Agents to open bank account

[ian carman]

Are there agents that hang around basically every IO in Thailand offering services ?My specific one is Pathum Thani because I have recently seen a comment on here they aren’t very helpful when asking for a certificate of residency 

[DrJack54]

An agent will open a bank account without certificate of residence.

 

Do you want to open a bank account or obtain certificate of residence for example TDL. 

[Red Phoenix]

Obviously you want to open a Bank-Account at a Bank-branche in the vicinity of where you are staying (or alternatively close or on the way to the Imm Office of that province).  Because when applying for a Non Imm O Visa or extension of such Visa, you always need to visit your Bank first to get hold of the required bank-documents for your application.

As mentioned in previous posts a Visa Agent can help you with opening a Bank-Account, and in many cases the fee for such service (approx 4.000-5.000 THB) is well worth it.

But what if you are staying in a non-touristy province where there are NO Visa-Agents, and you need to open a Bank-account in order to apply for your Non Imm O Visa? 

In that case you would need to do a tour of the Banks in your area in the hope to find one that is willing to open a Bank-account for you and not require impossible demands to do so (like a residence certificate or a Work Permit).

Such a quest for a Bank-Account can be an extremely frustrating experience, hence some tips, that will considerably augment your chances of being successful at opening the required Bank-Account:

- When visiting the Bank to open a Personal Bank-Account, make sure to be polite, never loose your temper and be dressed appropriately (no flip-flops or T-shirts);

- Your chances to open a Bank-Account rise significantly when you are accompanied by a Thai friend/relative who has an account at that bank, and who can introduce you there;

- IMPORTANT > Don't deal with the Bank desk-officers, but ask immediately on entry to talk with the Bank Manager and tell him/her that you want to open an account at their branche.  The desk-officers are quick to say 'Not possible' when they are unsure about how to open an account for a foreigner and often don't want to lose face by having to ask their colleagues or the manager how to do it.  But if the Bank Manager told you OK, he will assign you to a desk officer to open your account.

- Be aware that EVERY bank-branche is a little fiefdom, and so it is well possible that when applying at branche X of Bank ZZZ that they tell you that it's not possible, while asking at branche Y of that same Bank at the other side of the street, that you might be successful. 

- Your best chances are with Thai Banks that are familiar with foreign customers, like Kasikorn Bank, Bangkok Bank, KrungSri Bank, KrungThep Bank, Siam Commercial Bank. ...  Banks that deal almost exclusively with Thai clientele (like GSD) are as good as always very busy and they will have little experience with how to deal with foreigners that are in need of specific Bank documents to meet Immigration requirements.

 

Cheers and success!

 

[Liverpool Lou]

14 minutes ago, Red Phoenix said:

Banks that are familiar with foreign customers, like Kasikorn Bank, Bangkok Bank, KrungSri Bank, KrungThep Bank, Siam Commercial Bank. ...  Banks that deal almost exclusively with Thai clientele (like GSD) are as good as always very busy

"...Banks that deal almost exclusively with Thai clientele (like GSD) are as good..."

I'd disagree, banks such a GSB (GSD?) are probably not as good for foreigners because of their relatively small foreign customer base and less interaction with foreigners.

[Red Phoenix]

3 minutes ago, Liverpool Lou said:

"...Banks that deal almost exclusively with Thai clientele (like GSD) are as good..."

I'd disagree, banks such a GSB (GSD?) are probably not as good for foreigners because of their relatively small foreign customer base and less interaction with foreigners.

Do read the FULL sentence that I wrote > Banks that deal almost exclusively with Thai clientele (like GSD) are as good as always very busy and they will have little experience with how to deal with foreigners that are in need of specific Bank documents to meet Immigration requirements.

So the both of us are in agreement.

[DrJack54]

OP, be aware that many (most) folk use WISE to transfer funds from o/s to Thailand.

Here is snip from WISE...

Fortunately most agent open account with Bangkok Bank. 

 

"You can send up to 2 million THB per transfer.

Please note that you can send 50,000 THB or above per transfer only to the following banks from 7 January 2022 due to regulatory changes:

• Bangkok Bank Public Company

• Kasikorn Bank

• Siam Commercial Bank" 

[JoseThailand]

1 hour ago, DrJack54 said:

Fortunately most agent open account with Bangkok Bank. 

I've seen rumors that agents stopped providing this service because of the influx of Russians who rushed to open accounts there.

