Transfer USA Social Security to Bangkok Bank using International Direct Deposit

[BKK57]

Has any one from America signed up for International Direct Deposit for monthly Social Security with the S.S. Admin? I know to start this process you need to send a SSA-1199 Form to FBU Manila. They require the account number and swift code of the bank. I have two plain vanilla savings account at Bangkok Bank. However, when calling Bangkok Bank, I am told that on Bank's side a special restricted account is required and I would have to appear in person to collect the funds. No Debit card or ability to transfer funds from this account is permitted. According to the USA S.S. this is a convenience... but it's NOT.  Has any one done this at Bangkok Bank with out a restricted account? From what I have seen on various posts if you try to send to a regular account eventually they will catch you and refuse the deposit. Until I was made aware of the restricted account I was thinking this might be the way to go so that I can easily prove I'm bringing in S.S. which is not assessable for tax purposes. Now, I just send a wire every month, but there is no specific designation that it is social security. Any feed back is greatly appreciated.

[gamb00ler]

I think Bangkok bank is trying to influence you to use their original method for receiving your SS benefits as a Direct Deposit.  What the bank employee told you is the rules for that old method.  That method involves Bangkok bank's NY office receiving the funds via an ACH in IAT format from SSA.  Then the bank subtracts their fee, exchanges US$ to Thai ฿ using the bank's TT rate and sends the result to the special savings account in Thailand.

 

SSA has since established IDD (International Direct Deposit) which uses SWIFT to transfer directly to almost any bank in Thailand and then to your normal savings account.  This method uses the TT exchange rate as above but the fees are structured differently.  @Pib calculated which of the two methods is best depending on the amount of your benefit.  Sorry, but I don't remember the details since I don't use either method.

 

I don't believe you need to contact Bangkok bank at all if you wish to use IDD.

[timendres]

@gamb00ler is correct. I opened a new account with BBL specifically for receiving my SS deposit. I did not obtain a debit card for the account, but I am able to make bank transfers via the online app, or the mobile app, to my KBank account with no problems. I did mention to the bank that I was using the account to receive my SS deposits, and they did not attempt to give me anything "special". It is just a regular bank account. Upon receiving my deposit, I transfer the amount of my monthly budget to my KBank account, which I use for daily transactions.

[mudcat]

I have my SSA benefit direct deposited into my Bangkok Bank account (plain vanilla with a debit card and iBanking).

 

This deposit is transferred from SSA's correspondent bank in Thailand to your account in Thai Baht using the local banking service BahtNet.  If you plan on using your benefit to qualify for a retirement extension there may be steps you need to take to have your local immigration office accept it as a foreign transfer. 

 

As far as convenience goes it it good to know the deposit will show up on the third of every month.

 

The form is SSA-1199-OP-107.  Fill out the top section and go to your branch with your bank book and passport.

 and have it signed and stamped.  I emailed mine but the may require mailed hard copy.

 

 

[BKKKevin]

As the poster said above...

I went online to the SSA website and changed my address to my Thai address... Completed Form SSA-1099, listing my Bangkok Bank account I've had for years (No special or restricted acvount needed) ... Had my BKK Bank branch sign and stamp the form... Mailed it to Manila via Thai Post... And now my monthly deposit appears on the 3rd of every month no problem...

[BKK57]

45 minutes ago, BKKKevin said:

As the poster said above...

I went online to the SSA website and changed my address to my Thai address... Completed Form SSA-1099, listing my Bangkok Bank account I've had for years (No special or restricted acvount needed) ... Had my BKK Bank branch sign and stamp the form... Mailed it to Manila via Thai Post... And now my monthly deposit appears on the 3rd of every month no problem...

Thanks for information. When you receive funds is FTT the code used in your bank book for the transfer? I ask because I would like a credit advice from the bank and you can only get that for transactions marked FTT. 

[BKK57]

Thanks for all the replies. Just to clarify, I did contact the bank, and made sure they understood I wanted to do a International Direct Deposit. They asked what country. I answered USA and told them I was going to submit a form to Social Security.  As I understand S.S. asks for a swift code,  so it is NOT the old ACH method. She checked with some one and came back and said you must setup a restricted account to do International Direct Deposit. I also asked if I would be able to get a credit advice if I did this. She said no,, sindce the code in the bank book is not FTT.  Perhaps I need to go to the Bangkok Bank in Silom and ask at the Global Payments desk. Currently I have my SS deposited into my investment account in the USA then send a wire transfer here to Thailand. I get a Credit Advice sent to my email for every transfer and I use those credit advices to show 65,000 each month for retirement visa. i have read post from a few years back saying that you can put a non-restricted account on the SSA-1199 and it may work for a few months, or even years until some one at the bank notices and then will refuse the deposit. I really don't want that happening.

