Standard Chartered posted a 29% increase in profits for 2010, and this would seem a pretty secure bank to place funds.

I see they have a CNX branch in Chang Phuak.

Does anybody have any experience with their service? Foreign currency accounts, English speaking ability etc? Any advantage over Thai banks?

The branches you see with the SC loga are branches of Standard Chartered Thailand (SC took over Nakornthon Bank many years ago) - a Thai bank. They are not branchesof the international SC.

So to answer your question - same rates, same servcie as other Thai banks.

I have a baht savings account and a fixed term foreign currency account at the Chiangmai branch. The service is fine and the other advantage is that there is no charge for using the ATM card in other provinces.