Opening A New Bank Account

[Phil Clark]

Relatively recently, I recall reading a post saying that to open a Thai bank account requires you to have a Non-Imm 'O' visa and be registered for tax, "PERIOD".

I have searched at length to find the thread using various 'key words' with no success.

Would the poster, or someone else, please direct me to the thread?

TIA, Phil

[unbiasbob]

I believe that thread was removed due to someone duking it out with Dr pat pong. things got nasty so george pulled it I think

[caughtintheact]

Last time I opened a new account all I was asked for was a copy of my passport. No one has ever asked me for my tax number when I opened accounts here.

[unbiasbob]

problem is that within the past few months banks do ask for working papers. they do not want to open accounts lately without them. I have discontinued trying. I will just keep my US accts and ATM cards. There is info on the Bangkok Bank website about farangs being able to open an acct hassle free but I am fairly certain that like so much on the internet, the info is dated. Just do a net search on anything and it is likey to have old info. So few sites are kept up to the minute. updating them is not a priority for too many businesses. caught in the act says "last time he opened acct he was asked only for passport". I guarantee he did not open an acct in 2004 because no can do. I know cause I am up to speed on this. Others have had no probs in the past. This has changed this year along with visa issues

[Sunny Valentine]

I opened two foreign Bank Accounts in Pattaya in January this Year, no papers required apart from Passport.

One at Bangkok Bank, the other at Thai Military Bank.

Sunny

[Whiplash]

I opened one in Bank of Asia on a Tourist visa and a copy of my passport.

But maybe the rules are different depending on which bank you want to use..

[unbiasbob]

when did you open it exactly? is B O A a thai bank??

[Whiplash]

Its almost a year ago now, but as I know their policy have not changed.

And yeah I believe its a Thai bank, its certainly good enough to be accepted as a bank when you want to show funds for the Immigration.

I went to an office here in Chiang Mai, maybe practices are different depending on location sometimes.

[halfpast_2]

I joined Bangkok Bank last Aug on a tourist Visa, then opened another only a week or so ago (Non Imm 'o' visa) using only my passport.