Bank suggestions?

[B0nkers]

Looks like it may be worthwhile to get a Thai bank account. 

 

Any recommendations? I would like one big enough to use a debit card anywhere in Thailand or visit a branch if needed., and use the card internationally through most ATM's.

 

 

Thanks

[Kwasaki]

Here's some all the same to me. 

 

http://www.theluxurysignature.com/2016/02/27/top-10-banks-thailand/

[wildewillie89]

Bangkok Bank super easy to open an account (no matter what visa you are on). I opened initially with that bank, due to ease.

I still have that Bangkok Bank account but now I use Krungthai Bank (the light blue one), as that is the only bank my salary is allowed to be paid in. 

Both banks have ATMs everywhere in Thai - not sure about overseas.

I have heard some people have difficulties with different banks depending on visas, work permits and the like. So just go around, maybe some will reject you and it will make your decision easier :).

 

[SiamBeast]

From my experience:

 

Bangkok Bank: Easy to open, hard to get a credit card, good product overall, no problem wiring funds overseas IF funds come from abroad.

 

SCB: Hard to open, easy to get a credit card, excellent product, no problem at all wiring funds overseas.

 

Krungsri: Easy to open, easy to get a credit card, BAD product:

1) For every incoming international transfer, someone has to call you and ask you questions.

2) International transfers over USD 2,000 are not permitted at all.

I ended up closing my account after they refused to process a transfer.

 

Kasikorn: Easy to open, easy to get a credit card, HORRIBLE product:

1) They called me twice in a month to ask questions about my spending habits

2) International transfers are not permitted at all.

3) Buggy system with service often not available

4) Credit card won't work in casinos abroad

They refused to close my account because I had insurance with them - had to get the lawyer involved to get my money back and pull my stuff out of this nightmare.

 

Krungthai: Never been a customer, but I go on a regular basis to pay my speeding fines and the service seems good.

 

If you have a tourist visa, forget about getting an account, unless you're ready to spend a week branch hopping in hope for someone to accept you after breaking their balls. If you have a non-O visa, you might want to go for BKK or SCB.

Edited June 23, 2017 by SiamBeast

[Upnotover]

I a sure I have been reading lately that Bangkok Bank are pushing their Union Pay ATM/Debit card rather than Visa.  If you cant get a Visa debit card then that might limit ATM use outside of Asia somewhat.  I have SCB and Kasikorn and have not had any troubles with either.

[B0nkers]

46 minutes ago, SiamBeast said:

...but I go on a regular basis to pay my speeding fines and the service seems good

 

I am here on a tourist visa and for the next couple months. will be on a ED visa after. Thanks. I'll use this couple months to go window shopping I guess

[wildewillie89]

2 hours ago, SiamBeast said:

From my experience:

 

Bangkok Bank: Easy to open, hard to get a credit card, good product overall, no problem wiring funds overseas IF funds come from abroad.

 

SCB: Hard to open, easy to get a credit card, excellent product, no problem at all wiring funds overseas.

 

Krungsri: Easy to open, easy to get a credit card, BAD product:

1) For every incoming international transfer, someone has to call you and ask you questions.

2) International transfers over USD 2,000 are not permitted at all.

I ended up closing my account after they refused to process a transfer.

 

Kasikorn: Easy to open, easy to get a credit card, HORRIBLE product:

1) They called me twice in a month to ask questions about my spending habits

2) International transfers are not permitted at all.

3) Buggy system with service often not available

4) Credit card won't work in casinos abroad

They refused to close my account because I had insurance with them - had to get the lawyer involved to get my money back and pull my stuff out of this nightmare.

 

Krungthai: Never been a customer, but I go on a regular basis to pay my speeding fines and the service seems good.

 

If you have a tourist visa, forget about getting an account, unless you're ready to spend a week branch hopping in hope for someone to accept you after breaking their balls. If you have a non-O visa, you might want to go for BKK or SCB.

