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What are the requirements for opening a bank account in Thailand with an AO visa and how to obtain a guarantee letter from the UK embassy?

Thailand bankingbank accountexpat bankingAO visaUK embassyguarantee letterbank requirementsNakhon PhanomKasikorn BankBangkok Bank
Jul 27, 2023
a year ago
Keith *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
I live in Nakhon Phanom, I want to open a Kasikorn or Bangkok bank account but I am finding it very difficult, they're asking for a guarantee letter from the UK embassy in Bangkok. I'm on an AO visa. Any advice would be appreciated, even info on the letter and how to get it.

Thanks
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TLDR : Answer Summary
A community member in Nakhon Phanom is struggling to open a bank account with Kasikorn or Bangkok Bank, as they are being asked for a guarantee letter from the UK embassy. Discussions highlight various challenges faced by expats, particularly related to changing regulations in the last 18 months. Suggestions include trying different bank branches, taking extensive documentation, possibly involving a Thai spouse or local agent, and obtaining a residence certificate from immigration. Contributors share personal experiences regarding the difficulties of opening bank accounts and how requirements appear to fluctuate.
Steve **********
Keith, another on thus site from same province just got his acct with not much hassle

Didn't save name but think Larry Carhart
a year ago
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Keith *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Otto ********
 thanks, done all what you said
a year ago
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Graham *******
It is getting harder to open a bank account and why does a bank want to give you one anyway, its costs them money! You will need to give them a reason why u need an account like a visa or permit to stay!
a year ago
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Otto *********
Do you have a reliable Thai friend or person to go with you? Do you have several branch offices of these banks? It often comes down to the attitude of the branch manager.
a year ago
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Keef ********
Go Bangkok.
a year ago
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Nick ************
I opened an account at the main branch of Bangkok Bank in Nakhon Phanom quite recently. It was on my fourth attempt as I had been declined twice and told the same as you once and I wasn't prepared to do it. On the fourth attempt I eventually got accepted after they made phone calls and checked my Visa extension. They also wanted to see Visa in my old passport. They insisted on selling me insurance but I remained firm and showed them my certificate already purchased elsewhere. I opened account with 500 baht. I was surprised but persistence paid off. Good luck and keep trying.
a year ago
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Moca *********
@Nick ***********
 Bankok Bank employees always try to sell insurance
a year ago
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Steve **********
@Nick ***********
 ya, they try not to lose face by requiring to buy insurance. ( not req'd ).

