For those who use Bank of Ayudhya (aka. Krungsri Bank) to top up your boyfriend's account remotely (BoA is one of the few that will give Internet banking access to foreigners without a work permit - which, by the way, is against the banking regulations) there's bad news:Originally Posted by Krungsri Bank
I found with most Thai banks trying to open an account without a work permit impossible, but then I discovered Kasikorn Bank. With Kasikorn Bank I only needed a passport to open a savings account. Their savings account came with a passbook, ATM card and Internet banking set up within 24 hours. In Bangkok the Paragon branch is open 7 days a week and I think most evenings.
Are you sure you don't mean the 'internet banking' option, rather than a Thai bank account itself?
One of the requirements for renewal of the 12 month Retirement Visa every year is that the applicant have a Thai bank account with enough cash in it to equal 800,000 baht ... or at least enough to add to an annual income equal 800,000 baht. Normally a retired person would not have, or need, a work permit ... so why would it be such a hassle to simply open an account.
I know of many farang (most from this Board) who have opened Thai bank accounts with few problems.
Cheers ...
Just another reason why I love living in Thailand
well....it is a hassle and a catch 22 Smiles.
In April, I tried to open an account at Bangkok Bank at the main office on Silom. "NO" was the response......"you need a work permit."
The went to Kasikorn Bank. The person said the same thing as Bangkok Bank. BUT...luckily I had an email from Kasikorn Bank Customer Services....saying I only needed my Passport and 500 baht. Showed them the email....and finally, not to their liking, they allowed me to open an savings account (with internet banking). I think it is very much a matter of who you talk to at the respective bank and their mood. Did they get laid the night before? Are they constipated? Did they have a good lunch? Is it a blue moon? Hight tide? ....and on it goes.
I opened an account in New Zealand and took the ATM card with me to Thailand - I can now put money in that account to be withdrawn from Thailand. A much cheaper way of remitting funds
Any commercial bank will open bank account for you.
Siam Commercial bank will issue a bank book and give you an ATM card including eVisa debit card right on the spot. Just show your passport.
The same is wich TMB which might have the best internet facilities presently.
Bangkok Bank is as good as Kasikorn Bank or Khrung Thai Bank.
Gov Housing Bank or some other soecial banks will not work well for foreigners but opening a joint account withyour Thai friend is no problem.
tried many baksAny commercial bank will open bank account for you.
Siam Commercial bank will issue a bank book and give you an ATM card including eVisa debit card right on the spot. Just show your passport.
The same is wich TMB which might have the best internet facilities presently.
Bangkok Bank is as good as Kasikorn Bank or Khrung Thai Bank.
Gov Housing Bank or some other soecial banks will not work well for foreigners but opening a joint account withyour Thai friend is no problem.
kaisikorn the most friendlt, Bangkok Bank wanted a Thai to guarantee me... TMB would not even entertain an account unless i turned up proving i was buying a 5 million baht plus condo or house..... kaisakorn were also the friendliest of them all
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About my books
I opened saving accounts with internet access and ATM cards with only a тАЬretirement visaтАЭ at Krung Thai Bank on South Pattaya Rd. (Wat Chi), Kasikorn Bank on South Pattaya Rd., and Bank of BKK on Second Rd. near GregтАЩs Kitchen.
No one familiar with Thailand expects consistency. If at first you donтАЩt succeed try another bank, another branch, another employee, another day. Dress respectably, and wear clean underwear. In each case my BF took care of everything. I just sat there, smiled and signed my name until my hand cramped.
Actually these accounts may only be opened during months which contain the letter тАЬRтАЭ.
Cheeky buggers, they check your underwear! I'm with Krung Thai, They never asked me to do that!
I decided in July 2007 to open a Thai bank account. First, I tried Bangkok Bank, headquarters I think, on Silom Rd. After a very long wait I was asked for a passport and then a work visa. I explained that I was on a tourist visa and showed them the stamp in my passport, I use 'them' because more than one employee was involved in the issue. I was told sorry, you must have a working permit.
I then tried Bank of Ayudhya in Charn Issara on Rama 4. Same story, no work permit, no Thai bank account. Next, I went to Bank of Ayudhya on Soi Convent, because I read other foreigners had opened accounts in that branch, no luck there either.
Siam Commercial Bank in Thanaya Plaza was my next attempt, but failed again because of no work permit. I should note that in each bank my request to open an account involved several employees and much discussion among them.
Then, I went to the Phat Phong branch of Kasikorn Bank on Suriwong Rd, no problem, Thai savings account opened instantly with a required deposit of 500 baht. Within 24 hours I could access that account on-line. I did, however, have to sign and initial many documents.
I decided to move my account to the Paragon branch, downstairs in Siam Paragon, because of ease of use with greater opening hours. So, off I went and after signing my name again many times I left with a second Thai savings account, an Visa Debit ATM card, and signed up for Internet access for account number 2. I have also found the K-contact center, Kasikorn's telephone help line, to be excellent. Their employees are very helpful. I have heard from some Thai friends that Kasikorn has the most up to date computer system of any Thai bank, and so despite warnings about problems with using different branches of a bank I have to report I found Kasikorn very easy to use at any branch for depositing money, withdrawing money, updating my savings account books, etc., both manually, if you want to wait in a line, or electronically at one of their many machines.
One warning, when I asked about closing my Phat Phong account, because I only wanted one account, I was told that if that account remains inactive for one year it will be automatically closed! I then decided to keep both accounts open, because if for some reason I do not get to Thailand for a year, which is very unlikely, I can simply transfer funds back and forth from one account to the other thus keeping both active.
By the way one reason for opening a Thai account was to be able to transfer funds to Thailand if and when the exchange rate improves.
I hope this information is of some use for anyone trying to open a Thai bank account.
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