As others have said...steer well clear of Bangkok Bank.

They truly are terrible and very unhelpful staff had many problems with them. I'm moving my funds as soon as I have exceeded the 3 month rule 👍🏼

@David *********

- OK no worries... I'm sure a delivery driver used it the other day to call me.. I'll check my call log 555

When I opened mine they gave me something that looks like a passbook but it isn't. It's just a printed piece of paper with the account name and number etc. It is because it's an app account. I wouldn't worry about it but you should have received at least something to prove you have the account with them...if nothing go back and ask questions.

@David *********

- I have just signed up to this but haven't really used it yet.

Can you call Thai numbers for free? I don't call home just easier to use an app.

2.

Mytello*

Quoted as 1p per minute

3.

Viber (buy credit)

4.

Keep calling app

Quoted as less than 1p a minute

5.

Yolla from app store - supposedly cheap rates

6.

Talk 360 from app store- supposedly cheap rates

Talk 360 is what I’ve been using for a couple of years. 4p a minute to any number

7.

Frynga

Search for Frynga will cost 0.03 a minute

@Christopher **********

- I thought that was the case... there's a lot of these type of companies so he shouldn't have a problem

I think there are some apps that allow you to keep and port over your number. I think if you attempt to get it onto any Thai sim card you will lose it.

I have a UK number not old like your one but Im sure you can port over numbers. I use Vyke but there are others and I'm sure I've seen American ones too. I have a list on a note I'll check tomorrow but you should be able to find these type of companies by Googling 🙏🏼

@Rod ********

- in other words it is not Korat 🙄 and therefore what you said originally is only based on your personal experience at your own office.. pretty pointless really considering the OP made it clear it was at Korat 🙄😂

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

- at last you have admitted it's not Korat Immigration Office you go to. So everything you have said is irrelevant because this thread is about what happened at Korat.

My first renewal was at Chon Buri and yes it's a breeze there but as said to try and indicate it is elsewhere just because you live in Jomtien is way off the mark. Enough said.

BTW no one has suggested it's the same everywhere else but some have confirmed the same type of treatment elsewhere for the marriage visa extension.

@Neil *******

- probably a lot of truth in what you say.

Thailand has staff everywhere just standing around doing nothing playing on their phones out of boredom...as can clearly be seen just about everywhere especially in the big supermarkets and places like Homepro. In some ways I like the fact people have jobs but it's terribly unprofitable. In government offices such as Immigration it's just as bad but at least they all seem to be busy mainly because their own stupid rules and criteria create a mountain of ridiculous and unnecessary paperwork.

If you ask logical questions as to why they need this or that I guarantee not one will be able to tell you other than we have been instructed to ask for it... I simply don't trust a thing they say.

I might lodge a complaint anomalously about 3 months before my next renewal just to see what BS they come back with although I'm not confident I would even get a reply 🙄