On 12/25/2025 at 9:59 AM, ChaiyaTH said:

You would be better off having it in actual cash and gold or even just rent some deposit box in BKK, barely costs money compared to what bank fees are today.

"...compared to what bank fees are today".

What "fees today" do Thai banks impose for leaving funds on deposit that would be more than renting a SD box?

On 12/25/2025 at 9:59 AM, ChaiyaTH said:

Impressed you even leave that much in the Thai banks knowing their illegal freezing of funds while not explaining a thing / giving any apologies after, repeatedly. You would be better off having it in actual cash and gold or even just rent some deposit box in BKK, barely costs money compared to what bank fees are today.

100% tosh.

19 hours ago, oldcpu said:

 

How long ago was it when you were denied opening an account in Kasikorn due to your LTR not being a non-immigrant visa

The incident occurred about 3 weeks ago at the Kasikorn branch in Siam Paragon, Bangkok. The bank officer in front of me flipped through a printout of what I now assume to be a list of approved visa types. She didn't say anything to me but then made a phone call to a central help desk. I've seen this before when I previously had a Kasikorn account. The representative on the phone speaks fluent English and we talk about whatever it is that I came in for. This time she wouldn't approve opening an account based on my LTR. I informed her, politely, that it was a 10 year visa but she immediately repeated that she couldn't approve my account. I was surprised but I've heard so many stories about searching for another branch that I decided to do the same.

 

Not any branch though. I went to One Bangkok, to the BOI office to explain the situation. They confirmed that the LTR is not a non-immigrant visa and suggested that I used the Kasikorn branch downstairs . . . which I did. Even the lady handing out queue numbers had heard of an LTR. The bank officer inside also flipped through the printout. I'm guessing she didn't see an LTR in her printout either but had heard of the LTR. She smiled and then processed the account.

 

Back in October 2024, in Sisaket province, the Bangkok Bank officers were thrilled to see an LTR. They had never seen one before. She called other employees over to look at it. They processed that account in 45 minutes.  

8 hours ago, Martyp said:

The incident occurred about 3 weeks ago at the Kasikorn branch in Siam Paragon, Bangkok. The bank officer in front of me flipped through a printout of what I now assume to be a list of approved visa types. She didn't say anything to me but then made a phone call to a central help desk. I've seen this before when I previously had a Kasikorn account. The representative on the phone speaks fluent English and we talk about whatever it is that I came in for. This time she wouldn't approve opening an account based on my LTR. I informed her, politely, that it was a 10 year visa but she immediately repeated that she couldn't approve my account. I was surprised but I've heard so many stories about searching for another branch that I decided to do the same.

 

I can't help but suspect that the person in Bangkok she spoke to was not knowledgeable with regard to Kasikorn policy - and may not have been the correct person in Kasikorn Bangkok main branch to chat with. 

 

8 hours ago, Martyp said:

 

Not any branch though. I went to One Bangkok, to the BOI office to explain the situation. They confirmed that the LTR is not a non-immigrant visa and suggested that I used the Kasikorn branch downstairs . . . which I did. Even the lady handing out queue numbers had heard of an LTR. The bank officer inside also flipped through the printout. I'm guessing she didn't see an LTR in her printout either but had heard of the LTR. She smiled and then processed the account.

 

I note you succeeded with another Kaskikorn branch ... where I suspect that individual (in the other branch) may  have known of the correct policy (as opposed the first branch where they did not know).  Clearly this is all very much speculation by me - but from what I understand from my wife's friend (who is a Krungsri branch manager), where this branch manager in a large shopping mall, that she regularly chats with and goes to lunch with the other different bank branch managers  (there are 5 or 6 different banks in that shopping mall),  is that branch managers need to be very careful if they do not follow their bank's central branch policy ... Some branch managers will 'take' a chance, but not all are inclined to do so.

 

8 hours ago, Martyp said:

Back in October 2024, in Sisaket province, the Bangkok Bank officers were thrilled to see an LTR. They had never seen one before. She called other employees over to look at it. They processed that account in 45 minutes.  

 

I have had this (curiosity about LTR) happen with Immigration officers, when entering Thailand. Where they called over other IO (from their booths, stopping momentary some airport immigration processing at other booths) to come over and look at the LTR visa stamp in my passport.

 

Another example, when the local Transport office, reversed their decision (after initially refusing to give me an International driver's licence with me on an LTR visa), they asked if they could copy the various visa stamps in my passport, so to use it as a case study ( lol !! ).  My passport had stamps of visa exempt, Type-OA, Type-OA extensions (both retirement & marriage), Type-O (retirement) , Type-O extensions, and the LTR-WP visa stamp.  They stated they were going to put the photocopies of my passport's stamps in a local "training" booklet as a guide to their transport office staff.

 

I suspect something as that may also be the case for Bank Branches, where they need some sort of procedure, or guide, so that they know based on which Visas they are allowed to permit bank accounts to be open.  

 

I am curious if others have experienced (in recent months) what you experienced with Kasikorn bank branches.  

