Thai bank account

[reispr01]

OhOh is correct about the O-A ('retirement') visa as far as the initial application - it is a major pain in the butt. But once you have it, the annual extensions are comparatively easy. Americans go to their embassy in either Bangkok or Chiang Mai, sign an "Affidavit of Income," pay $50 for the notary fee and then take that with passport (two passports if the original O-A, like mine, is in an older one) and get the annual extension. You do not have to "prove" you have cash banked or income (as you do in the initial application). You "swear" you have the minimum required annual income or banked funds, the embassy notarizes it, and you are done. No paperwork, letters, or anything else is needed.)

You can select single or multi-entry visa. All together, it comes to around $250, and it is much, MUCH easier in the Jomtien (Chonburi) Immigration. In Bangkok, it actually makes more sense to hire an agent to do all the crap for you - pay little bribes to get to the front of about 5 different lines one has to stand in. It can be an almost day-long affair in Bangkok at the big government center.

Anyway - thanks again all for the banking advice. I will keep trying. :-)

[toslti]

To all - thank you for the comments.

You can work on the internet. You can go to places like CoHubs and office rental companies that offer high-speed connections. You can write a book and become a best-selling author. You can compose a symphony and conduct for Berliner Philharmoniker. You can take photographs and sell them to the New York Times. But you CAN NOT get a work permit to hold an actual job in Thailand. Legally.

I have been in the middle of an immigration police RAID on a school where I taught when I DID have a work permit...they are not playing games. You work at your own risk. Get deported, and it's going to show up on your passport in every country you travel to.

But that is neither here nor there - I just want a bank account. And the people I talked to at the banks I went to didn't care if dropped names. Now, I WAS born in the morning, but it wasn't YESTERDAY morning. I suppose if I walked in with a couple million bucks, they'd give me an account, a car, a driver, and possibly a couple of "secretaries."

But there MUST be some bank that will take the O-A and a long-term rental contract. I've been here on various visas for many years, and travelled to 60 countries, and I have never heard of such a thing as a "Certificate of Residence." My embassy (U.S.) provides me with a NOTARIZED affidavit of income, which the Thai Immigration people accept.

SOME bank, SOMEWHERE in Thailand must surely figure that is enough for a bank account.

BTW...I live in Jomtien Beach, but I've asked this question at banks here, Pattaya and Bangkok.

So - hoping somebody else has a definitive answer.

Cheers!

contact Tok Tok services

0957957703, for a certain amount of shekels you will get your bank account. Used by many people in Pattaya to do their D/L, Bank Account etc.

[jabir]

My first account was on a tourist visa through a friend known at the bank, next was on the strength of passport and wads of notes with a request for advice on investing it which earned instant respect, a glass of water and palease sign here, here, here, here and here, sir.

Iow, same same as others have said, friends or hard cash trump bureaucracy.

[OhOh]

^

If your Chinese a gift, a few London bridge keyrings (made in China of course) is always a deal maker, allegedly and from personal experience. "It helps to oil the wheels" of communication, friendship and prosperity for all.

[reispr01]

Well, I'll venture out tomorrow in search of a willing Thai bank. Thanks for the comments. I was kinda hoping somebody would just name a bank, and that would be it. But...this is Thailand. As they say.

Now - regarding the retirement visa - I can only speak for myself and Americans. Originally (5 years ago) I did need to get the O-A visa at the Thai embassy in Los Angeles (closest one to me). YES, I had to get all the B.S. medical examas; local, state, federal criminal background checks - and some that had to be notarized by the U.S. State Department, not just a regular notary. I spend a small fortune trying to find a way to get tested for Elephantiasis in the U.S. In the end, it was impossible. Following advice I got on this website, I went to my doctor, explained my predicament, and she signed a paper saying that "Based on my physical examination, Mr. R does not have Elephantiasis or other communicable disease." I sent THAT to Embassy in L.A., and (wait for it....) they said, "Sure, no problem." Sabai Sabai. And YES, I did have to PROVE my income with pension docs, etc.

HOWEVER...in the 4 times I have extended the stay since then (in Thailand) the only income-related document I EVER had to show was an Affidavit of Income, provided by the U.S. Embassy Bangkok, and notarized by them for $50. No bank account in any country - no large sums of money deposited - nothing. Of course, you have to swear under oath and penalty of perjury that you make such-and-such amount of money. But you don't need to prove it. How it works for other nationals, couldn't say.

[Dillinger]

Well, I'll venture out tomorrow in search of a willing Thai bank. Thanks for the comments. I was kinda hoping somebody would just name a bank

Ive named the fucking bank and branch.

Try reading

[Dillinger]

Post #10

[Dillinger]

Get a cert of residence from Jomtiem Immigration near where you live. Only takes 20 minutes.

To get that you will need a copy of photo page of passport and visa page and proof of your residence.
Maybe a photo or two, can't remember that bit

[Begbie]

Get a cert of residence from Jomtiem Immigration near where you live. Only takes 20 minutes.

To get that you will need a copy of photo page of passport and visa page and proof of your residence.
Maybe a photo or two, can't remember that bit

A copy of the lease or the owners house book and I.D. card. Similar to what’s needed for the TM30, declaration of residence.

A certificate of residence is needed if you don’t have work permit, to apply for a bank account or driver’s license.

[OhOh]

Good luck for tommorow's quests in Thailand.

Take everything people have suggested here, because as we know, Thais enjoy seeing felangs run around the same circle a few times.

Just think how happy you will feel with the ability to put cash into a Thai bank. I personally am relieved every time the ATM spits some cash out. The out of order, no cash available or just a blank screen happens all to frequently when I visit our sole ATM for 20km.

[AntRobertson]

Every year i need a medical form signed by a medic for my visa/ work permit renewal. I always go to the same place. Some years i only have a chat with the doc, some years i get a blood test for STDs. Some years i get a chest x --ray. Some years both. I never know what i will get until i turn up.

Point being, try another bank. Try a different day. You will get what you want. Eventually.

Just to underscore that point... I've never had to have a medical form signed off on.

Can't even recollect ever even having a medical (WP related that is).

[Troubled]

Normally my wife picks my certificate up. She takes my passport with her.
This year I had to show up and sign a form.
No doctor in attendance
Price has gone up from 30 to 40 baht

[Storekeeper]

What happens to dormant savings accounts in Thailand? Mine haven’t been used since 2010. Still have the bank books somewhere.

[Dillinger]

^ you could put your bank book in the passbook update atm and find out

[AntRobertson]

^^Someone was posting about that recently, can't remember who though??

Think the upshot was that unless it has been a very, very long time they'll still be active accounts.

[Troubled]

^ My experience, through my father-in-law has been that after a period of time (I don't know how long) the funds become inaccessible via regular means.
A visit to the appropriate branch and the completion of numerous forms is required in order to have use of the funds.

I recall from the 80's in NYC funds would eventually be turned over to the state. again upon completion of various forms and a period of time access to them would be possible

[Bower]

Dillinger is quite right. I went to the Bangkok Bank branch he suggested. Passport with visa exemption, TM30, copy of my rental agreement was all I needed. Deposited 100,000bht. Walked away with debit card and bank book.

[OhOh]

Successful trip, how did you celebrate - withdraw 90,000?