Anonymous participant 638If looks to me more like they're doing it all at once but what we don't know is how extensive this "clean up" will be. I personally believe that after all the accounts that they're checking are done, it will go back to business as normal (with new account opening conditions applied) but that those who aren't flagged in the coming weeks to months, will likely be left alone.

@James *******

It's proper to refer to it as the Aranyaprathet-Poipet or simply Aranyaprathet border since the problem isn't in Poipet, unless you're Indian, Nigerian or Indonesian or from another similar country. Poipet immigration regularly denies entry to citizens of these countries and several others in South Asia and Africa.

However, on the Thai side, the main problem is with upstairs immigration for any foreigner regardless of nationality (except Cambodians, unless they're spending too much time in Thailand) who aren't in Thailand on a long term visa...or they're a tourist who is simply spending 2 weeks in Thailand then going home.

The vehicle entry point is no problem if you're a DTV holder, on a multiple entry non immigrant visa or even as a tourist for the most part, as long as you're the driver as only drivers can stamp in there.

Nope. While the situation appears to be stabilizing, I think it will still take several more weeks before the borders could reopen.

Given that the priority right now for the government is to choose a new leader after Ung Ing was deposed, it's unlikely the borders would be swung open for at least a few weeks yet.

Boonsin doesn't want to lose face, hence it's very likely that the borders won't reopen until October at the very earliest, after his retirement in 1 month from now.

It is good that a conversation is happening about this in the media. The next clue about where things might go is the outcome of the next border committee meeting in Kuala Lumpur, which concludes around the 9th.

Anonymous participant Can you not open a bank account in the US? If not, may I suggest trying Cambodia? Yes, you first need to get a 6 month extension of stay but you can literally get an extension + bank account opened within 2 business days of your arrival in the country. A visa extension is done through an agent and you pay extra for the express service. Another advantage is that Cambodian bank accounts offer USD by default. You're being paid in USD, hence even better for you.

Anonymous participant 741 Quite often, banks demand to see a passport to do most things. Exchanging money can be done with just an ID card (despite regulations stating that to purchase foreign currency, everyone, including Thai citizens need to show a passport).

However, yes, it's certainly an idea to show your Thai DL unless they insist on sighting a passport.

BrightDachshund800 Even retirement visa holders are having their bank accounts locked, sometimes for weeks on end. This isn't purely an issue for DTV or tourist visa holders. You're making assumptions that all is fine and dandy as long as you're some sort of long term "resident" when that means nothing in the case of Thailand.

Thailand views the world through the lens of Thais vs foreigners. As long as you're not a Thai citizen, you have very few rights, regardless of what visa you're on.

Foreigners, regardless of how well they speak Thai, even if they hold permanent residency, still need a work permit to work, still can't own land and will still need to pay 10 times more than locals for entry to national parks.

Anonymous participant 688 Pattaya is a big problem. Almost all foreigners who've opened accounts there are being targeted.

@Incognia *********

Of course you can. A Thai DL is better than a passport for the purposes of domestic flying as its also in Thai.

Anonymous participant 119 More or less but depends on the circumstances. So far, I've not faced any issues but both my Thai bank accounts were opened a long time ago. One on a work permit, the other was upgraded to a work permit because at the time you couldn't get internet banking access without one. Tourists were only given a bank account with debit card but no internet banking access at the time.

Not an issue provided you're able to get a residency permit either from your embassy or immigration. If yes, you can own a car.