Thai bank account

[reispr01]

Hi, all.

After living happily and peacefully (Sabai Sabai) for 3 years on my O-A retirement visa and annual extensions of stay based on proven monthly income (NOT a deposit in a Thai bank) I find that I am in need of a Thai bank account...but for purposes unrelated to the visa.

So, I walked into a few with my passport and asked to open a new account...and was promptly asked to provide my WORK PERMIT. I explained that I didn't have a work permit, as I didn't work, because work was prohibited under my visa, and in any case, it was a RETIREMENT VISA. Hence, the fact that I was not WORKING.

No deal. No work permit, no account. Thank you. Bye bye.

And yet...I've heard tell it's possible. Anybody know WHICH bank would allow me to open an account with my ANNUAL rental contract and my ANNUAL retirement visa?

Thanks!

Alex

[PAG]

Might be helpful if you could say where you are living. Issues like this tend to have local influences and attitudes can vary from branch to branch, so for members to give objective advice, location is important. Also, an introduction from an existing customer of your preferred bank would also help.

[cyrille]

One thing I do know is that 'Retirement' visa is not an accurate translation. Literally in Thai the term for the visa is 'End of life' visa.

Someone may have decided this didn't sound good in English.

In any case, as I understand it holding a 'retirement' visa does not necessarily mean you cannot work.

[PAG]

In any case, as I understand it holding a 'retirement' visa does not necessarily mean you cannot work.

My understanding is the contrary, i.e. you cannot hold a retirement extension and a WP simultaneously. Maybe Todd will be along for clarity.

[Neverna]

^ You are right, PAG. No work is allowed on an extension of stay based on retirement.

[Dillinger]

And yet...I've heard tell it's possible. Anybody know WHICH bank would allow me to open an account with my ANNUAL rental contract and my ANNUAL retirement visa?

You need to get a certificate of residence from immigration or your Embassy. If you're British, go to immigration because the embassy are a bunch of fleecing bastards

[reispr01]

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!

[Dragonfly94]

Had that years ago, you need to tell them how much you want to deposit, 800k and they will likely change their minds pretty quick. Another branch also can have a different 'policy'

[PAG]

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!

OK, so you're in an area with a great deal of other full time expats, many of whom will have both retirement extensions to their current visa, and local bank accounts. I guess that you have not purchased a vehicle (car or motor cycle) whilst here, because you certainly need a Certificate of Residence for registering a vehicle in your name, as well as obtaining a Driving Licence.

Given your location, maybe some kind soul in your area will be along shortly to give you advice.

[Dillinger]

BTW...I live in Jomtien Beach

Go to the Bangkok Bank branch on 4th floor of Central Festival.

There you only need that cert of residence and your visa.

Phone them and they will tell you that themselves

038043161

Closes at 7.30pm

[Headworx]

^I'd believe anything Dill says on this. Kasikorn at Tuk Com on Pattaya Tai is also Farang friendly last I heard, which was about a year ago....,

If all else fails, businesses like Tik Tok services can definitely get it done for you. No idea what they charge but they're one of the go-to places for people on tourist visas to get a local bank account opened, so on a Retirement Visa it'd surely be even easier. https://www.tiktokservicesthailand.com/

[HuangLao]

Go to the Bangkok Bank branch on 4th floor of Central Festival.

There you only need that cert of residence and your visa.

Phone them and they will tell you that themselves

038043161

Closes at 7.30pm

Numerous selected branches of BB and Kasikorn [as Headworx has mentioned] have Farang friendly policies.....not pertaining to Farang ghettos only, but throughout the country.

[jamescollister]

You need to get a certificate of residence from immigration or your Embassy. If you're British, go to immigration because the embassy are a bunch of fleecing bastards

Just goes to show, location makes a big difference, I've had a bank account for years, never had or been asked for a cert of residence, just the passport.

Lots of fly in, fly out oil workers around Ubon, they are not resident as they come and go on visa exempt or spouse visas and have bank accounts, got my driving license, passport and international drivers permit was all that was asked for.

