I tried unsuccessfully to open a bank account on a tourist visa last trip, original bank account had been closed for in activity after little more than a year that bank would not open a new one without a work permit.

I tried a number of times different locations to get an account to no avail, my problem is i dont like to travel with a lot of cash and next trip will be for 3 months, so what to do what to do?

Any suggestions in how to transfer funds in a cost effective way to Thailand would be appreciated.

Guess the nationality?

Based on posts I've read over the last year or so it does seem like banks are pushing more for a work permit, long term visa/extension of stay, "and/or" residence certificate from Thai immigration or your home country embassy in order to open a bank account. But as many posts also continue to show for all nationalities, keep trying other branches and you should hit pay dirt...and depending on what part of Thailand you are in can makes a difference...some areas seem more receptive to farang accounts than others. If you are American, it won't prevent you from opening an account any more than any other nationality except you will have an extra IRS form to fill out which takes about 30 seconds to complete...and you probably completed several times over your work life if working in the U.S.

If you do get a bank account open again be sure to keep at least Bt2,000 in it as the general rule for Thai banks is when the account drops below Bt2,000 "and" their is not user activity in terms of a withdrawal/transfer/payment, the bank will start charging a Bt50/month fee until the account reaches zero balance and then they will close the account. And I have read a few posts where some branches like in Pattaya may close the account of a non-Thai citizen after only 6 months if no user activity and the account drops below a certain level but I've never seen that in writing on any Thai bank website.

Well thanks guys, poster number 2 I'm Aussie of course proudly flying the Melbourne Demons flag you would be too after the last 8 or 9 years we had....poster no 3 thanks for the bank info, my problem is I'm going to be there for 3 months and i need another way of getting funds in cheaply since i no longer can EFT to my Thai bank account...ho yes i will keep on trying to get an account, kick myself for not sending some cash over every now and then.

Aussie....that's a problem. No particularly good products on offer from there.

Why would a tourist need a thai bank account to start with ?..so you can kinda see why they decline tourists opening accounts

Why would a tourist need a thai bank account to start with ?..so you can kinda see why they decline tourists opening accounts

I had a bank account because i was living there for a year, last 3 years only 3 1 month vists now i will spend half the year there 3 months at a time...thats why i need to be able to get funds in.