a friend of mine (US-German nationality) is on the move to Thailand (Koh Samui)

he went to an agent to get a retirement extension (O)

he was told by the agent he needs a bank account.

He went to Bangkok Bank and was told in order to open an account he needs to have a long term visa, like the retirement extension.

what are his options?

 

thaisabai

 No1.

Get a new visa agent!

that's exactly what he did. read my article again

Try another bank, if that doesn't work, try another, keep trying and eventually one branch will accept.

3 minutes ago, bbko said:

Try another bank, if that doesn't work, try another, keep trying and eventually one branch will accept.

The easiest way probably is to find an agent who has connections with the banks to facilitate account opening.

 

From my experience in Samui if you have some kind of non-o visa the best branch to try is Krungsri at Central festival, then Bangkok bank in the same location.

A good agent will be able to get you a bank account.

Sounds like your friend may have gone to a lousy agent.

The thread is in the Pattaya forum (now).

I almost posted a hint for an agent in Pattaya until noting the "Koh Samui".

Of course an agent worth the money will help you with account opening.

You want local information for an agent on Samui?

Edited April 5, 20224 yr by KhunBENQ

50 minutes ago, gearbox said:

the best branch to try is Krungsri at Central festival, then Bangkok bank in the same location.

There were posts about hassle with international transfers of more than 50k Baht per transaction to Thai banks. Bangkok Bank, Kasikorn Bank and SCB don't have that problem. Maybe better stick to one of them.

1 hour ago, thaisabai said:

in order to open an account he needs to have a long term visa, like the retirement extension.

what are his options?

Now what visa type did he enter the country with?

1 hour ago, thaisabai said:

that's exactly what he did. read my article again

You need to read your article again...The OP stated get a 'New' aka different Agent !!! ????????

1 hour ago, Olmate said:

 No1.

Get a new visa agent!

Agreed, a good agent will go with you to open the bank account !

What's getting a retirement visa in Koh Samui got to do with Pattaya?

57 minutes ago, aussiexpat said:

What's getting a retirement visa in Koh Samui got to do with Pattaya?

The Pattaya forum is a hub of expertise about anything and everything anywhere.

Edited April 5, 20224 yr by champers

12 hours ago, champers said:

The Pattaya forum is a hub of expertise about anything and everything anywhere.

Perhaps not Samui. I heard they do things a little different there......

In my opinion, there is only one agent worth his salt on Samui and that's Khun Suthep..................................

No agents for visa extensions on Samui.