[Pib]

2 hours ago, BKK57 said:

Thanks for all the replies. Just to clarify, I did contact the bank, and made sure they understood I wanted to do a International Direct Deposit. They asked what country. I answered USA and told them I was going to submit a form to Social Security.  As I understand S.S. asks for a swift code,  so it is NOT the old ACH method. She checked with some one and came back and said you must setup a restricted account to do International Direct Deposit. I also asked if I would be able to get a credit advice if I did this. She said no,, sindce the code in the bank book is not FTT.  Perhaps I need to go to the Bangkok Bank in Silom and ask at the Global Payments desk. Currently I have my SS deposited into my investment account in the USA then send a wire transfer here to Thailand. I get a Credit Advice sent to my email for every transfer and I use those credit advices to show 65,000 each month for retirement visa. i have read post from a few years back saying that you can put a non-restricted account on the SSA-1199 and it may work for a few months, or even years until some one at the bank notices and then will refuse the deposit. I really don't want that happening.

Whoever is giving you that info at your particular Bangkok Bank branch is not fully informed/trained on the bank's policy.   

 

If you are regularly receiving a government pension such as social security, military retirement, etc., and you wish to have this govt payment sent to Bangkok Bank via ACH, repeat, ACH, repeat ACH (i.e., using the Bangkok Bank NY branch ACH routing number and your in-Thailand Bangkok Bank account number) Bangkok Bank requires a person setup a special restricted acct to receive that reoccurring govt pension payment.   Now depending on how smart your local branch is regarding this HQ Bangkok Bank policy is a different story.   

 

Some people say they receive a reoccurring govt pension via the ACH method to their regular/unrestricted  Bangkok Bank acct no problem.   Then others run into a brick wall shortly after attempting to have their pension ACH direct deposited to their regular Bangkok Bank account....by running into a brick wall I mean one day your payment does not post at its regular date....you check with your bank branch or you get a letter from your bank branch notifying you its on-hold since its a govt pension being sent via ACH to regular acct which is not allowed....and what you must do now is go to the branch to open a special/restricted acct to receive the pension. 

 

Happened to me around 15 years ago when I decided I want to have my military retirement pension sent to my regular Bangkok Bank acct...1st monthly payment posted no problem, but 2nd monthly payment was put on-hold....got a letter from the Bangkok Bank main Silom branch where I have my accounts saying I needed to come in and open a special acct for the reoccurring pension...once doing that they would release the funds to that acct and I could notify pension paying agency of the new acct number for the next payment.  If not coming in within two weeks the letter said they would reject the payment back to the pension paying agency.  I went in an opened the special acct....and then future payments arrived no problem....I did that for about 6 months before switching back to having the funds go into one of my US banks.  But I've kept that special acct open along with maintaining a small balance just in case I might need it in the future again....I also have multiple other regular Bangkok Bank accts.   

 

Now my wife also use to have a special/restricted acct to receive here SS payment via ACH but once IDD came out she switched to using the IDD method in order to get rid of the restrictions such as no debit card allow, can not do online transfers out of the acct, etc.  She had that special/restricted acct converted to a regular acct retaining the same acct number and IDD payments have been arriving no problem for years and years now via IDD...she has a debit card for that acct and full mbanking/ibanking capability with that acct as it's just regular acct now. 

 

Bangkok Bank really wanted her to open a new regular acct acct which would come with a new acct number as it would have been easier for them "paperwork-wise" (they told us so), but she insisted on retaining the same acct number as she already knew from a Bangkok Bank employee the bank just needed to lift the "O" restriction within the bank IT system  on the special/restricted acct that turns it into a regular acct....just a little extra paper-work required...took about an extra 20 minutes of work....appreciate the bank doing such.  But your results may vary if trying this approach of wanting to retain your current special/restricted acct number if it's important to you to retain that same number.   AND KEEP IN MIND, if you have an IDD payment go into a special/restricted acct the money going into that acct via whatever method (such as ACH or IDD) still has the same restrictions....it's the acct that has the restrictions and not "how" the money arrives into it.  

