Weird practises at Thai banks

[StayinThailand2much]

1. Paid cash (small amount) into my own bank account at SCB counter, and asked for passport.

 

2. Paid into someone else's bank account (invoice over about 4,000 baht) at K-Bank counter, and, once again, asked for my passport.

 

Why?? I mean, these were tiny amounts... Is that really about money-laundering? And if so, why don't they ask every Thai who deposits (such a small amount) for their ID?

Edited July 4, 2023 by StayinThailand2much

[Felton Jarvis]

5 minutes ago, StayinThailand2much said:

1. Paid cash (small amount) into my own bank account at SCB counter, and asked for passport.

 

2. Paid into someone else's bank account (invoice over about 4,000 baht) at K-Bank counter, and, once again asked for my passport.

 

Why?? I mean, these were tiny amounts... Is that really about money-laundering? And if so, why don't they ask every Thai who deposits (such a small amount) for their ID?

“You farang…..you no unnerstan.”    ????

[StayinThailand2much]

6 minutes ago, Felton Jarvis said:

“You farang…..you no unnerstan.”    ????

Yes, maybe just unprofessionalism. Same never happened to me at Bangkok Bank, which, IMHO, is the only Thai bank that I would call a 'real bank'.

Edited July 4, 2023 by StayinThailand2much

[Felton Jarvis]

35 minutes ago, StayinThailand2much said:

Yes, maybe just unprofessionalism. Same never happened to me at Bangkok Bank, which, IMHO, is the only Thai bank that I would call a 'real bank'.

Well, Bangkok Bank at least has a branch in New York, which the other banks do not have, but I have seen evidence of non-professionalism when dealing with them back when they were the only bank which could accept American Social Security. To be fair, NO BANK wants to deal with the onerous FBAR reporting that the USA forces on foreign banks which open accounts for Americans. Just another example of overreach.

[digbeth]

What makes you think they don't ask Thais for their ID? 
even at automatic deposit machine you can't use without inserting your card and identifying yourself, it used to be that you can just punch in the bank account number into the machine and off you go

[proton]

3 hours ago, StayinThailand2much said:

1. Paid cash (small amount) into my own bank account at SCB counter, and asked for passport.

 

2. Paid into someone else's bank account (invoice over about 4,000 baht) at K-Bank counter, and, once again, asked for my passport.

 

Why?? I mean, these were tiny amounts... Is that really about money-laundering? And if so, why don't they ask every Thai who deposits (such a small amount) for their ID?

Tried to pay into wife's account wanted passport, went outside and paid it into ATM, no passport

[BritManToo]

9 hours ago, StayinThailand2much said:

2. Paid into someone else's bank account (invoice over about 4,000 baht) at K-Bank counter, and, once again, asked for my passport.

Transfer using phone app.

[ignore it]

Let's test it.

I'll PM you my bank account number and see how much you can send.

[Liverpool Lou]

17 hours ago, StayinThailand2much said:

maybe just unprofessionalism

May also be the professionalism of doing what the rules require.

The anti-money laundering rules apply to Thais also (ID), not just foreigners.

[Liverpool Lou]

17 hours ago, StayinThailand2much said:

Same never happened to me at Bangkok Bank, which, IMHO, is the only Thai bank that I would call a 'real bank'.

"...the only Thai bank that I would call a 'real bank'".

That says more about you than it does about Thai banks.

[khunPer]

17 hours ago, StayinThailand2much said:

Why??

Normal practise in some banks/branches. Just follow their rules and don't ask questions, there are so much we aliens don't understand about Thailand...

[Liverpool Lou]

17 hours ago, StayinThailand2much said:

why don't they ask every Thai who deposits (such a small amount) for their ID?

They do.

[Liverpool Lou]

16 hours ago, Felton Jarvis said:

Bangkok Bank at least has a branch in New York which the other banks do not have

So what, its services aren't available to retail customers directly.

Edited July 5, 2023 by Liverpool Lou

[Liverpool Lou]

"Weird practises at Thai banks"

 

There's nothing weird about being asked for ID when making cash transactions at banks.

