Bangkok Bank + insurance (package deal)

[lostintransit]

I believe couple of years ago Bangkok Bank had a package deal for expats who wanted to open a savings accounts. The package included: mobile banking, and health insurance. 
Now I can’t find this offer anymore on their website. But i can find some vague information on the website of siam-legal. siam-legal mentions that they can assist foreigners opening a bank account for a fee. This mostly applies to people who arrives on a regular tourist visa and are unable to obtain all the documents required. 
And that’s pretty much my situation. I’m not able to get a «embassy letter» simply because my embassy don’t send out letters like that.. and yea I tried to tell my embassy that I want to open a saving account in Thailand, and Bangkok Bank have everything they need from me except this “embassy letter” but trying to talk to my embassy is like taking to a stone. So I decided I will pay an agent in Thailand to help me out. And my I international travel insurance runs out in a couple of months. So if i could get both insurance and mobile banking from opening a savings account through Siam-Legal, that would fit me really good. So I’m basically asking if anyone here has any experience opening bank accounts through agencies in Thailand or if anyone know of better “deals” out there?

[scubascuba3]

The insurance banks offer is usually personal accident insurance with low cover, not good. Any agent can open an account for you for 4k+

[lostintransit]

I’ve done some googling and can’t find any agent offering to open Bank accounts for around 4000 THB.

Do you mind sharing more information regarding this? I would really appreciate it.
Thanks in advance 

[scubascuba3]

11 minutes ago, lostintransit said:

I’ve done some googling and can’t find any agent offering to open Bank accounts for around 4000 THB.

Do you mind sharing more information regarding this? I would really appreciate it.
Thanks in advance 

There are many agents in Pattaya, contact a few of them and ask, start with MOTS

[gamb00ler]

When opening a bank account the bank wants proof of residence and many embassies will not provide a letter doing that.  Most people get a certificate of residence (COR) from Thai Imm.  The COR is used for opening bank accounts, getting a Thai license and registering a vehicle, etc.  If you're on a tourist visa it may be hard to get a COR from Imm.

[PeachCH]

No need!! 

[jcmj]

Just took a friend who is buying a condo here but on a tourist visa and BB wanted 22,000 baht for the insurance to open an account. I knew it used to be around 4,000 baht but that was a long time ago. If you can get an agent to do it cheaper, I say go for it. 

[scubascuba3]

14 minutes ago, jcmj said:

Just took a friend who is buying a condo here but on a tourist visa and BB wanted 22,000 baht for the insurance to open an account. I knew it used to be around 4,000 baht but that was a long time ago. If you can get an agent to do it cheaper, I say go for it. 

Hopefully he wasn't a fool and paid the 22k?

[hkt83100]

If the bank asks you to make an insurance, just say no. It is pure greed and commission hunting by the bank.

[kidneyw]

Opened a Bangkok Bank account by myself a couple of months ago. No talk of insurance. They only wanted a Certificate of Residence. Bank staff were extremely helpful.

[steven100]

OP ....   the insurance the bank offers is minimal at best.  It's not the sort of cover you would want for a serious illness or accident.  Don't waste the time and money. 

[chiang mai]

Watch out for the age limitation in the small print.

[J Branche]

1 hour ago, hkt83100 said:

If the bank asks you to make an insurance, just say no. It is pure greed and commission hunting by the bank.

True, went to 3 different bank locations before I found the one willing to open the account with no insurance.  Do not be fooled and be willing to walk away.

 

Tips:  have all paperwork ready to go. Be very polite and do Not get angry or make a scene this will cause them to lose face.  If you have a trusted Thai partner who can influence the bank worker and get the process started it may be helpful.  Be happy, maybe joke with them and make them want to help you because your a good guy.

[black tabby12345]

 

Do Expats Need Insurance to Open a Bank Account?

 

Certainly Not.

Have never heard of any such a condition like that elsewhere.

Certainly not with my main bank either.

 

Edited October 2 by black tabby12345

[AndreasHG]

On 9/30/2024 at 5:46 PM, lostintransit said:

Bangkok Bank have everything they need from me except this “embassy letter” but trying to talk to my embassy is like taking to a stone

 

I opened my bank account in Bangkok Bank without help of any agent and without any embassy letter.

 

All I had to submit was:

1. the leasing contract for my apartment in Bangkok

2. A 90-day non-immigrant "O" VISA

3. A photocopy of my passport (picture page) stamped and signed by the consular office of my embassy (are you sure that this is not the Embassy letter Bangkok Bank is asking for? It may seem a silly request. But all Bangkok Bank tries to do, is to make sure your embassy knows you are in Thailand, and your home country authorities may trace you, in the event you are involved in any illegal activity such as money laundering. That's all). 

4. My passport

5. A few thousands THB in cash.

 

I went to the Exchange Tower branch of Bangkok Bank, locater near the Asok BTS station. The staff is used to deal with foreigners and eager to help.

 

By the way, I also used Siam Legal to help me with my retirement VISA application. But I did not need the help to open the bank account. Don't use them for the insurance. You'll just end up paying much more for less.

 

Edited October 2 by AndreasHG

[digbeth]

On 10/2/2024 at 9:44 AM, black tabby12345 said:

 

Do Expats Need Insurance to Open a Bank Account?

 

Certainly Not.

Have never heard of any such a condition like that elsewhere.

Certainly not with my main bank either.

 

 

technically no, officially  from the bank - never,
but the bank clerks especially the managers has a quota of insurance they needed to sell, or elst their performance will be in quesiton, so in case where their discretion in not looking too closely at certain documents or can waive certain requirements that prevent tourist from just walking in and opening accounts, so getting insurance from the do sweeten the deal. 

[black tabby12345]

4 hours ago, digbeth said:

 

technically no, officially  from the bank - never,
but the bank clerks especially the managers has a quota of insurance they needed to sell, or elst their performance will be in quesiton,

 

so in case where their discretion in not looking too closely at certain documents or can waive certain requirements that prevent tourist from just walking in and opening accounts, so getting insurance from the do sweeten the deal. 

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I see.

Not a Standard Procedure (at all).

But the Sales Promotion at individual level under some form of pressure from the above.

 

When I opened my first Thai bank account earlier in the 21st century, my initial legal status here, was the 30-day visa waiver.

But I could still open a saving account without much hassles.

Looks like No Clear Set Standard regarding the eligibility to access bank account here(other than overstayers/illegal entrants are NO-NO; bank tellers always check each foreigner's visa status/validity at the beginning of transaction).

Thank you for your post.

 

[GypsyT]

Last winter in Pattaya I was asked to buy "insurance" or my Thai gf to be co-signer.

I didn't agree so no account. Hasn't been a big problem.

 

5 yrs ago I got one in Khon Kaen thanks to my Thai gf who showed her farm property paper. She wasn't on the account.

Then I deleted my middle name and that account was gone. I almost lost all the money too but in the end they gave up and payed out all, thanks to US passport 😉 when I asked "Can I borrow your phone to call to US Embassy?" They wanted to get me out fast and didn't even charge 300B closing fee.

 

I have to say banks in Thailand are the stupidest I've seen!