Answereda year ago
What are the requirements for opening a bank account in Pattaya for a retirement visa?
Has anyone experienced opening a bank account in Pattaya and the bank asked for 10,000 baht fee? as requirement to get a retirement visa. Thanks for any info.
Answer summary
The discussion revolves around the experience of opening a bank account in Pattaya, particularly in relation to requirements for a retirement visa. Users express concerns over a supposed 10,000 baht fee being requested by a bank, which many consider a scam. They advise checking with different banks and caution against using agents who might inflate costs. Several users mention fees for insurance or minimum deposits, and the confusion over whether such fees are necessary or legitimate for obtaining a retirement visa. The conversation also highlights the challenges faced by expats in securing bank accounts without a long-term visa.
42 repliesnewest first
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Mark ******
Have you been personally to the bank, or have you asked an agent to open it for you? What type of Visa are you on?
Euan ********
I opened an account yesterday with kasikorn, 500 baht deposit.
Dwayne ********
That’s a scam but only been Pattaya twice as it’s my most disliked province. Go to either Bangkok Bank, Kasikorn, Siam or the pink one.
Shauna ******
Depends on where you are. The North every thing you do is going to cost more period. It should be cheaper but it is not.
If you're in the South just go to an agent 4,000 baht. Done.
If you're in the South just go to an agent 4,000 baht. Done.
Jisel *******
OP@Shauna *****
You got an agent in the south to recommend? thanksShauna ******
@Jisel ******
J&E Concierge, South Pattaya.
Mitchell *******
This was an actual fee? Or did they want it for an initial deposit?
Jisel *******
OP@Mitchell ******
actual fee
Ant ***********
From a Visa agent
Yes that may be the price
I’ve heard of
This is going through an agent
Not a bank direct
Yes that may be the price
I’ve heard of
*****
BThis is going through an agent
Not a bank direct
Rok ********
Is bank asking directly, not an agent? Sounds unusual.
Lloyd *********
Just opened a Kasikorn account, The only fee was 300 baht for the ATM card
Lucas **********
You're getting ripped off .. abort ...
Bob **********
So the bank didn’t ask for 10,000 the agent did,all together different this is the bank the agents are using as Bangkok bank won’t accept money in an out by agents anymore
Jisel *******
OP@Bob *********
thanksJisel *******
OP@Bob *********
PattayaBob **********
@Jisel ******
try Cambodia travel Soi Buakhoa across from holiday innJisel *******
OP@Bob *********
Do you have an agency to recommend? ThanksBob **********
@Jisel ******
where are youBob **********
No they usually ask you to by insurance,you need a long stay visa to open an account
Karapuz ****
Scamland
Jesper *******
1000baht just to open a bkk bank acct and bought a accident insurance(yearly premium 599baht) which binds the debit card with siriraj hospital.....fews years back
Gerg **********
Sounds like the bribe you need to pay in order to get a bank account without a long term visa in your hand first. Why else would the visa agent recommend it? They probably had it set up for you like that. Surprised they didn’t give you a heads up on the cost.
John **********
So are you currently on a tourist visa or visa exempt entry? If so it's a question of burning through shoe leather and try every branch of every bank until you find one that will open an account for you. Make sure any bank that will, will also provide the guarantee letter for immigration, it's not currently clear if Bangkok Bank will do that or not in your situation.
Paul ********
What visa do you have?
Xu *****
Which branch can process retirement visas?
Is this branch trying to steal business from the Immigration Bureau?🤣
Is this branch trying to steal business from the Immigration Bureau?🤣
Jisel *******
OP@Xu ****
you got my post wrong. I stated as requirement for visa
Linda ******
Which bank ?
Jisel *******
OP@Linda *****
Krung Thai. The visa agency referred that bank.
Peter ***************
Yes
Michael *******
They are mugging you off - if you are not resident /have a retirement visa bank account no longer possible - maybe this is rhe bribe you need to pay doesn’t get you a retirement visa that’s at discretion of immig
Jisel *******
OPThank you all! Very helpful!
David **********
Scam. Use Bank of Bangkok!
Dirk **************
Banks do not issue „retirement „ visas.
Matthew *********
So I question people that have bangkok bank and use agency every year is screwed now. Anybody run into this problem yet for renewal
Matthew *********
@Dirk *************
who said that they do
Paul ********
@Dirk *************
no one said they did
Jan ******************
No, previously you sometimes needed to purchase an insurance at 5900 baht as well, but if you’re on a visa exemption or tourist visa, 10K baht for opening an account is not the worst option to day as things has become.
David *********
@Jan *****************
all the banks in Thailand really want one of you 😂😂😂😂 every day of the week 😂😂😂Jan ******************
@David ********
I have three bank accounts in Thailand opened myself for several years, but you obviously don’t know the situation and catch 22 people are struggling with now regarding bank accounts and visas/long term stay in Thailand.
Giraffe *********
Report them to their head office
Malcolm *************
Scam !
Go to another bank
Go to another bank
Andy ************
Never heard of it. Try another bank
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