay]

There are no Aussie banks in Thailand as not allowed. Cambodia has the anz which has a branch in poi pet probably closest branch to Thailand. In Australia now you need proof as in an id of some sort. But in Australia. Vanuatu had a Westpac branch once. Can call poi pet branch and see what. They don't deal in Australia currency but.

[teacherofwoe]

20 hours ago, Haveasay said:

There are no Aussie banks in Thailand as not allowed. Cambodia has the anz which has a branch in poi pet probably closest branch to Thailand. In Australia now you need proof as in an id of some sort. But in Australia. Vanuatu had a Westpac branch once. Can call poi pet branch and see what. They don't deal in Australia currency but.

Thanks, but it's to claim Superannuation benefits, and they only pay into a bank account in Australia.

[Techno Viking]

6 minutes ago, teacherofwoe said:

Thanks, but it's to claim Superannuation benefits, and they only pay into a bank account in Australia.

Prolly have to go to Aus then if an ANZ account opened in Poi Pet does not meet the requirements.

[simple1]

Don't know if Oz  regulations would permit, but try HKBC,  they have branches in Oz and Thailand. Citibank may also be a path to check.

Edited November 19, 2020 by simple1

[Old Croc]

6 minutes ago, simple1 said:

Don't know if Oz  regulations would permit, but try HKBC,  they have branches in Oz and Thailand. Citibank may also be a path to check.

HSBC?

[Will27]

2 hours ago, teacherofwoe said:

Thanks, but it's to claim Superannuation benefits, and they only pay into a bank account in Australia.

If she doesn't provide a TFN, won't the the superannuation be taxed at 47%?

 

Edited November 19, 2020 by Will27

[simple1]

2 hours ago, Old Croc said:

HSBC?

You're correct - HSBC

[teacherofwoe]

26 minutes ago, Will27 said:

If she doesn't provide a TFN, won't the the superannuation be taxed at 47%?

 

I've been sent a TFN form and other documents. The problem is the bank account.

[teacherofwoe]

28 minutes ago, simple1 said:

You're correct - HSBC

Looking into this, thanks!

[Old Croc]

39 minutes ago, Will27 said:

If she doesn't provide a TFN, won't the the superannuation be taxed at 47%?

 

I believe a Thai wife can apply for a TFN (with help!) on line.

I recall another member stating he did it for his lady.

 

[Old Croc]

6 minutes ago, teacherofwoe said:

Looking into this, thanks!

Please report findings, I still have to arrange the same. (CSS)

[Will27]

16 minutes ago, Old Croc said:

I believe a Thai wife can apply for a TFN (with help!) on line.

I recall another member stating he did it for his lady.

 

I'm pretty sure you can only apply online if you're in Australia.

[Will27]

30 minutes ago, teacherofwoe said:

I've been sent a TFN form and other documents. The problem is the bank account.

Has she got a TFN though?

[teacherofwoe]

2 hours ago, Will27 said:

Has she got a TFN though?

A TFN declaration form has been sent, but what that entails regarding the pension benefits is unknown at this stage.

[Old Croc]

7 hours ago, Will27 said:

I'm pretty sure you can only apply online if you're in Australia.

If ATO assess you as a resident for tax purposes you need a TFN. They dont care where you apply from.

https://www.ato.gov.au/uploadedFiles/Content/CAS/downloads/IND-TFN- NAT2628.pdf

[Will27]

7 hours ago, Old Croc said:

If ATO assess you as a resident for tax purposes you need a TFN. They dont care where you apply from.

https://www.ato.gov.au/uploadedFiles/Content/CAS/downloads/IND-TFN- NAT2628.pdf

Yep, but that's just filling out the form online and posting it.

 

I was referring to where you said you can apply online.

You have to be in Oz to apply online.

 

I'm interested in how this plays out as well.

 

Would be a lot easier if CSS sent to overseas bank accounts.

[JimHuaHin]

I checked this out before I came here 7 years ago (things may have changed a little since then).  Most Australian super funds will only pay their pensions into an Australian based-bank.  There are only a few banks that function in both Thailand and Australia, although some Australian banks have representative offices here, they do not have deposit accounts; CitiBank is the once I chose.  But, even if my super pension was paid into CitiBank Australia, I would still have to go online to transfer the money to CitiBank Thailand.

 

End result - my super pension is paidinto my Australian bank in Australia and I tranfer money as required into my Thai bank account.

[GreasyFingers]

OP, it will be difficult at best. I have an account with CBA and wanted to changes my contact Oz phone number to my Thai number. The list of documents that had to be faxed (email not acceptable) was considerable. If I can find the CBA email will post it later.

[Will27]

15 minutes ago, GreasyFingers said:

OP, it will be difficult at best. I have an account with CBA and wanted to changes my contact Oz phone number to my Thai number. The list of documents that had to be faxed (email not acceptable) was considerable. If I can find the CBA email will post it later.

Surely that can be done online?

