This thread occurs over and over on the Internet, including the banks, telling you that this year, there are increased security regulations that prohibit opening bank accounts on tourist visas. There’s no such law. It seems that Thai banks are franchises like McDonald’s. Each branch is individually owned, with its own policies, Which may vary according to which teller or Manager you talk to. They want to sell the insurance because they get a commission, and there are agents that help you open accounts, apparently by sharing their fee with banking staff. They also like to have a residency certificate, which you can’t get in Bangkok on a tourist Visa or Visa free entry, but you can in some other provinces.research this and keep trying.

Also, if you buy a genuine, refundable ticket, be careful, because you may get your money back, but you may only be eligible for a credit with the same airline.

@CN ***

many believe they refuse to do the T3, because they’re afraid they will have to pay tax on their income. Not sure if this is really true, but this lore is widely passed around on these groups.

@Garrett **********

in Thailand and most countries outside North America, caller pays for all calls so you don’t need minutes or topup to receive calls

@Nongnuch *******

you can also come on a tourist visa or visa exemption, and convert that to a Non O visa by reason of retirement. It is for 90 days. As soon as they put the sticker in your passport they stamp it “used.” Then, if you meet the conditions, you can extend it for one year. I did this in 2018, extended it each year ever since.

@Diane *********

ok i see

@Diane *********

what is med aid?

Even if she gets past the hurdles of language, salary, and work permits they usually want people under 35.

@Kenny ****

if you port to Google voice before you leave the US, while you still have a US cell number, it may work, mine has worked for five years with most banks. I did lose my Venmo recently. However, capital one denied me a new account because it wasn’t a real US cell. Do not tell anyone you’re doing this, or they may cancel your account. Some banks or credit cards can send the OTP to any number that you can receive, others know that it is a VoIP, etc.,, and require a genuine mobile number in any country. Still others, like my capital, one, require an active cell number in the United States. So the answer is it depends.

@Peter *******

some countries need the IDP from some other countries in order to drive there. It can be a matter of a non-Roman alphabet, like if your license is in Arabic or Chinese, but also, I just went to Poland and couldn’t drive because I didn’t have an IDP. It turns out the US didn’t sign the 1949 convention or something, and although IDPs from the US are available by mail now, it’s a lengthy process, and I didn’t have time. I actually have a Thai IDP, but forgot to bring it.