@Steve ******

from your own country you would get an OA. If you already left your country them 'most people' would not be going home to just get an OA visa. As I said, all the visa rules are clearly explained online with a simple search.

@Steve ******

people get the OA visa from outside Thaiand. The O from inside.

@John *******

you were asking how to get the retirement visa but now you say you were asking how to get a bank account. As I explained, it is as I described, the current situation is Catch 22, you can not get one without the other and visa versa. I am ok because I already have both, but new applicants have this issue, however, if you search on Google and YouTube there are instructions on how it can be done. Just, never pay an agent, it is just another form of corruption for people who have more money than sense snd do not want to learn any skills for themselves.

@John *******

contact immigration in Bangkok and report the problem. Maybe they can help.

@John *******

I converted mine in January this year I think it was, in Trang immigration office. Search Google using "procedure for a non immigrant o visa from within thailand". Some offices with little experience can get a little lost and confused. You can let the head office for Thai immigration know what uou were told and that may help. They are attempting to iron out these kind of issues I believe.

@John *******

well how did I do it then?

OA from outside Thailand, your UK account will meet requirements. Type O from inside Thailand, convert from a tourist visa, for this you will need a Thai account which is where the issues can arise as it is currently more difficult to open and is effectively a Catch 22 scenario. If you can work it out then I prefer the type O.

Every branch every town, city, province make up their own rules, it is beyond bonkers. I find it useful to ask them to show you the regulation in their policies and at the same time be calling their customer services and repeat whatever bizarre rule they are trying to tell you. They more often than not will back down and say ok. Today I am here in my branch, no yellow book asked for. I signed the copies of the same documents I have signed maybe 20 times before. Passport, visa, tm30,(not this time), thai driving licences and then they asked me where my income comes from, I have some rental income from the UK and my brother repaying a loan from me at £250/month. No proof, or evidence just my word. CRAZY SHIT MAN.

@Rok *******

when did they give me any notice? Do you know ? No.

@Max ************

every bank in the world faces the same issues of money laundering, scams, fraud and mule accounts, but only 1 has behaved like Bangkok Bank, and even they cannot explain themselves. I have done nothing wrong, broken no rules and nobody can show any reason why there may be any cause for suspicion, so clearly locking my account is not sticking to international standards which is what Bangkok Bank claim is their goal. So, they failed that one.