Yesterday afternoon, I managed to open an account at SCB in the Airport Plaza in Chiang Mai.
It took three attempts, but in the end, it worked out.
First attempt: I asked what was required to open an account. They told me: passport, visa, certificate of residence, and a work permit.
When I pointed out that I didn’t have a work permit, they informed me that an account could be opened with the DTV (Digital Nomad Visa) for remote work and a translated employment contract for remote workers.
So, I got that done.
Second attempt: Of course, the information I received the first time wasn’t complete. On the second attempt, they told me I also needed a Thai tax ID.
So before my third attempt, I applied for one at the Revenue Department, explaining that I was on a DTV and intended to stay in Thailand for more than 183 days. They issued the tax ID for me.
Third attempt: With my certificate of residence, translated employment contract (which explicitly stated that I work remotely for my employer from Thailand and will stay for more than 183 days), visa, and tax ID, everything went smoothly and quickly.
Oh, and they didn’t try to sell me any unnecessary insurance!
TLDR : Answer Summary
The user recounts their experience opening a bank account at SCB in Chiang Mai using a Digital Nomad Visa. They detail three attempts, highlighting the initial requirement for a work permit, which they discovered they could bypass by providing a DTV and a translated employment contract. Subsequent complications revealed the need for a Thai tax ID, which they successfully obtained beforehand. Finally, with all the correct documentation, including a certificate of residence, the account was opened without issues.
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