Be respectful and decline.
a year ago
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Nick ************
@Steve *********
 initially the thought my re entry stamp with used across it was my Visa extension that had expired!
a year ago
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Nick ************
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Terry ********
Have u tried Kasikorn in Udon. They, like Udon,s immigration office, are more user friendly and speak English. Lots more Brits living there. I'd try the one in Central first. Good Luck.
a year ago
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Patrick ********
a year ago
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Patrick ********
Lovely place
a year ago
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Colin ********
You need a WP for most
a year ago
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Keith *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Colin *******
 but I'm retired 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
a year ago
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Colin ********
@Keith ******
 me too, but now they want. I try to open a new one about a month ok and all asked for a WP, which I didn't have at the time as I was in the process of getting a, new one.
a year ago
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Eddy ********
@Keith ******
 You do not need a WP.
a year ago
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Colin ********
@Eddy *******
 yes you do.
a year ago
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Eddy ********
@Colin *******
 I’ve never had a work permit,and I’ve opened numerous bank accounts. Same goes for friends.
a year ago
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Eddy ********
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Keith *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Colin *******
 what
a year ago
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Colin ********
@Keith ******
 work permit
a year ago
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Colin ********
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Tom ********
I had issues this week with my Kasikorn Bank application I closed an account and opened a new one close to me. The application would not load properly, it took 2 days and 5 hours eventually their IT in Bangkok told me to delete essential Android operating files, I did not and went to a different branch. Problem fixed in 5 minutes.
a year ago
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Marty *********
This is an inconvenient suggestion but I agree that you could try a bank branch in Bangkok. That is where I got my Kasikorn account. When I moved to Sisaket province I went to the Kasikorn branch here to switch to a nearby branch. They changed my mailing address but not my branch. It was too difficult to go through the process of opening a new account for an American. So I live in Sisaket province but my official branch remains in Bangkok.
a year ago
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Keith *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Marty ********
 I was led to believe that this cost you every time you used your account outside of Bangkok, am I wrongfully informed?
a year ago
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Marty *********
@Keith ******
 15 baht and this is what prompted me to request the change. However, last year I lost 2 debit cards in the ATM and and started to use cardless withdrawal. They don’t charge for cardless withdrawal no matter where you are.
a year ago
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Marty *********
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Chris ***********
The banks also seem to be wanting a residence certificate from immigration the last few months, easy to get if you have TM30 on file with your local IO
a year ago
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Nick ************
@Chris **********
 not in Nakhon Phanom!! Had to get LTD to get my last one fir driving license.
a year ago
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Chris ***********
Go to a different bank, keep trying, where ever you are is trying to steer you to an agent by making things difficult, big mall bank branches usually play by the rules
a year ago
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Keith *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Chris **********
 I've been to every branch of 2 banks in NP
a year ago
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Keith *******
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Keith *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
I'm more confused now, cheers 😂😂😂
a year ago
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Chris ***********
@Keith ******
 welcome to Thailand, my suggestion is to go to the bank with a Thai person you know and ask if a residence certificate is what they are asking for
a year ago
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Keith *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Chris **********
 I've been with a Thai person 7 times, 4 of the the times they said a gauruantee letter, one even said I cannot do it on an OA visa and one said I needed to be married lol
a year ago
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Keith *******
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Steve **********
@Keith ******
 Sorry couldn't help Keith. To many experts with opinions
a year ago
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Keith *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Steve *********
 cheers mate
a year ago
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Keith *******
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Steve **********
@Chris **********
 yes, and everyone has TM-30, but what is a UK Embassy guaranteeing ?

I thing misunderstanding

in terminology.
a year ago
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Alistair **********
@Steve *********
 identity. That your passport is genuine and you are who you claim to be.
a year ago
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Steve **********
@Alistair *********
 In 200 countries your PP is proof you are who you are.
a year ago
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Alistair **********
@Steve *********
 and here it is too, with immigration. But banks want extra guarantees, they have a responsibility to prevent money laundering and fraud. In Australia using only your passport isn't sufficient proof of identity for many things when you're a new customer.
a year ago
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Keith *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Alistair *********
 but I did all that when I applied for an OA visa
a year ago
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Keith *******
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Chris ***********
Same for buying a car, dealers use to accept a sworn statement of address from say the US embassy, now US embassy doesn't perform this service anymore, so the only alternative is a residence certificate from IO.
a year ago
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Chris ***********
@Steve *********
 in the past, you could get a residence certificate statement notarized at many embassy, most have stopped issuing... In the past year due to changes in money laundering laws an immigration office residence certificate is what the banks want. In the bank ask specifically if a residence certicate from your IO will suffice..
a year ago
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Steve **********
@Chris **********
 I think you're referencing the old income verification letter from Consul or Embassy notarized by them ( US stopped a few years ago, maybe longer ) now your bank prints out your DD from FFT to be brought to IO

However; none of this has anything to do with opening the account requiring same.
a year ago
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Steve **********
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Steve **********
Go to a different branch of Bk bank...appears its at discretion of who you talk to.

Have 3 BKB accounts,

1st was as a tourist.
a year ago
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Steve **********
Nick Cartwright just got his Bangkok Bank account in same Province. Send him info
a year ago
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Tom *********
@Steve *********
 "1st was as a tourist." That is very long ago and not possible anymore....!
a year ago
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Steve **********
@Tom ********
 was very long time ago.

