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Why was my bank account application denied at Bangkok Bank with a METV, and what are the limits for transferring funds?

opening bank account ThailandBangkok BankMETV visafund transfer limitsThai banking regulationsforeigners and bank accountsvisa types in Thailandfinancial services for expats
Mar 26, 2024
9 months ago
Rick ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
A couple of updates. Tried opening a bank account at Bangkok Bank in Tha Muang on METV yesterday and clerk got a white binder of rules out and denied me. She was polite and just told me what kind of visa’s would be accepted. Swapped my USA sim card with my Thai sim card in phone and was able to do two factor authentication and transferred $Baht to friends account using wise. Limit of 49999 baht on transfer in wise.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
A user reported being denied the opening of a bank account at Bangkok Bank due to their METV (Multiple Entry Tourist Visa). The clerk referenced specific visa types that are acceptable for opening accounts. Discussions in the comments highlight varying experiences with different banks, suggesting that transferring limits differ between banks and reaffirming strategies like using agents to bypass restrictions. Several commenters share their own experiences and suggest persistence when dealing with bank applications.
Chris ******
What is the best Thai bank in people's opinion
9 months ago
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Mac ****
All you need to do is visit more branches until you get approval. Insisting on speaking to a manager and arguing your case does actually make a difference. I got rejected by around 5 banks before finally getting approved, and all this was on a 30-day tourist visa. Do not accept "no" for an answer. Keep pushing, and you will eventually get approved. They might tell you a work permit is necessary, but it's complete nonsense, as they frequently approve tourists without work permits.
9 months ago
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Colin *********
@Mac ***
 how long ago did you open a Thai bank account? From the comments of many in this group and another that I'm in, there's been a crackdown in the past year, on foreigners being able to open bank accounts in Thailand when on short term visas.
9 months ago
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Mac ****
Don’t buy into that. There’s always a “crackdown” on foreigners in one way or another. Thailand does everything pretty much by the book, except when it doesn’t, which is often. Volume is key. Ask 10 random Thai immigration officers about some intricate detail regarding visas and you’ll get 10 different answers.
9 months ago
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Mac ****
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Cliff *********
Each office is an independent business.

Go visit more offices and bring a Thai friend.
9 months ago
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Bob *******
I regularly send far more than 50k of Thai baht, from the UK, using Wise to my account with the Bangkok Bank.
9 months ago
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Marty ********
That LIMIT is established by certain banks, NOT WISE.

I do not have that limitation with KASIKORN bank.
9 months ago
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Ronny **********
Mai mee tang, mai mee tilak. Mai mee tilak, mee tang khap mai mee pan ha. Chuk dee!
9 months ago
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Sonny **********
Rules change like the weather. Try another branch and you will get another story. Stay calm and keep trying. As others have said, an agent can make rules go away with cash.
9 months ago
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Steve **********
@Sonny *********
 be patient, polite, and will persevere.
9 months ago
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Steve **********
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Christopher ***********
Thanks for the update Rick. Sounds like you got a bank clerk who goes ‘by the book’. My Bangkok Bank account was opened by my visa agent as part of the conversion from visa exempt entry to Non ‘O’ Retirement plus 12 month extension. Your choice as to what suits you of course.
9 months ago
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Us *****
You can just pay around 5k to open up a bank account with an agent. This way, you don't have to worry about your friend not giving you the money.
9 months ago
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Rick ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Us ****
 Not worried. Thx though!
9 months ago
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Us *****
@Rick *****
 you should just get a bank account.out of convience. I hate carrying cash around so I just pay everything with my phone. Their banking app is really good. Save you so much money by not having to deal with change.
9 months ago
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Michael *******
@Us ****
 feed corruption - why not😲
9 months ago
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Marc ********
@Michael ******
 Try to open a bank account in Europe with tourist visa.

Then we can talk again
9 months ago
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Marc ********
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Bob **********
Yes only 3 banks will accept 2,000,000 baht
9 months ago
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Glen ********
@Bob *********
 hi. Could you please share which banks? Would be really useful, thanks.
9 months ago
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Todd *********
@Glen *******
 Bangkok Bank, Kasikorn and SCB
9 months ago
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Glen ********
@Todd ********
 thanks very much.
9 months ago
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Glen ********
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Todd *********
That limit only applies to some banks
9 months ago
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Brandon ************
You can only transfer 50k+ to SCB, Bangkok Bank and Kasikorn accounts.
9 months ago
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Rick ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
 Are there tax ramifications for my friend by transferring money into her account?
9 months ago
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Brandon ************
@Rick *****
 I'm not a Thai tax expert. I'm not able to answer that.
9 months ago
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Rick ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
 ok thx
9 months ago
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Rick ******
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Rick ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
 thx
9 months ago
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Rick ******
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