BKK Bank New Acct-Long term expat to provide ID from home countr

[thailand49]

 If you want to stay with Bangkok Bank try another branch, each one has their own understanding of the so call  rules look at it as what Immigration does all the time.

This past two months been dealing with BB in Pattaya for a friend it is like pulling teeth even harder, one said need a residential letter, then week later manager acted as if they never heard of one before, but will do it but need to hold money in a time deposit,  Then to another the one that actually got busted for illegally opening account for mainland Chinese as tourist why this all started!  

 

Again, even with a residential certificate, refuse the rule as changed even when it hasn't this seem to be the common excuse, since my friend has lots of medical issue said go to doctor get a letter we can open one to use for his medical expenses.

 

So after a week, I was told given a small piece of paper go to this particular bank and give this guy the letter along with a 1000 baht, half hour later account opened, with residential letter, and passport,

[BrandonJT]

39 minutes ago, thailand49 said:

 If you want to stay with Bangkok Bank try another branch, each one has their own understanding of the so call  rules look at it as what Immigration does all the time.

This past two months been dealing with BB in Pattaya for a friend it is like pulling teeth even harder, one said need a residential letter, then week later manager acted as if they never heard of one before, but will do it but need to hold money in a time deposit,  Then to another the one that actually got busted for illegally opening account for mainland Chinese as tourist why this all started!  

 

Again, even with a residential certificate, refuse the rule as changed even when it hasn't this seem to be the common excuse, since my friend has lots of medical issue said go to doctor get a letter we can open one to use for his medical expenses.

 

So after a week, I was told given a small piece of paper go to this particular bank and give this guy the letter along with a 1000 baht, half hour later account opened, with residential letter, and passport,

1000 baht in this day and age is a pure bargain!

[NanLaew]

On 8/7/2025 at 9:31 AM, LivingNThailand said:

You are.  Last year I needed a new ATM card and the call center told me I could go to any branch.  Any branch, for sure.  So I went to the nearest branch and they made a big deal about how I was at the wrong branch and I had to go back to the original branch.  I held my ground, but the clerk made me suffer and fill out tons of paperwork.  I was there for at least 2 hours just to get a replacement card.  This has been festering for a while I guess.

 

That's just a bank clerk being a lazy arse. About four years ago I wanted to update my address and contact info on my Bangkok Bank account that's hosted in Pattaya. I went to a mall branch in Udon Thani where I live and the clerk said it could be done but I had hit the branch at peak waiting time. She suggested she would take the basis details but I should come back shortly before afternoon closing which I did. She had all the forms ready, had pre filled some parts and marked where I needed to sign. Took about 10 minutes.

 

As well as card renewal, there used to be a restriction on renewing your bank book, that could only be done at the holding branch but that's not been the case for quite a while.

[sangtip2]

On 8/5/2025 at 5:06 PM, Caldera said:

 

That an expired ID cannot be used for anything goes without saying. I see your dilemma though.

 

I have unexpired ID from my home country, but it also wouldn't be acceptable under the rules you state, as it doesn't include my home country address. As secondary ID for opening bank accounts and TrueMoney, I used my Thai driving license which (unsurprisingly) has my Thai address.

 

The only current home country document that I have that includes my home country address is an election-related letter, so no "ID" as such.

There are many people who do not have a "Home country address" and I am one of them.

[NoDisplayName]

On 8/5/2025 at 5:00 PM, Peter Crow said:

 

I did, opened an account with Kasikorn, and two month later they that I couldn't use more than 50,000 of my money in any given day...

 

Useles IMO.

 

That's the default setting for online/app money transfers.

 

You an reset that to 200K 500K or 1 million.  Change may take a day or two to take effect, and will reset after 30 days.

[Letseng]

On 8/5/2025 at 4:45 PM, Jingthing said:

Passports.

My p.port doesn't have a home address & over the years got issued by embassy in Thailand. Bank had this when the account was opened 20 yrs ago. What do I miss in this conversation?

