Unable To Open A Bank Account

[kriswillems]

I am married. My wife is Thai. I am in Thailand with a multiple entry non-immigrant-O visa. I live in Chonburi (province). I am currently unemployed.

I tried to open a bank account on my name with SIAM COMMERCIAL bank and BANGKOK BANK.

None of them wants to open a bank account for me unless I have a work permit.

After pushing a bit BANGKOK BANK wants to open an account if I hold a "RESIDENCE CERTIFICATE".

I went to the immigration office to ask for this and they told me that I should have reported to them within 24 hours after arriving in Thailand.

Because I didn't do this I would have to pay a fine of 800 Baht.

They gave me 2 forms:

1. APPLICATION FOR RESIDENCE CERTIFICATE IN THAILAND

2. NOTIFICATION FROM HOUSE MASTER, OWNER OR THE POSSESSOR OF THE RESIDENCE WHERE THE ALIEN HAS STAYED

Is this the normal procedure?

Did other people have the same problem?

[ovenman]

The conventional wisdom regarding opening a bank account is to keep trying different bank branches until you eventually achieve success. Different branches seem to operate with different rules, so the process is very hit and miss.

Edit - I do mean bank branches literally. You could try two different branches of Bangkok Bank and be given two differing sets of requirements to open an account.

Edited August 29, 2007 by ovenman

[lopburi3]

Unless you are doing 90 day address reports (extension of stay) it is probably better to ask your Embassy for such a letter. And yes, the law is the house owner must report your presence within 24 hours (however this is normally only enforced on hotels, unless someone calls attention to it) and there is a small fine involved for not doing so.

[marginline]

Did other people have the same problem?

No Sir,

When I arrived (just over 3-years ago)...the very next day I went to a branch of BankThai and opened a savings account to cash-in/deposit my travellers checks.

Since then, I've kind of stopped using BankThai in favor of Kasikornbank. Simple reason - Kasikorn has Internet Banking; BankThai does not if you are farang.

FWIW with both banks, all I had to produce was my passport and sign a handful of forms. Both banks provided an ATM card on-the-spot. Kasikornbank had me up-and-running online within 24-hours.

Hope this is of some help to you!

Edited August 29, 2007 by marginline

[jasreeve17]

Work on the banks greed...

Go to an upmarket branch, dress well and tell them that you want to open an account and will bring in 10 million baht in a couple of months. You will get presents (clocks, pens, calendars...) galore and a nice new account.

[britmaveric]

Quite simple and anyone can get a savings account.

[tijnebijn]

Also my experience , never had any problem opening a savings account .

You should not give up and try different branches , sure it works out .

I am not sure why in particular one needs a residence certificate , I never needed one or asked for one .

[binnsy]

Had the same experiance in Bangkok the banks i went into wanted a work permit.Went up country and had no problem card given there and then.With bangkok bank seems they have different rules in different branches.cost 300 baht for a be1st account free pens,polo shirt etc.

[Blackandwhite]

Well, I opened a bank account at Thai Farmers Bank in Pattaya the first time I went six years ago, it was no problem.

I did find it tough making deposits as there are not many branches, so I tried to open a bank account in Bangkok Bank as they are everywhere, it was not so easy, they needed as you said many documents and as i live in Uk it was not easy to produce any of the stuff they required.

When we last visited my wife's village Buriram when we were on our hols from the Uk, I dressed well and we went to the Bangkok Bank near her village Bangruad and I was able to open an account no problem, all I needed was my passport and driving licence.

I even got a free yellow sports jacket, that I could only just get over one shoulder, not Farang sizes!!!!!, it did fit my wifes brother and he wore it with pride for nearly 10 days !!!

Not sure where your partner is from but it might be worth a try nearer her home town,

Good luck

SP

[Ray1167]

never had a problem opening a bank account in Thailand , have several . Copy of passport was enough. Maybe another case of '' new rules''

[hansnl]

My local bank manager in Khon Kaen (KTB) tells me there are a few new rules for Farang implemented, one of the new rules is that no intrest is to be paid to Farang, but, as I understand it has something to do with control of foreign funds.

If you have a Thai ID-number (yellow housebook) there you are: intrest.

The other thing is, any bank, any branch, explains the rules differently, or not at all.

So indeed, shop around.

And indeed, in BKK more chance for paperwork as up country.

Good luck.

[Krub]

My local bank manager in Khon Kaen (KTB) tells me there are a few new rules for Farang implemented, one of the new rules is that no intrest is to be paid to Farang, but, as I understand it has something to do with control of foreign funds.

If you have a Thai ID-number (yellow housebook) there you are: intrest.

The other thing is, any bank, any branch, explains the rules differently, or not at all.

So indeed, shop around.

And indeed, in BKK more chance for paperwork as up country.

Good luck.

Krung Thai Bank call center (by e-mail) told me interrest will be paid if you have a 1 year extension or a work permit

SCB didnot care and gave interrest even without either

Shop around

[asiaexpat]

Kasikorn Bank Seacon Square quote" Types of customers: Non-residents, both private individuals and corporate entities receive the same interest rates as Thai residents per the table above. " And was true for me.

HSBC non residents accounts get no interest.

[dragonfly94]

I am married. My wife is Thai. I am in Thailand with a multiple entry non-immigrant-O visa. I live in Chonburi (province). I am currently unemployed.

