Work Permit Versus Opening Bank Account (again)

[fishhooks]

Other than the old story of certain branches of whatever bank refusing to open an account for a foreigner, has anyone heard of a "new" rule that no bank can open an account for a foreigner, unless he or she holds a Work Permit.

Short story:

I'm in Korat with about a month remaining on a Non Imm '0' Visa.

Have had savings accounts with SCB (initiated at Chaiyaphum) more than a year ago.

Wanting to go to Korat Immigration today, to extend into retirement, I went to the main SCB branch here in Korat to get the "proof" letter of adequate savings to qualify.

Sorry sir, we cannot give you the "proof" letter, it must be done at your branch in Chaiyaphum.

Had everything else needed and copied to I thought I'd try Immigration anyway. Nice guy, but he said he needed "the letter"

He suggested if I don't specifically need my branch to be in Chaiyaphum, why don't I simply transfer the whole account to SCB Korat, then you can get the letter any time in the future.

Sounded good, but 'NO', SCB in the Mall at Korat said we cannot transfer your account from Chaiyaphum to here, as we are no longer allowed to open an account for a foreigner without a Work Permit and even though you are holding an account already, if you transfer, you are starting a new account.

Has anyone any advice, short of going to Chaiyaphum and back, which is quite inconvenient at this time due to other committments.

Am I just having trouble with specific branches here in Korat, or are there new rules in place, particularly on the questions of your own branch must do a proof letter and the no new accounts for foreigners minus W.Permit.

Never had this feeling before, but I'm just thinking we are not really wanted here!

I should add that my three SCB accounts (one joint with wife) have Internet access and I'm able to do any transaction at any time anywhere, so is this just the door being shut for all of us in the future?

Edited March 10, 2008 by fishhooks

[jstumbo]

I doubt it could be a government requirement. How could they require that you have a work permit to get a bank account, and also require that people that are extending on the basis of retirement (and are not allowed to work) have a bank account with 800K in it?

[lopburi3]

Banks that do not want to open an account have been saying this for years. Others open them. But it does seem to have become more difficult in the last few years - although a certificate of residence of some kind usually allows them to open.

Believe letter must be from bank branch that holds the account or from main office. And if it is a joint account they may also say both holders must be present and sign the request form.

[Governor]

I wanted to transfer my account from the Hua Branch of Bank of Ayudhya to the branch in Ekkamai and was told the same, ie you now have to have a work permit. Went into another branch on another matter and was told that was rubbish, and was advised to open an account there and then transfer the money.

Today I went into Kasikornbank and opened an account in a few minutes, she only wanted a copy of the photo page and no mention was made of a work permit, visa or anything else.

A very pleasant experience.

[MeaMaximaCulpa]

It is like so many other things here; smoke and mirrors.

If one bank branch will not open an account, just go down the road, try another, and it will be OK.

As far as savings and fixed term deposit accounts go at least.

For a current (chequing) acount, a work permit is usually requested. But with a Thai friend that has some connection to the bank, this will not be a problem. But most of us do not require a current account anyway, so no sweat.

[fishhooks]

Update:

Yes lopburi3 is correct that only the branch concerned or the head office (Bangkok) can do.

But, says SCB on their Foreign Customer Service help line, even when they issue a letter, the letter does not contain the actual Baht figure in your account, but shows the amount of DIGITS that comprise the figure.

When I tried to explain that 100,000 is going to show the same amount of digits as 800,000, the conversation went nowhere, even with my Thai wife trying to explain the situation to them.

I'm sitting here trying to believe what I'm posting is fact, but believe me it is!

[MeaMaximaCulpa]

"But, says SCB on their Foreign Customer Service help line, even when they issue a letter, the letter does not contain the actual Baht figure in your account, but shows the amount of DIGITS that comprise the figure".

Yeah right.

Try again.

Edit:

Repenting, I am sorry to make the above remarks. I should just stay away from reading and posting on TV, since I can sometimes not control myself in the face of absolute stupidity.

Edited March 10, 2008 by MeaMaximaCulpa

[lopburi3]

I believe you and SCB have a misunderstanding. The letter is to list the exact amount and must do so to be used. I use BBL but I am sure SCB can write the same letter - the important thing is the the figure in the letter exactly match the passbook printout.

Some banks will need to put a hold on your account to provide such a letter - some may just date the letter as the balance at the end of the previous day - but they all have to have some way to provide an exact amount.

[fishhooks]

No, no misunderstanding. I was quite specific what was needed and that was as lopburi3 states above, letter listing the exact amount to match the passbook.

The Customer Service Operator (027777777) was just as specific (and well spoken English) stating it was the bank's policy not to provide an actual figure.

I'm not sure who "MeaMaximaCulpa" above is having a shot at here, perhaps another post could be more specific if it is me.

Anyway, to continue; I received a call from SCB Customer Service in Bangkok after hours last night, sincerely apologizing for any misunderstanding. The operator stated that they (Bangkok) had been in touch with my branch in Chaiyaphum and that if I was to go there, they would issue me with a letter in the form that I required.

