Opening Bank Account While On 30day Visa Waiver?

[partington]

Hi there

I'll be in LOS in a week or so for a couple of weeks, and have an eager long term plan to do the retirement thing.( I thought it was going to be this year but moan moan it could be in two whole years now!) For a number of reasons it's going to be easier for me to apply for a visa extension(either from a tourist or nonImm O) within the country, when the time comes. So to help fulfil the 800k bt in the bank for three months requirement ifor a retirement extension, it makes sense to open an account now, so I can transfer money in plenty of time when I need to.

I've read some conflicting stuff about how easy it is to do when you're just on a 30 day waiver and don't have a permanent address in the country.

So my question is: has anyone done this recently, and if so what bank and branch was it ( I'll be in BKK) and what docs did you need? (I am Brit citizen , living in US.)

Many thanks for this info!

cheers

[kojak]

with my experance without a work permit and no thai home address.

you have no chance.

one way round it is open a joint account with a thai person.

thats easy.

good luck.

[Artisan]

No problem at all. One friend, on a 30 day stamp, opened a savings bank account with the Siam Commercial Bank last week. Over the last six months, two other friends (also with 30 day stamps opened accounts with Bangkok Bank and the Bank of Asia.

Only needed to show passport and deposit 500 baht and pay 300 baht for an ATM card.

Edited November 16, 2006 by Artisan

[A_Traveller]

Not being facetious, but it is worth while 'dressing up' {no, not that kind } for a visit to the bank to open an account, whatever your visa status. By appearing 'professional' you give visible respect to the bank officials, and this is reciprocated.

I'm amazed at those who think sandals, shorts & 'amusing' t-shirts are dress code for official transactions.

Naturally the OP was no doubt fully aware of this.

Regards

[Krub]

They will want to have a local adress so be prepared to give one.

Your visa status should not matter but some branches of some banks are picky so be prepared to try several before finding an accomodating one.

I have found Siam Commercial Bank to be more user friendly then Bangkok Bank bti it varies much from branch to branch.

Bangkok Bank will not give you internet banking without a work permit SCB will

[scalper]

i opened a saving account at SIAM Patong in 10 minutes with a VOA 4 months ago. I have deposited 7K$ cash and get a debit card for 300 baths.

I only show my passeport, when asked for my adress i gave th ehotel one without saying it was a hotel nothing asked like utility bill .

2 weeks ago a friend visiting me from france did the same at SIAM no problem at all very professional and internet banking for free.

[Bunnigal]

Very much depends on "the bank".

I once asked K-Bank and Bangkok Bank... it is not possible to open a bank acct while you're on 30 days stamp. Non-immigrant visa with supporting documents will do.

So you might wanna try those banks they sugguested

xxBunnigalxx

[jetzie]

BTW, which bank is better to have ur money in?

i'm spoilt for choices with

1) bangkok bank

2) Karsikorn Bank

3) Siam

4) thai farmer

[naka]

with my experance without a work permit and no thai home address.

you have no chance.

one way round it is open a joint account with a thai person.

thats easy.

good luck.

It is certainly not a requirement to have a work permit to open a bank account.

Most retirees here would have a local bank account and as retirees they are

not issued WP's.

Rgarding your visa type, I know of many folks who opened an account without having

a real visa.

Just shop around.

Naka.

[andy1308]

Hi,

It does very much depend on the bank/branch, but I was in my Bangkok Bank branch last week and chatting to a very friendly and apparently well-informed member of staff who said the rules have very recently changed for them. She said that they can no longer open any accounts for 'farangs' without a work permit - no matter what branch you try - apparently a directive from head office. Of course that could be totally wrong but she had no reason to tell me as I already have an account there.

That said, as other posters have said, shop around and you will find one that does. Good luck.

Andy.

[Artisan]

She said that they can no longer open any accounts for 'farangs' without a work permit - no matter what branch you try - apparently a directive from head office. Of course that could be totally wrong but she had no reason to tell me as I already have an account there.

I thnk that she is "totally wrong". This directive came from the Bank of Thailand three, or maybe four, years ago and threw everyones knickers in a twist until it was revoked with much embarrassment. What about all those retired foreigners living in Thailand?...they don't possess Work Permits. As I said previously, Bangkok Bank will open an account even if no visa is possessed.

[Guest RealEstateBroker]

She said that they can no longer open any accounts for 'farangs' without a work permit - no matter what branch you try - apparently a directive from head office. Of course that could be totally wrong but she had no reason to tell me as I already have an account there.

I thnk that she is "totally wrong". This directive came from the Bank of Thailand three, or maybe four, years ago and threw everyones knickers in a twist until it was revoked with much embarrassment. What about all those retired foreigners living in Thailand?...they don't possess Work Permits. As I said previously, Bangkok Bank will open an account even if no visa is possessed.

Yes yes yes, you can open a account even on a 30 day entry ! The best one is K bank, the worst

one is Bangkok Bank....with K bank just go into any branch and ask what branch will do this for you

only on a 30 day visa. I helped a couple of guys do this last week and the branch was the main office on the BTS station just before the last station on On Nut...regarding looking good and dressing

up ( no shorts, no slippers or Aloha shirts ) what a bunch of crap... I have lived on and off in BKK

for a loooong time and understand alot of thai, never heard a comment about how I dress....

you guessed it, shorts, slippers and usually a aloha shirt.

Edited November 17, 2006 by RealEstateBroker

[stickyb]

I certainly opened an account with SCB in Pattaya whilst on a 30day visa exempt stamp

[partington]

thanks guys. I love LOS! every experience from 'it's absolutely impossible' to' it's incredibly easy'! All true I'm sure. I'll do as you suggest and shop around starting with the named branches here. I liked the giving of the address of the hotel without mentioning it's a hotel tip. And I always dress nice for 'official' visits-I know what thais think of 'birdshit' farangs!

cheers

[Thighlander]

I opened an account at BangkokBank with a 30 day visa. They said I couldn't buy CDs, though (time deposits). The ladies that work their are friendly, helpful, and good looking, too. Many branches are open Sundays. It is a pleasure to do business with them.

Edited November 18, 2006 by Thighlander

[johnnyk]

I opened an account with K-Bank in HuaHin while on a VOA.

Took 20 minutes, I deposited 1000 baht, set up internet access with 1-time PW and got my ATM card.

No fees, no BS just a smiling and efficient gentleman who spoke quite decent English.

I have since done deposits and payments to suppliers with no problem.

[Gumballl]

I was able to open a savings account with Bangkok Bank. They required me to have the US Embassy certify my passport. That was the only hassle. Other than that, it took about 20 minutes. And I was wearing a polo shirt, shorts, and flip-flops.

One regret is that Bangkok Bank does not offer internet access, but the upside is that I can make wire-transfers from my US bank to Bangkok Bank's New York branch for a mere $3.

I went to Bangkok Bank's branch on Sukhumvit Soi 8 to setup my account.

Edited November 18, 2006 by Gumballl