 

Anyway, if trying to have a US pension sent via ACH, repeat, via ACH to a regular acct "sooner-or-later" Bangkok Bank will spot it....not sure if that responsibility is left up to the local Bangkok Bank branches or periodically HQ Bangkok Bank in Bangkok does scans to spot and stop such reoccurring US govt pension payments going into regular accts. 

 

Now, you can have a reoccurring govt pension sent to a regular Bangkok Bank acct (i.e., unrestricted, not special, just a regular acct) when using the IDD method which uses the SWIFT system vs the ACH system.  You can have it sent to "any" Thai bank (K-bank, Krungsri, SCB, etc) regular Thai Baht acct; not just Bangkok Bank if using the ACH method as Bangkok Bank is the only Thai bank having capability to receive funds via the ACH method.  

 

But there are two different forms for the ACH and IDD method.   The ACH method uses the regular SSA-1199 geared for the ACH system (i.e., uses ACH routing number) but the IDD method use the SSA-1199-OP107 for Thailand form geared for the SWIFT system (uses SWIFT code).  And you need to have your Thai/foreign address onfile with the SSA to using the IDD method.

 

 

https://www.ssa.gov/forms/ssa-1199.html

 

 

 

[EVENKEEL]

I just went to my online SS account and changed my direct deposit account info to Bangkok Bank, No other paperwork was needed. But again I started my SS from the US not via Manilla. The downside is Bangkok bank recently put a stop on my debit card and online banking ability. 

[BKK57]

1 hour ago, Pib said:

Whoever is giving you that info at your particular Bangkok Bank branch is not fully informed/trained on the bank's policy.   

 

If you are regularly receiving a government pension such as social security, military retirement, etc., and you wish to have this govt payment sent to Bangkok Bank via ACH, repeat, ACH, repeat ACH (i.e., using the Bangkok Bank NY branch ACH routing number and your in-Thailand Bangkok Bank account number) Bangkok Bank requires a person setup a special restricted acct to receive that reoccurring govt pension payment.   Now depending on how smart your local branch is regarding this HQ Bangkok Bank policy is a different story.   

 

Some people say they receive a reoccurring govt pension via the ACH method to their regular/unrestricted  Bangkok Bank acct no problem.   Then others run into a brick wall shortly after attempting to have their pension ACH direct deposited to their regular Bangkok Bank account....by running into a brick wall I mean one day your payment does not post at its regular date....you check with your bank branch or you get a letter from your bank branch notifying you its on-hold since its a govt pension being sent via ACH to regular acct which is not allowed....and what you must do now is go to the branch to open a special/restricted acct to receive the pension. 

 

Happened to me around 15 years ago when I decided I want to have my military retirement pension sent to my regular Bangkok Bank acct...1st monthly payment posted no problem, but 2nd monthly payment was put on-hold....got a letter from the Bangkok Bank main Silom branch where I have my accounts saying I needed to come in and open a special acct for the reoccurring pension...once doing that they would release the funds to that acct and I could notify pension paying agency of the new acct number for the next payment.  If not coming in within two weeks the letter said they would reject the payment back to the pension paying agency.  I went in an opened the special acct....and then future payments arrived no problem....I did that for about 6 months before switching back to having the funds go into one of my US banks.  But I've kept that special acct open along with maintaining a small balance just in case I might need it in the future again....I also have multiple other regular Bangkok Bank accts.   

 

Now my wife also use to have a special/restricted acct to receive here SS payment via ACH but once IDD came out she switched to using the IDD method in order to get rid of the restrictions such as no debit card allow, can not do online transfers out of the acct, etc.  She had that special/restricted acct converted to a regular acct retaining the same acct number and IDD payments have been arriving no problem for years and years now via IDD...she has a debit card for that acct and full mbanking/ibanking capability with that acct as it's just regular acct now. 

