1 minute ago, hotandsticky said:

Just to elaborate on that valid point - I switched from monthly income to money in the bank. I thought that 800k for 2 months would be the only criteria but, no, the IO checked that I had complied with the terms of the PREVIOUS approval by checking monthly transfers into my account. 

Thanks, that's exactly the kind of thing I'm talking about. Unless there is a widespread (nationwide) understanding among all IOs and immigration offices that no one is to dig into any cases the "big man" signed off on, I don't want to do it. If I can get tripped up by a random IO who is just "in a mood" or is feeling the need to be thorough, and somehow doesn't know or can't tell that my extension was approved by the head honcho... that sounds like a recipe for disaster. (Unless more money to the same agent or another could fix it again...???)

10 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

Please outline your recent experience in opening a bank account in Bangkok with a tourist visa or visa exempt stamp.

Not saying it's impossible. 

Just clear indication of what was required. 

Although not bkk but patts, kasikorn refused with a tr, Scb wanted a work permit, Bangkok bank was the easiest, either buy their Insurance or get a residency certificate I went with the latter, need tm30 and fill out tm7 , 300 baht at jomtien imm, then at bank 400 baht for card, and minimum deposit of 500 bath, should be similar in bkk.

15 minutes ago, Polaky said:

Although not bkk but patts, kasikorn refused with a tr, Scb wanted a work permit, Bangkok bank was the easiest, either buy their Insurance or get a residency certificate I went with the latter, need tm30 and fill out tm7 , 300 baht at jomtien imm, then at bank 400 baht for card, and minimum deposit of 500 bath, should be similar in bkk.

Thanks for report. 

The catch with Bangkok is the residence certificate. They are applied for at MTT.

The problem with that is you need to have filed a 90 day report.

Many of these threads re bank account is for folk moving to a non O.

Some entered visa exempt or tourist visa. Would not have done a 90 report. 

 

In addition residence certificates at MTT are mailed out and can take take up to 2 weeks. (there is no on the spot express service).

You can obtain address confirmation at your embassy. Not all embassies provide that service. One example is AU. 

 

As I have pointed out....it's possible to open a bank account on a visa exempt or tv since people report doing exactly that. Bangkok is more difficult. 

 

Personally I had a heck of a time opening an account. Despite having ongoing extensions retirement with reentry permit and condo lease etc. Some banks still wanted RC or Embassy letter and some other docs.

Eventually had some luck with Kasikorn. 

 

 

56 minutes ago, PadPrikKhing said:

Thanks, that's exactly the kind of thing I'm talking about. Unless there is a widespread (nationwide) understanding among all IOs and immigration offices that no one is to dig into any cases the "big man" signed off on, I don't want to do it. If I can get tripped up by a random IO who is just "in a mood" or is feeling the need to be thorough, and somehow doesn't know or can't tell that my extension was approved by the head honcho... that sounds like a recipe for disaster. (Unless more money to the same agent or another could fix it again...???)

Check with the random IO 'Big Joke'. He tried just that and it failed miserably! 

Consider to Use specialist Imm. Agent at max 30k baht.

No Bank Account. No Lease. No Financials. 90 Day Reporting.

Bangkok Imm Stamp (Not Other Province).

Start thinking in Thai Baht. 
SEPARATE Don’t combine Activities. Forget Lawyers unless  buying Property or Arrested ! Try to avoid Agents except for Imm. 
Bank : try yourself. Kasikorn & Siam CB easiest.

Thai Driving Licence: try yourself with DLT.

Property Renting: try direct with Owner by ground area search.

 

43 minutes ago, TropicalGuy said:

No Bank Account. No Lease. No Financials. 90 Day Reporting.

Bangkok Imm Stamp (Not Other Province)

Which agent obtains non O and extension stamped in CW.