Answereda year ago
What should I do about the secondary savings account that Bangkok Bank wants me to open?
Hello Group.
I opened a bank account with Bangkok Bank and deposited the 800,000 Baht into the account, which they told me I had to do. They’re also pestering me to open a savings account and deposit a further 100,000 Baht. I initially thought they were advertising me that any amount over 100,000 Baht attracted a 4% interest rate, so I said oh great. But have since realised, it’s a secondary account and I’ve now told them I don’t wish to open a second savings account. I’ve since had a few phone calls asking me to go in to make the deposit.
I’m assuming this is purely a secondary account and will not cause any issues with my bank account I’ve just opened ? I’ve been told I must make a deposit within 30 days of opening the initial account. The language barrier has made it a tad difficult to understand exactly what the process is. Any advice please ?
Thanks v much.
I opened a bank account with Bangkok Bank and deposited the 800,000 Baht into the account, which they told me I had to do. They’re also pestering me to open a savings account and deposit a further 100,000 Baht. I initially thought they were advertising me that any amount over 100,000 Baht attracted a 4% interest rate, so I said oh great. But have since realised, it’s a secondary account and I’ve now told them I don’t wish to open a second savings account. I’ve since had a few phone calls asking me to go in to make the deposit.
I’m assuming this is purely a secondary account and will not cause any issues with my bank account I’ve just opened ? I’ve been told I must make a deposit within 30 days of opening the initial account. The language barrier has made it a tad difficult to understand exactly what the process is. Any advice please ?
Thanks v much.
Answer summary
The user has opened a Bangkok Bank account and deposited 800,000 Baht, but is being pressured to open a secondary savings account with an additional 100,000 Baht deposit. They are unsure if this secondary account is necessary and have experienced difficulty due to language barriers. Responses from the community suggest that the secondary account may not be required for the user's visa and recommend sticking to only what is necessary. Some suggest it could be beneficial for managing funds, while others express concern that the bank's insistence might be a sales tactic.
55 repliesnewest first
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John *********
is it true banks are run by
franchises
franchises
Mark ********
J **************
Actually Mitch’s bad idea…use the smaller amount for your daily expenses and do not touch the 800,000 account
Jay ********
Obviously a commission is up for grabs for the bank officer
Hence the encouragement
I would deposit the 100k and leave it
4%?
Hence the encouragement
I would deposit the 100k and leave it
4%?
Tom *********
OP@Jay *******
yeah that was my assumption.
Sandro-Sam *********
I think that a swamp draining team is currently doing some maintenance at BB. Please be patient while the drains are cleansed.
Mark ********
When I wanted to transfer my 800,000 baht from Bangkok bank to Krungsri they refused so I
Nika ********
I've been with bangkok bank for over 20 years and hve never gotten any unsolicited calls like this. Please check and see if it's a scam. If you're in Bangkok go to the main headquarters where there is always an English speaker
Det *******
A second bank account is never a bad idea.
Jo **********
go to another bank not Bangkok
Matts *************
Keeping the 800k in a separate account makes it much easier at Immigration when applying for an extension of stay, less transactions to view
Peter *******
Why are you asking us, go ask the bank branch
Darren ******
@Peter ******
You do know this is an advice forum,right.
Frankie *****
Sounds more like a FD account for a Visa card application
Nick ************
Stick to your guns and only do what is good for you and what you want.
Tom ******
A second account is a very good idea as you can keep your big money in one account and use the other for operating expenses using ATM card and QR payments. A FX account can also be useful.
Dan ********
@Tom *****
I'd keep 'big money' somewhere safe, like some kind of Blackrock Fund, giving a good return, sending only that return on your capital, over to your single Thai bank account, and only as you need it, and using your ATM card and phone app for spending/transfers. What would be sensible is to open a second account for emergencies should your primary get compromised, with another big Thai bank, SCB, KASIKORN, KRUNGSRI or KRUNGTHAI just in case of nuclear fallout, and keep 2000 baht in there to keep the account open, and check in on the app every 3-6 months.Nick ************
@Dan *******
3 accounts is a sound idea and saved me a lot of issues while I have been on the uk.Max *************
To me this post makes no sense whatsoever. Who are they? Bangkok Bank will never force anyone to open a "secondary' account.