 

Bangkok Bank really wanted her to open a new regular acct acct which would come with a new acct number as it would have been easier for them "paperwork-wise" (they told us so), but she insisted on retaining the same acct number as she already knew from a Bangkok Bank employee the bank just needed to lift the "O" restriction within the bank IT system  on the special/restricted acct that turns it into a regular acct....just a little extra paper-work required...took about an extra 20 minutes of work....appreciate the bank doing such.  But your results may vary if trying this approach of wanting to retain your current special/restricted acct number if it's important to you to retain that same number.   AND KEEP IN MIND, if you have an IDD payment go into a special/restricted acct the money going into that acct via whatever method (such as ACH or IDD) still has the same restrictions....it's the acct that has the restrictions and not "how" the money arrives into it.  

 

Anyway, if trying to have a US pension sent via ACH, repeat, via ACH to a regular acct "sooner-or-later" Bangkok Bank will spot it....not sure if that responsibility is left up to the local Bangkok Bank branches or periodically HQ Bangkok Bank in Bangkok does scans to spot and stop such reoccurring US govt pension payments going into regular accts. 

 

Now, you can have a reoccurring govt pension sent to a regular Bangkok Bank acct (i.e., unrestricted, not special, just a regular acct) when using the IDD method which uses the SWIFT system vs the ACH system.  You can have it sent to "any" Thai bank (K-bank, Krungsri, SCB, etc) regular Thai Baht acct; not just Bangkok Bank if using the ACH method as Bangkok Bank is the only Thai bank having capability to receive funds via the ACH method.  

 

But there are two different forms for the ACH and IDD method.   The ACH method uses the regular SSA-1199 geared for the ACH system (i.e., uses ACH routing number) but the IDD method use the SSA-1199-OP107 for Thailand form geared for the SWIFT system (uses SWIFT code).  And you need to have your Thai/foreign address onfile with the SSA to using the IDD method.

 

 

https://www.ssa.gov/forms/ssa-1199.html

 

 

 

As I said I will go to the global payment desk at the Silom branch of Bangkok bank to sort this out.  As far as ACH goes, that was done away with a few years back, and since then the only way to send money to Thailand via a bank is by wire with a swift code. ACH is not allowed any more as address information has to be sent along with the transfer and ACH does not have this ability. Now I have to call Fidelity Investments where I have all my investments and ask them to send each month. An automatic payment every month is preferrable. I let you know how the visit to Bangkok bank turns out.

[JohnnyBD]

1 hour ago, BKK57 said:

Now I have to call Fidelity Investments where I have all my investments and ask them to send each month. An automatic payment every month is preferrable.

Just a word of caution. If you change your address at Fidelity to a non-US address, Fidelity may put restrictions on your account. I changed my address to Thailand a few years ago and Fidelity restricted my account, so I changed back to my US address.

[BKKKevin]

12 hours ago, BKK57 said:

Thanks for information. When you receive funds is FTT the code used in your bank book for the transfer? I ask because I would like a credit advice from the bank and you can only get that for transactions marked FTT. 

Bangkok Bank code it as BAHTNET

[BKKKevin]

6 hours ago, JohnnyBD said:

Just a word of caution. If you change your address at Fidelity to a non-US address, Fidelity may put restrictions on your account. I changed my address to Thailand a few years ago and Fidelity restricted my account, so I changed back to my US address.

Also caution…

If you change your address to Thailand with Social Security this may trigger a notification of address to any Medicare insurance/advantage provider… Also you will be subject to an annual Social Security notification that you are alive and living abroad…

 

https://www.kiplinger.com/retirement/social-security/social-security-payments-suspended-for-americans-abroad

[Yagoda]

Its a stupid thing to do

[Thailand J]

8 hours ago, BKK57 said:

Now I have to call Fidelity Investments where I have all my investments and ask them to send each month. An automatic payment every month is preferrable

Bangkok Bank IDD is a good idea to have automated transfer.

Interactive Brokers is the only brokerage where I can set up monthly auto transfer.

[Pib]

8 hours ago, BKK57 said:

As I said I will go to the global payment desk at the Silom branch of Bangkok bank to sort this out.  As far as ACH goes, that was done away with a few years back, and since then the only way to send money to Thailand via a bank is by wire with a swift code. ACH is not allowed any more as address information has to be sent along with the transfer and ACH does not have this ability. Now I have to call Fidelity Investments where I have all my investments and ask them to send each month. An automatic payment every month is preferrable. I let you know how the visit to Bangkok bank turns out.

