Royal Approval for 23 Gambling Activities, Including Bull Races and Mahjong

[SailingHome]

Hi, all,

Simple. Go to Bankok Bank, show passport, drivers liscense, and rental contract (or other proof of address here in TL.) Theygave me a savings account and ATM card.

Some folks have been saying that it takes 2 account to accept direct deposit. The bank manager assured me that DD can be sent by USA Feds to this account and I will have immediate access through my atm card.

Sweeet!

[Onnutrd]

You'll need to check that you still have access to the account. Technically speaking, Bangkok Bank has a rule that upon expiration of your visa then your account will also cease (it cannot be used). Which is what happened to me at Bangkok Bank, but I was using Kasikorn Bank and had extended my visa.

Every bank will always (with the exception of TMB, they're more for entreprenuers) open an account for you because they'll get fees from you the minute you get a bank card (500 baht i think for the atm card), but they're suppose to automatically close any activity on the account the day in which your visa expires, and then you'll suppose to go back in to show the extension.

Kasikorn Bank, SCB, BOA and Bangkok Bank are very commercialised banks; they'll accept anyone. But I might take the opportunity to recommend Kasikorn Bank, they do offer very good services.

[psmith]

You'll need to check that you still have access to the account. Technically speaking, Bangkok Bank has a rule that upon expiration of your visa then your account will also cease (it cannot be used). Which is what happened to me at Bangkok Bank, but I was using Kasikorn Bank and had extended my visa.

Every bank will always (with the exception of TMB, they're more for entreprenuers) open an account for you because they'll get fees from you the minute you get a bank card (500 baht i think for the atm card), but they're suppose to automatically close any activity on the account the day in which your visa expires, and then you'll suppose to go back in to show the extension.

Kasikorn Bank, SCB, BOA and Bangkok Bank are very commercialised banks; they'll accept anyone. But I might take the opportunity to recommend Kasikorn Bank, they do offer very good services.

Have never lost a bank account when Visa expired - I opened my BB 5 years ago & they have never asked to see renewal - SCB nearly 3 years

[happysanook]

opened account couple years back at kasikorn and they've never asked or mentioned anything about visa expiration ...have extended and gotten new and changed visas several times...

opened krung thai account too...issue never came up...visa expiration date I opened it with long since went.

Posted with Thaivisa App http://apps.thaivisa.com

[beechguy]

Another one, I've had several accounts the past 6 years and travel in and out and no problem with account closures.

[JimGant]

The bank manager assured me that DD can be sent by USA Feds to this account and I will have immediate access through my atm card.

Wrong. It will have to be relabeled as a "direct deposit" account in order for it to receive a US Fed direct deposit. As such, your ATM card will no longer work.

From the BB website:

However, we still need to request that you change your savings account to a Direct Deposit account. Failure to comply will result in Bangkok Bank not being able to deposit funds transferred from the US Government Agency into your account.

[chinook]

Some things are best kept quiet.

[lopburi3]

There is no visa notification requirement for a Bangkok Bank account and the only time you need to appear is for new passbooks (where they will make a new copy of your passport - and likely notice a new number if changed and be concerned about that more than any visa).

For US Government direct deposit the money is required to be to a non-atm account to prevent access after death. That it is not always checked that closely when opening does not prevent troubles in the future as they will stop if they find out as it is protection for the bank (who have to replay the Fed if access obtained after death) and banks do protect themselves. But there would never be any requirement to have more than one account as you would be free to withdraw in person as you wish.