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  1. #1
    Cool Cat
    Perota's Avatar
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    Visa and bank statement

    I'm just starting to investigate the requirements to obtain a long term visa and one thing I thought was a basic requirement was to have some minimum amount of money in a Thai account. Anyway to have a bank account in Thailand is not such a bad idea so I went to visit two banks today, Kasikorn and SCB, in order to open an account and in both banks I got the same answer : no work permit, no account. And in both banks they told me it was a recent requirement due to some new government regulations that are supposed to prevent money laundering. My first question is is there anyway to open a bank account without having some form of long term visa ?

    Second question is related to the minimum deposit, does it have to be in a Thai bank ? Or a deposit in a foreign bank is ok too ?
    The things we regret most is the things we didn't do

  2. #2
    Thailand Expat Pragmatic's Avatar
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    I found that they usually request a thousand Baht deposit upon opening a new account. Obviously the money has to be in a Thai bank. As for 'no work permit' that ain't right.

  3. #3
    Cool Cat
    Perota's Avatar
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    I just checked the Bangkok Bank Website "When you go in to your nearest branch to open an account you will need:Expatriates need to produce their passport and work permit"

    Transaction Accounts

  4. #4
    Thailand Expat
    aging one's Avatar
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    Go to a more local bank. Here where there is a will there is a way. As for a visa other than retirement or possibly marriage there is no need for money. You are either working with a WP or are a tourist and or "long term tourist".

  5. #5
    Thailand Expat Pragmatic's Avatar
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    I don't have a work permit and just opened a new account at BKK bank 2 weeks ago.

  6. #6
    Thailand Expat
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    just try another bank or branch, or go to the immigration office and ask them which bank will open an account for a foreigner.

    they will often have a special relationship with a local bank and can ask them to provide bogus accounts, letters of guarantee etc. for foreigners who need a quick fix ( at a price )

    krugsri are quite foreigner friendly.

  7. #7
    loob lor geezer
    Bangyai's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by aging one View Post

    Go to a more local bank. Here where there is a will there is a way.
    Agreed. Even better if its away from the tourist areas out in the suburbs.

    I got fed up with the Bangkok Bank and wanted to open an account at the bank of Ayudhaya. They told me no....need work permit. I said ' Thats a pity, because I have 700,000 baht I wanted to deposit.' .......just a minute sir...I'll check with the manager.

    They then said that as I had a multi non immigrant visa I could open an account.

    Moral : Money talks ! .......................very loudly !



  8. #8
    Cool Cat
    Perota's Avatar
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    Just looking somewhere else in the Bangkok Bank website and found the following :

    "Even if you are only visiting Thailand for a relatively short period of time, you can open a savings account and get a debit card to use for shopping and ATM withdrawals. All you will need to provide is your passport and one other official identification document – for example, your driver’s license or a reference letter from your embassy, your home bank or a person acceptable to the bank. (More details below)

    You will also need to provide evidence of your address in Thailand as well as your regular address in your home country.
    "

    Opening an account

    A bit confusing ...But as aging one just said, in Thailand, where there is a will there is a way ...

  9. #9
    Thailand Expat Pragmatic's Avatar
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    Get a letter from your local immigration office confirming abode and away you go.

  10. #10
    Have you got any cheese Thetyim's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Perota
    A bit confusing
    Opening a savings account is easy.
    If you want an account with a cheque book then it's more complicated.

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