For funds that are leaving the US (like transfer to Thailand) the standard ACH transfer method via Bangkok Bank NY branch stopped working in in late 2019 "unless it was a US govt payment like SSA, military retirement, etc. as the US Treasury gave US govt agencies a waiver until they could get govt system upgraded to utilize the ACH "IAT" transfer format.   So, if a person was transferring funds from say his US bank like Bank of America, Schwab, Capital One, etc., unless those bank offered/utilized ACH IAT format Bangkok Bank NY branch would reject the transfer.  But as mentioned US govt agencies had a waiver.   Unfortunately, few US bank use ACH IAT format except for certain business type account at some bank. 

 

As mentioned ACH could still be used if the ACH was in the IAT (International ACH Transaction) format which is basically the standard ACH transfer format but with additional info required like address, phone number, etc.  Let's just call this method the "International ACH" transfer format which is different from the "Standard ACH" transfer format used to transfer funds between banks "physically with the U.S."  The ACH IAT format is similar to an international Wire/SWIFT transfer format.   More details here:

https://www.bangkokbank.com/en/Personal/Other-Services/Transfers/Transferring-Into-Thailand/Transfer-money-from-US-to-Thailand-via-Bangkok-Bank-NewYork-branch

 

When you go to your Bangkok Bank branch many of them will only offer/talk the original ACH transfer method for a US govt pension as that method still works for payments from US govt agencies such as SSA, etc., however, you must open a special/restricted Bangkok Bank acct.  Bangkok Bank prefers this method because it earned them fees as the payment passes thru their NY branch and a receiving fee at your in-Thailand Bangkok Bank branch.   

 

Now if you want to use the IDD method a different form is required as stated before and then the payment flows via the SWIFT system with the last leg of the transfer occurring over the Bank of Thailand "BAHTNET" transfer system which interfaces with the SWIFT system.  When arriving your bank via BAHTNET the coding on the acct will reflect BAHTNET in some way....like Bangkok Bank and some other Thai banks use the coding of "BTN" for BAHTNET.   Transfer via BAHTNET are reflected as "domestic/intra-Thailand" transfers although the funds could have originated outside of Thailand.

 

If you want to use the IDD method to your "regular Thai bank acct" just use IDD.  Complete the SSA IDD form for Thailand to send to the SSA.   Now banks may not want to complete/sign their section of the form as it's not a Thai bank form....it will vary from bank to bank as to that policy.  If that occurs you can complete the part at the bottom without the bank signature block completed but including a memo with the form you send to the SSA that the bank will not sign a form that is not their own form, but you are confirming the SWIFT code and bank acct number are correct.   SSA understands some foreign banks will not sign certain forms that are not a form utilized by the bank.   

 

So, if you want to use the ACH method with the special/restricted acct provisions you still can when it's a US govt payment as the US govt has a waiver from having to use the ACH IAT format.  Or, use the IDD method and then the funds can be sent to any Thai bank (including Bangkok Bank) to a regular Thai baht acct.   Up to you.

 

 

 

 

[Pib]

4 minutes ago, Thailand J said:

Bangkok Bank IDD is a good idea to have automated transfer.

Interactive Brokers is the only brokerage where I can set up monthly auto transfer.

 

I think you are saying you accomplish a  "wire" vs ACH transfer.    Two different animals.   And the image above shows "wire."

 

 A "domestic wire" still flows via ACH but in a different format from a standard ACH transfer...and also typically has a higher priority as most (not all) financial firms/banks charge a wire fee.   And an "international wire" (a.k.a., SWIFT transfer) usually comes with a fee higher than a domestic wire.    

 

And when using the IDD terminology  (International Direct Deposit) that relates to US govt payments like SSA, military retirement, VA, etc.    I'm unaware of any private/civilian company using the IDD terminology.

[Thailand J]

Both Bangkok Bank IDD which the OP is trying to set up and Interactive wires will use SWIFT tranfers.

[gamb00ler]

10 hours ago, EVENKEEL said:

I just went to my online SS account and changed my direct deposit account info to Bangkok Bank, No other paperwork was needed. But again I started my SS from the US not via Manilla. The downside is Bangkok bank recently put a stop on my debit card and online banking ability. 

If you were able to change your receiving account online, that means you are using the ACH method through NY office of Bangkok bank.  Bangkok bank policy is to receive SSA benefits via ACH only into the restricted accounts.  That is why your access to your BBK account was changed.

[gamb00ler]

1 hour ago, Yagoda said:

Its a stupid thing to do

but... significantly less stupid than your post.

