Opening A Thai Bank Account

[jezchesters]

Hi,

I'm looking to open a current account with a Thai Bank. I have a Work Permit and so should be OK with any branch but I have three criteria:

1) Must have internet banking

2) Must come with an internationally accepted debit card

3) It is essential that I should be able to transfer money to a UK bank account at a minimal cost

Does anyone have any recommendations? I guess the ability to transfer money to the UK cheaply is the most important of the three, as I will be doing this on a monthly basis...

Thanks!

[jezchesters]

Anybody?

[bendix]

They all offer what you want jezchesters . it's just a case of chosing whatever appeals to you. Personally, I do all of the above with Bangkok Bank. Pretty painless experience.

[blizzard]

as far as banking goes if you have the WORK PERMIT you treated as if you a thai.

the rest of us, not so!

[Penkoprod]

That must be one hel_l of a job you have found yourself, if you are in a position to pay your way in Thailand AND have some left over to ship back whats left after !!!!!!

That kinda goes against the flow

Penkoprod

[coops]

Siam Commercial Bank seems ok - check out their web site, which is also in English and seems pretty comprehensive - all good signs.

HSBC have a branch on Rama IV - the ATM card works worldwide, but HSBC seem to be trying to increase charges as much as possible nowadays.....

coops

[dominique355]

After BangkokBank refused to open a bank account for me, I went to KasikornBank (Thai Farmer Bank) and got a very efficient, courteous and uncomplicated service with debit card/ATM (in one card), electronic banking etc.

[taxin]

After BangkokBank refused to open a bank account for me, I went to KasikornBank (Thai Farmer Bank) and got a very efficient, courteous and uncomplicated service with debit card/ATM (in one card), electronic banking etc.

As someone already said, all the main banks will offer what you need however, Kasikorn Bank are a scam when it comes to transfering money out to the UK.

If your prime reason is for international transfers then Bangkok bank are the best. For me Kasikorn were almost 5 times as expensive as Bangkok Bank.

[blizzard]

do thai banks accept checks for deposit denominated in usa dollars?

[AndyGZ]

Can I open an account if I don't have work permit?

[calibanjr.]

do thai banks accept checks for deposit denominated in usa dollars?

Bangkok Bank has accepted a couple checks for me from the states, one for $150 one for $3200, each took about 6 weeks to clear, though. Some fee, something like 200 THB, as I recall

[jezchesters]

Thanks for all your helpful advice!

I ended up going with Siam Commercial for convenience sake and Swift/TT back to my UK bank account only costs 300B per transaction...

Cheers!

[Krub]

Can I open an account if I don't have work permit?

Yes you can