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Opening a bank account & getting a Thai drivers license while on STV (special-tourist-visa)


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Posted

Hello,

 

I'm a dual-citizen (British/Australian) in Bangkok on the STV visa which allows you to stay in Thailand for 9 months (extending each 90 days at immigration office)

I was wondering if anyone has any advice or experience opening a bank account and getting a Thai drivers license as I'd like to ride and own a motorcycle legally (I have a full AU license for car and motorcycle)

 

The STV visa is still pretty new and receiving conflicting info, so it looks possible - but might require some luck and repeated efforts.

 

I think my main blocker is obtaining a certificate of residence, I can't get this from the Australian embassy but possibly the UK embassy or Thai immigration might be able to assist as can show proof of a lease.

 

Also looking at a few agencies, not sure if these are a waste of time/scam... I've contacted them anyway and awaiting response.
 

- https://fatboysmotorbikes.com/thai-drivers-license-service/

- https://www.royalkingservices.com/service-details.php?sr=open-bank-accountf

 

If anyone has any experience or advice (hopefully on STV visa too) it be great to hear your experiences.

 

Many thanks in advance and stay safe!

 

Posted

OP, use an agent to open Bank Account.

As for your RC you need apply at MTT.

For Bangkok applications RC they will require you to have previously obtained a 90 day report. That is first thing that they ask you for your RC.

Posted
3 hours ago, kyrko said:

Also looking at a few agencies, not sure if these are a waste of time/scam... I've contacted them anyway and awaiting response.
 

- https://fatboysmotorbikes.com/thai-drivers-license-service/

- https://www.royalkingservices.com/service-details.php?sr=open-bank-accountf

 

 

Agents can not assist with RC.

BTW don't be surprised if very soon Thai DL are not open for business.

 

Posted

If you have bills such as electricity, phone, satellite TV or water in your name then the British embassy will do the affadavit of residency. This is what I have done multiple times in the past for DL. I was on marriage visa at time though but don't think embassy were interested in that.

Posted

For the driving license you need a Certificate of Residence. This can be obtained after the first 90 days registration, so they know where you live. You need a real address, not a hotel or so. For the bank account, not having a work permit and being on retirement living with my wife in an apartment in her name, I made a rental contract showing I rent a room from her, complete with fee and everything and that was OK. But you may have different experience at different banks or even different branches. But some sort of proof of where you live seems to be the minimum.

Posted

Why will the Australian Embassy not give you a COR ?

I think with a proper signed lease agreement they will.

Because of Covid, no walk in's. You will need an appointment

My Embassy did it all by Email (charged of course)

Posted (edited)
10 minutes ago, natway09 said:

Why will the Australian Embassy not give you a COR ?

I think with a proper signed lease agreement they will.

Because of Covid, no walk in's. You will need an appointment

My Embassy did it all by Email (charged of course)

The Au embassy will not assist with RC.

I'm Oz been there done that. Also know their reasons but thats irrelevant.

Edited by DrJack54
Posted (edited)

Search Google for "help opening a Thai bank account" and one of the results will be a legal firm who will open a bank account for you for a fee of $150. It might sound a bit steep but it will potentially save you several days of frustration. They will contact the branch in advance on your behalf and send someone to go with you if you're in Bangkok.

 

Currently, it is fairly difficult and tiring trying to open a Thai bank account as a foreigner. However, it's quite straightforward if you are either retired or have a work permit. It's worse for US citizens because the bank has to do all the overseas tax paperwork, which they almost certainly don't want to do and I can't blame them.

Edited by BenDeCosta
Posted
On 4/25/2021 at 3:04 PM, gearbox said:

Apparently it is legal to get Thai Driving licence if you stay in the country more than 30 days, and tourist visa is OK:

 

https://itsbetterinthailand.com/how-to-get-a-driving-licence-in-thailand/

 

Previous thread about Certificate of Residence with tourist visa:

 

 

As mentioned, the most difficult part would be to get a certificate of residence,  and this could be hit and miss, as there are a number of immigration offices and seems that each one (and each IO within them)  interprets the law their own way. I would say it is the same with the Dept of Land Transportation - I have a full Australian NSW car licence, and on paper it would have been more or less formality to get a Thai one....however I had to do the whole lot, sit the computer test and do the driving test too. Other people with overseas DL had to do much less. Go figure.

 

With the bank account the usual routine is to go to the branches and ask, until you find more friendly or experienced staff. It may help a lot if you have a Thai wife or gf who banks in any of these branches. I was here before on O-A visa and every branch I visited knocked me back, until I got my gf with me, so I have now 2 bank accounts and even a Thai credit card.

 

May I ask which bank did you get the credit card ? And would that be the prepaid one?

Posted
On 4/26/2021 at 9:49 PM, bigginhill said:

May I ask which bank did you get the credit card ? And would that be the prepaid one?

Airasia branded CC with Bangkok Bank. Had to deposit the equivalent of the credit limit as a term deposit. I wanted some of the Airasia perks,  which are of little or no use in the current environment.

Posted
22 hours ago, gearbox said:

Airasia branded CC with Bangkok Bank. Had to deposit the equivalent of the credit limit as a term deposit. I wanted some of the Airasia perks,  which are of little or no use in the current environment.

Thanks.

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