Opening A Bank Account In Chiang Mai

[HowardB]

Hi everyone

After reading the problems people have had regarding opening a bank account in Thailand, I thought I would share my experience that someone may benefit in some way.

I've read numerous posts about the problems people have had when trying to open a bank account, so I set aside a day to search for a branch that would give us an account, much to my wifes dismay. Seems this plan encroached on her shopping time

Anyway, we hailed a tuk tuk and asked him to take us to the nearest Bangkok Bank branch. Why Bangkok Bank? Well I have been watching the exchange rates via TT for the last few weeks and everyday the Bangkok Bank exchange rate has always been the highest. I had seen one on a yahoo map that seemed quite close to where we live on Soi Huay Kaew, so I was confused when he took us to an area which is adjacent to the night markets. Once we arrived we entered and explained to the young lady what we wanted and why. The account was for transferring money from Australia to buy some property. Much to my amazement, we were sat down and within 30 minutes left complete with account, bank book and debit card. I have to admit, I was totally shocked by the ease and efficiency of the staff. Only once did the smiles wane when i told them i wanted to deposit 2000 initially, only to quickly reappear when they realised it was $2000 not Bt2000

So the experience was a pleasuable one, with one exception. Now I had the rest of the day unplanned, my wife got her shopping trip .... darn you Bangkok Bank

Thanks

Howard

[gotlost]

Amazing

[Contractor]

"where we live on Soi Huay Kaew"

Not sure where you mean, but if it is anywhere near Huay Kaew Road, then there is a Bangkok Bank in Kad Suan Kaew (Central) shopping complex (where I opened an account with similar ease).

Was the tuk tuk driver asked for the nearest bank, or the bank nearest to where the wife wanted to go shopping?

Hope the shopping did not cost you too much!

Regards

Edited November 8, 2010 by Contractor

[naboo]

I'll add that I bank with both Bangkok Bank and Krung Thai Bank, and Bangkok Bank's service at the branch in Pantip Plaza has always been fantastic. Not sure why, but I've never been charged the stated annual fees for the account and use of the debit card (about 200B a year each). Even when I've lost a card, it has been replaced free of charge on the spot, as opposed to the fee stated in the terms and conditions.

[Okertes]

We had the same pleasant and quick service at the Kasikorn bank in the Airport Plaza much better service and attitude that I would get in my homeland .

[thrilled]

i believe it's not the bank but the branch.i've read stories that some branches of popular banks in thailand you have to go thru A lot of hoopes.

Then with others you don't need to show any visa,just your passport.So I guess it depends on the branch ya go to.

[iainiain101]

I had not heard of anyone having problems here in CM. I opened mine with SCB no problem.

Iain

[eek]

Bangkok Bank in ksk are great (apart from one snooty femaIe member of staff who aIways seems to be sucking sour pIums..at Ieast whenever shes deaIing with me anyway. )

But for internet banking, i prefer Kasikorn Bank. So..i find im using Kbank more because of the convenience of their ibanking system. Their new branch on Nimmenheimen is pretty heIpfuI and friendIy too. BB ibanking just seems archaic in comparison and not as user-friendIy. Not sure if others wouId agree. Maybe just my personaI experience/preference.

[LJW]

Bangkok Bank in ksk are great (apart from one snooty femaIe member of staff who aIways seems to be sucking sour pIums..at Ieast whenever shes deaIing with me anyway. )

But for internet banking, i prefer Kasikorn Bank. So..i find im using Kbank more because of the convenience of their ibanking system. Their new branch on Nimmenheimen is pretty heIpfuI and friendIy too. BB ibanking just seems archaic in comparison and not as user-friendIy. Not sure if others wouId agree. Maybe just my personaI experience/preference.

Be very carefull of Kasikorn Bank...

They have thieves at work there.

Someone there took 250,000 baht of mine

Edited November 9, 2010 by LJW

[MrBrad]

What kind of visa are you here on? Last April, I, on a tourist visa, was required by Bangkok Bank at KSK to have a Guarantor--a friend who already had an account at Bangkok Bank--vouch for me. What he was guaranteeing I still don't know. My initial deposit was for US$10,000 on a certified check. And still to this day I am not given online privileges.

It's working out quite well most of the time, though once along the way (sorry I cannot remember what the situation was) they again wanted my Guarantor to sign for something.

In my experience I don't find them to be accommodating in the least. But maybe all banks here would do the same the same.

[sarahsbloke]

What kind of visa are you here on? Last April, I, on a tourist visa, was required by Bangkok Bank at KSK to have a Guarantor--a friend who already had an account at Bangkok Bank--vouch for me. What he was guaranteeing I still don't know. My initial deposit was for US$10,000 on a certified check. And still to this day I am not given online privileges.

