I'm moving to Bangkok on a Non-O retirement visa and need a short-term lease document to open a bank account (which will be handled by my immigration attorney).

As I'm trying to arrange this from overseas, I would much prefer to work with a trustworthy source to reduce risk: i.e. I don't want stake the success of my emigration - and also where I'll be staying for 3 months - on just an email from an unverifiable online source, or engage in a large search - e.g. using DDProperty - where there's so many listings it's hard to determine whether each one is recent, active or genuine.

So far I have located several serviced apartment buildings using Renthub (I haven't found any condo buildings in central Bangkok which offer 3 month leases), but they're all closer to Phetchaburi Road/ far from a BTS station, which I think - as I'll be on foot - would make living there for 3 months a challenge.

I figure asking here for concrete examples from people who’ve done this recently - where you stayed, how much did it cost, and were you able to secure a short term least document - would be a good approach: hopefully cutting through the chaos and giving me a more assured solution.

My preference would ideally be for somewhere in Asoke, Phrom Phong, Thong Lor, or Ekkamai, within 1km of a BTS station, and priced below 50,000 THB/month.

If you’ve successfully navigated this process, I’d really appreciate your insights. Thanks in advance.

(Also, my immigration attorney implied that some folks pay for a cheap room, just to get the short term lease document: if you've done this successfully, I'd like to hear about that too).

1 hour ago, audrey_helpburn said:

I'm moving to Bangkok on a Non-O retirement visa..,. 

You would be entering Thailand on a Non O. 

Couple of points. 

Don't see the need to obtain a lease prior to entry. Nor see the need for "immigration attorney" 

There are many options for lease accommodation in the area you listed. 

Once settled in temporary accommodation you can find a condo. 

Indeed a lease would be helpful for opening a bank account. 

Currently I would avoid BBL. 

 

As for location some locations such as Asoke (and others) have a BTS + MRT junction. 

They are excellent options as have instant access to both transport lines. 

For your first week you have many options one example Trendy building. 

Plenty of threads such as this one with general advice. 

 

https://aseannow.com/topic/1359826-what-are-people-paying-for-rent-in-bangkok/

 

A while ago now, but I also was in rush to open a bank account, living in a hotel at the time.......I think your immigration attorney will have no problems sorting things.

 

We used Siam Legal.......guy walked over to the bank with us, held our hand, all sorted in about an hour tops.

11 minutes ago, Will B Good said:

We used Siam Legal.......guy walked over to the bank with us, held our hand, all sorted in about an hour tops.

When was this. 

I don't think Siam Legal assist with opening bank accounts any more. 

They did years back however stopped. 

If the OP has a Non O and a lease he should be fine. 

Some banks may want a COR from immigration. 

Recent report of guy opening account with Kasikorn with lease + Non O + TDL 

@DrJack54 Thanks for your reply. My immigration attorney (which I'm using for reasons) said that, for the 1 year extension, I need a bank account with 800000THB settled in there for 2 months, and I need a short term lease agreement to open the bank account (which they are also going to do for me), so from arrival that gives me less than 30 days on my 90 day visa to secure the short term lease agreement and get the bank account opened, which is why I'm trying to get ahead of the game and have somewhere lined up now (and somewhere I'd be comfortable living for 3 months) vs arriving and scrambling and likely winding up somewhere not so great and/ or having a trek to the metro or BTS.

 

 

22 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

When was this. 

I don't think Siam Legal assist with opening bank accounts any more. 

They did years back however stopped. 

If the OP has a Non O and a lease he should be fine. 

Some banks may want a COR from immigration. 

Recent report of guy opening account with Kasikorn with lease + Non O + TDL 

 

A while ago......yikes.....six years!!!!!

25 minutes ago, audrey_helpburn said:

, so from arrival that gives me less than 30 days on my 90 day visa to secure the short term lease agreement and get the bank account opened, which is why I'm trying to get ahead of the game and have somewhere lined up now (and somewhere I'd be comfortable living for 3 months) vs arriving and scrambling and likely winding up somewhere not so great and/ or having a trek to the metro or BTS

Makes sense. 

Since the accommodation may be temporary ...(3 months) think you can broaden your location area. 

 

As long as you're on a BTS or MRT line you can get to just about anywhere.