@George’s *********************

Yes I am actually using the visa for its purpose, the visa is for 3 months, and then you can get a 9 month extension (I have not gone through the extension process yet) . Also Bangkok Bank did try to sell me a baht life insurance policy as part of the account opening, I explained they probably would not want to insurer me on made up medical grounds etc, so they did not pursue it any further.

I walked into Bangkok Bank in Krabi Town, about 2 months ago, with my passport with an ED visa stamp. Handed over my mobile phone and 500 baht, they opened an account, and installed the mobile app, handed me a debit card, all took about 30 mins.

I maintain a UK bank account as well as a Thai account, I also use surfshark, but do not need it for logging into my UK account, some other financial institutions such as "Legal and General" which I also use, does need it. Who or whatever you are logging into should not know that you are using a VPN, defeats the logic of using a VPN.

Thanks for you input. Plan B

I got mine on the same day in Krabi for a bank account, but I filled the form in prior to going.