However; if Keith wants to get Visa on income, has to have account to DD.....bit of catch-22, eh
a year ago
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Keith *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Steve *********
 100% lol, I have the
*****
0 no problem but can't open an account to put it in
a year ago
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Keith *******
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Sean **********
I came with a tourist visit and had to find an agent to help me get the bank account opened. And he still did it wrong (funded and withdrew) the funds the same day)

I then transferred my own 800k into the account. I am hoping this does not cause me a problem next year when I renew.
a year ago
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Keith *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Sean *********
 I am tempted to do the same, cheers
a year ago
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Keith *******
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Keith *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Steve *********
 I've tried every branch in Nakhon Phanom, I am thinking something changed around 18 months ago
a year ago
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Alistair **********
@Keith ******
 yep, you'll get a heap of comments from people who opened accounts years ago saying it's easy. Things have changed. Even had bank staff say they could've opened one in the past but now they can't unless you meet x y & z requirements. But with a non OA it should be simple, but nothing ever is in Thailand

Might be due to the comprehensive reporting standards requirements which Thailand's been forced to abide by. Just a guess as that's a major banking change that's happening.
a year ago
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Sean **********
@Keith ******
 as I understand it now the 1st year must be based on the 800k balance in a Thai bank.

However next year I hope to renew by showing monthly pension deposits from a foreign source every month exceeding the 65k minimum
a year ago
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Sean **********
@Keith ******
 things changed in March this year. government clamping down on the banks.

Makes no sense at all to require a bank account with 800k and not have a clear path to setting up an account.
a year ago
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Steve **********
@Sean *********
 If your Retirement visa based on income showing 65+ baht/mo for a length of time, it stands to reason you need a Thai bank to show the FFT.
a year ago
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Keith *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Sean *********
 thank you, I thought it was me lol
a year ago
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Keith *******
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Steve **********
@Keith ******
 Do you go in with a Thai that knows you !

Do you have Thai D/L, very easy to get if you have Intl lic. Then use that as ID.

Don't know if things changed...have been here since before Tsanami
a year ago
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Keith *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Steve *********
 I have a Thai girlfriend and she has a villa near the city centre, she has accompanied me every occasion I have been
a year ago
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Steve **********
@Keith ******
 sorry Keith, what did they ask for ?

I don't know what a guarantee letter is.

My ( and many friends ) simple deposit/ ATM wd account, one for Direct dep, one for savings...never needed any additional.

Maybe your gf can talk to someone in her bank and ask them.
a year ago
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Keith *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Steve *********
 she has been with me on the 7 occasions, they just said a guarantee letter from the UK embassy, I'm not 100% sure but I believe things changed around 18 months ago
a year ago
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Steve **********
@Keith ******
 Am lost !

What kind of guarantee from a UK Embassy is tied to a personal bank account.

