To the title of the post. Would anyone know if there's a benefit to an international account other than presumably your ability to trade equities, etc?

 

International account requirements? $$ to open, balances and most importantly any additional tax issues or forms?

 

Thanks

Schwab requires a US residential address for the US account. You can use a relative's address of course but there's always the risk they'll just decide to close your account one day. So if you're actually living in Thailand you can sleep a bit sounder with a Schwab international account.