[DrJack54]

2 minutes ago, JoseThailand said:

I've seen rumors that agents stopped providing this service because of the influx of Russians who rushed to open accounts there.

Haven't heard that but certainly a possibility. 

We don't see many reports of the process in recent times.

Certainly in Bangkok reports of very smooth process but thinking that was prior to conflict. 

[ian carman]

3 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

An agent will open a bank account without certificate of residence.

 

Do you want to open a bank account or obtain certificate of residence for example TDL. 

It would be to open a bank account and I will probably be in Pathum Thani but recently someone commented about how awkward they were with him and referred to uk embassy who don’t do COR .My stepdaughter is a teacher so I could use her as a reference and maybe make it easier at the bank hopefully.I just don’t want to sell my house ,leave uk, on a non o and find that I can’t get COR and open an account.I was hoping that anyone who uses Pathum Thani IO could confirm whether there are agents hanging around looking for business.As one person said if I go into Bangkok I will have the issue of getting the information from them on the same day I do an extension of stay 

thanks 

[DrJack54]

1 minute ago, ian carman said:

.I just don’t want to sell my house ,leave uk, on a non o and find that I can’t get COR and open an account.I

If you are obtaining a non O in your own country you won't have an issue in opening a bank account.

Kasikorn (one example) will open an account if you have a non O.

 

 

[JimTripper]

Anyone have experience with Krung Thai Bank, they are government owned.

[DrJack54]

11 minutes ago, JimTripper said:

Anyone have experience with Krung Thai Bank, they are government owned.

Have silly limit if using WISE to transfers.

I suggest Bangkok Bank or Kasikorn Bank

 

https://aseannow.com/topic/1185032-best-thai-bank-for-foreigners/

[ian carman]

17 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

If you are obtaining a non O in your own country you won't have an issue in opening a bank account.

Kasikorn (one example) will open an account if you have a non O.

 

 

Ok I always assumed that I had to get a COR to open an account 

[JimTripper]

14 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Have silly limit if using WISE to transfers.

I suggest Bangkok Bank or Kasikorn Bank

 

https://aseannow.com/topic/1185032-best-thai-bank-for-foreigners/

Why would someone need a wise transfer?

 

Almost any bank can transfer bank to bank, or if not a direct wire is universally accepted as a last resort.

[DrJack54]

8 minutes ago, ian carman said:

Ok I always assumed that I had to get a COR to open an account 

Don't be too concerned.

With a non O bank should open account.

A lease would be handy but not essential.

Your fall back would be agent.

Approx 4-4.5k 

 

In Bangkok you could chat directly with Siam legal or other agents for advice. 

 

[DrJack54]

12 minutes ago, JimTripper said:

Why would someone need a wise transfer?

 

Almost any bank can transfer bank to bank, or if not a direct wire is universally accepted as a last resort.

Spend some time in the Finance and Banking forum and get back to me.

If you live in Thailand or familiar with folk doing transfers (especially larger amounts) then the options have been done to death. 

 

Just did a search for transfer.

Did not hand pick. The first one was from UK.

Note WISE was formally Transferwise. 

 

 

[JimTripper]

21 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Spend some time in the Finance and Banking forum and get back to me.

If you live in Thailand or familiar with folk doing transfers (especially larger amounts) then the options have been done to death. 

 

Just did a search for transfer.

Did not hand pick. The first one was from UK.

Note WISE was formally Transferwise. 

 

 

Larger amounts ???? ????

 

Wise or western union is the last thing I would do or give my banking info to. Do you want me to use PayPal as well?

 

I will stick to a real bank wire.

[DrJack54]

2 minutes ago, JimTripper said:

Larger amounts ????

 

Wise or western union is the last thing I would do or give my banking info to.

I will stick to a real bank wire.

You are ill informed even for smaller amounts.

You can lead a horse to water.

Giddy up. 

 

Not really interested how you transfer money and all this is off topic. 

[ian carman]

17 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Spend some time in the Finance and Banking forum and get back to me.

If you live in Thailand or familiar with folk doing transfers (especially larger amounts) then the options have been done to death. 

 

Just did a search for transfer.

Did not hand pick. The first one was from UK.

Note WISE was formally Transferwise. 

 

 

Wise give virtually the actual exchange rate whereas banks give a far inferior exchange rate .I think I saved £500 recently by using wise 

[ian carman]

29 minutes ago, JimTripper said:

Why would someone need a wise transfer?

