Went to Bangkok Bank in Chumpae yesterday to open a new account to simplify transfers from the US.  They said they're not creating new accounts right now because of the Pandemic.  It took the lady a long time to tell us that.  I don't speak any Thai, so my wife was doing the listening.  Is it just me?  Is it just Farangs?  Is it just Chumpae?  Is it just Bangkok Bank, or is it every bank?  We're going to try again in Khon Kaen next week.  Anyone else run into this?

As a generalisation, what you've allegedly been told is nonsense, banks' sole purpose is to provide banking facilities (bank accounts) so there's no reason for them to stop that business and refuse to open a new account "because of the pandemic"!   

 

If it's nothing to do with your being American and any financial ramifications of that, go to a different branch or bank.

I sort of figured that.  It never got far enough for me to identify myself as an American, but they can tell.  People almost never ask where I'm from.  They ask if I'm an American.

Utter stupidity by the bank. Maybe just a lazy Teller who didn't want to be bothered.  Should have spoken to the Manager.  The more clients the bank has the better for them.

1 minute ago, Jerno said:

Utter stupidity by the bank. Maybe just a lazy Teller who didn't want to be bothered.  Should have spoken to the Manager.  The more clients the bank has the better for them.

We'll try it again in Khon Kaen.  We set one up there years ago, but as a joint account they couldn't offer online access.  We closed it a year later.  I need to be able to access it from the US at tax time.  

it is just one stupid bankers.

all over the world, bankers can decide stupid things with no relation to the main bank policy.

What has pandemic got to do with opening up bank accounts?

I got a bank account opened during the pandemic at Krungthai.

 

Try another branch, if not, then try another bank.

Do u have a Work Permit?

In some banks they get rattled by a falang, get nervous and try to think of excuses they can't do something. Amazing Thailand

At least they let you in the branch. ????

 

 

Offer to "buy the insurance" package. They get a spiff on those.

 

 

I would ask to talk to the manger to start with and if no luck there which is almost impossible, i would call the bank's head office in Bkk to find out why and what is going on...

11 hours ago, tuktuktuk said:

We'll try it again in Khon Kaen.  We set one up there years ago, but as a joint account they couldn't offer online access.  We closed it a year later.  I need to be able to access it from the US at tax time.  

If Bangkok Bank that is nonsense - online access is defiantly available for joint accounts.  But indeed staff first said no online for foreigner - I replied that I knew that was not true - then agreed to open for Thai wife after back office calls - then accepted my application to file with hers - Hqs immediately approved my application.   Staff often do not know rules and take easy path when dealing with foreigners.

Show them the MONEY..

12 hours ago, tuktuktuk said:

They said they're not creating new accounts right now because of the Pandemic. 

That could be true of branch or even a temp directive as we seem to be in another 'circle the wagons' due to the new covid scare.   

about 13 years ago I opened a Bangkok Bank account when here on an Education visa quite easily. I used it for a few years then closed it.

 

2 years ago I decided to move here permanently and tried to reopen it when here on a Tourist visa. I needed a Thai bank account to change from A tourist visa to an Elite visa but Thailand Elite was unable to help me until I actually had the TE visa which presented a Catch-22 paradox.

 

I went to several branches and each noted I was once a customer but for different reasons were unwilling to help me, citing different required documents and rules. Finally a branch in Phrakhanong District of Bangkok was willing to help me if I got a letter notarized by the US embassy stating I was allowed to have a bank account in Thailand. The embassy was willing to notarize the letter which I simply typed up myself, but they had a chuckle as they have no authority on whether or not a Thai bank opens an account for me, they were just willing to notarize that I had signed this piece of paper.

 

After presenting the official looking letter my bank account was opened, a week later I managed to get my wife added to the account. The moral of the story is for Farangs they often make up the rules as they go at banks and you typically just have to keep trying.

18 hours ago, DrJoy said:

Do u have a Work Permit?

No.  They never got anywhere near asking anything about me.

1 hour ago, tuktuktuk said:

No.  They never got anywhere near asking anything about me.

I suspected so.

 

I can confirm - Kasikorn Bank Headquarters at Phaholyothin Road can open a savings a/c without a Work Permit.

 

Alternatively, U.O.B Thai opens without a Work Permit for sure.

1 hour ago, tuktuktuk said:

No.  They never got anywhere near asking anything about me.

https://www.uob.co.th/web-resources/pdf/personal/download-forms/account_opening_checklist_en.pdf

22 hours ago, tuktuktuk said:

Is it just Bangkok Bank, or is it every bank?

It's just that branch of that bank that didn't want your business.

Or as someone already said, that teller didn't want to deal with a foreigner.

Try a different branch of the same bank and you'll get a different answer.

Edited January 1, 20224 yr by BritManToo

I wish you success. Let us know  how you get on.

4 minutes ago, The Hammer2021 said:

I wish you success. Let us know  how you get on.

I will.  Might try Monday.  It was an odd encounter.  I don't know for sure what was said, but my wife was not happy.  When it's like that she usually doesn't say much.

2 minutes ago, tuktuktuk said:

I will.  Might try Monday.  It was an odd encounter.  I don't know for sure what was said, but my wife was not happy.  When it's like that she usually doesn't say much.

I opened my yellow bank account with a hotel room address and my BB account with my immigration  agent.

16 minutes ago, tuktuktuk said:

I will.  Might try Monday.  It was an odd encounter.  I don't know for sure what was said, but my wife was not happy.  When it's like that she usually doesn't say much.

Bank Holiday Monday!

 

6 minutes ago, herfiehandbag said:

Bank Holiday Monday!

 

It figures!  My credit union in New Orleans is open from 9 to 11 and 1 to 3 and closed on Wednesdays.  Since I moved away it hasn't been an issue.

Just now, tuktuktuk said:

It figures!  My credit union in New Orleans is open from 9 to 11 and 1 to 3 and closed on Wednesdays.  Since I moved away it hasn't been an issue.

Though it my cause  outrage amongst  the Puritans and the PC  brigade on this forum I recommend  you use an agent. Just get it done no messing  about..

8 minutes ago, The Hammer2021 said:

Though it my cause  outrage amongst  the Puritans and the PC  brigade on this forum I recommend  you use an agent. Just get it done no messing  about..

I didn't even know such a thing existed.  Not a bad idea.  I suppose it's pretty cheap.  Getting things done here can require incredible persistence.  

8 minutes ago, The Hammer2021 said:

Though it my cause  outrage amongst  the Puritans and the PC  brigade on this forum I recommend  you use an agent. Just get it done no messing  about..

An agent in Chumpae?   Not exactly a foreigner hotspot.  

1 minute ago, lopburi3 said:

An agent in Chumpae?   Not exactly a foreigner hotspot.  

I suppose Khon Kaen would be easier?

23 hours ago, tuktuktuk said:

I sort of figured that.  It never got far enough for me to identify myself as an American, but they can tell.  People almost never ask where I'm from.  They ask if I'm an American.

Probably the "I LOVE NEW YORK" tank top you were wearing? Just saying.... ????

39 minutes ago, tuktuktuk said:

I suppose Khon Kaen would be easier?

Go to Kasikornbank or SCB.