Answered5 months ago
Why was I denied a bank account in Thailand despite having a 5-year visa?
Denied bank accounts in Thailand, what's going on?
Interesting development on Friday. Went to Kalasin Immigration for paperwork for drivers license. It came up in conversation that I had been denied at several banks to open a bank account. Head of Immigration had another look at my 5yr DTV and got quiet angry. He said no, this is a good visa. He got a pen and circled the 5 year part of the visa, wrote his phone number and name on the bottom and said, if the bank refuses tell them to call me 😃. Looking forward to going to a bank tomorrow and see how it all plays out. Should be good for a laugh.
Interesting development on Friday. Went to Kalasin Immigration for paperwork for drivers license. It came up in conversation that I had been denied at several banks to open a bank account. Head of Immigration had another look at my 5yr DTV and got quiet angry. He said no, this is a good visa. He got a pen and circled the 5 year part of the visa, wrote his phone number and name on the bottom and said, if the bank refuses tell them to call me 😃. Looking forward to going to a bank tomorrow and see how it all plays out. Should be good for a laugh.
Answer summary
The user shared their experience of being denied a bank account in Thailand despite holding a 5-year DTV visa. During a visit to Kalasin Immigration, the head of Immigration expressed frustration at the bank's refusal, stating that the visa should be recognized. He even offered his contact details to the user for the bank to verify the visa's legitimacy. The conversation led to discussions about the complexities of visa types, work permits, and legal obligations for foreigners in Thailand, including the importance of following immigration laws to avoid potential issues.
59 repliesnewest first
Click comment and we will ask for your email, then OTP, then name.
John *********
Yes he needs a work permit
Terry ********
A few years ago a friend of mine was caught painting his own fence. He was arrested, taken to the police station. But as luck would have it, he was let off with a warning and told him what he can do and can't do.
Wizz ********
Any exertion for any reward is considered working and needs a permit.
Klaus ******
In 2001 I built and opened a small coffee shop for my Thai GF to run. I didn't do any work in it, but one day I went inside to brew a coffee for myself. Turned out that that was illegal. I was told that I wasn't allwed to even be behind the counter.
Ally ************
Everyone is assuming this activity has to take place during 'business hours' meaning when the shop is open.. and overlooking the fact that if it occurs when the shop is closed.. ie. when it has no customers and there are no witnesses.. then it is not a form of employment etc.. but simply a husband and wife making videos in a private setting.. and after the fact there will be no evidence of any 'illegal' activity.. in fact nobody will know who took the video or when.. provided the husband is not seen or heard on film of course 😉
Tracey ******
I’ll be filing for an 30 day extension this week but need to get a first time retirement visa. I’m in na jamtien, will be 65 in August and do not have 800,000 for bank but get monthly $ from social security. Can someone quote me a price for this service?
Chris ********
If legally married he can help, but check with local police as every area does things differently.
Jeffrey *************
If immigration come in and your just holding a ladder for someone it can be classed as work
John ******
Retirement visa, you can't do anything, marriage or dependant visa, you can assist your wife with certain tasks, but I would still clarify with immigration before you do it. If you just carry on, it's at your own risk. Only takes 1 Thai to report you and you have problems.
Paul *******
*****
baht for work visa No to any work
Filming or anything
Jean ************
If it is a non-O marriage, approach the immigration to get the answer. If it is a non-O retirement, tell your husband to stay away from your business!
Jim *******
My Thai daugher (22), a bass guitar player, was invited to play on the stage in a Bangkok club, heavy metal, with a Thai band. She is a master of bass guitar, her idols are John Paul Jones (Led Zeppelin), Roger Glover (Deep Purple).
Then, the band asked if her Australian boyfriend , a drummer, could join.
No. He would be working illegally, even that the gig was for free.
Then, the band asked if her Australian boyfriend , a drummer, could join.
No. He would be working illegally, even that the gig was for free.
Tom ********
yes he needs a work permit snad visa. will need salary of 50K a month too. good luck. thats the law btw.
Amit *******
In Thailand , there is No visa , that allow non Thai to work , or Help anything, not matter paid or not .. be careful.
Mike ******
given the present War on Farangs, you'll get done any chance they see.
Damian *******
The only way to get a work permit is by a company applying for one, there is NO way for single worker to apply. But keep in mind thousands of people work all the time with no work permit, you’re worried someone will see him holding a camera and report it the gestapo? I would not worry but that’s me
Elías ********
Damian Mavis isn't the OP shops a company, tho?
Damian *******
Elías Molina she has to have 5 thai employees for every falang so if she’s a company with lots of thai staff she can do that, everything registered and paid for to the government ie taxes and whatnot for each employee
GreyEle*******
Damian Mavis 4 thais for one Farang work permit but if they are married Toni’s is cut in half to 2 thais and 1 Farang.
Summer ******
So your sweet husband came to your shop to bring you lunch and just happened to make a video of you.. it’s not a job that pays wages so you wouldn’t hire a Thai person to do it.
