Bangkok Bank and Kasikorn … if not on a long term visa the opening an account is increasingly impossible without an agent. Especially in BKK.

@Mike *******

no landlord will ask you for a visa; a month rent in advance and 2 months deposit is all they are interested. As for banks - you may need to see quite a few before one will give you a bank account. Immigration letter of residence is important but after that each bank is differently fussy; one branch rejected me as the lease pages were signed by just one person not both as on the lease. Other had a problem with surname being before the first name on the lease and the immigration letter. 3rd time lucky as the clerk wanted to finish for the day just before closing time. Easiest route is an agent, a 30 min job for any visa.

They are great (first hand bank account and driving licence experience). Efficient and well organised.

Just compared Wise - for a 312,000 baht transfer from £; fee is 0.46%. Exchange rate is also much better than WU.

@Steve ******

have you compared exchange rate?

Personally, As a matter of principle i would never overstay a visa, anywhere.

As long as she withdraws max amount of 30,000 baht the 220 baht fee is not much. Withdrawing 1000 baht being charged a fee of 220 however is extortionate at 22%. She will be able to get a local bank account once she has long term ED visa; Bangkok bank and Kasikorn easiest. Thai QR is absolutely essential.

@Matt ********

copying passport by a hotel does not always result in TM30 registration; if you need TM30 you need to ask to be registered and TM30 printed out.

Closing UK accounts would be a mistake unless the banks de-bank you. The 800,000 baht must be deposited on a Thai account to qualify for (first) annual visa extension.

A 30 day tourist extension does not ask for onward travel. Only the form, copy of passport and visa page, 2 photos, TM30 and 2000 baht.