Guarantee of what, you're not borrowing
a year ago
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Keith *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Steve *********
 you tell me, this is why I posted on here lol
a year ago
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Keith *******
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Vernon *********
Just go to every branch of any bank until you get an account opened. The letter from British Embassy is not always needed. If you have a Thai wife take her with you, take as much paperwork with you as possible, marriage certificate etc.
a year ago
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Keith *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Vernon ********
 been there done that, we've been to every branch of Bangkok and Kasikorn in our city
a year ago
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Tom *********
@Keith ******
 "in our city" is the problem..., besides that Thai banking is totally insane and backwards...! Go to Bangkok, BKK bank headoffice or the one between Asoke and Nana on Sukhumvit..., which did the trick for me. In the province they won't open it. That said, Bangkok, BKK is the shittiest banking experience ever and I am cursing the retards every time I have to deal with them...!
a year ago
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Keith *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tom ********
 thanks, Kasikorn it is then lol
a year ago
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Tom *********
@Keith ******
 No personal experience, since I am stuck with the BKK morons..., but can't get any worse..., that's for sure! :-)
a year ago
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Tom *********
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Vernon *********
@Keith ******
There are many other banks, try Omsin (pink one)
a year ago
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Keith *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Vernon ********
 I'm looking at those two because I use Wise to transfer from the UK, you can only transfer under THB50,000 to others, thank you for your reply
a year ago
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Geoff **********
@Keith ******
 SCB also can receive WISE transfers over 5t000 (there are 3 banks serup for rhis).
a year ago
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Keith *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Geoff *********
 yes I know, also Siam thanks
a year ago
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Vernon *********
@Keith ******
Maybe try another town or city! I know when I tried Bangkok Bank they insisted on that British Embassy letter.
a year ago
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Keith *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Vernon ********
 I will go down that route, thank you
a year ago
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Keith *******
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Peter *******
Sounds ridiculous when they can see the passport in front of them. I would try different branches and failing that use an agent. Normally they require a residence certificate
a year ago
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Carl ********
@Marty ********
 Whatever , maybe my memories clouded, it’s irrelevant to the conversation though as if that branch isn’t going to give him an account it doesn’t matter what letters are on the visa.
a year ago
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Marty *********
@Carl *******
 The thing is, is that it shouldn’t matter to the bank if they understand visas at all.
a year ago
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Carl ********
@Marty ********
 That’s my original point
a year ago
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Keith *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Carl *******
 100%
a year ago
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Keith *******
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Keith *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Peter ******
 I've tried 4 Kasikorn and 3 Bangkok, I have an oa visa which I needed to show i have money to get, one branch even stated as I have an oa I cannot open an account, they said I needed an o visa, to get an o retirement visa you need 800,000 in an account for 3 months 😂😂😂
a year ago
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Marty *********
@Keith ******
 If the bank is saying you can’t use an OA but have to have an O then that tells you the bank doesn’t know anything about visas. That should either be a red flag or a teaching moment.
a year ago
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Peter *******
@Keith ******
 Better to switch to O anyway, that way health insurance isn't compulsory
a year ago
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Keith *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Peter ******
 that is why I'm trying to open an account
a year ago
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Keith *******
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Carl ********
@Keith ******
 I opened mine on an OA 90day visa. You’ll find every branch of every bank seems to have their own rules 🤪
a year ago
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Marty *********
@Carl *******
 An OA visa is a 1 year visa that you can only get in your home country. An O visa is a 90 day visa.
a year ago
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Carl ********
@Marty ********
 It’s for 90 days and you can extend for a year
a year ago
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Marty *********
@Carl *******
 The O visa is a 90 day visa that you can extend for a year. The OA visa is a 1-2 year visa that can then be extended for a year. I was on an OA visa for 6 years. The OA also requires health insurance to extend.
a year ago
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Keith *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Marty ********
 after 90 days you can get a 1 year o visa
a year ago
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Keith *******
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Carl ********
**************************************************************
a year ago
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Carl ********
Click on notorial and documentary services and you’ll find what you need to know 👍 It’s a certified copy of your British passport that they require.
a year ago
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Keith *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Carl *******
 thank you for the information, they are not sure themselves lol
a year ago
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Keith *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Carl *******
 thank you
a year ago
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Andrew ******
@Keith ******
 you can do it by post too, if not in Bangkok, go to website above as Carl wrote, look for the page how to do it and there is a form to print and send with your passport, says it takes about 2 weeks.
a year ago
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Keith *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Andrew *****
 Carl Bourne 4 of the 7 offices I went to asked for a letter of guarantee, is a certified copy of my passport what they meant?
a year ago
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Andrew ******
@Keith ******
 it’s the only letter the British embassy do to validate your passport, so if they asked for that then that’s what they require, any reason why you want Bkk bank? Your on a O-A visa right, for one year only? When I first came I went in bank after bank and got lucky with scb with my non o visa, passport and Thai wife with me. Bkk we’re asking me for a letter from the embassy, but they couldn’t tell me what letter it was, so it was confusing to say the least. 🤞
a year ago
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Keith *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Andrew *****
 same as me lol, I'm on an OA though lol
a year ago
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Carl ********
@Keith ******
 I believe so , at least that’s what I had to show when I opened an account at Bangkok bank recently. I opened mine in the branch at the Emquartier centre near Phrom Phong BTS station as they are used to farangs there apparently , it was all done in ten minutes once I had the confirmed copy 👍
a year ago
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Keith *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Carl *******
 I'm in Nakhon Phanom, in April 2022 I tried and was told no, they said once I had a visa no problem, now I have a visa it's still a no, lol
a year ago
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Carl ********
@Keith ******
 That’s Thailand 😂
a year ago
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Carl ********
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