No, they only want to test if you are really a couple and if your wife knows your details like foreign address. There are too many foreigners married in sham marriages, where the 'wife' got paid to pop up when needed, but has no or little relationship to the foreigner. Thailand is full of such arrangements to allow foreigners to open bank accounts and to do all kinds of things you do not want to know. Hence, the personal check with your wife. Nothing stupid about and part of the KYC process.

@Bob *********

on what currency? THB?

New regulations came in for KYC verification. Hence they want to see your phone, you use for the banking application is under your name and address. Once proofed you can change the limit in the application.

Except for the visa question, my advice would be to rethink to settle down in Bangkok. As exciting it might be at a first visit, it is not necessarily the greatest and most convenient place to retire, when there are so many other great places to start a new life with new friends.

Chiang Mai

You need a work permit for any work, paid or unpaid.

Like in most countries nowadays, you need proof of a local residence to open a bank account.

You need a Thai proof of residence. KBank will do it. But only one account holder can access via online Chanel.

@Michael *******

I have the contacts of the sellers. According to the green books, the bikes are in my name. I understand from you, that all the bikes in my garage with my name in the green book are not owned by me? Who owns the bikes then? Please send us all a reference, to what you stated that I'm/we're not the owner without the 'contact'. BTW, we talk about Thai law in Thailand, not the law of the nation you are coming from. The same is true for cars. And yes, if you want to, ask the seller to sign a sell/buy contract, but it does not make a difference in future ownership.

@Michael *******

I never got scammed when I bought 6 motorcycles over the years. Did you get scammed? I do not think it would make a difference to have a sales contract if you got really scammed.