What is the best way to open a bank account in Bangkok as an expat, and how much should I expect to pay an agent?

@Rolf ********

Do you have enough cash in a foreign bank that is equal to bt800,000? If so just apply for a retirement visa at the Thai embassy/consulate by e-visa next time you are out of Thailand. With that 90 day visa you can open a bank account easily in Thailand, then you can very easily change it to a marriage visa extension in Thailand. If you have the money that is the easiest way, and much much cheaper.

@Rolf ********

I could give you a way to open a bank account that has worked for a few I have helped, but I am not going to post it publicly, or it will get abused and stopped.

@Rolf ********

well, I now have cleared your question. The process is the following: after you opened a Bangkok Bank or SCB bank account in Pattaya, put money in it. Then visit a Bangkok Bank or SCB branch near your location, and ask them to "transfer the account". They will open an new account for you in their branch, new account number and all, and transfer all your money (down to depletion) from your Pattaya account to your new Bangkok account. After this, they will shut down the Pattaya account. you will only have to pay a one-time fee for the new Debit Card and probably a fee for the service itself, shouldn't be more than 200 Baht

@Greg **********

that is not true. You can not just transfer accounts from one branch to the next anymore.

@Kool ******

of course you can. With an existing account you can open a new one in another branch, transfer all money into in and have the old account closed. This is the commonly used method on Thai banks

@Greg **********

nope. The same branch in a different location treats you as a brand new customer, whether you have an existing account with them in a different city, or not. I have plenty of friends that got caught up in that fallacy...lolol

@Kool ******

you are famous in the FB groups for pulling barstool wisdom out of your nose

@Greg **********

I don't drink, and I don't hang out in bars. Try again to discredit me...lolol. You have not done, or know anyone that has done that...lolol.

@Kool ******

every Farang who lives in my Eesan town has done the same. Started out with a bank account in Pattaya or Bangkok and "moved" it to the Eesan town. You have no idea, you just pull out of your ignorant nose what seems best suited for your blushed ego

@Greg **********

you are talking old times. Since covid it has all changed. Quit living in the past...lolol.

@Kool ******

I just talked to an agent, who is opening bank accounts for foreigners in Pattaya every day by the dozens. The method I suggested is the standard method when someone moves away from Pattaya to another location. You should be willing to LEARN every other day, you 🤡

@Kool ******

Your "friends" the barstool experts? With an existing account you can open a new one in another branch, transfer all money into in and have the old account closed. This is the commonly used method on Thai banks. I did it myself.

@Rolf ********

There is a way round those charges i understand, someone posted recently how to do it via the app. You use a lot of cash in bkk? not pay via card ? The insurance is 5-8K depending on bank staff. You have to do the walk around unless someone names a particular person you can go to.

@Rolf ********

you should thank my girlfriend 😃, she accompanied me to the SCB branch in the Eesan when I "moved" my account from Hua Hin to this branch 😎, and she clearly remembered what they did on that branch

@Rolf ********

you are welcome 🙂

@Rolf ********

no, the agent in Pattaya gets 5K for their service and you don't need any forced insurance. In the old days you were able on some banks, to get an account opened if you bought their insurance, but since last year, rules have tightened and less and less banks are willing open an account for you if you are on a tourist visa or a visa-exempt entry. And sorry, I do not know an agent in Bangkok. Maybe google for it or use the search mask of the Facebook groups

@Rolf ********

you can get the account moved to the bank branch of your location. I opened my SCB account in Hua Hin, and now I use the services of the SCB branch in an Eesan town. I don't pay any extra fees

@Rolf ********

Sounds good if you can do it. [The limit of 50,000 Baht in international transfers is ONLY for people who use WISE to transfer the money and ONLY for people using a bank OTHER THAN Bangkok Bank, Siam Commercial Bank or Kasikorn Bank.]