58 minutes ago, CM Dad said:

Thailand is my country of choice.  I have lived here for more than 35 years.  Having chosen to live here a bank account is both necessary and useful to have.  I have never had any problems with any Thai banks.  I have had accounts with five different banks, but now that I am retired I only maintain two.  One of them, by the way, is with Bangkok Bank.  I believe that all of those who complain about problems with banks are more than likely the cause of the problems.

 

Well said.  I've lived here for 20+ years, banked with Bangkok Bank since day 1, and never had an issue.  Using the app is an extremely convenient way of paying for things.

9 minutes ago, brewsterbudgen said:

 

Well said.  I've lived here for 20+ years, banked with Bangkok Bank since day 1, and never had an issue.  Using the app is an extremely convenient way of paying for things.

 

Same here, except only 4 years, up to press, best thing is transfers in from UK, or out to pay bills here.

Any problems, I just go to my local branch and if they can't fix it, a quick call to head office and I get passed the phone to talk it through in perfect English.

On 10/17/2025 at 3:18 PM, topt said:

Unless you already have an account or considerable funds and happy to travel there I don't think it is that easy - and hasn't been for quite a few years as far as I understood it?

You understood correctly.

On 10/18/2025 at 10:45 AM, Stocky said:

You can open an account in Singapore, yes there is more required in terms of identification with KYC, but that's the same globally. Singapore is an hour's flight from Hat Yai hardly a long way. As for substantial funds I guess that's a matter of perspective. 

When did you last open an account there?

2 hours ago, CM Dad said:

Thailand is my country of choice.  I have lived here for more than 35 years.  Having chosen to live here a bank account is both necessary and useful to have.  I have never had any problems with any Thai banks.  I have had accounts with five different banks, but now that I am retired I only maintain two.  One of them, by the way, is with Bangkok Bank.  I believe that all of those who complain about problems with banks are more than likely the cause of the problems.

 

I could not open a K bank account a few weeks ago, they said names are wrong way round in passport and on immigration document, family name first, the same as Thai passports and ID cards! Head office backed up this nonsense, when I pointed out if this were the case nobody would have ever been able to open an account with them as all passports are like this, no reply.

How was I the cause of the problem?

On 10/17/2025 at 2:34 PM, Stocky said:

Just keep savings and investments in Singapore and maintain a basic amount to cover extension, plus three to four months living costs in Thai accounts. Holding as cash and gold stashed under the mattress is nonsensical and simply asking for trouble.

Last year in a neighboring village a Thai wooden house went up in flames. It was mostly destroyed.  Found out later they had around 6 million baht hidden in the house. About 2 million was recovered.

After many years visiting and working in Thailand, and finally retiring to the LOS in 1993, I have had no problems with Thai banks. I do, however, miss Standard Chartered Bank who pulled out of retail banking here some years ago. Their level of service was the best I have experienced in Thailand.

IF.... you have a VALID "Extension Of Stay" and you do NOT have MANY multiple different value monies transfers to your account monthly from MANY DIFFERENT sources, you should be OK.

 

I have 2 bank accounts ( 1 for retirement the other 1 for "daily" expenses & etc. )

 

I make 2 transfer deposits monthly - from same source 13 years, basically each deposit the same amount ( +/- 500bt ),  with NO problems - SO FAR, into my 2nd account.

On 10/16/2025 at 9:46 PM, Stressed Eric said:

Who says I want to stay here long term??

Please, please, please! …  do not stay any longer! 

On 10/18/2025 at 10:51 AM, hotsun said:

Comparing the trustworthiness of a thai bank to an american bank…absolute joke

 

The 2008 financial crisis was caused by American banks going bust left, right and centre. Not a single Thai bank went bust during this period, as I recall.

 

Have trusted Thai banks. Want to trust them. Little choice but to trust them. 

 

But doubts have seeded in my mind, watered by more & more evidence that the world is steadily going completely haywire! 

 

Apart from deposit for yearly extension, may consider taking large portion of other accounts out. 

On 10/20/2025 at 10:02 AM, brian69 said:

0.9% interest

oooo, we're really cooking now!!!

 

sign me up immediately!

 

😄 

 

Eric.

If the major banks fail, then the economy fails, Not likely. It is irresponsible to push this crap about Thai banks failing. There is nothing to indicate that the principal Thai banks are in trouble.

