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Can I change my health insurance after obtaining it for a Thai bank account while applying for a Non-O visa?

Feb 19, 2025
a year ago
John *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Do I remember reading that if you get health insurance once in the visa process that you are stuck with it and can’t get rid of it?

I am here on 60 day bisa exempt. I want to get a non-O immigrant visa and end up with a retirement visa. First I need to get a bank account and one bank is saying they will give it to me if I buy a ฿5000 health insurance policy. If I get that policy, is it going to cause a problem for me down the road? (I do NOT want Non-OA)
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The post discusses concerns about being locked into a health insurance policy after obtaining a bank account in Thailand. The author seeks a Non-O immigrant visa and expresses hesitation about a bank's requirement to purchase a ฿5000 health insurance policy. Several comments clarify that the Non-O visa does not require insurance, and caution about the implications of the bank's policy. Some experiences shared indicate that the insurance could provide value, while others suggest it might be unnecessary. The conversation reveals mixed feelings on the topic of health insurance linked to banking in Thailand.
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Peter *******
Thank is a scam from whichever bank it is
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Michael *******
@Peter ******
standard fare at BKK Bank for many years, not sure they do it now, they make more from agents 🙂
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Michael *******
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Marty *********
Years ago I bought the 5,000 baht insurance policy. It is accident insurance and it is not at all useless. Two months after getting the bank account insurance I had an emergency room visit and Kasikorn paid the 5,000 baht claim. The next year I bought 50,000 baht to cover the deductible on my comprehensive Thai health insurance. Kasikorn didn't allow me to continue buying the accident insurance once I turned 65.

Of course, it is up to you if you don't want to do this but 5,000 baht isn't all that much money.
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James *********
Per what's being reported by other folks unable to open an account, I'd seriously consider the bank's offer, you'll never have to buy that insurance again, as long as you keep up with your Visa extensions 😁
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Matthew *********
@James ********
it's worth the devil fee .
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John *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Matthew ********
they open at 11 AM so hopefully later this morning, I will ask them if they will still honor that offer
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Matthew *********
@John ********
good luck
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Matthew *********
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Joseph *******
@James ********
But … TiT, so could the bank simply close your account if you refuse to renew the life insurance?
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Joseph *******
@James ********
You sound so confident, James.
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James *********
@Joseph ******
Maybe I should've said that I've never heard, or read, of that happening Joseph. Please correct me if I'm wrong 🙏
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Joseph *******
@James ********
I haven’t heard of it happening either. But I’ve been either visiting or living in Thailand since 1978, & one thing I’ve learned is that nothing should surprise you regarding anything related to Thailand. Hence the saying, TiT.

As to whether or not Bangkok Bank would close the OP’s account if he refused to renew his insurance, consider (1) the refusal itself would likely be taken as a loss of face, & (2) most Thai with any authority often flex the boundaries of that authority with impunity. In one example, an immigration officer once changed my extension from “married” to “retirement” because he didn’t want to deal with organizing the documents & sending them to Bangkok for approval. At the time, I was considering eventually going for permanent residence as a prelude to applying for Thai citizenship, neither of which I could accomplish on a “retirement” extension. When I tried to make a case, he raised his voice & said, “is there a problem?” Having just learned of a fellow farang being denied his annual extension after seven years of living in Thailand, I curtly responded, “no sir” & left before he could change his mind about my renewed-but-changed visa extension.
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James *********
@Joseph ******
I've several accounts here in Thailand, 2 with Bangkok Bank, and politely refused the insurance both times without issue, but do understand that some bankers can make it difficult. Take care 🙏🤟👍
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Joseph *******
@James ********
But to ease the OP’s concerns, like you, I don’t believe the bank would close his account at that point.
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Joseph *******
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James *********
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James *********
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Bob **********
What bank?And the insurance isn’t really a bad thing over here but the shaking things up over here at the moment
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Peter *******
@Bob *********
But the insurance is poor - you don't 'buy' insurance from a Bank, you by from a licenced Broker
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Bob **********
@Peter ******
it’s only for accidents people fall down all the time over here I broke my foot stepping off a high curb they paid it’s worth it because you get the bank account also next year don’t do it but an agent will charge the same thing only shoddy and no insurance it’s up to you
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Bob **********
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Adam ********
What bank is offering this option?
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Kim *********
@Adam *******
BKK - they did the same to me about 5 years ago
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John *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Adam *******
they offered that to me about a week ago. Tomorrow, I will see if that offer still holds.
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Adam ********
@John ********
let us know can ya

Cheers mate
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Jan ******************
@John ********
If you’re on a 60 days visa exemption and able to open a bank account by yourself only by purchasing an insurance your can cancel after a year I would say it’s worth it. I just got denied in one bank with a Non O and an agent wouldn’t be any cheaper anyway.
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John *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jan *****************
I thought opening a bank account if you had a non-O immigrant visa was easy
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Tony **********
@John ********
it is if you have a residency certificate and dress like a person conducting business.
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Jan ******************
@Tony *********
I already have one account in Krungthai Bank and two in Bangkok Bank. I don’t think it has anything to do with my appearance.🤣
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Jan ******************
@John ********
This was my personal experience at the Krungthai bank in Buriram, same branch as I opened on visa exemption previously;

Tried to open a second savings account in Krungthai bank last month with a Non O visa. They didn’t allow me even if I’ve been a customer in their bank for 11 years with a debit account and could provide a residence certificate. Requested a yellow book or a work permit as well.

They referred to general written guidelines from their head office and gave me a copy.
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Jan ******************
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Stuart *********
@Adam *******
Probably Bangkok Bank. I think their staff get a commission if they sell a policy but that’s just a guess.
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Peter *******
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Adam ********
@Stuart ********
interesting thanks Stuart 🙏🏻
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Adam ********
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Stuart *********
You’re getting your wires crossed a bit.

A Non OA visa which you can only apply for in your home country requires insurance. To get extensions off of that would also require insurance.

To get a Non O visa in country does not require insurance, nor do extensions off of it.

The fact that the bank will open an account for you if you pay for their “completely useless” insurance policy is irrelevant. If they’ll open an account for you jump at the chance. Ok it’s 5k wasted money but so many people have issues opening accounts these days that it’s probably worth the investment and write it off.
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Stuart *********
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