It's working out quite well most of the time, though once along the way (sorry I cannot remember what the situation was) they again wanted my Guarantor to sign for something.

In my experience I don't find them to be accommodating in the least. But maybe all banks here would do the same the same.

What you are saying only applies to that branch of the bank and that bank manager and that sales person.... on that day.

Go on a different day, and get a different set of rules. Some bank officials don't like to speak to foreigners, they won't open an account for you under any circumstances.

I went to a different branch of Bangkok bank in ChiangMai,

"we don't give out accounts to tourists", I was told

"I'm not a tourist", I replied, "I live here"

After about 10 minutes of us repeating this, they looked in my passport

"You're not a tourist", they exclaimed .... and went off to get the forms for me to fill in.

The form came back, application for account by TOURIST printed on the top.

"I'm not a tourist, I replied, and how come you have an application form for tourists, when you told me you don't give accounts to tourists??????"

I'm a very stubborn person, they found the right forms, I filled them in, they opened the account.

Edited November 9, 2010 by sarahsbloke

[kawtot]

Be very carefull of Kasikorn Bank...

They have thieves at work there.

Someone there took 250,000 baht of mine

Wow! Can you tell us how it happened, please? And was the money ever returned to you?

Edited November 9, 2010 by kawtot

[fcgprg]

Be very carefull of Kasikorn Bank...

They have thieves at work there.

Someone there took 250,000 baht of mine

Wow! Can you tell us how it happened, please? And was the money ever returned to you?

more details please ,if the alleged withdrawal took place i have been informed by the staff at our branch of kasikorn.that the funds would be returned to you.The trail to prove who withdrew the money is easy to follow.

[HowardB]

What kind of visa are you here on? Last April, I, on a tourist visa, was required by Bangkok Bank at KSK to have a Guarantor--a friend who already had an account at Bangkok Bank--vouch for me. What he was guaranteeing I still don't know. My initial deposit was for US$10,000 on a certified check. And still to this day I am not given online privileges.

It's working out quite well most of the time, though once along the way (sorry I cannot remember what the situation was) they again wanted my Guarantor to sign for something.

In my experience I don't find them to be accommodating in the least. But maybe all banks here would do the same the same.

I'm just your common regular tourist, however I did fail to mention that my wife is Thai and already has an account with Bangkok Bank that she opened in Taphanhin. I suppose that would account for something.

All the same, it was a pleasant experience and was repeated the following day when we went to draw money and get proof of money transfer to purchase our property.

Howard

[Soulwy]

With only a 30 day stamp in my passport I had trouble opening an account in BKK and CM. The 9th or 10th bank (branch) I went to gave me an account without questions being asked! It was KBank at Sri Donchai Road.

But do KBankers have to pay a fee when using ATM from an other bank. I just used a TMB-ATM and had to pay 20 baht, I was surprised.

[sarahsbloke]

But do KBankers have to pay a fee when using ATM from an other bank. I just used a TMB-ATM and had to pay 20 baht, I was surprised.

ATM charges are made for any bank card 'not local'

So a Bangkok bank card used in another bank ATM is charged 20-25bht

A Bangkok bank card from ChiangMai will be charged at a Bangkok bank ATM in Bangkok 20-25bht

Pretty much all the banks are the same in their charges.

[uptheos]

But do KBankers have to pay a fee when using ATM from an other bank. I just used a TMB-ATM and had to pay 20 baht, I was surprised.

ATM charges are made for any bank card 'not local'

So a Bangkok bank card used in another bank ATM is charged 20-25bht

A Bangkok bank card from ChiangMai will be charged at a Bangkok bank ATM in Bangkok 20-25bht

Pretty much all the banks are the same in their charges.

As SB said it's standard practice for using another banks ATM......I guess you were surprised that it's so cheap eh?

Banking facilities here leave those in Europe for dead (can't speak for US or Oz).

[CheGuava]

When opening a bank account, you want it to be:

* At a bank with plenty ATMs

* At a branch office convenient to where you live / work. (Because an awful lot of stuff requires being done at your own #$*)(&^@^ branch office for some retarded reason)

Bangkok Bank typically works. K Bank and Krung Thai are also okay.

[Thailand]

Have accounts at a couple of banks here.Was never a problem and zero hassle.

I find the Thai/Asian banks are way more efficient and user friendly than their western counterparts. I can transfer money overseas in less than 24 hours at a fixed rate of 400 baht irrespective of amount (Bangkok Bank).

The western counterparts, Lloyds in particular-3-5 working days 20 quid for their "express" service and three times they have misdirected transfers and on one occasion completely emptied my account and sent the money to China (Fortunately to someone I knew and was able to rectify it, after 6 weeks!)-Lloyds apologised,useless shower.