I asked if it were possible to have the letter issued in Korat and the reply was "We will call you in the morning and let you know"

By coincidence I am staying at a hotel almost next door to one of Korat's main SCB branch's, so I fronted there at 0900 this morning.

As I was speaking to the staff there I received on my mobile a call from SCB Bangkok again saying that I should make the trip to Chaiyaphum.

I asked 'politely' if this "letter" could be actioned here in Korat.

After me handing my mobile backward and forward between various staff and discussion between Chaiyaphum and Bangkok, about 15 minutes later and after much consultation it was agreed that yes, they would issue me the necessary here in Korat.

Only problem, the manager who needed to sign the letter was at home sick!

Now here is the most fascinating part of this whole episode; After the letter is prepared, one of the Korat staff is going to drive to the manager's home and have it signed, ready for me to collect this afternoon so that I may in turn go to Immigration today!

I am not intending in any way to waste the time of the forum, but feel this is an interesting happening here, maybe of interest to members of the forum who are about to go through the process of obtaining extensions, mainly with regard to bank accounts and what you can and cannot do. I have been coming to Thailand for 30+ years and this is my first extension into retirement.

I warmly appreciate and thank the members here who have been so helpful to me in this matter over recent months and thank you sincerely.

[MeaMaximaCulpa]

I want to apologise again for my post, it was uncalled for and unneccesary. Sorry.

I guess my reaction was that way since I live in Pattaya, where this bank letter is not rocket science. Perhaps in remote upcountry locations this thing is not common?

To show that even here we can have our small troubles, last time I went for the letter, I had to wait for 30 minutes, while the lady issuing such letter was dealing with some other customer's complex stuff. Meanwhile two other clerks in the customer service department were mainly unoccupied. On asking if they could issue the letter instead, the answer was: The form letter is only on said lady's computer. He-he, at least I had lots of time to ogle all the lovely ladies that the bank has been kind enough to employ...

[PattayaParent]

Other than the old story of certain branches of whatever bank refusing to open an account for a foreigner, has anyone heard of a "new" rule that no bank can open an account for a foreigner, unless he or she holds a Work Permit.

This was actually introduced by some bank branches about 8 years ago as the result of a misunderstanding of a government communique that was issued to all banks.

Some bank managers interpreted the government advise to be that Farangs can only open bank accounts if they have work permits, others didn't. TIT

[david96]

I doubt it could be a government requirement. How could they require that you have a work permit to get a bank account, and also require that people that are extending on the basis of retirement (and are not allowed to work) have a bank account with 800K in it?

I think there is some confusion and misunderstanding as to the type of bank account.

Savings account, passbook type. With ATM card. Holder is responsible to have book updated.

Current account, chequebook and/or ATM card with printed statements issued at regular monthly intervals or as required.

If you have a WP you would be eligible to have a current account. If you have no WP you would have a savings account.

Edited March 11, 2008 by david96

[lopburi3]

No, no misunderstanding. I was quite specific what was needed and that was as lopburi3 states above, letter listing the exact amount to match the passbook.

One last question. Were you asking bank HQS to send you the letter without you being there to sign for it in person? If that was the case can understand why they would not provide specific account information. You have to sign for the letter and for many people that process in Bangkok it is easy to do at main bank branch on there trips. Do not believe they have any problem getting the correct (exact amount) letter.

At any rate glad that it has worked out.

[david96]

The Thai banking system leaves much to be desired. Even a simple request requires a number of staff. But to be fair one is comparing service with Australian banks, which are world class.

[fishhooks]

Hi lopburi3:

No, I was wanting the letter at a branch, hopefully Korat because I was here and before your kind advice yesterday did not realize that one needed to request this small 'task' from my own branch or head office.

I mean let's face it, the up to date account info is within the banks' IT system and one would imagine that any branch should be able to give you a simple letter confirming that their own national system confirms the amount in question.

In actual fact, that's how it has all turned out!

After much 'to-ing' and 'fro-ing' as explained earlier (sorry, in great detail), and with advice from Korat Immigration, I

threatened last night to pull all of my funds from SCB. This resulted in the return call to me from Bangkok with apologies and all of the happenings this morning.

In short, Korat SCB staff drove to their managers home, had the letter signed and had said letter back to me within a couple of hours.

I am now pleased to report that a short while ago I became the proud father of a 12 (actually 13 in total) month retirement extension, after some fun and jokes with the Korat Imm. Officer about the banks here.

What a great Immigration office and a crying shame if it has to close. I can readily see why all of the Korat bods are upset.

I think the only thing I did not have with me was a SECOND SET of Passport and TM6 photocopies which the guy wanted separately for the TM8 Re-entry form.

Anyway he happily strode out the back and did this for me.

Quite a successful day after all prior.

Thanks again everyone for your patience and advice.

[keycon]

The Thai banking system leaves much to be desired. Even a simple request requires a number of staff. But to be fair one is comparing service with Australian banks, which are world class.

world class?? Oz banks??? world class fees and zero class service, everything is so complicated, ever tried to change a US$100 bill at the bank you use, hopeless