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Just a touch of 3-month old info I've just been trounced with.
Took some friends today to Bkk Bank to open accounts, and was told that as of 3 months ago banks are no longer permitted to open farang accounts without Immigration clearance. They showed us a template of the authorisation, and it seems you are required to produce yourself, passport and probably whatever other docs may be required for a routine brain transplant, together with a photo.
Anyone else been had on this one?
I tried Bangkok bank recently but I needed a notary letter from the embassy to open that.
Best bet is Kasikorn bank, passport needed, takes 20 mins, easy to sort out a card that can be used online as well, just ask when you apply.
Usually bank accounts are easier opened in the 'farang ghettos', or so I heard, but the Kasikorn bank I joined is on the Ratchada road, not many farang customers I gues, but they sorted me out quickly and easily anyways.
If you have no luck in one branch, try the next along, rules change that easily.
Some times they ask if you have a yearly visa, just say yes as they never bother checking the passport that much anyway, fok whats the worst they can do? refuse to let you have a bank account, so just lie to them.
Legally, commercial banks in LoS have been told by the Bank of Thailand to clamp-down on foreign accounts, due to Baht speculation concerns. Practically, banks are not apying much attention. Practically, you need to find a branch where you can lose the paper-work.
We were heading for my main account branch in Naklua, where nobody's had any problems, but was hot so we detoured to 2nd Road soi 6 instead.
Before we left the bank I shrugged and told the lady we would make our way to Naklua, but she said no matter because Bkk Bank's policy is to strictly comply with the new regs.
Still, will try Naklua next week.
Perhaps its a BKK bank thing, they used to be one of the easiest.
Regulations change, it's always been different banks interpreting and implementing them differently.
Another example is the interest: at some banks you'll get it, at others not, because you're a foreigner, it varies from branch to branch even.
What a country!
Bank officers acting like immigration officers.
Quite some time ago I took my son who does not have a thai passport, to open a bank account and was told he needed 50,000 baht to open the account. We left and my wife took him to another bank (I stayed home). Account opened with 500 baht. So much for regulations.
I agree with DD, just lie to them but not in writing.
I recently opened an account with Bangkok Bank.
The only thing they wanted to know was, how much?, how much?, how much money you got ?
I told them I would open the account with 1000b cash and then send a few million from UK. I get great service now but they are still waiting for the 'few million' :o
You did tell them to hold their breath, didn't you?
The only reason I stay with them is a few keepsake shares I've held since 0.55.
the kasikorn will open an account with just your passport did it yesterday
I opened a savings account at Thai Military Bank at the end of June. I brought my passport and most likely my work permit (if I had it yet). Deposited June's paycheck and got my ATM card. Whole experience took about twenty minutes to half an hour. I should mention that the branch of TMB where I opened my account literally in the same building as my employer and I think the majority of their customers are my co-workers.
In the past I've had accounts at Bangkok Bank and Krung Thai (plus a different branch of TMB) and all I needed for these was the passport and WP. Did have a friend get some stick for trying to open up an account before his WP had been issued. He went to the next branch down the road and the opened it, no problem. So it's definitely worth a trip to a different branch and/or a slight bending of the truth.