Can my friend from Australia open a bank account to obtain a retirement visa in Thailand?

@Lynnette ******

there’s no rule for any type of visa. Reliable sources indicate that it’s the enforcement of existing rules that is the problem. Of course, proving your residential address on a tourism visa will always be problematic no matter the country - a very common stumbling block

@Neil *******

Not a tourist - "She comes on a 90-day non-O visa" ;)

@David *********

hopefully they will listen to the advice on how it can be done.

@David *********

I know she can but he seems adamant his friend cannot. No idea why.

@Neil *******

nothing to do with the news. Banks don't want to open bank accounts for short term tourists. SO apply for a visa (online) from embassy before arriving. Open account. Then get 12 month extension of stay.

@Neil *******

read what Brandon posted. . Apply for Non O visa in AUS. Fly to Thailand. Open bank account. Deposit the money. Apply for extension of stay based on retirement.

@Neil *******

foreigners CAN open accounts. With a visa.

@Neil *******

This is completely untrue!

@Neil *******

not true

Banks in Thailand are like everywhere in the world, interested in having good stable custormers, that have a permanent address, a steady easy traceable income, and use the account all year round.

That is why the banks are reluctant to give accounts to people on short time ( read: tourist ) visas, and who only spend part of the year in Thailand.

Don’t expect to get a residence certificat, until you have stayed at a permanent adress in at least 3 month, since that is what the residence certificat should confirm.

Furthermore the added attention on whitewashing of money, is an added burden on the banks, so reluctant depositing large amounts isn’t a guaranteed way to open an account.

The value of a resident certificat, had gone down, since Immigration Officers are giving them to people that are not on a longterm visa, or have stayed severel months at 1 adress in Thailand, so even if it is a formal requirement, the bank make up their own assesment of the stability of the want-to-be customer.

9-thailand-to-implement-stringent-compliance-regulations-for-new-bank-accounts?

77-foreigners-face-new-hurdles-in-opening-thai-bank-accounts/

PS: there is a error in the 2. chapter, a thai bank account has never been needed to get DTV, but the rest is telling about the current situation.

@Neil *******

looks on Thailand Visa Advice | DTV | Retirement & More there's advice on there.

@Neil *******

so if they obtain their visa from embassy in Aus they can't arrive and open a bank account? Yet that's what people are being advised. . Get proper visa, and go to bank ( several banks) then put money in bank.

@Neil *******

listen to Brandon's advice, it is the only true advice. Enter with a 90-days Non-Imm-O visa an open a Thai bank account. If banks turn you down, use an agent

@Graham *****

I haven't heard if that's still the same for them after the switch to e-visa.