@Andi **********

Yup. The Common Reporting Standards that Thailand signed up to for foreign account holders has a cost too. It is easier for banks just to not have foreign accounts if they lose money on them.

@Oleg **********

And your point is? The facts are the Bank of Thailand has issued guidance to tighten up who can open and hold bank accounts in Thailand. The commercial banks are following this. The bank I spoke to said they will only open accounts for people with long term visas issued by "Immigration". The main reason behind this is due to acammer accounts. There are other reasons too such as many accounts are just not commercially viable for to them for foreigners to hold.

@Adrian *****

Thinking further - Someone did it for me and all they had was TM30 and my passport. If you have completed a TDAC they might ask for that now but double check. They ask for fo a print out for extensions etc.

@Su *******

Recently opened bank accounts on certain visas. Not just DTV.

I know Chiang Mai issues them but do not know what documents required.Speaking to a DTV holder taking bike test last week and saw him getting license Monday. Pretty sure it is TM30 and passport only though.

@Andi **********

Only if there is a Immigration Department SOP which the guy wants access to

@Fitfac ****************

Exactly. Rules changed and each office or embassy can interprete guidance differently. The key word is guidance and not step by step adherence to a documented SOP. I can only talk to my experience where the Embassy in Singapore would not process my B application while my O was active. Immigration at BKK would not cancel it either. Only the office that granted it in my case. Immigration in Thailand is not complicated to deal with if you follow requirements. Much easier than many other countries and especially so for Thais wanting to visit or migrate to my country.

@Mark *******

Why do you not go to the source then and stop asking foreigners about the SOPs. Get yourself to Immigration Headquarters and ask for them. There are also local interpretations of the rules at each embassy, consulate and every in country Immigration Office you need to collect. On top of that not every single event can be included in a SOP and discretion and decision making is allowed. You are asking for the impossible and the ridiculous to be honest. Not every rule is written down and can not be.

@Mark *******

Well there are different levels of competency etc at different embassies and Consulates. Singapore is known as a competent embassy if also sticklers for process. They are very efficient though and why many companies send staff there for B processing etc

@Mark *******

No government or civil service give out all of its SOPs. We know from practice and precedent though how it works. You are not going to find what you are looking for. As for guy at immigration suggesting going to airport why did he not activate it? You said it could be activated in country at an office did you not. Anyway if you know Thailand he just said that to you to 1) not lose face 2) get rid of you 555