The OP is seeking facts, not opinions.

[Pib]

11 hours ago, EVENKEEL said:

I just went to my online SS account and changed my direct deposit account info to Bangkok Bank, No other paperwork was needed. But again I started my SS from the US not via Manilla. The downside is Bangkok bank recently put a stop on my debit card and online banking ability. 

Approx how long did it take Bangkok Bank to spot you were sending a reoccurring govt pension to a regular acct?  

 

And where you say they put a stop to your debit card and online capability how did they notify you of the change?  Some kind of notice and asking you to come in to fix the issue, etc?

[CharlieH]

Reported post removed, Keep it civil, please , no personal remarks.

 

[Yagoda]

1 hour ago, gamb00ler said:

but... significantly less stupid than your post.

The OP is seeking facts, not opinions.

Oh my post is stupid? Are you personally attacking me? Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa.

 

Facts: They dont speak English in Thailand. Facts: you are in a different time zone. Facts: you are in an area where mail delivery is expensive and untimely. Facts: you have no practical legal resource. Fact: s**8 happens. Fact: SS is a PITA

 

Go ahead. Clearly you have enough funds that the loss of your monthly wont hurt you or you dont mind the total hassle involved in DD fups in the USA, multiplied by Thailand.

 

 

 

 

[bunnydrops]

13 hours ago, EVENKEEL said:

I just went to my online SS account and changed my direct deposit account info to Bangkok Bank, No other paperwork was needed. But again I started my SS from the US not via Manilla. The downside is Bangkok bank recently put a stop on my debit card and online banking ability. 

It was years ago, but the account that the government check was sent to at Bangkok Bank could only be accessed at the counter. Since I still have a US bank account I have it sent there now and use Wise for transfers.

[flexomike]

4 hours ago, BKKKevin said:

Bangkok Bank code it as BAHTNET

If you do the ACH method throught Bangkok Bank in NY the code is always FTT

[LivingNThailand]

Sorry, I didn't read all the responses, but my advise to to just wire the money to your BKK bank account.  I had direct deposit for years with the requirement to physically take the money out every month until a friend said I could send the SS money to a regular savings with ATM.  That worked for about 2-3 years until SS decided they were going to change it back to direct deposit.  BKK didn't give me any warning so one day no ATM, no internet banking and no mobile banking with that account.  It took about 2 months to get it straightened out.  Now  I have the SS money sent to my USA bank account and on the 3rd of the month I wire the money from my USA bank to BKK bank account that has ATM, Internet banking and mobile banking.  I do it online and it takes about 3 minutes.  Costs me about $15 a month.  Money well worth spent with the convenience.  In my humble opinion.   

[LivingNThailand]

2 hours ago, Pib said:

And where you say they put a stop to your debit card and online capability how did they notify you of the change?  Some kind of notice and asking you to come in to fix the issue, etc?

With my account they gave me ZERO notice and I only found out because I couldn't use my ATM or Internet Banking.  Went to the bank and said the US government changed it.  Basically FU.

[BKKKevin]

13 minutes ago, LivingNThailand said:

I do it online and it takes about 3 minutes.  Costs me about $15 a month.  Money well worth spent with the convenience.  In my humble opinion.   

 

What US bank do you use for online transfers to your Thai bank?

[LivingNThailand]

20 minutes ago, BKKKevin said:

What US bank do you use for online transfers to your Thai bank?

I sent you a PM.   Not comfortable giving banking info here.  Hope you understand.

 

[klauskunkel]

On 2/28/2025 at 12:46 PM, BKK57 said:

Has any one from America signed up for International Direct Deposit for monthly Social Security with the S.S. Admin? I know to start this process you need to send a SSA-1199 Form to FBU Manila. They require the account number and swift code of the bank. I have two plain vanilla savings account at Bangkok Bank. However, when calling Bangkok Bank, I am told that on Bank's side a special restricted account is required and I would have to appear in person to collect the funds.

My SS payments are direct-deposited into my standard BKK Bank savings acct. The transfer shows up as "Bahtnet" in the account.

I suggest for you to not call anyone at BKK Bank to ask questions, as this only invites confusion and misunderstandings. Instead just fill out the relevant forms as outlined by SSA, get it stamped and signed by a bank officer at the branch where you opened that account and send it to Manila. That's all, really.