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Should I open a new bank account in Pattaya for my Non-O visa needs?

Non-O Visa Thailand Banking Expat Financial Tips Pattaya Expat Advice Visa Renewal Requirements Thai ATM Fees Bank Account Management

Mar 13, 2024

9 months ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

Glorious afternoon everyone. A bit of a dilemna. I am 3 months into my second year of non o visa and I live in Pattaya. When I first took out my original visa I lived and banked in Phitsanulok then I moved here. So two things; firstly I have to pay charges to put in and take out money from my bank in Pattaya because it's not my home registered bank. Am I better off closing my account and opening an account in Pattaya to avoid these irritating costs (cheap Charlie). If I close my account I would probably change bank type. Secondly, what would happen to my status regarding my bank account if I do change banks or branch, when it comes to renewing my non o in December, as I would only be able to show statements for the next 8 months rather than full 12 months they ask for. TIA. Barry

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The user, currently residing in Pattaya on a Non-O visa, is considering opening a local bank account to avoid fees associated with withdrawals from a non-resident bank. They also seek advice on how changing banks might affect their bank statement requirements for visa renewal, as they would not have a full year of statements with the new account. Community members suggest keeping the old account while opening a new one to manage expenses and reduce fees, emphasizing that having multiple accounts can be beneficial.

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Jim ***********

Use Bkk app at ATM no fees pay. Saves a massive 15 baht . 😅

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Barry ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Jim **********

holy moly I need this now 💰

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Barry ********

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Henry *********

Thai banks don't like people closing accounts. Just open a new one in Pattaya. Having more than one account is a good idea anyway.

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Andy ********

I agree with

@Stuart ********

in opening a new bank account where you are living. My advice would be to give the ATM card back on the original account, this will have the effect of reducing the annual fee for that account to zero. Get a new ATM/Debit card with the new account this will reduce your ATM fees. Leave the 800k in the original account and use the new account for living expenses. This will mean when you extend next time your 12 months statement will be reduced to a single page (maybe 2) saving you more money on bank charges for printing the statement.

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Barry ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

thanks Andy greT advice on here I'm pleased I asked now

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Barry ********

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Christopher *************

Cheap being the operative word I assume? My Atm card works all over the WORLD AND IT COST ME ALL OF THB 100. Open another account cheapskate if you can find a a bank in Pattaya that will take you on?

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Barry ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Christopher ************

enjoy your beers

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Christopher *************

Go to the Main branch Bank of Ayuddha on Pattaya Klang, if you have all the paperwork and meet the criteria ther should be no problem.

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Barry ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Christopher ************

cheers 🍻 m8

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Barry ********

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Christopher *************

I do.

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Christopher *************

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Kool *******

Why all the drama? There is nothing stopping you from having two bank accounts from different areas. It actually works much better for other things by having more than just one bank account. Get another account, but don't close your old one. You can eliminate the yearly charge by not renewing your ATM card when it comes due, and simply use the account for e-commerce, which has no out of zone charges. Everyone does promptpay now/bank to bank, scan the qr code, payments almost everywhere. That eliminates the cheap charlie out of zone withdrawal fees.

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John *****

Yes, keep immi $ in this acct, open new acct for yr use

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Barry ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

no drama just feeling my way but I love your idea on this, very helpful thanks. I assume if I wish that I can take out a lump of my money from my initial account and put in the new account. Cheers

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Kool *******

just do a bank to bank transfer online. It is very easy to do now. No charges for doing them.

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Barry ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

thanks a lot this I'll do, its all about timing with the non o renewal etc in Dec, planning ahead for once

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Barry ********

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Stuart *********

By all means open a new bank account but I would hold off transferring funds to the new account until you get your extension. It can be done by moving accounts but it just doubles up the copies and bank letters you need.

If you want to avoid ATM fees then use the card less withdraw on your bank app rather than the ATM card.

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Barry ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Stuart ********

cheers Stuart very helpful as ever. Another quickie I meant to add, if I marry before my non o is due to renew in December, what do I do then. Apply for a marriage visa and cancel non o after . Thanks

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Stuart *********

You aren’t on a Non O visa. You’re on an extension of stay (off the back of the initial Non O visa).

Come getting a new extension you can change the reason for that extension if you meet the requirements to do so.

Go in a few weeks before it’s due with your wife and get a list of all the requirements your office will need to switch over to reason based on marriage.

As an aside there’s many on here that will suggest that you just keep doing retirement extensions as they are generally less hassle and not dependent on your wife being there at the time. There is less money to hold though so it depends on your preferences.

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Barry ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Stuart ********

thanks Stuart. I thought I had to change to marriage visa, the only benefit of doing that that I can see is to reduce the retention money to 400k, but if I can choose, that's great news. Thanks again

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Stuart *********

There’s the reduced amount you need to apply, once you have your extension you can spend the lot if you so want and you can also legally get a work permit off a marriage extension. But it’s more paperwork and is dependent on your wife being there at extension time.

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Stuart *********

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