Summer ******
It matters because it’s just a husband bringing his wife some food for her to eat while she’s at her shop.. and taking a few videos while he’s there. It’s not an active position of employment. It’s not voluntary work. Just taking videos of his wife. Simple.
Steve******
Summer Dawn helping in the shop and bringing food for her to eat is the same for you? The TO hasn't mentioned that the husband is just bringing her her lunch/dinner. This comes solely from your imagination.
He's holding the camera for business purposes as she wants to record advertisements for her shop otherwise there is no reason for filming her in the shop as it isn't for their private use. So it is not just filming his wife.
And again, it doesn't matter what you or I think. The wording of the law is clear and All it takes is one person walking past the shop who sees it and reports it.
The TO will not be able to claim that Summer Dawn did say on Facebook that it would be possible that her husband helps and hold the camera once the authorities investigated.
He's holding the camera for business purposes as she wants to record advertisements for her shop otherwise there is no reason for filming her in the shop as it isn't for their private use. So it is not just filming his wife.
And again, it doesn't matter what you or I think. The wording of the law is clear and All it takes is one person walking past the shop who sees it and reports it.
The TO will not be able to claim that Summer Dawn did say on Facebook that it would be possible that her husband helps and hold the camera once the authorities investigated.
Ally ************
Steve_
*****
You are assuming this activity takes place during 'business hours' meaning when the shop is open.. and overlooking the fact that if it occurs when the shop is closed.. ie. when it has no customers and there are no witnesses.. then it is not a form of employment etc.. but simply a husband and wife making videos in a private setting.. and after the fact there will be no evidence of any 'illegal' activity.. in fact nobody will know who took the video or when.. provided the husband is not seen or heard on film 😉Steve******
Summer Dawn it doesn't matter if the work is paid or not or if she would hire a Thai for this or not.
Are ********
Can i help painting house i renting ?
Stephen ********
Are Opedal No
Jim *********
The Rules for Painting Your Rental: It must be your own residence: Doing DIY maintenance, gardening, or painting inside your own rented home for your personal living comfort is perfectly fine. No compensation: You cannot receive any form of payment, rent discounts, or benefits from the landlord for doing the work. Do not help others: You cannot help paint your neighbor's house, a friend's house, or a local business, as that crosses the line into illegal volunteering or unauthorized work.
Are ********
Jim McGowan it is to paint inside new house who belong to my fiance sister at family farm
Jim *********
Are Opedal no. If it's not your residence then it's not legal to help.
เดแคลน ***********
Are Opedal if you are actually renting it and have a rental contract you can if you don't have a rental contract then you can't
Steve******
Are Opedal not allowed.
Giraffe *********
Is mowing your own lawn aloud
Aslam ******
Giraffe Wranger not loud because it makes a big sound
Jim *********
Giraffe Wranger Doing DIY maintenance, gardening, or painting inside your own rented home for your personal living comfort is perfectly fine.
Jim *********
Giraffe Wranger correct. Doing DIY maintenance, gardening, or painting inside your own rented home for your personal living comfort is perfectly fine. No compensation: You cannot receive any form of payment, rent discounts, or benefits from the landlord for doing the work. Do not help others: You cannot help paint your neighbor's house, a friend's house, or a local business, as that crosses the line into illegal volunteering or unauthorized work.
Peter *******
Giraffe Wranger yes if the house is yours/wife girlfriend you can do jobs on the house garden etc, you will now get contradicting answers from anoraks saying no you can't, ignore them.
Steve******
Peter Ridal even if you call me now an Anorak, but if it is the house of the girlfriend it isn't allowed. Legally you are just considered a guest there.
There is more leeway in a marriage.
And know-it-alls aside, the law is clear in its definition of what constitutes work.
Hardly anyone notices what happens indoors, but if I'm doing major gardening work outside, All it takes is for the wrong person to walk by, for example, someone who happens to be a gardener, and report me. Even if the authorities later drop the case, they have to and will investigate first. Whether or not you want the stress is a decision everyone has to make for themselves.
There is more leeway in a marriage.
And know-it-alls aside, the law is clear in its definition of what constitutes work.
Hardly anyone notices what happens indoors, but if I'm doing major gardening work outside, All it takes is for the wrong person to walk by, for example, someone who happens to be a gardener, and report me. Even if the authorities later drop the case, they have to and will investigate first. Whether or not you want the stress is a decision everyone has to make for themselves.
Steven *********
Steve_
*****
It is a fact. The construction took place over a period of a few years when the father and mother came to stay to get away from the cold winters back home. They even built a swimming pool. They're still living there. The neighbors weren't so friendly as the road into the property passed over the neighbors property even though they had drawn up some kind of an agreement allowing them to drive into their property. You really need to get your facts right as you clearly don't know what you are talking about. Under the Thailand Land Code Act, foreigners are prohibited from owning land, but Thai law treats the structure (the house) and the land as separate assetsSteve******
@Steven ********
that's not true. But it doesn't matter because you believe what you want to believe.You can also drive 130 where just 60 is allowed. As long as nobody catches you whilst you are doing it...no problem.