 

When I (recently) opened up a new account with SCB bank, they not only knew of the LTR, but they insisted on seeing (and having a copy of) my "The Notification of qualification of Endorsement for Long Term Resident Visa" document, that all LTR visa holders get.  ... The BoI web page says to expect that, but I failed to read that web page before hand (fortunately I had a copy on my smartphone).  I was surprised that an SCB branch staff even knew about such a document.   Clearly (IMHO) they (SCB) were better in updating central bank policy and then passing that information to various branches, than perhaps Kasikorn.

 

 

24 minutes ago, oldcpu said:

Another example, when the local Transport office, reversed their decision (after initially refusing to give me an International driver's licence with me on an LTR visa), they asked if they could copy the various visa stamps in my passport, so to use it as a case study ( lol !! ).  My passport had stamps of visa exempt, Type-OA, Type-OA extensions (both retirement & marriage), Type-O (retirement) , Type-O extensions, and the LTR-WP visa stamp.  They stated they were going to put the photocopies of my passport's stamps in a local "training" booklet as a guide to their transport office staff.

You'd think they would make this type of training material at a national level.... but TiT

On 12/27/2025 at 2:08 AM, Sato said:

I believe US tax laws are unique in this regards. Most European countries differ significantly. In Switzerland, you must register with the municipality on the first day you take up residence, and from that day on, you are liable for taxes and must take out health insurance. As soon as you move away from Switzerland (but at the latest after being out of the country for more than three months), you must deregister with the municipality. From that day on, you are no longer liable for taxes in Switzerland (and therefore no longer pay taxes on, for example, your pension or retirement income).

There is no law in Switzerland that obligates banks to allow Swiss citizens to have bank accounts with them. Banks are also free to close their customers' accounts at any time without giving a reason. If a bank suspects that a customer is no longer resident in Switzerland, they will request proof (e.g., a certificate of residence from the municipality where they are registered). My bank discovered that I no longer live in Switzerland (presumably because my pension fund money had been paid into my account). As a result, the bank froze all my accounts. I had great difficulty finding a bank where I could open an account. In all of Switzerland, this was only possible with a handful of banks.

Ok very clear now. Now, if you maintained a residence in Switzerland and continued to pay for all social insurance and pension contributions could you still have a bank account even of you did not actually "reside" in Switzerland?  I thought even with FATCA wealthy foreigners could still have Swiss bank accounts. Requiring very large deposits.

 

Years ago "Bank of America" a huge National chain kept automatically started  freezing my account for "foreign address" even thought it was not any official required policy. I could call corporate and get it opened. Eventually I got another bank, and another.

 

I am interested why ? countries have to make international lifestyles so difficult. I fear it will only get worse. Except for Elites.

1 hour ago, Asean Tiger said:

Ok very clear now. Now, if you maintained a residence in Switzerland and continued to pay for all social insurance and pension contributions could you still have a bank account even of you did not actually "reside" in Switzerland?  I thought even with FATCA wealthy foreigners could still have Swiss bank accounts. Requiring very large deposits.

 

Years ago "Bank of America" a huge National chain kept automatically started  freezing my account for "foreign address" even thought it was not any official required policy. I could call corporate and get it opened. Eventually I got another bank, and another.

 

I am interested why ? countries have to make international lifestyles so difficult. I fear it will only get worse. Except for Elites.

 

Different banks. Different policies.  In the case of Canada, the Bank of Montreal nominally won't allow Canadians who are non residents of Canada to open an account and will not allow trading on BMO brokerage accounts. However Scotiabank and RBC will allow Canadians who are not residents of Canada to open accounts. My understanding is there is more paperwork for the banks which may explain policy differences. Questrade in Canada will allow Canadians who are not Canadian residents to open brokerage accounts. 

 

I suspect every country is a bit different. 

19 hours ago, Asean Tiger said:

if you maintained a residence in Switzerland and continued to pay for all social insurance and pension contributions could you still have a bank account even of you did not actually "reside" in Switzerland?

It depends on the Bank but for most Banks not. You could keep an address at a family member's address and simply not deregister with the local authorities, but then you would still be liable for taxes in Switzerland. At the same time, you would have to maintain your health insurance, which would be a significant advantage but would violate the health insurance company's regulations. If they discovered in the event of a claim that you had been away from Switzerland for more than three months, they would refuse payment. You can continue to pay into the old-age and social security system even if you are deregistered in Switzerland. You could also conceal your residence abroad from the bank. This wouldn't be illegal, but it would again violate the bank's policies.

18 hours ago, oldcpu said:

 I thought even with FATCA wealthy foreigners could still have Swiss bank accounts

FATCA isn't the problem. As a US citizen (and as a Russian citizen), it's actually difficult to open an account with a Swiss bank, even if you're a resident of Switzerland, work there, and pay taxes. The reason is the tax dispute between the US government and Swiss banks, which resulted in Swiss banks having to pay billions to the US government. Since then, US customers have been considered too high a risk for the banks.

On 12/27/2025 at 7:49 AM, Martyp said:

 No. I know how to get a bank account. I got a Bangkok Bank account in 2024 with my LTR. Even with this recent experience with Kasikorn I had all the right documents. All the BOI office did was suggest i use the Kasikorn branch downstairs from their office.

