I tried to get a safety deposit box at a Thai bank.

[ubonr1971]

I went into the local SCB because I had to get a bank draft. During this process I asked about getting a security deposit box. So the manager came over and started talking about life insurance with FWD insurance company. I told him Im not interested. I was under the impression that they have boxes available. 

 

20min after the bank cheque was finished I was sent to the next desk to talk about the box. I showed my 150k a month salary, WP and existing scb bank account. But no she says 'its full'. Certainly a different message from 20min ago. Why didn't she tell me that when I first asked?

 

Its very frustrating to be living in this backward thinking country. Winds me up sometimes living here- the games that are played. 

[HappyExpat57]

3 minutes ago, ubonr1971 said:

I went into the local SCB because I had to get a bank draft. During this process I asked about getting a security deposit box. So the manager came over and started talking about life insurance with FWD insurance company. I told him Im not interested. I was under the impression that they have boxes available. 

 

20min after the bank cheque was finished I was sent to the next desk to talk about the box. I showed my 150k a month salary, WP and existing scb bank account. But no she says 'its full'. Certainly a different message from 20min ago. Why didn't she tell me that when I first asked?

 

Its very frustrating to be living in this backward thinking country. Winds me up sometimes living here- the games that are played. 

Plenty of other countries available to you.

 

I left Thailand after my seventh year anniversary, tired  of this "backward thinking country." I was back in 6 weeks with a very renewed appreciation. NO place on this planet is perfect. If it's not a fit for you, the exit's right on the horizon.

[ubonr1971]

14 minutes ago, HappyExpat57 said:

Plenty of other countries available to you.

 

I left Thailand after my seventh year anniversary, tired  of this "backward thinking country." I was back in 6 weeks with a very renewed appreciation. NO place on this planet is perfect. If it's not a fit for you, the exit's right on the horizon.

Yes, you are probably right

 

May I ask what happened in the 6 weeks you were abroad. what country was it. Why did you return here?

[HappyExpat57]

17 minutes ago, ubonr1971 said:

Yes, you are probably right

 

May I ask what happened in the 6 weeks you were abroad. what country was it. Why did you return here?

Zihuatanejo Mexico. NOT like the movie "Shawshank Redemption" portrayed. Total shít hole. You think traffic is bad here? You think banking is bad here? You think corruption here is bad? Not after you try a month or so of that place.

Only nice thing was the restaurants. No nightlife, basically a retirement community for Canadian snowbirds.

ไม่ ขอบคุณ

[TheFishman1]

Try other banks

[MarleyMarl]

Same thing happened to me at Bangkok Bank where my company has an account. It’s a big branch in a stand-alone building, tried selling some b.s. insurance product. Politely said no, then got it’s “full”.

 

It’s very frustrating.

[BangkokHank]

The demand for safety deposit boxes in Bangkok far exceeds the supply. But rather than just raise the prices of the boxes, Thai banks use this supply/demand imbalance to try to extract as much money as possible from customers (while appearing to have reasonably priced safety deposit boxes) by requiring the purchase of unnecessary, unwanted, ridiculously expensive insurance.

 

You said that your bank told you that they don't have any boxes available. Just for fun, why don't you go back and tell them that you have decided that you want the insurance, and see if a box doesn't suddenly become available.

 

Anyway, don't fret, as there is another solution: A private safety deposit box company. Here is the company that I have been using for the past couple of years.

 

https://www.cblockers.com

 

I have a small box there for a reasonable price, and they are very nice and professional. It is not as close to my home as my bank is, but it's right in the center of Bangkok, which is not an issue for me as I only go there a couple of times a year. And if this one doesn't suit you, there is another such company in Bangkok, as I recall from my research a couple of years ago when I was in your situation.

 

Good luck, and buck the fanks.

[jippytum]

19 hours ago, ubonr1971 said:

I went into the local SCB because I had to get a bank draft. During this process I asked about getting a security deposit box. So the manager came over and started talking about life insurance with FWD insurance company. I told him Im not interested. I was under the impression that they have boxes available. 

 

20min after the bank cheque was finished I was sent to the next desk to talk about the box. I showed my 150k a month salary, WP and existing scb bank account. But no she says 'its full'. Certainly a different message from 20min ago. Why didn't she tell me that when I first asked?

 

Its very frustrating to be living in this backward thinking country. Winds me up sometimes living here- the games that are played. 

I was rejected at various banks. 

My stockbroker rang the BB bank i had just been refused at. I went back thirty minutes later and was asked what size box do you require.? 

[bravo19]

On 2/14/2025 at 8:35 AM, ubonr1971 said:

Its very frustrating to be living in this backward thinking country.

Then go back home!

[IsaanExpat]

Go to DoHome or HomePro and buy you a Safe. No need to have a Safety Deposit Box that you may or may not be able to get into when you need to....

[blaze master]

Why not just buy a beer bar on soi 6. Much safer way to store your money in this backward thinking country ?

[sidneybear]

On 2/14/2025 at 5:35 PM, ubonr1971 said:

I went into the local SCB because I had to get a bank draft. During this process I asked about getting a security deposit box. So the manager came over and started talking about life insurance with FWD insurance company. I told him Im not interested. I was under the impression that they have boxes available. 

 

20min after the bank cheque was finished I was sent to the next desk to talk about the box. I showed my 150k a month salary, WP and existing scb bank account. But no she says 'its full'. Certainly a different message from 20min ago. Why didn't she tell me that when I first asked?

 

Its very frustrating to be living in this backward thinking country. Winds me up sometimes living here- the games that are played. 

Have you tried dealing with banks in the western world recently?