Thank you all. From your comments and my current experience, I've come to the conclusion that, as of Aug 2024, opening a bank account on a tourist visa is impossible, at least in BKK, unless you pay an agent. The banks claim it's their policy to refuse tourist visas, while Immigration claimed to know nothing about bank policies. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I should have applied for a long-term visa before arriving, instead of trying to convert a tourist visa to a non-O. But then, there are still agents to resort to.

@Stuart **********

many thanks

@George ********

can I use the visa to open a local account and deposit the money. The headache right now is getting an account on a tourist visa

Thank you all for your comment. For clarification, what do you mean by 'tied to them'? So the visa would be obtained through bribery?

@Michael ******

seems to be the least painful way

@Peter *********

the whole point of opening an account is for getting a long term visa. If I have one, why would I bother with the hassle if opening one?

@Michael ******

I have a certificate of residen

ce from immigration. Will that help?

@Alex ******

thanks

@Jim *******

well, it's an excuse to get a longer visa

Not from US embassy but from Thai immigration, I hope. That's what I'm doing