[Crazy Noobie]

From my understanding, any transaction done "inside" at a bank you have to show id. Thai's show their id and foreigner's must show their passport. When I did my banking back in my home country, you always had to show your id. So why would it be any difference here in Thailand? One of the reasons why banks ask for id, is to protect you and to protect them. Does everyone always follow the rules, no. So now and then a bank rep. might not ask for id.

Edited July 5, 2023 by Crazy Noobie

[loong]

Been a few years since I deposited money inside a bank (usually small amounts but up to 30,000 Baht), never been asked for my passport.

[loong]

16 hours ago, digbeth said:

What makes you think they don't ask Thais for their ID? 
even at automatic deposit machine you can't use without inserting your card and identifying yourself, it used to be that you can just punch in the bank account number into the machine and off you go

I pay my rent to an SCB bank account every month using the deposit machine. I do not need to insert any card and I just input the bank account number.

I know that they were going to introduce the need to insert a card last year but it was never actually done.

[wwest5829]

15 hours ago, proton said:

Tried to pay into wife's account wanted passport, went outside and paid it into ATM, no passport

Information already on your ATM card chip?

[Retfed50]

Many laws in Thailand are passed without thorough discussion and therefore they often do not realize the ramifications. The anti money laundering laws are no exception. I go through the same thing making my monthly car payment which is in wife's name. Never had a problem using my driver's license as ID. Not a big deal. Just go with the flow.

[FriendlyFarang]

18 hours ago, StayinThailand2much said:

And if so, why don't they ask every Thai who deposits (such a small amount) for their ID?

They do

[NextG]

17 hours ago, digbeth said:

What makes you think they don't ask Thais for their ID? 
even at automatic deposit machine you can't use without inserting your card and identifying yourself, it used to be that you can just punch in the bank account number into the machine and off you go

You just made that up ???? or perhaps that is just for your particular bank. 

[jesimps]

19 hours ago, StayinThailand2much said:

Yes, maybe just unprofessionalism. Same never happened to me at Bangkok Bank, which, IMHO, is the only Thai bank that I would call a 'real bank'.

Except that you have to queue for ages to be served if visiting in person.

[proton]

1 hour ago, wwest5829 said:

Information already on your ATM card chip?

Dont have an ATM card 

[Red Forever]

1 hour ago, wwest5829 said:

Information already on your ATM card chip?

Don't need ATM card to deposit cash in machine. 

[wwest5829]

18 minutes ago, proton said:

Dont have an ATM card 

Thanks, I was not aware that you do not have to insert card or use phone app to conduct any business with our accounts.

[herfiehandbag]

I opened a standard savings account with KBank.

 

They asked to see my passport, and some form of ID which had my address on it. Fair enough, I showed them passport and both car and motorcycle driving licences. 

 

They solemnly photocopied every single page of my passport (including front and back covers - every visa, extension and entry and exit stamp, going back to 2014) and front and back of both driving licences. They then asked me to sign and date each sheet.

 

Amongst my several (some would say many) peculiarities my signature is quite simply my name, Christian name, middle initial and Surname written in my normal, very simple and clear, quasi italic handwriting. No loops, flourishes or underscores. This confused them - it could not be a signature!

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

2 hours ago, Crazy Noobie said:

From my understanding, any transaction done "inside" at a bank you have to show id.

Earlier today, I did a cash deposit at a BKK Bank branch using their CDM...

 

As always, just used my BKKB ATM card and PIN code, and nothing more than that... So if that's a form of identifying myself, it's what I've always done and still do now.

 

It could just as easily have been my Thai wifi making the deposit instead of me, as long as she had my ATM card and knew my PIN number.

 

Edited July 5, 2023 by TallGuyJohninBKK

[proton]

Never had to show ID for taking out cash or putting it in at my own branch, only at others. Issue a new passbook though and it's photo copy PP time again, even though they must have a pile of them

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

16 minutes ago, herfiehandbag said:

They solemnly photocopied every single page of my passport (including front and back covers - every visa, extension and entry and exit stamp, going back to 2014) and front and back of both driving licences. They then asked me to sign and date each sheet.

I believe it's a cost saving measure... They're planning to repurpose your older passport photocopies as scratch paper to hand out at other customers in the bank.... ????

[DJ54]

Makes sense to ask for passport at the very least that the money is being deposited in correct account…