I tried to open a bank account on my name with SIAM COMMERCIAL bank and BANGKOK BANK.

None of them wants to open a bank account for me unless I have a work permit.

After pushing a bit BANGKOK BANK wants to open an account if I hold a "RESIDENCE CERTIFICATE".

I went to the immigration office to ask for this and they told me that I should have reported to them within 24 hours after arriving in Thailand.

Because I didn't do this I would have to pay a fine of 800 Baht.

They gave me 2 forms:

1. APPLICATION FOR RESIDENCE CERTIFICATE IN THAILAND

2. NOTIFICATION FROM HOUSE MASTER, OWNER OR THE POSSESSOR OF THE RESIDENCE WHERE THE ALIEN HAS STAYED

Is this the normal procedure?

Did other people have the same problem?

I tried to open one at siam commercial in Bkk they said no need work permit- explained my visa states cannot work, they still said no. I said OK I will take my 800,000 to Bangkok Bank then guess what they said-no problem. But they pissed me about with an ATM card said they did not have any and to go to another bracnch- other branch would not give and said go back to first bank-wife gives them an earfull. !0 mins later the first Bank lady is on the phone apologising saying they did have ATM cards after all and please go back-we never did so far as the money is just there for the 3 months required for another visa

[true blue]

no proplem bkk bank on internet banking the works branch manager has chat with me every time go branch and i dont have alot of money in account suppose its the old thing if your face fits though cnx is falang compatible

[Big A]

I know a few people who have NEVER opened an account, but have made several withdrawals

[Stephen Cleary]

What's this about banks not giving interest to foreigners?

Does anyone have any idea about this, which banks etc....?

After reading this thread, I just checked on my account with Krung Sri Ayuthaya - no problems, they have been paying the interest.

Late last year, the wife and i wanted to open up one of them special temporary accounts which pays a high rate of interest. We were advised that if we opened the account as a dual one, then we would get slighly less interest as i was a foriegner. We did therefore just open the account in wife's name.

Edited August 30, 2007 by Stephen Cleary

[Crushdepth]

HSBC non residents accounts get no interest.

Hence all my savings go back to Australia. Sometimes I despair at the short-sightedness of the system here.

If you think opening a bank account is fun, wait until you try getting a credit card...you dirty theiving untrustworthy farang! It's amazing.

[Stephen Cleary]

Perhaps one of the moderators ought to move this thread to the Banking Forum.

[Jimjim]

Looks like some banks do pay, and some don't.

[Krub]

Looks like some banks do pay, and some don't.

Some branches of the same bank do and some don't

[Big A]

I'm getting 5% interest (and got a gold credit card) from Standard Chartered Thai. No probs!

[rgs2001uk]

Kasikorn Bank Seacon Square quote" Types of customers: Non-residents, both private individuals and corporate entities receive the same interest rates as Thai residents per the table above. " And was true for me.

HSBC non residents accounts get no interest.

when did this change? somebody obviously forgot to tell the hsbc that, i have money in a non resident account one year bond and i was told i would get interest this year the same as last year, although the rate will be less than last year.

i opened the account in may and managed to get the previous rate before the rate cut.

[tijnebijn]

I agree it is totally nonsense not to give any foreigner any interest.

Although my bankaccount does give me , still when given a very small amount anyway ( ditto for thais).

My former bank , Krungthai , did not , ripped me of an interest of 10k . I immediately closed the account.

Seems like government banks standard do not give any interest , commercial banks make their own rules.

Still , like the double pricing , its just big discrimination , I would love to see their faces (foreiners) ,

in out homecountries when they are not given interest or double pricing wherever they go .

Would be frontpage news . In Thailand , nono , farang are aliens , so treat them that way .

[warriors]

Yep I had the same probs when I first came to Thailand with the Bangkok Bank that was 2 years ago and I tryed again at a few different brancers of Bangkok Bank just lately, still get the same No.

I have now 2 Banks accounts not with Bangkok Bank. Both of the other banks give interest, but both will not give me a credit card. But will give me a ATM. I have 2 million bhat with them but still no credit card offered.

They say if I was for example a poor underpaid fharlang school teacher on 30,000 bhat a month trying to get by on that then Yes No probs. You see if you have a work permit it is fine. I only have a retirement visa.

I bring in 1 million + bhat a year so I must be a bad risk to them. I can not get my head around there thinking.

Mai pen rai.

[rainman]

Why would they ask you for 800 Baht? That confuses me. You are currently on a valid visa, right?

[blizzard]

please, poor teecher jokes are uncessary sir.............lol.

[Manchester]

I,m with Kasikorn Bank ( Pattaya Branch )

I receive interest ( crap yes ) on my account. No prob obtaining a CC either..........teachers salary

[punisher]

Quite simple and anyone can get a savings account.

Well britmaverick,quite wrong,Bank of Thailand says clear "no workpermit,no bankaccount"i know some banks in Pattaya ignore that rule,but after all it is not legal and i guess one day they will just confiscate all money from foreigner without workpermit,because here is noting impossible

[rutteketuut]

Last october I was able to open a bankaccount in Bangkok bank in Naklua Chonburi.First they didn´t want to give me one because I´m still on a tourist visa.Then I showed my Thai drivers licences and after 5 minutes I got my bankaccount.They didn´t ask for the residence paper from immigration.But that was 11 months ago and as rules change all the time here...