Bangkok Bank - opening a bank account on a tourist visa - no more

[scubascuba3]

Apparently from 6th Apr they will not allow bank accounts to be opened (per a facebook post earlier today from an agent), which makes me wonder how can someone then get a non imm O visa based on retirement

[FriendlyFarang]

To get a non-o visa at an embassy in another country a Thai bank account isn't required.

Bangkok Bank isn't the only bank in Thailand, there are 10+ other banks.

I doubt that this rule is applied in all branches, so probably it's the same as before, some branches will open an account, some won't.

[scubascuba3]

17 minutes ago, FriendlyFarang said:

To get a non-o visa at an embassy in another country a Thai bank account isn't required.

Bangkok Bank isn't the only bank in Thailand, there are 10+ other banks.

I doubt that this rule is applied in all branches, so probably it's the same as before, some branches will open an account, some won't.

Maybe, agents seem to solely use Bangkok Bank now, so maybe it impacts those who may want to go the agent route

[WaveHunter]

Facebook is the LAST place I would look for reliable information on anything!

[scubascuba3]

16 minutes ago, WaveHunter said:

Facebook is the LAST place I would look for reliable information on anything!

It's been posted and shared a few times by a popular agent so I'd say it's true

[spongeworthy]

19 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

It's been posted and shared a few times by a popular agent so I'd say it's true

Possibly* true.

 

I've had an agent tell me I'm required to carry a tm.30 receipt in my wallet or passport or I risk being arrested and/or fined. ????

[VinnieK]

Out here in the provinces it was the case for many years now 

You had to struggle to open a bank acct with most banks if you were not on a working visa.

In touristy places, they were more flexible.

[scottiejohn]

52 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

It's been posted and shared a few times by a popular agent so I'd say it's true

BKK seem to have changed the info they provide for how a non Thai opens a saving account.

Until recently they detailed requirements listed on their home page.

Now all it shows is this telling you to contact a branch;

[bkk6060]

Not surprised they must have a flood now of foreigners opening bank accounts here.  Probably more changes to come as how many of these accounts could/will be used for criminal activity?

 

[Cat ji]

3 hours ago, bkk6060 said:

Not surprised they must have a flood now of foreigners opening bank accounts here.  Probably more changes to come as how many of these accounts could/will be used for criminal activity?

 

Good point. Especially if it continues to increase, there might well be some reactions like this.

[StayinThailand2much]

4 hours ago, scottiejohn said:

Now all it shows is this telling you to contact a branch (...)

So, it's up to the branch??

[StayinThailand2much]

3 hours ago, bkk6060 said:

Not surprised they must have a flood now of foreigners opening bank accounts here. 

And profiting nicely, forcing new customers to buy insurance policies.

[scubascuba3]

7 hours ago, StayinThailand2much said:

And profiting nicely, forcing new customers to buy insurance policies.

sounds like now you can't open one even if scammed into buying a useless insurance product

[WaveHunter]

On 3/31/2023 at 4:21 PM, scubascuba3 said:

It's been posted and shared a few times by a popular agent so I'd say it's true

By an "agent" do you mean an independent agent, like an IMM agent?  That's all the more reason to be a little suspicious.  Perhaps he is drumming up a little side hustle to get dumb foreigners to fork over a few thousand baht for him to "pull some strings".

 

Bangkok Bank has not officially said anything on their website, and really I see no reason for them to do that.

 

All I know is that there is a HUGE difference between what someone says and what really is true in Thailand.  I was told in no uncertain terms that I could not open an account at Bangkok Bank in Chiang Mai the first month I was here. 

 

I went to another bank (Kasikorn) and was told the same thing.  Then a few days later I returned to the same Bangkok Bank branch that I had first visited and spoke with another officer.  I was all prepared to argue my case but to my surprise she happily opened one for me.

Edited April 3, 2023 by WaveHunter

[scubascuba3]

1 minute ago, WaveHunter said:

By an "agent" do you mean an independent agent, like an IMM agent.  That's all the more reason to be a little suspicious.  Bangkok Bank has not officially said anything on their website, and really I see no reason for them to do that.

 

All I know is that there is a HUEG difference between what someone says and what really is true in Thailand.  I was told in no uncertain terms that I could not open an account at Bangkok Bank the first month I was here.  I went to another banks and was told the same thing.  Then a few days later I returned to the same Bangkok Bank branch that I had first visited and spoke with another officer.  I was all prepared to argue my case but to my surprise she happily opened one for me.

People wanting the agent route for their first retirement visa\extension often need the agent to open a Bangkok Bank account for them, no more. The fallout will surface sooner or later

[WaveHunter]

22 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

People wanting the agent route for their first retirement visa\extension often need the agent to open a Bangkok Bank account for them, no more. The fallout will surface sooner or later

I think it is just a rogue agent trying to cash in on some naive foreigners.  I mean, it wouldn't be the first time!  There is not a single report on the internet or any reputable expat news channel of such a thing, and you have not provided a link or identity of the agent so we can ascertain his veracity  so I think April 6 will come and go, and all will be the same.

 

What's more, It would be a crisis for the IMM office if foreigners were not allowed to have bank accounts (i.e.: 800K baht deposit requirement).  It just makes no sense at all.

Edited April 3, 2023 by WaveHunter

[Sqoop]

Also agents seem to have business relationships and understanding with specific branches. So I think that your experience will be different between branches and agents. 

[scubascuba3]

1 hour ago, WaveHunter said:

I think it is just a rogue agent trying to cash in on some naive foreigners.  I mean, it wouldn't be the first time!  There is not a single report on the internet or any reputable expat news channel of such a thing, and you have not provided a link or identity of the agent so we can ascertain his veracity  so I think April 6 will come and go, and all will be the same.

 

What's more, It would be a crisis for the IMM office if foreigners were not allowed to have bank accounts (i.e.: 800K baht deposit requirement).  It just makes no sense at all.

it makes sense if you understand it, it only relates to Bangkok Bank which they use where no financials are required from the foreigner