@Melissa ********

Moving away money…I like that perspective. Thanks!

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

That’s true. Thank you. I think I just need to take a deep breath and stay the course!

@Gerg *********

I have the 800k. I just feel squeamish about transferring it here. It’s my first time. I think I just have to get over the nervous “oh crap that’s a lot of money what if something happens to it” line of thinking!

Hi. I thought I'd piggyback on this, since I had a similar experience today in Chiang Mai. I came into Thailand earlier this week on a 3 month initial non-o retirement visa. First I went to Bangkok Bank. They did not straight up tell me I couldn't open an account, but they did say it would be up to the "head office" and that they would let me know in a week or two. They went ahead and did all the paperwork (which I signed), and required many documents: passport w/non-o stamp, printed copy of evisa with qr code, tm30, rental agreement, proof of thai phone number in my name, a signed W-9 (US tax form), AND an international driver's license (which, luckily, I had acquired on a whim from AAA before I left the U.S.). There was no mention of a new 4-month rule. They just seemed unsure of whether my opening an account would be allowed or not, despite the fact that I had every single document they asked me for. So I left there and went directly to Kasikorn Bank. They required the same docs and signatures (including the international drivers license - is that a new requirement?), and it took about an hour and a half to get the process completed. I walked out with a debit card, a bank book, and a functioning bank app on my phone. I'd recommend saving yourself some time by just going straight to KBank. Hope thiis helps!