 

Almost any bank can transfer bank to bank, or if not a direct wire is universally accepted as a last resort.

Maybe 4to 5 baht more on the exchange rate might be a factor 

[DrJack54]

3 minutes ago, ian carman said:

Wise give virtually the actual exchange rate whereas banks give a far inferior exchange rate .I think I saved £500 recently by using wise 

Wise does have a hefty fee based on amount ,  but what you refer to is "mid market rate". 

That's the rate that you will see on for example XE app. 

 

 

[JimTripper]

3 minutes ago, ian carman said:

Maybe 4to 5 baht more on the exchange rate might be a factor 

It’s people using sketchy third party transfer platforms and going through a bunch of hassles to save a few baht. Not for me.

[DrJack54]

6 minutes ago, JimTripper said:

It’s people using sketchy third party transfer platforms and going through a bunch of hassles to save a few baht. Not for me.

You are really sounding foolish.

To refer to WISE and other companies eg OFX as "sketchy"  just shows you to be very naive. 

 

Many of these threads concern obtaining non O with extensions and that requires minimum 800k baht transfer.

 

Purchase of condo 2 mill plus. 

Hospital operation 400k perhaps.

etc etc. 

 

It's not a "few baht".

Seriously ridiculous. 

[ian carman]

4 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

You are really sounding foolish.

To refer to WISE and other companies eg OFX as "sketchy"  just shows you to be very naive. 

 

Many of these threads concern obtaining non O with extensions and that requires minimum 800k baht transfer.

 

Purchase of condo 2 mill plus. 

Hospital operation 400k perhaps.

etc etc. 

 

It's not a "few baht".

Seriously ridiculous. 

I recently sent £10 k with wise arrived in seconds wife received about 420000bt .Lloyds bank would have received about £390000 if lucky massive saving on a relatively small amount 

[JimTripper]

2 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

You are really sounding foolish.

To refer to WISE and other companies eg OFX just shows you to be very naive. 

Many of these threads concern obtaining non O with extensions and that requires minimum 800k baht transfer.

Purchase of condo 2 mill plus. 

Hospital operation 400k perhaps.

etc etc. 

It's not a "few baht".

Seriously ridiculous. 

The problem you are stating with some of the banks is foolish limits on these 3rd party services. Do things right and it’s not a problem.

[DrJack54]

6 minutes ago, ian carman said:

I recently sent £10 k with wise arrived in seconds wife received about 420000bt .Lloyds bank would have received about £390000 if lucky massive saving on a relatively small amount 

You are the OP and glad you are aware of best ways to do transfers.

Some ridiculous posts in thread you can disregard. 

 

 

 

 

[ian carman]

6 minutes ago, JimTripper said:

The problem you are stating with some of the banks is foolish limits on these 3rd party services. Do things right and it’s not a problem.

I suppose it will be an issue transferring 800000 bt if max is 50000 a day but still probably save best part of £1000k by using wise as opposed to a traditional bank 

[DrJack54]

11 minutes ago, ian carman said:

I suppose it will be an issue transferring 800000 bt if max is 50000 a day but still probably save best part of £1000k by using wise as opposed to a traditional bank 

As I pointed out earlier....open an account with one of the 3 banks I listed. 

Personally I used Kasikorn and one month ago needed transfer for condo purchase.

WISE limit to those 3 banks is 2 million baht per transfer. 

So I did 2 transfers simple and quick. 

All online of course. 

This Thursday just gone I transferred 10k aud midday.

Was very surprised it arrived few hours later. 

Perhaps because smallish amount. 

[ian carman]

13 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

As I pointed out earlier....open an account with one of the 3 banks I listed. 

Personally I used Kasikorn and one month ago needed transfer for condo purchase.

WISE limit to those 3 banks is 2 million baht per transfer. 

So I did 2 transfers simple and quick. 

All online of course. 

This Thursday just gone I transferred 10k aud midday.

Was very surprised it arrived few hours later. 

Perhaps because smallish amount. 

Sorry I misread it as a maximum of 50 k not a minimum 

[DrJack54]

4 minutes ago, ian carman said:

Sorry I misread it as a maximum of 50 k not a minimum 

One last point.

I realize you indicate dealing with Pathum Thani ....there may be possibility of you moving to Bangkok and using CW.

SCB does not have branch at CW.

Suggest Bangkok Bank and Kasikorn best options for you.