[GreasyFingers]

Just now, Will27 said:

Surely that can be done online?

No. I think that part of it is that their database cannot accept an overseas number code.

[GreasyFingers]

OP, following from above the account message box of the requirements:

 

Message:

Dear John,

Due to our strict security standards which protect you and your accounts- you would normally need to attend any Commonwealth Bank branch in Australia to be securely verified however as you are currently overseas this is not feasible for you.
With the above in mind, to attempt to be securely verified without returning to Australia- I kindly ask you to send us a fax request with the following information- so one of our NetBank Fax specialists contact you directly:
1. Full Name including any middle names
2. Account or KeyCard or Credit Card Number or Client Number
3. Location e.g. London, New York etc
4. Best contact number including international dialling codes
5. Best time to contact
6. 2 signatures i.e. same signatures signed twice
7. Photo Identification documents:
8. Clear copy of Passport and an alternative ID issued by Australian government such as Medicare Card, Drivers Licence or Proof of age card.
9. If no Australian government issued identification then fax a copy of a valid bank card issued by Commbank.
10. If none of the above are available, fax any foreign government issued ID with your full name.
11. The request e.g. update contact number
Please find some handy tips below tips which will assist you in getting a clearer copy of your identification documents:
Make a standard photocopy of your passport and other identification documents in black and white using either the photo option or brightest contrast on the fax machine and send using a conventional fax machine.
Please do not scan your ID or send it through an electronic fax/ online fax service as you will be advised to send the fax again.
Once completed kindly fax this request to our NetBank Fax specialists on + 61 2 8251 5688 who will contact you on the number and at the time you mention on the fax to further assist with your enquiry.

Kind Regards,
Commbank

[Old Croc]

2 hours ago, JimHuaHin said:

End result - my super pension is paidinto my Australian bank in Australia and I tranfer money as required into my Thai bank account.

Yes, it's easy to transfer money from an Aussie bank to Thailand. I simply make a payment to Transferwise in Australia and they deposit it in Thailand. 

The problem for many of us is to organise a way for our partners to receive the widows pension after our death. They need a bank account in Australia as the fund won't deposit it overseas.  I, and others I'm sure, are looking at a way to avoid the lady having to travel to Australia just to open a bank account. 

[natway09]

If she has a TFN her super payment will be taxed as a non resident at 15%

I doubt possible to open an account from here.

Did she not have an account when she was there.?

They may allow her to re activate that one if closed less than a year ago

[MikeN]

Would a Transferwise account qualify ? They have a Australian BSB branch and account code for deposits.

[mvdf]

You can't. Australia's AML regs are quite strict. You need to be identified in person and your identification checked against a points system. The identification is cross-checked with immigration records which is how it is determined you are lawfully eligible for banking products. 12 years ago I did manage to open a St George account online but that was before they were cross-checking DFAT records in real time as the account is being opened.

 

One bank which might work is Citibank as I also opened mine online while in South Africa. That was about 15 years ago and you must have an Australian address which Mail Boxes Etc in Mosman kindly helped with. You will be assigned a relationship manager and you must explain why you need the account. The identification procedure is done internally by the client requesting (in your case) Citibank Thailand to send a SWIFT message to Citibank Sydney confirming sighted identification.

 

PS ANZ exited Cambodia. Their retail banking is now owned and operated by the Royal Group and a Japanese financial conglomerate. The bank is now called J Trust Royal Bank.

 

Edited November 20, 2020 by mvdf
Added a PS

[Will27]

14 minutes ago, natway09 said:

If she has a TFN her super payment will be taxed as a non resident at 15%

I doubt possible to open an account from here.

Did she not have an account when she was there.?

They may allow her to re activate that one if closed less than a year ago

The OP hasn't indicated that she has ever been to Australia.

[soi3eddie]

If it's simply a matter of having an Australian bank account then surely the Transferwise Borderless Account would work wouldn't it? It would have the Australian Bank account number to be paid into. Then it's an easy process and good rates to transfer your Aussie money to anywehere in the world. They will even give you a debit card on the account too if needed. You can open the account online from anywhere in the world by uploading the ID documents required. You may need and Australian address but would expect that you have friends or family living in Aus (if you no longer maintain an address there). I opened TW Borderless online from Thailand with UK GBP as main currency. They will even give me an Aussie account if I choose. Accounts also in EUR, USD, NZ, SGD and others are available). Give it a try as there's no application fee or account maintenance charges (I only pay when transferring money to different currencies).    

Edited November 20, 2020 by soi3eddie

[Tick Nurner]

23 hours ago, simple1 said:

Don't know if Oz  regulations would permit, but try HKBC,  they have branches in Oz and Thailand. Citibank may also be a path to check.

Is HSBC offering retail banking accounts in Thailand to individual customers again?

[simple1]

Just now, Tick Nurner said:

Is HSBC offering retail banking accounts in Thailand to individual customers again?

 

Don't know, just a suggestion - OP can check it out