I was in soi 13/2 for the yearly retirement renewal and I heard that since today it is not possible anymore to use Krung Thai bank for in and out deposits. They will have a few days leniency but better be safe than sorry. Basically they will start freezing the amount for 90 days, so agents are not going to use Krung Thai bank anymore.

I also overheard that opening a bank account is 4500THB, don't know which bank.

Hope this helps someone.

17 minutes ago, ExpatDraco said:

I also overheard that opening a bank account is 4500THB, don't know which bank.

Who did you overhear ? bank staff or ???

20 minutes ago, ExpatDraco said:

I was in soi 13/2 for the yearly retirement renewal and I heard that since today it is not possible anymore to use Krung Thai bank for in and out deposits. They will have a few days leniency but better be safe than sorry. Basically they will start freezing the amount for 90 days, so agents are not going to use Krung Thai bank anymore.

I also overheard that opening a bank account is 4500THB, don't know which bank.

Hope this helps someone.

If you already have a retirement visa / extension, opening a bank account should be zero baht

29 minutes ago, ExpatDraco said:

Basically they will start freezing the amount for 90 days

Sounds like the Bangkok Bank shenanigans are about to spread to Krungthai Bank.

1 hour ago, johng said:

Who did you overhear ? bank staff or ???

The visa agency staff explaining to a customer sitting next to me.

Edited August 19Aug 19 by ExpatDraco

41 minutes ago, ExpatDraco said:

The visa agency staff explaining to a customer sitting next to me.

The 4,500 Baht for account opening might be the agent fee.

I stayrd with B/Bank despite the push to Krungsi last year, seems twas best option now!

2 hours ago, scubascuba3 said:

If you already have a retirement visa / extension, opening a bank account should be zero baht

Many were encouraged away from BKK Bank last year.

24 minutes ago, msbkk said:

The 4,500 Baht for account opening might be the agent fee.

Probably, she just told the customer it would cost 4500THB to open a bank account. So it seems it still is possible to open bank accounts even if you do not have 'the right visa' to open one yourself with agency assistance.

Edited August 19Aug 19 by ExpatDraco

Trolling post removed

Until there's an actual report of someone at the bank experiencing this, I wouldn't give it any credence. Agents can say all kinds of stuff.

9 hours ago, ExpatDraco said:

So it seems it still is possible to open bank accounts even if you do not have 'the right visa' to open one yourself with agency assistance.

Agents only seem to be able to open one linked to a retirement visa/extension application or maybe some other long stay visa

Edited August 19Aug 19 by scubascuba3

1 hour ago, scubascuba3 said:

Agents only seem to be able to open one linked to a retirement visa/extension application or maybe some other long stay visa

Yes. I haven't heard of any agencies opening visas for tourists anymore. They'll only offer the service as a tourist if you're ALSO purchasing conversion from tourist to non-O visa all as one package. So they open the account, and use that account to simultaneously get you onto the correct visa to have the account.

16 hours ago, ExpatDraco said:

I was in soi 13/2 for the yearly retirement renewal and I heard that since today it is not possible anymore to use Krung Thai bank for in and out deposits. They will have a few days leniency but better be safe than sorry. Basically they will start freezing the amount for 90 days, so agents are not going to use Krung Thai bank anymore.

I also overheard that opening a bank account is 4500THB, don't know which bank.

Hope this helps someone.

I think you meant 45000 not 4500

16 hours ago, Caldera said:

Sounds like the Bangkok Bank shenanigans are about to spread to Krungthai Bank.

They have spread to SCB too.

16 hours ago, ExpatDraco said:

Basically they will start freezing the amount for 90 days

This is probably going to spread so be prepared.

Thailand is focusing on identifying accounts of Scammers, mule accounts, fraud, money laundering, etc.

Additionally the account may be frozen if there is a large transfer in and then a large transfer out so be careful if doing a legitimate transfer like purchasing something of high value.

26 minutes ago, Kenny Boy said:

I think you meant 45000 not 4500

No, 4500 for opening a bank account.

9 hours ago, BrandonJT said:

Until there's an actual report of someone at the bank experiencing this, I wouldn't give it any credence. Agents can say all kinds of stuff.