Tourist visa can open accounts, just need a government official friend to sign you off as a respectable person (teacher, nurse, police, municipality worker etc etc). I opened my Bangkok Bank account on the first day I arrived with a tourist visa, the farang next to me could not open an account due to not having an official friend come along with him. But I have heard others who have managed quite easily, as you say, probably depends on the branch. 

Krungthai is the government bank, so all public servants use that bank. I think can only get an account with the non-O or non-B  and work permit (in my city anyway), but a lot more friendly in my experience. Probably because of the people they mostly deal with they have to be friendly with.

[howard ashoul]

3 hours ago, SiamBeast said:

From my experience:

 

Bangkok Bank: Easy to open, hard to get a credit card, good product overall, no problem wiring funds overseas IF funds come from abroad.

 

SCB: Hard to open, easy to get a credit card, excellent product, no problem at all wiring funds overseas.

 

Krungsri: Easy to open, easy to get a credit card, BAD product:

1) For every incoming international transfer, someone has to call you and ask you questions.

2) International transfers over USD 2,000 are not permitted at all.

I ended up closing my account after they refused to process a transfer.

 

Kasikorn: Easy to open, easy to get a credit card, HORRIBLE product:

1) They called me twice in a month to ask questions about my spending habits

2) International transfers are not permitted at all.

3) Buggy system with service often not available

4) Credit card won't work in casinos abroad

They refused to close my account because I had insurance with them - had to get the lawyer involved to get my money back and pull my stuff out of this nightmare.

 

Krungthai: Never been a customer, but I go on a regular basis to pay my speeding fines and the service seems good.

 

If you have a tourist visa, forget about getting an account, unless you're ready to spend a week branch hopping in hope for someone to accept you after breaking their balls. If you have a non-O visa, you might want to go for BKK or SCB.

What do you mean? Sending money from Kasikorn abroad? Never tried it.

 

But no problem with sending mone from abroad to Kasikorn.

[SiamBeast]

2 hours ago, howard ashoul said:

What do you mean? Sending money from Kasikorn abroad? Never tried it.

 

But no problem with sending mone from abroad to Kasikorn.

 

Receiving money is fine, but sending money isn't supported.

 

What happens is, you go to the bank, they give you an international transfer form, you will it, they remove the money from your account and give you a receipt. A few days later, the funds just come back in your account, and when you inquire, they claim that compliance didn't accept the transfer. I tried around 10 times from both my account and my wife's, with various amounts to various destinations, and we never had a single transfer go through.

[lou62]

I have a Bangkok Bank Savings account. Some time ago my mate told me that if I got it activated then the ATM Card could be used to purchase Items on line .

 

Don't remember exactly how it was done but needed a visit to a Branch.

No hardship and can get Airline Tickets etc, easily.

 

No idea if I can use it Abroad as I've never tried. 

 

[williamgeorgeallen]

i have tried krung thai and SCB. SCB were far better for almost everything i did. just a tip if you try something at one branch and it does not work go to another branch. the banks and even the branches all use different rules, or used the same rules but interpret them differently. banks can be very frustrating and part of the reason i keep almost no money in thailand any more.

[Beats56]

I use SCB. When first came here to work a relocation company set it up for us expats. Thinking back on it I was glad they got that done with out any hassles on my part. No problems with SCB at all.

 

 

[kiniyow]

Not the Bank that Credits your Account with Half of what you deposited as in this Latest Event..Customer Deposits 80,000 THB but Gets a Credit for 40,000 THB

[natway09]

Used my Bangkok Bank ATM card internationally for years... Never a problem

[keeniau96]

Very useful to have two bank accounts. Bangkok Bank is best for receiving funds from USA bank via ACH to BKK bank in NYC. quick and cheaper than most. Then another bank eg. Kaesikorn, for ATM card to tote around with small balance, top off as needed from BKK bank. Safest for ATM and thieves. Kaesikorn bank has their Shopping Card which is no card, only a VISA number, date, CVV and works great for internet shopping (Thai, China, PayPal tested OK many times)

[Grumpy Duck]

I am a Citibank Gold US customer. I have been to the ASOK branch several times to inquire about opening an account. Every time I check the requirements get worse the first time I was told I need a ฿10,000 deposit and copies of utility bills, then it went to ฿100,000, and the last time it required ฿1,000,000 deposit. Each time a different person. 

