Yes

@Vladimír ****

I didn't tell anyone to leave. I said that's the option if you don't like it. The law was changed to make banks responsible for any fraud or scam losses. This is what is causing all of this. Banks are no longer willing to take ANY risk because they're the ones on the hook financially. So they've ALL determined, at the same time, that they no longer wish to take the financial risk of giving bank accounts to tourists. That's their decision to make, as they get to decide who to give accounts to because they're private business. Making a complaint because you don't get your way isn't going to change either the legal landscape nor their risk assessment.

TE visa is basically for people who want to throw money at staying in Thailand, rather than doing the work of qualifying for another type of visa. DTV is much better right now if you're not yet 50.

You should ask at the time of application, as they might want to do a home visit. That will be your only opportunity to ask.

@Vladimír ****

it has not "been like this for a long time."

It's only the last 6 months or so. And it's completely deliberate based on new laws that were passed in Thailand. It's not a fluke. The only way to not accept it is to leave.

Anonymous participant 966 they might be the only one being so aggressive with KYC at the moment. But no other bank will open an account for tourists, and others will limit your account or close it if they find out too.

I'm not sure if you've been hiding under a rock or something, but this is not a new issue.

Banks in Thailand no longer support bank accounts for tourists. You are a tourist with a tourist visa. Your bank is checking up on its existing customers to see if they meet the current qualifications, which you do not. They are a private entity and have the ability to deny service to anyone they like.

1) no insurance needed

2) completely depends on the Krabi immigration policy. Many offices don't even require a lease as part of the extension paperwork. But each immigration office sets their own policies. For 1-year extensions it's always best to go to the immigration ahead of time and ask them for their handout of requirements, as sometimes they even change from year to year.

They want something with your address. Try your bank statement and if they don't like it they'll send you a request for something else.

That's between you and the embassy.

But METV is a TOURIST visa. That means it's for tourists. Whether you have a visa or not, immigration is the one who decides if you get to enter Thailand. And if you just spent a potential 9 months in Thailand and try to return as a tourist 3 months later, they're likely to take a dim view.