I give this agency far more credence than anyone here on this forum, except maybe a few. ;)

That is the problem when you hear things!

When you speak of Soi 13/2 then you most likely talking about Manereet?

I do business witht them regularly since I help a few close friend and family do their extension and other various services like 90 days.

Last, 7 days I've been down there 3 times and once sitting there helping a family member get information since he needs to go from his marriage to a retirement. We needed to know which bank is available if we use their money to make the extension happen.

Not hearsay but fact just Monday unless it has changed since then this conversation occurred! In the past before last year <deleted> hit the fan with BB, today one has 3 choices of banks, Krungthai, Krungsiri, tongue tied what is the name of the bank in Green? Depending what bank one choses and the charge for the extension is different, something like 12,000 to 15,000 baht.

One can open the account themselves, suggested opening at Central Festival all banks I listed above are located there they are suggested more friendly farang LOL!

I recently opened a Krungsiri, a joint account with my Thai wife name, got an ATM card, assisted in downloading the banking application on my phone, wasn't even ask for a Residential certificate suprised! I noted I wanted to moved everything from Bangkok Bank to their bank because my wife like Krungsiri better already has two account there already. I also noted if I did am I going to have a problems locking of funds when it is time to ask for a Bank letter verifying my balance since I do my extension myself answer was NO, I was ask for now how much you want to put into the account I gave them a 1000 baht.

4500 not sure what that is for maybe for them to help you get it open their fee?

16 minutes ago, thailand49 said:

I recently opened a Krungsiri, a joint account with my Thai wife name....

You must have additional a/c as joint account will be of little use for extension.

The green bank is Kasikorn.

The 4500k is for agent to assist with opening a/c however only possible if using agent for entire package

After phoning and messaging Maneerat Krungthai is available in the short term and SCB is not possible at all.Krungsri and Kasikorn seems to be available.

Strange that some banks can & some banks can't. Wonder if that's mainly a Jomtien/Pattaya thing.

8 minutes ago, garygooner said:

Strange that some banks can & some banks can't. Wonder if that's mainly a Jomtien/Pattaya thing.

Not sure maybe it's an agent thing.

22 minutes ago, garygooner said:

Strange that some banks can & some banks can't. Wonder if that's mainly a Jomtien/Pattaya thing.

maybe its a bank staff backhander thing

17 hours ago, msbkk said:

The 4,500 Baht for account opening might be the agent fee.

Or could be the mandatory insurance fee if >64.

18 hours ago, ExpatDraco said:

The visa agency staff explaining to a customer sitting next to me.

As the official demand is fund in the banks longer than overnight, it in a way very understandable that banks won't be part of the in principle illegal visa agent-game.

2 hours ago, thailand49 said:

Krungthai, Krungsiri, tongue tied what is the name of the bank in Green?

Kasikorn (KBank)...

2 hours ago, thailand49 said:

I noted I wanted to moved everything from Bangkok Bank to their bank because my wife like Krungsiri better already has two account there already

I'm sure you're already aware but if the account is in joint names you're going to need 2x the money in it for your extensions.

Edited August 20Aug 20 by SamSpade

If you use an agent does the ฿800k deposit and withdrawal show up as 2 transactions in you bankbook? As a friend of mine in Rayong uses an agent and they take a copy of his updated passbook and give it back to him. Then when the agent has completed the visa extension and he gets his passport back he updates his bankbook and no transactions appear for the ฿800k in and out.

Is this normal when you use an agent?

Kasikorn Bank

18 minutes ago, ozfarang said:

If you use an agent does the ฿800k deposit and withdrawal show up as 2 transactions in you bankbook? As a friend of mine in Rayong uses an agent and they take a copy of his updated passbook and give it back to him. Then when the agent has completed the visa extension and he gets his passport back he updates his bankbook and no transactions appear for the ฿800k in and out.

Is this normal when you use an agent?

Kasikorn Bank

It depends on the agent. Pattaya agents usually do it using actual transactions (800,000 baht in and out). Some agents elsewhere are a little bit more creative.

2 hours ago, jippytum said:

maybe its a bank staff backhander thing

That might explain why it isn't being stopped immediately. I'm only guessing of course..