Ultimately I opened a savings account at Kringsri. It was painless and required little effort on my behalf. But finding employees that speak English is difficult, the on line app is confusing, and statements do not show payees, only dates, trans type, and amounts. I wanted to make my MC rental payment and cannot, as the company is not listed as a payee on their list. The VISA card was issued immediately for ฿300 I think. 

[Jaybott]

If you live in the USA Bangkok Bank is the way to go. They have an office in New York City which has an RTN so you can do domestic transfers from a US bank to your account. The New York office then transfers it to Thailand. As mentioned, very easy to open and great service. If you open an account with them, I suggest getting the mobile app (called mBanking), with this you can transfer money to any Thai bank, pay bills, top up your phone, etc.  Not sure about using the ATM card overseas or transfering money overseas. I think its the Thai gov't that makes that a difficult process. You can also access your account on line with a service called iBanking, I don't have it but you also need to sign up for it when you open your account.

[nasanews]

Thai banks debt cards do not work internationally except for neighboring countries, always keep your home country bank account as your main bank account and use local bank accounts for local shopping and withdraws.

[henry15]

15 hours ago, SiamBeast said:

 

Receiving money is fine, but sending money isn't supported.

 

What happens is, you go to the bank, they give you an international transfer form, you will it, they remove the money from your account and give you a receipt. A few days later, the funds just come back in your account, and when you inquire, they claim that compliance didn't accept the transfer. I tried around 10 times from both my account and my wife's, with various amounts to various destinations, and we never had a single transfer go through.

BS, I regularly send momey abroad by Kasikorn. Never any problem,  In less than a hour the money is in the foreign bankaccount

[JayBird]

I recommend two banks.

 

Bangkok bank. Superior international availability. No problems with transfers. Good mobile and online banking. However no Visa card now makes it difficult to access funds.

 

UOB. Easy to open, Visa ATM. Free withdrawals in Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia. Online banking as well.

 

Do international transfer to Bangkok bank and then transfer (automatically) to UOB, then withdrawal with Visa.

 

Best of all worlds and more secure.

[MyFriend You]

6 hours ago, lou62 said:

I have a Bangkok Bank Savings account. Some time ago my mate told me that if I got it activated then the ATM Card could be used to purchase Items on line .

 

Don't remember exactly how it was done but needed a visit to a Branch.

No hardship and can get Airline Tickets etc, easily.

 

No idea if I can use it Abroad as I've never tried. 

 

Bangkok Bank has a branch in New York City, you open the account here, have the money sent to NYC and you can draw against it no ATM fee, or transfer fee...........I have both SCB & Bkk Bank.

[ujayujay]

10 Years Bangkok Bank without any Problem.

[bangkokairportlink]

kasikorn of course

[NancyL]

2 hours ago, TunnelRat69 said:

Bangkok Bank has a branch in New York City, you open the account here, have the money sent to NYC and you can draw against it no ATM fee, or transfer fee...........I have both SCB & Bkk Bank.

You don't open an account with Bangkok Bank in NYC.  It's a commercial bank, no retail accounts.  You open your Bangkok Bank account here in Thailand and use your Bangkok Bank account number and the 9-digit ACH routing number for Bangkok Bank NYC 026008691.  

 

You initiate the transfer as a domestic interbank transfer online from your U.S. bank, in U.S. dollars and Bangkok Bank will take care of converting to Thai baht ( if your Bangkok Bank account is a baht account) and depositing into your local Thai account.  It's a very easy, seamless process.  For me, the money shows up the next day here in Thailand after I do an online transfer via internet banking.