 

On 10/16/2025 at 9:45 AM, persimmon said:

So you rely on getting cash from the ATM as you need it ? What about the gold - how do you keep that ?

 

Most likely does not have any assets of value. This is a windup.

12 minutes ago, Patong2021 said:

If the major banks fail, then the economy fails, Not likely. It is irresponsible to push this crap about Thai banks failing. There is nothing to indicate that the principal Thai banks are in trouble.

 

 

Most likely does not have any assets of value. This is a windup.

 

 

Spot on.

 

 

For almost 20 years I have had to listen the bu11sh1t about Thai banks failing...

Just now, hotandsticky said:

 

 

Spot on.

 

 

For almost 20 years I have had to listen the bu11sh1t about Thai banks failing...

You obviously weren't around in '97.

 

It's coming round again soon...

 

Eric.

11 minutes ago, Stressed Eric said:

You obviously weren't around in '97.

 

It's coming round again soon...

 

Eric.

 

 

How many Thai banks failed in 1997?

 

 

The answer I am looking for is numeric, not BS.

25 minutes ago, hotandsticky said:

 

 

How many Thai banks failed in 1997?

 

 

The answer I am looking for is numeric, not BS.

A quick Google search revealed:-

 

Commercial Banks:

Bangkok Bank of Commerce (BBC): Was one of the first banks to fail, with a significant number of problematic loans.

Other banks: The government closed down two other commercial banks alongside the BBC.

Flame posts & replies removed.

 

@Stressed Eric

 

@hotandsticky

 

Stop bickering please.

8 minutes ago, Dazinoz said:

A quick Google search revealed:-

 

Commercial Banks:

Bangkok Bank of Commerce (BBC): Was one of the first banks to fail, with a significant number of problematic loans.

Other banks: The government closed down two other commercial banks alongside the BBC.

 

Thanks,

 

OK.....how many 'personal' bans failed?

 

 

Obviously the answer is none and that followed a brutal assault on the currency.......conditions are now much more favourable. 

 

 

Talk of the risk of collapse of any Thai bank is nonsense.

5 minutes ago, hotandsticky said:

 

Thanks,

 

OK.....how many 'personal' bans failed?

 

 

Obviously the answer is none and that followed a brutal assault on the currency.......conditions are now much more favourable. 

 

 

Talk of the risk of collapse of any Thai bank is nonsense.

Don't know. That was all I got in quick search. I am not really concerned about banks here as I use income method so rarely have much in Thai banks.

Post breaking forum rules removed.

 

@Stressed Eric final warning, follow forum rules.

 

Rule 13. You will not publicly comment on moderation in an open forum. You will not comment on actions taken by individual moderators or on specific or general policies and issues. You will not post a negative emoticon in response to a public notice made by a moderator. You may send a private message to a moderator to discuss individual actions or you can email support (at) aseannow.com to discuss moderation policy and account suspensions.You will not block communication from moderators or Admin.

 

Aggression, personal attacks, or any form of abuse toward moderators will not be tolerated and will result in strict consequences.

 

There is absolutely no excuse for abusive behavior.

 

21 hours ago, Letseng said:

When did you last open an account there?

I switched from the Channel Islands to a HSBC Singapore Premier account 25 years ago, but a colleague opened a similar account at the beginning of this year. All that was required was passport, proof of address and a tax ID, he did it in person, though you can do this online. Provided you maintain a total balance of investments and savings over SGD200,000 there are no charges. There would be little point in having a regular bank account in Singapore, and I expect that is far harder to do

3 hours ago, Stressed Eric said:

oooo, we're really cooking now!!!

 

sign me up immediately!

 

😄 

 

Eric.

And the Thai bank that pays more AFTER tax is ?????.

 

9 hours ago, Stocky said:

I switched from the Channel Islands to a HSBC Singapore Premier account 25 years ago, but a colleague opened a similar account at the beginning of this year. All that was required was passport, proof of address and a tax ID, he did it in person, though you can do this online. Provided you maintain a total balance of investments and savings over SGD200,000 there are no charges. There would be little point in having a regular bank account in Singapore, and I expect that is far harder to do

Rules seem to vary from bank to bank even in Singapore. The one I use is way more involved if they do it at all. Seems to depend on yr nationality.