I missed the part about a resident before. I don't think I know anyone well enough that they would be comfortable writing such a letter. I have a "friend" in Hua Hin whom I knew for a couple weeks and we periodically message, but I don't know if I'd even feel comfortable asking. I do have a banker in the States though. I need to find out if he knows how this Swift letter would be written. Thanks for the info.
This is fantastic! Thank you so much. I had two experiences at Bangkok Bank yesterday (and two, maybe three...I've lost track, others previously). One representative desperately wanted to help me but his hands were tied by policy. I have a feeling that if I went to him with this document, he might send it up the chain and help me.
The other was fighting me. I have to admit that I eventually lost my temper. I have been to so many banks and logic simply does not apply, lol. Obviously, that branch is out :-).
I'm not even concerned about the extras, although the one agent with whom I spoke wanted to charge 15,000 baht, because they required purchasing insurance. 🤣 🤣 I've seen quotes here and elsewhere more like 5K, so I wasn't doing that. I talked to someone who had paid 25K for the whole visa process. I'd sooner do that, although I'd rather do everything on the up and up. That's my real issue.
I've considered just getting an education visa...a real one, because I want to learn Thai anyway. Then, I can get the bank account and later get a retirement visa. The only problem is that I want to travel and I don't want to be restricted by the visa.
I don't know...maybe I'll just go to Cambodia. Thailand makes things very difficult and I like Cambodia a lot too.
I have tried over twenty already. Due to a change in the regulations in October, even ones that historically have been reliable to open accounts for expats (based upon reports on this and other groups) will not open. I have brought the rules with me. At the last encounter, at a stand-alone bank (which people recommend folks use), an immigration officer overheard the conversation and told the tellers I could not open the account. I was so thrilled that an immigration officer was there and should have known that an account was necessary BEFORE getting a non-O visa. However, she told them I needed a long-term visa in order to open an account. 🤦
Do not listen to all the stories from people saying, “I’ve never had a problem…”. I’ve never had one either. However, I’ve also been in this group for years and have seen the frantic posts from people denied boarding or entry. Fifty people may sail through with no problems. Do you want to be the fifty-first? Be prepared. You asked for a reason.
You’ll need a flight out in case your airlines asks. You can buy any inexpensive flight you can find or get an “onward ticket” (search online) that’s a throw away ticket for this precise purpose. Beyond that, follow the advice given for how to then extend your stay. Of course, if you decide to just make a quick roundtrip trip out, that solves both problems.