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!

Anybody?

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.

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

the rest of us, not so!

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

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

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.

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.

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

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

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

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!

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

Yes you can