Why has it become more difficult to open a new bank account in Thailand recently?

@Andrew *******

The requirements when opening a bank account haven't actually changed that much It's just about the correct visa and proof of residence via for example the certificate of residence from immigration. There are always minor differences in requirements between banks.When I renewed my Fixed Deposit Account at Bangkok Bank in March, customer service at my branch asked if I had an ID-card. Yes,a digital one, I answered and lo and behold, she said,yes that works. I opened the ID-app and showed her how I logged in via fingerprint and she took a photo of the ID. Done. Sometimes you get surprised in a positive way. I wonder what they will come up with next time I go there. 😎

@Brandon ***********

The reality is that some rich Chinese got scammed. They were with Bangkok Bank. It made waves and the pressure got to Bangkok Bank to crackdown. It's been repackaged to save face, so the article is correct about what happened. That's why it's only a new Bangkok Bank policy, and not the other Banks. Bangkok Bank cave in. Such scams are going on with every bank, and for many many years, but this time rich Chinese got scammed so finally one bank felt the pressure to do something about it.