[Upnotover]

Thai banks debt cards do not work internationally except for neighboring countries, always keep your home country bank account as your main bank account and use local bank accounts for local shopping and withdraws.

Not true. I have used my Kasikorn debit card as far East as Brisbane and as as far West as Bristol. I am sure some people have problems but to say they "don't work" is just not correct.

[Tofer]

Bangkok Bank without a doubt. They even gave me a foreign currency account when I was only a regular visitor and wanted to transfer $ from an account I had in Philippines. Money transfers coming in arrive same day, brilliant service.

[megapix]

6 hours ago, nasanews said:

Thai banks debt cards do not work internationally except for neighboring countries, always keep your home country bank account as your main bank account and use local bank accounts for local shopping and withdraws.

Never had any problems withdrawing cash from ATM with Kasikorn debit card in Europe, New Zealand or any other country I have been so far. You just have to ask Kasikorn to activate the service for you.

[OJAS]

10 hours ago, keeniau96 said:

Bangkok Bank is best for receiving funds from USA bank via ACH to BKK bank in NYC. quick and cheaper than most.

Similar facility available for receiving funds from UK bank via BACS or Faster Payments Service to BKK bank in London.

[scoutman360]

On 6/23/2017 at 5:28 PM, SiamBeast said:

From my experience:

 

Bangkok Bank: Easy to open, hard to get a credit card, good product overall, no problem wiring funds overseas IF funds come from abroad.

 

SCB: Hard to open, easy to get a credit card, excellent product, no problem at all wiring funds overseas.

 

Krungsri: Easy to open, easy to get a credit card, BAD product:

1) For every incoming international transfer, someone has to call you and ask you questions.

2) International transfers over USD 2,000 are not permitted at all.

I ended up closing my account after they refused to process a transfer.

 

Kasikorn: Easy to open, easy to get a credit card, HORRIBLE product:

1) They called me twice in a month to ask questions about my spending habits

2) International transfers are not permitted at all.

3) Buggy system with service often not available

4) Credit card won't work in casinos abroad

They refused to close my account because I had insurance with them - had to get the lawyer involved to get my money back and pull my stuff out of this nightmare.

 

Krungthai: Never been a customer, but I go on a regular basis to pay my speeding fines and the service seems good.

 

If you have a tourist visa, forget about getting an account, unless you're ready to spend a week branch hopping in hope for someone to accept you after breaking their balls. If you have a non-O visa, you might want to go for BKK or SCB.

I don't know why you had such a bad experience with international transfers. I do all my international transfers with Kasikorn (both send and receive) and never had any problems. I have transferred large sums. But I had a work permit when I opened the account. They never asked to see it afterwards.

 

I have also used Bangkok Bank, and SCB. Both, I have done international transfers with no problems. Keep in mind, I signed up with a Work Permit. I once had a conversation with the branch manager at Bangkok Bank, and he told me even after I retire, they can check employment history and make good on my transfer requests. So, perhaps some of the difficulty depends on employment or not.

 

[scoutman360]

7 hours ago, NancyL said:

You don't open an account with Bangkok Bank in NYC.  It's a commercial bank, no retail accounts.  You open your Bangkok Bank account here in Thailand and use your Bangkok Bank account number and the 9-digit ACH routing number for Bangkok Bank NYC 026008691.  

 

You initiate the transfer as a domestic interbank transfer online from your U.S. bank, in U.S. dollars and Bangkok Bank will take care of converting to Thai baht ( if your Bangkok Bank account is a baht account) and depositing into your local Thai account.  It's a very easy, seamless process.  For me, the money shows up the next day here in Thailand after I do an online transfer via internet banking.

I have done this many times. The only problem I had was from my own U.S. bank, that put restrictions on the transfer amount. They told me I must do a wire transfer for over $xxx amount. That sucked.