[Soulwy]

But do KBankers have to pay a fee when using ATM from an other bank. I just used a TMB-ATM and had to pay 20 baht, I was surprised.

ATM charges are made for any bank card 'not local'

So a Bangkok bank card used in another bank ATM is charged 20-25bht

A Bangkok bank card from ChiangMai will be charged at a Bangkok bank ATM in Bangkok 20-25bht

Pretty much all the banks are the same in their charges.

Ah... that's how mice eat cheese...

So far I had used only KBANK - ATMs in BKK and CM, without any fee.

[HowardB]

Have accounts at a couple of banks here.Was never a problem and zero hassle.

I find the Thai/Asian banks are way more efficient and user friendly than their western counterparts. I can transfer money overseas in less than 24 hours at a fixed rate of 400 baht irrespective of amount (Bangkok Bank).

The western counterparts, Lloyds in particular-3-5 working days 20 quid for their "express" service and three times they have misdirected transfers and on one occasion completely emptied my account and sent the money to China (Fortunately to someone I knew and was able to rectify it, after 6 weeks!)-Lloyds apologised,useless shower.

My bank in Aus charge me $20 per transfer regardless of amount and will transfer the same day.

[Thailand]

Have accounts at a couple of banks here.Was never a problem and zero hassle.

I find the Thai/Asian banks are way more efficient and user friendly than their western counterparts. I can transfer money overseas in less than 24 hours at a fixed rate of 400 baht irrespective of amount (Bangkok Bank).

The western counterparts, Lloyds in particular-3-5 working days 20 quid for their "express" service and three times they have misdirected transfers and on one occasion completely emptied my account and sent the money to China (Fortunately to someone I knew and was able to rectify it, after 6 weeks!)-Lloyds apologised,useless shower.

My bank in Aus charge me $20 per transfer regardless of amount and will transfer the same day.

Transferring the same day and arriving at destination the same day are two different things.I assume you mean arrives same day?

BB Transfers to the UK/US/HK often same day in Asia usually within 24 hours other destinations.

UK to BB- 3-5 working days cost 940 baht!

BTW -400 baht = 13.4580 AUD (XE.com- BB much cheaper )

[Raiderz4Life]

Bangkok Bank in ksk are great (apart from one snooty femaIe member of staff who aIways seems to be sucking sour pIums..at Ieast whenever shes deaIing with me anyway. )

But for internet banking, i prefer Kasikorn Bank. So..i find im using Kbank more because of the convenience of their ibanking system. Their new branch on Nimmenheimen is pretty heIpfuI and friendIy too. BB ibanking just seems archaic in comparison and not as user-friendIy. Not sure if others wouId agree. Maybe just my personaI experience/preference.

Be very carefull of Kasikorn Bank...

They have thieves at work there.

Someone there took 250,000 baht of mine

Hmm...which Kasikorn branch are you using. I use one on Nimmenhammen. It was easy to open the account and so far no problems. But perhaps a PM to me might be more appropriate to discuss details that might not be allowed here. I would appreciate it.

[kawtot]

<br />

<br />Bangkok Bank in ksk are great (apart from one snooty femaIe member of staff who aIways seems to be sucking sour pIums..at Ieast whenever shes deaIing with me anyway. )<br /><br />But for internet banking, i prefer Kasikorn Bank. So..i find im using Kbank more because of the convenience of their ibanking system. Their new branch on Nimmenheimen is pretty heIpfuI and friendIy too. BB ibanking just seems archaic in comparison and not as user-friendIy. Not sure if others wouId agree. Maybe just my personaI experience/preference.<br />

<br /><br />Be very carefull of Kasikorn Bank...<br />They have thieves at work there.<br />Someone there took 250,000 baht of mine  <img src='http://static.thaivisa.com/forum/public/style_emoticons/default/sad.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' /><br />

<br /><br /><br />

@LJW

Ditto to request by Raiderz4Life for a PM, please. I use various Kasikorn branches in CM and am (was?) planning to funnel a lot through that account in the coming months.

[uptheos]

Opening up a bank account here is a doddle compared to Europe, especially the UK. For some reason the banks there suffer delusions of grandeur and think they are important enough to know your life history before accepting your money!!

[Contractor]

Opening up a bank account here is a doddle compared to Europe, especially the UK. For some reason the banks there suffer delusions of grandeur and think they are important enough to know your life history before accepting your money!!

Many of the hoops one has to jump through in opening a bank account in places like the UK are due to prevention of crime and money laundering regulations imposed by Government.

Regards

Edited November 10, 2010 by Contractor