[Letseng]

On 8/5/2025 at 5:53 PM, Aforek said:

France, too

Does German ID still have German home address? They had it decades ago. But if you no longer have a home there you can't have this address nor renew this doc.

[PJ71]

On 8/5/2025 at 10:19 AM, LivingNThailand said:

I wanted to open a new bank account at Bangkok Bank this week.  For the record, I have had several accounts at BKK Bank for 10 years.  Understanding that the rules are tighter now for foreigners to open bank accounts and to save time, I contacted someone I know who works at the bank and forwarded the documents I thought they might need to open a new account. 

 

I called to confirm that the documents were ok, and I was told that they had new rules starting this week and that foreigners also have to submit a photo ID showing the foreigner's home address.  I informed them that I had an expired driver's license from my home country, but since I have lived in Thailand over 10 years there is no way I could provide a current unexpired  ID from my home country.  Could they use the expired license as proof.

 

I was told no.  The photo ID has to be current.  No exceptions.  I was told that even if you have lived in Thailand for 20 years, you can't get a new bank account without a current photo ID from your home country showing your current home country address.

 

Can anyone tell me how I can get a current photo  ID showing my current address in my home country when I haven't lived in that country for 10 years?

 

Although I was a bit upset after this phone call, I realized that there must be something I'm not getting here.  A workaround?  Any help?  I could use another bank, but I'm not in a position to move everything around at this point in time.

 

Everyone have a great day!

 

 

Renew home country driving license if you can?

 

Most european countries this can be done online.

[PJ71]

On 8/5/2025 at 10:32 AM, Peter Crow said:

Bangkok Bank used to be be a great bank, friendly to foreigners, but that's the past.

I guess it varies...

 

Over the last 25 years i have found BKK bank to be by far the easiest to deal with, infact i've given up with some of the other ones.

[Negita43]

On 8/5/2025 at 11:00 AM, Peter Crow said:

and two month later they that I couldn't use more than 50,000 of my money in any given day...

I think that is for the ATM card and if you think about that's to protect against fraudulent use. Siam Bank let's me set the limit on daily withdrawals and if the card can be used for online purchases.

[Bday Prang]

5 hours ago, sangtip2 said:

There are many people who do not have a "Home country address" and I am one of them.

I always maintain one just in case          we are after all NON immigrants   mayne that has something to do with this   Who knows?

[George FmplesdaCosteedback]

On 8/5/2025 at 4:39 PM, Tarteso said:

The embassy doesn't have the authority to renew your ID? Just a question..

Passports don't have an address on them.

You can renew an expired driving licence from overseas. I did it earlier this year.

[DrJoy]

On 8/6/2025 at 7:39 AM, LivingNThailand said:

I do on line banking on my PC at home with BKK bank.  One of the reasons I like them.  My old eyes can't see the tiny type on the phone.

Krungsri and UOB both have Internet Banking (website)

[DrJack54]

Offensive post removed. 

[Maestro]

10 hours ago, PJ71 said:

Renew home country driving license if you can?

 

Most european countries this can be done online.

 

My Swiss driving license does not have my address on it.

[PJ71]

9 hours ago, Maestro said:

 

My Swiss driving license does not have my address on it.

ok, that's a bummer.

[Maestro]

15 hours ago, PJ71 said:

ok, that's a bummer.

 

The fact is that I don't have any photo ID issued by the Swiss government showing my address: not my passport, not my national ID card, not my driving license, not my social security card.

 

I do have the membership card with my photo and my Swiss address issued by the International Naturist Federation (INF).

[paulbrow]

On 8/10/2025 at 7:51 PM, George FmplesdaCosteedback said:

Passports don't have an address on them.

You can renew an expired driving licence from overseas. I did it earlier this year.

For what it's worth, in the USA, driving licenses are issued by your state of residence. Each state has its own rules. My state is Texas and driving license can be renewed online every other renewal  and must be done in person for the interim renewals.