Dan ********
@Max ************
and call to chase you to deposit ??!? Got scam written all over it. But then many banks were pushing some health/life insurance at 5000-10,000 baht just to open an account ..
Shane ******
Just call bangkok bank, press for English. And you will be able to have a proper conversation about your account.
But if all you need is the one account with the 800k, then you are good to go.
But if all you need is the one account with the 800k, then you are good to go.
Damien ********
Tell em they’re dreaming !!
Tony *********
I've never heard such nonsense. It's up to you how much money you deposit in your account. I think the minimum is 500 baht.
CjandBrigitte **********
Did you request a credit card as part of your account? This is normal to open a fixed deposit to cover the credit card application.
Eamonn *******
DTV visa does not require any of this, are you talking about some other type visa??
Graham ******
@Eamonn ******
where was DTV mentioned?Eamonn *******
@Graham *****
look at the very top of the post, it says Thailand DTV visaGraham ******
@Eamonn ******
DTV is separated from Retirement & More with | so different not same same ;)Eamonn *******
@Graham *****
okay so the name means DTV visa, but not anything to do with DTV??I guess nonessene makes sense to other's
Graham ******
@Eamonn ******
that's the group name
Яша *****
if you are talking about a second savings account that is not managed through the application, but is managed (withdrawal/replenishment) only during a personal visit to the bank, then the minimum amount for opening an account and the minimum balance on this account should be 2000B and you should have a separate bank book for this account. All the rules and offers are on the official website of the bank in English too. Everything else is bureaucracy and a tricky calculation of each specific branch of Bangkok Bank
Ann **********
There are usually good English speakers at banks ask to speak to one
Ann **********
They can put you on a 3way conversation with English sp alert to sort out our issues. Also the bank has English speaking hot line
Pieter **************
@Ann *********
maybe in the bigger cities, here difficult to find someone who can speak at least a little bit EnglishMartin ********
@Ann *********
In my experience I find it very rare.Ann **********
@Martin *******
I’ve never had a problem touch wood. I’m with Bangkok bank for 10 years
Abu ********
@Martin *******
, true. It's better to talk with their call centre. They are good in English and able to solve problems.Thank youMartin ********
@Ann *********
one of my accounts is at the bank right in front of my condo in the centre of Bangkok. None of the staff who I’ve know for many years has even the most basic English.Martin ********
I wouldn’t be letting any bank dictate to me. You have the account you need now. They’re holding your 800k and paying you nothing in interest.
Grant *********
@Martin *******
id pay money 2 see thatMax *************
@Martin *******
Of course there's an interest on savings, but maybe only 0.4-0.5%.Martin ********
@Max ************
I rest my case, as far as m concerned that’s nothing. I’m not going to be holding much cash here on those rates.Max *************
@Martin *******
Of course, thats totally possible.I'm parking quite a lot of money in Fixed Deposit Accounts. The rate is much better, but not as good as it was a few years ago.
Charles ********
@Martin *******
he will get interest on it…So, you’re wrong!
Don’t reply telling me it’s a pittance, as it’s still, interest!
Frank *********
@Charles *******
not even holding up with inflationMartin ********
@Charles *******
would you like me to edit my comment to say next to nothing to satisfy your pedantic instincts? Because that’s what it is, next to nothing.
Frank ****************
Just deposit 1000 or
*****
Bath to the seconde account…
Peter ******
You will soon realize, Thai Bureaucracy, is a puzzle, inside a riddle, surrounded by a Enigma,
And that’s on a good day
And that’s on a good day
Mark *********
I "Loved". But a gross over-simplification!
Charles ********
@Peter *****
without the key!
Jesper *******
Who is they? Bank clerks ? Agents? Are u opening bank acct on your own? With agents?
Derek *****
Perhaps it was a condition do open the account you needed for the visa. The other account is likely a fixed savings, where you need to leave it for X many months. If you have the money to spare, I would just do it. The way they’re cracking down on banks, you were lucky to get one opened now.
Mark ********
First advice I always give someone when going to a bank is to take a Thai friend with them, otherwise you'll end up paying for a whole heap of services you don't want and don't need. It sounds like a fixed savings account, which are a pain in the ass. If you haven't already given them any money, just go and say "no want". They'll get it!
Abu ********
@Mark *******
, No want.... just two words to solve the problem. Great advice. Thank youMark ********
@Abu *******
Yep! Works every time.Activity
37 joined37
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