 

That Kasikorn branch didn't deny me because I didn't have the right documents. They denied me because they said they can't open an account for a foreigner without a non-immigrant visa. The LTR is not a non-immigrant visa. The BOI said is was a "special" visa . . . whatever that means. In any case, the Kasikorn representative on the phone simply didn't know what an LTR was. I mentioned that the LTR is a 10 year visa and she repeated that she couldn't open an account for me. I wasn't going to argue the point. I knew she was wrong and I sought out another branch.

A friend and I both received an LTR visa at the same time (2 years ago). The next day my friend went to Kasikorn (in Bangkok and probably not the branch you went to) and opened a savings account with only the LTR (no COR or any other documents). I think Thais so many times are afraid of "losing face", so instead of being honest and admitting that they don't know, they will make up something to "save face". Banking has changed a lot over the years (since 2007) when I opened my Kasikorn account with a tourist visa and the hotel business card for an address, LOL.

On 12/28/2025 at 3:59 PM, oldcpu said:

I am curious if others have experienced (in recent months) what you experienced with Kasikorn bank branches.  

 

 

 

Since I got my LTR visa I also got the yellow house book and pink ID card and my Thai drivers license. I looked on the LTR website at everything needed to open a Kasikorn account, all of which I now had and went to the main branch here in Chiang Rai and had no problem opening an account.

The day before I did this I went to the Bangkok Bank as I lost my ATM card. The account is from the main branch in Bangkok and I’ve had it for over 10 years. After I got the new ATM card I asked if I could open an account there. I show him the LTR visa and he showed it to all the other staff as he asked about it then told me I couldn’t open an account as I didn’t have a long term visa and my account with Bangkok Bank was done under the old rules.

3 minutes ago, eastbaybob said:

The day before I did this I went to the Bangkok Bank as I lost my ATM card. The account is from the main branch in Bangkok and I’ve had it for over 10 years. After I got the new ATM card I asked if I could open an account there. I show him the LTR visa and he showed it to all the other staff as he asked about it then told me I couldn’t open an account as I didn’t have a long term visa and my account with Bangkok Bank was done under the old rules.

I think I couldn't have resisted the temptation to tell him what LTR stands for.

Yet another example that showcases the poor training of Bangkok Bank employees. Sad.

5 minutes ago, eastbaybob said:

The day before I did this I went to the Bangkok Bank as I lost my ATM card. The account is from the main branch in Bangkok and I’ve had it for over 10 years. After I got the new ATM card I asked if I could open an account there. I show him the LTR visa and he showed it to all the other staff as he asked about it then told me I couldn’t open an account as I didn’t have a long term visa and my account with Bangkok Bank was done under the old rules.

My suggestion for anyone who encounters this (with LTR visa) where the Bank claims an account can not be opened (as the bank does not call the LTR a long term visa), is to very very politely explain it is a MUCH MUCH "LONGER" term visa than a long term Visa. Note it is a 10-year visa, and politely suggest the bank branch check with their bank head office in Bangkok.

Of course this being Thailand, a polite 'face saving' way has to be found to make the request that the Bangkok head office be queried. If the branch clerk or manager feels they will lose face, they may claim they are following head office policy (so to avoid the loss of face when they are in fact wrong) ... when in fact they are not following such main branch policy. This (trying to correct an innocent mistake) is IMHO always a tricky thing to do in Thailand.

One can possibly also show the BoI webpage for the LTR visa, where it clearly shows how to open a Thailand bank account when on the LTR visa.

And if one wishes to pursue further, one can contact BoI after (having been refused) and point out to BoI the bank branch that refuses to accept the LTR visa. That IMHO won't help one open one's account, but it may help others (on an LTR) as BoI may contact the Head office, to ensure word makes it down to the various bank branches.

.

On 12/25/2025 at 2:06 AM, hughrection said:

My experience ............ went in to pink bank with ....... yellow house book, pink ID card, drivers license & work permit!

 

Guy said, I need a letter from my employer stating that I work there! The work permit had entries for 6 years. LOL.

Just looked at him, started laughing & left.

 

Went to another pink branch in town. presented same docs & account promptly opened.

 

My wife told me that I shouldn't do it BUT ........ went back to the first bank, asked for the previous guy, showed him the new bank book & ATM card & laughed at him again. He was not pleased, but it made me happy. 🙂 All of this happened within an hour of being turned down & then approved. Don't give up. 🙂 

No doubt he couldn't be arsed to do the work and just fobbed you off. Bank staff like doing that here, especially if it's near lunch time😉

Banks here love all the amounts of money the foreigners bring in...but when it comes to having to pay some legitimate and good interest on the schemes....it's often "solly, only for thai"...."solly".... Which is why I only have the minimum necessary in the Thai bank account for paying bills etc. Why should I give my money to a country and it's banks that do not treat me fairly?

But to the discharge of the Bank managment, if a bank clerk makes up some story, complain and send a letter to the CEO of the Bank at headquarters in Bangok. I did it and within less then a month, my issue was solved with a very gracious appology from the local branch.