Tourist visa and bank account

[rikus]

Just want to let you know about this, as I finally opened an account today with Krungthai Bank.

I'm based on Koh Tao but came today (to Samui) for visa extension. Took a drive to Central Festival and asked about bank accounts from Bangkok Bank, Kasikorn, Siam Commercial, Krungsri and finally Krungthai. They all asked about work permit and visa for more than one year, but after all Krungthai ladies were happy to open an account for me with Visa debit card. Documents needed was:

• passport
• certificate of residency
• local phone number

So I got Visa debit card, I chose my own pin code and also got online banking access codes. Annual fees are 300 THB for first year, after that 200 THB. Visa card is valid until 11/19.

Hope this helps someone.

Edited March 23, 2015 by rikus

[onthemoon]

Useful info.

Where did you get the certificate of residency?

[rikus]

Useful info.

Where did you get the certificate of residency?

Immigration at Nathon, they did it same time with visa extension. I got number 5, so I was there early, but the whole thing took 1,5 hours after all. Just the extension would have been faster for sure. I was going to get driving license too but it was already too late, as they stop taking new applications at 9:30.

[onthemoon]

Useful info.

Where did you get the certificate of residency?

Immigration at Nathon, they did it same time with visa extension. I got number 5, so I was there early, but the whole thing took 1,5 hours after all. Just the extension would have been faster for sure. I was going to get driving license too but it was already too late, as they stop taking new applications at 9:30.

Thanks, I didn't know the Immigration office would issue a certificate of residence to tourists, I thought they only did that for non-imm visa holders who had made a 90-day report.

What did you have to bring to get the cert?

[rikus]

Thanks, I didn't know the Immigration office would issue a certificate of residence to tourists, I thought they only did that for non-imm visa holders who had made a 90-day report.

What did you have to bring to get the cert?

At least I just got it today morning. 500 THB express service fee / tea money, completed form and two photos. I got two certificates with the same "fee", if you just need one, maybe one photo is enough too. Also I had lost my departure card (tm6), it was no problem, they just gave me a new one and changed the serial number of it by hand. I also had rental agreement for my room but they didn't need it at all, not even looked.

This certificate should be free, but I'm not staying in Samui so I just had to get it fast and I paid for it. Maybe they want to see more documents if you choose the free version.

[Beng]

I've opened numerous accounts on a non imm. visa and one on a 30 day exempt. with no need of a residency letter.

Just gave them an adress.

[rikus]

I've opened numerous accounts on a non imm. visa and one on a 30 day exempt. with no need of a residency letter.

Just gave them an adress.

That's what I heard too. My post was just about my process with tourist visa and Central Festival Samui banks. Most likely there will be different results in different branches.

[samuijimmy]

I've opened numerous accounts on a non imm. visa and one on a 30 day exempt. with no need of a residency letter.

Just gave them an adress.

That's what I heard too. My post was just about my process with tourist visa and Central Festival Samui banks. Most likely there will be different results in different branches.

The problem with some of these banks, is whether they have staff who speak English well enough, when trying to do things like opening a bank account... It varies from one bank branch to another!

[rikus]

The problem with some of these banks, is whether they have staff who speak English well enough, when trying to do things like opening a bank account... It varies from one bank branch to another!

Oh yes, true. But I had success in Krungthai and they had the worst English of all these banks that I tried

[robsamui]

What you need to realise is that unlike the western world, every single branch of every single Thai bank is a paid-for franchise like McDonalds or Pizza Hut.

Thus there is no centalised computer linking them to a head branch or any other branch. if you lose your cash ATM card you have to go in person to the branch that issued it as only they have your account details. And if you ask questions they can't answer because they don't know - they will do everything to avoid admitting it (even down to leaving you and disappearing into the back room in the hope you'll go away), as it's a huge loss of face, particularly if there are Thai people listening to it all and waiting in line.

(Just try to get a PayPal account verified - very simple process but regional staff have never heard of PayPal - and see what I mean. For 40 minutes the girl on the counter kept telling me the same (incorrect) thing and trying to ignore me. Then she had to call her boss, the manager, who had no idea also. After 45 minutes I insisted the manager phoned head office in BKK (the "Big Bank"). In less than a minute all was checked and verified and I was off the phone, much to the whole staff's embarrassment. This has happened each time my Visa card has expired, three times now, every four years like clockwork.)

As a result, every branch of every bank will have a varying attitude towards opening an account for a farang, even different branches of the same bank but in different parts of Samui. In my time here I have had 11 accounts so far (I just abandon them and start again when I move somewhere new) and most time have been asked for nothing more than my passport and 300 baht for the ATM card. Other times I have been asked to show the whole range of papers from immigration to a work permit etc etc.

Just keep going from bank to bank until you find a sleepy one. It never takes long!

R

Edited March 28, 2015 by robsamui

[saweden]

I found this info very helpful. As well as Rob Samuis post, very helpful!