Friend, Canadian oil worker, got his bike license using a letter from the tourist police, maybe Ubon Provence is just slack.

[HuangLao]

Just goes to show, location makes a big difference, I've had a bank account for years, never had or been asked for a cert of residence, just the passport.

Lots of fly in, fly out oil workers around Ubon, they are not resident as they come and go on visa exempt or spouse visas and have bank accounts, got my driving license, passport and international drivers permit was all that was asked for.

Friend, Canadian oil worker, got his bike license using a letter from the tourist police, maybe Ubon Provence is just slack.

Yeah.
As mentioned already, banking policies are not universal from one branch to the next.

[Dillinger]

Well seeing as he is in Jomtiem, Jeff, I'm pretty sure he will want a branch in or near Pattaya.

If you have a Bangkok Bamk account in Bangkok and use your debit card in Pattaya, the fukkers charge you to withdraw your own money and to deposit.

Which is why I gave him the branch that i opened an account in, in Pattaya last year, with a visa and res cert.

What branch is your branch out in the sticks Jeff?

Or are we talking about your Wells Fargo account ?

[Dillinger]

Just goes to show, location makes a big difference, I've had a bank account for years, never had or been asked for a cert of residence, just the passport.

No, it just shows that they have clamped down now and you can't open a bank account anymore on a Tourist Visa, which I also did in the past.

[Dillinger]

Canadian oil worker, got his bike license using a letter from the tourist police

Yeah......you can get a cert of residence from a police station too.

[Jack meoff]

He could bank at the Banco Luigi,
no need for any red tape crap

[OhOh]

Also, an introduction from an existing customer of your preferred bank would also help.

I agree.

My experience years ago was to walk into the Bangkok Bank main office in the local city and ask to see the manager. Having just arrived to live permanently in Thailand with an O-A visa and a sum of cash to transfer. I told him the London office manager has specifically told me to use his bank. After a chat, a cup of tea and biscuits, a form was handed to me to sign was proffered, I signed it and a debit card handed over. Advice as to transfer the money was given along with a handshake and welcome to Thailand.

I still have the majority of the transfer, unfortunately for the bank, not in my savings account.

[harrybarracuda]

No, it just shows that they have clamped down now and you can't open a bank account anymore on a Tourist Visa, which I also did in the past.

Am I correct in saying you can't get a retirement visa without money in the bank, but you can't get a bank account without a retirement visa?

All very stupid.

However, like you, I opened my account 16 years ago with just a passport, tourist visa and a friend's address.

[Dillinger]

Am I correct in saying you can't get a retirement visa without money in the bank, but you can't get a bank account without a retirement visa?

If you mean can open an account without retirement visa in the second part then you're half correct.

I think the Aussies and Yanks just need a letter saying they have the funds in their home countries. Plus there are agencies who will put those funds in accounts too.

[Dillinger]

He could bank at the Banco Luigi,
no need for any red tape crap

[nidhogg]

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.

[OhOh]

Am I correct in saying you can't get a retirement visa without money in the bank

No.

You can get a retirement visa (50 years +) with proven monies in your home country bank, proven income from your pensions etc or a combination whilst in one's home country. Along with a clean criminal record from Scotland Yard or whatever the agency is called now, a doctor signing a medical certificate that you've never had elephantiasis, TB, third stage of Syphilis or leprosy and a valid Passport.

Am I correct in saying you can't get a bank account without a retirement visa?

No.

You can open a bank account in Thailand with a Thai work visa or by placing and leaving 3,000,000 THB "invested" in a Thai bank.

All very stupid

So yes you are stupid or, as some might say more politely, "uneducated" regarding the facts.

[david44]

Opened Accounts BKK , Citi and Kasikorn with just a passport I had a WP when I opened TMB but as others say just depends on branch/whim/weather.

Bangkok Bank requirements are on website in English and Thai HQ near Patpong where many ladies do alternate short time deposits