For the Non O retirement visa, would you recommend using a visa agent or not? I'll be in Bangkok.

Also what bank would you recommend for opening an account? From what I've read on this forum Bangkok Bank used to be good but now they're not anymore. People say Kasikorn is good, any others?

Thanks!

Hi all, just thought I'd put something up here about my experience opening a bank account today. I am currently in Thailand on a Non O based around my son, this is my first Non O and I needed the bank account to apply for my visa extension. TLDR Bangkok bank wont give you a bank account on an initial Non O since the rule changes so use KBank for new accounts!

The first branch I visited was the Exchange Tower Bangkok bank. The lady I spoke to wasnt very polite and it was clear she didn't want anything to do with me. She asked for a copy of my passport, my driving license, my sons birth certificate, my girlfriends ID and a copy of my sons passport. When I showed her printed copies of all of this she told me I needed a letter from a UK embassy that confirmed my passport was truly my passport. At this point I thanked her for her time and left.

The second branch I visited was the Bangkok bank opposite Sukhumvit Soi 11. This was a very different experience, the lady was very polite and started to process my application until she noticed the stamp in my passport was only for 3 months. At this point she explained that with the recent changes to Thai banking, Bangkok bank will no longer give bank accounts to anyone who hasn't already extended their visa. Basically anything less than 4 months and the banks policy is to refuse you.

The third and final branch I went to was the Kasikorn Bank in the Two Pacific Place building in Sukhumvit, just a short walk from the Nana BTS station. The lady was very helpful, only required to see an electronic version of my visa, an original passport, sons birth certificate and my girlfriends national ID card. I was only in the branch for about 30 minutes and I left with a new account, a functioning app on my phone and she even gave me a little tour of the KPlus banking app before I left.

Some body know whether or not internet banking available in Thailand.

Bangkok Bank and AIS apps locked me out concurrently. Today, I wanted to pay by QR using the Bangkok bank app, I got the notorious locked app warning message indicating name on my SIM is not matching the name on the bank account which is a huge bogus as I use this AIS number for more than 2 years and opened it myself with my passport and all info is genuine. I noticed my AIS app also kept closing when I clicked on it, apparently they also locked me out for some reason but my wireless service was uninterrupted. Bangkok Bank demanded a letter from the AIS shop to unlock the app. AIS shop said they just wanted to take my new photo and see my passport again, I quickly solved the AIS issue. But why do I have to go through this. It seems either it is so lax in Thailand that agents can get phone numbers to scammers under false IDs or every single foreigner must line up with their passports at wireless and bank counters to have their photo taken and passports validated. Always extremes.. land of .miles long queus

I was told by my visa agent today that if I deposit 500,000 into my Bangkok Bank Account, they will hold that money for 90 to 120 days. Regardless of where it came from or where it is going.

If that is true, What the Fck is going on here?

I have seen reports that differ... Can anyone comment with actual first hand knowledge of the situation? Please don't waste my time with comments that are unrelated to the question asked.

Have a great day.

I’ve always extended my retirement visa with the minimum 65k baht monthly deposit method. However, I’ve had in excess of 800,000 baht in a deposit account in my name only for around eighteen months. Would there be a problem if I wanted to chance to the banked money method for my next extension. Would I have to get the full twelve months statement from my Bangkok Bang account.

Alert!: Thai wife visa: I just extended it, with, as usual, the 400k on my bank account. Bangkok Bank says they will block it for 6 months! Indeed, I see I cannot use the 400k! But I read nothing about this new rule in the immigration website! Any idea? Thanks

Bangkok Bank & long term extensions.

Reports are appearing that Bangkok Bank have implemented a new policy for long term visa holders wishing to get a bank account balance certificate that’s needed for your extension.

They are now requiring that you have the money in your account (400 or 800k as per needed) for 4 MONTHS prior to requesting the certificate.

This is a bank policy and NOT a new immigration rule.

I have no idea the reasoning behind this policy and at this stage it appears that it’s Bangkok Bank ONLY.

Heads up to those who are with Bangkok Bank. Starting today they require you to block 400k/800k (depending on your visa type) 4 months prior to renewal even if immigration is asking 3 months. If not they will disclose documents for visa renewal only by making you sign a paper where you pledge to keep the amount for 4 more months.

Attached the announcement

I have a Bank Account (bangkok bank)

Planning to get a DTV Activity.

Will they Close my Account? I need this Account for showing the 500k also.

Update : I talked to my agent in pattaya who opened account for me 2 years ago. She said yes but she don’t know when. lol