The TO asked if her husband would be legally allowed. And legally he isn't. Fact. Will it be recognized/enforced? Not until there is someone reporting it.
I just said by law those activities aren't allowed.
Steven *********
Steve_
*****
Lol. A friend of mine built his own house here in Phuket with his father, and almost entirely by themselves. He is married to a Thai. The land was registered in his daughter's name. As long as the house is in your wife's name (or daughter's) you are allowed to do what you want, as long as it's for personal use.
Paul ********************
If he is helping you in the shop most definitely will need a WP...
Holding a camera debatable depending on what he is holding the camera for...
Holding a camera debatable depending on what he is holding the camera for...
John **********
If he's selling in the shop he should have a work permit which he can't get as it's a restricted occupation
Jim *******
@John *********
Even worse. If one is cutting grass around their home, jelous neighbors may report him to Immigration for doing illegal work.The neighbor where my wife house is, Wang Nam Yen outskirts, a Dutch man on a Dutch disabled pension, someone filmed him playing soccer with local kids and sent it to somewhere in the Netherlands. His Dutch pension stopped the next week.
John **********
@Jim ******
Wang Nam Yen is not far from me. I'm willing to bet it wasn't a Thai that did that.John **********
@Jim ******
shit happens amongst Thais of course it does, what I found hard to believe is that they knew he was on a disabled pension and went to the bother of finding out which authorities in The Netherlands to report him tooJim *******
@John *********
Really? Disgusted, I could not believe myself until my wife told me that hapeens among Thais.John **********
@Jim ******
I find that very hard to believeJim *******
@John *********
No other foreigners there at least 5km. Neighbor Thais did it.Look at this. When my daughter was there, you know how Thais like all children from the same street. I loved Thai neigborhood and the sense of their community.
Her (deceased) grandmother ordered her grand daughter (my daughter) to never go to any other house.
Asked my Thai wife, why?
This will shock you.
Envious, Thais, would make an incident, like hot water or something over her face and disfigure our beautiful daughter.
My daughter had sensed how much hated (for her whiteness and beauty) was, he was hated in Thai. Never to go to Thai again.
Activity
32 joined32
people
Related
25What assistance is available for expats moving to Thailand on a retirement visa, specifically for a disabled veteran?
1.3k10133mo
How long does it take to regain access to a frozen Bangkok Bank account after providing required documents?
2.6k27163mo
How can I reopen my frozen Bangkok Bank account or should I switch to another bank for my visa application needs?
6.1k91755mo
Do you need to prove overseas funds when applying for a 90-day Non-O visa from abroad?
2.6k26126mo
How can I transfer 800,000 THB to my bank account in Thailand for a Non-O visa?
5.1k48408mo
Why can't foreigners use TrueMoney with non-Thai bank cards in Thailand?
8.7k91368mo
Can I open a bank account in Chiang Mai without a visa if my Non-O visa was approved after my arrival?
796631y
Has anyone experienced account blocking issues with Kasikorn Bank after receiving a Thai visa?
4k24241y
What banking options do I have while on a DTV in Thailand?
5.4k34711y
What options does my neighbor have to re-enter Thailand and extend his retirement visa after not obtaining a re-entry permit?
5.7k37831y
Can I enter Thailand on a 60-day visa exemption to visit my family?
515241y
What are some recommended visa agents in Khon Kaen?
1.4k961y
Where can I open a bank account in Thailand on visa exemption?
1k652y
What should I do if Bangkok Bank requests a passport certification letter from the US Embassy to open my account with a Non-O visa?
16.5k1261942y
What are the experiences and recommendations for using Revolut to transfer THB 800,000 for a Non-Imm O extension in Thailand?
894552y
Can my wife and son stay in Thailand on my retirement visa as a US citizen?
1.1k4123y
Does having a volunteer visa cause issues when applying for other types of visas in Thailand?
1.8k1753y
What can I do if my spouse's Non-O visa was issued incorrectly and cannot be linked to my retirement extension?
2.3k15273y
What are the pros and cons of Non-O and Non-OA visas in Thailand, and what are the tax implications of maintaining a Thai savings account for these visas?
2.1k14204y
What are the steps and potential challenges for a US citizen planning to retire in Thailand with a Non-Immigrant OA Visa?
3k24264y
What should I know about the Thailand Pass before traveling?
5k33675y
What Should I Do About My 90-Day Stamp Based on an Expired Non-O Visa?
2.1k16157y
What are the current requirements for obtaining a Non-O visa based on marriage through the London embassy?
2k14168y
Can I get a 1-year extension of stay with a Non-O visa based on having a Thai child who is not my spouse?
3.4k30248y
Do I need to provide the original tabien ban when applying for a Non-O 1 year visa in Savannakhet?
1.7k12169y
Resources
Need help with your DTV visa?
#1 visa agent · 4,000+ reviews · 100,000+ expats served