OPENING A BANK ACCOUNT IN BANGKOK - I know I have read it somewhere in this forum - There are a couple of banks in Bangkok which pose no problem in opening an account on a Tourist Visa - I am returning to LOS in December for a break and preparing for retirement in perhaps 6 months time- I thought it a good idea to open an account beforehand - Can anyone offer advice - And are all banks similar to deal with or are there "good" and "bad" banks - Tried the forum search engine but no luck

Most expats seem to prefer the two large private banks, Bangkok Bank PLC and Siam Commercial Bank. Service will vary from branch to branch and you should plan to open an account near where you plan to be most of the time as outside of Bangkok there will be small charges to use ATM and such so if you live upcountry it is best to have account there. If one branch does not want to open an account you can often walk to the next and open without a problem.

Many Thanks - Also a question re funds - If one DOES NOT have a pension of any sort, Is it OK to have sufficient funds in the account at the time of renewal (assuming I will be drawing down the account for living expenses). In other words I would be topping up the account with funds from home country. I repeat I do not have any pension of any sort - Is this a problem do you think? Cheers

As long as you can meet the 800k bank requirement do not believe it is currently a problem. Many people at the lower range of age will not yet have a pension and they seem to do fine.

Thanks again - I'm not exactly at the lower range of age as I am (NOT) looking forward to 58 years next year - but sincerely looking forward to the rest of my life in LOS !

I went into the Bangkok Bank in Pattaya in August and opened an account with my passport and I was only on a two week holiday. I received a passbook and a Visa Card both of which I have used successfully. I opened the account with a deposit of 5000 baht. As I am moving to Pattaya I thought it best to set things up in advance and have since transfered the money from UK for the purchase of my home so when I visit in two weeks everything should be in place.

The branch in Pattaya were very helpful and posed no problems or questions other than a local address and I gave them my hotel.

thanks for that - I plan to settle there as well so will open one there.