@Michael *********

sorry I know this isnt helpful but I tried both Kasikorn and SCB in phetchabun. If was on a marriage visa both banks would have been given me an account. It just reiterates what everyone says about different places.

Luckily Krungthai helped me out.

Good luck mate.

@Michael *********

my comment was to you not Max. I sought advice from here and took all of the relevant documents before I went only to be rejected as things have dramatically changed in the last weeks.

This is an advice group designed to help people navigate particular challenges.

The advice is as recent as can be and is either useful to you or not.

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

ahh Max. Why do you always have to be so damn confrontational? It’s a theme for your posts

I met all the requirements but those banks decided not. I took along everything that THEIR websites told me to but still refused. This is an advice group. I was merely pointing out that despite doing my research I was still refused. That’s why I put the area as the demographics are clearly important.

Depends on type of visa and location. I’m in phetchabun and it took three days and numerous banks. I’m on a Non O for retirement. I was refused an account as I wasn’t married or had a yellow house book by Kasikorn and SCB banks. In the end Krungthai opened one with no issues.

Different areas have different interpretations or guidance to the rules.

@David ******

but therein lies the problem. Many of us are now finding that banks are refusing to open accounts for someone on a non O retirement visa!! Even when explained the need for the 800k for extension of stay they still refused. We were told it’s due to the fall out of the Pattaya Chinese laundering accounts. So whilst it’s possible it’s much more difficult

@Jim ******

yup. I eventually opened an account with Krungthai with no questions whatsoever. I know there’s concern with transactions being labelled as overseas but when I do wise transfers Krungthai give the code XBSDT. in Krungthai bank codes that means overseas transfer

@Pete ******

you’re playing with words. All those Branch requirements were either marriage or yellow book. In order to get the yellow book my local Amphur required me to be married. These are facts not opinions. I’m on a Non O for retirement not a Non O for marriage so it had everything to do with the visa type.

@Pete ******

you’re talking out of your arse. In the last 7 days I visited numerous branches of both SCB and Kasikorn.

I had with me, COR, Non O initial 90day visa, copies of passport. Utility bill, rental lease.

They insisted I needed to be married to a Thai national in order to be even considered for a bank account. My Thai Fiancé asked what the problem is. The staff from three banks told us that the previous week local banks held staff meetings where the issue from Pattaya and Chinese launder accounts was discussed. The direction to ALL staff at ALL these banks was to not open accounts to foreigners unless either on marriage visas or in possession of yellow house book.

Now I’ll caveat that with the area as I know your comeback will be try other reasons and I agree. It was In Phitsanulok and Phetchabun.

Yes it will be easier in places like Pattaya and Bangkok but the point is those banks staff all told us that it has all changed in the last 2 weeks with regards to opening bank accounts for foreigners. They think it will settle down again once the fallout becomes clear.

BUT

To accuse people of speaking rubbish is just both wrong and unhelpful. Most People have been telling of THEIR personal experiences in their areas which is exactly what this group is for. Up to date on the ground real time information, not the thoughts of people who are settled for a while who sorted themselves when things were so much easier.

@Anna ********

yes. But the strength of this group is ground truth on what’s happening NOW not two years ago or even 6 months ago. Things have dramatically changed in the last two weeks due to the news in Pattaya. And that’s not me saying but bank staff.

It’s good if those that us that have faced challenges very recently share this so a picture can be built up of area and trends. After all this is a support and advice group

@Anna ********

spoke with bank staff from several banks last week regarding the problem. 2 weeks ago , in many areas, banks were having staff meetings as a result of the Pattaya fraud accounts. They were instructed not to open accounts from foreigners unless either married or in receipt of a yellow house book. That was Kasikorn and SCB. admittedly some of the more expat areas it’ll be easier but staff in those banks we went to told us that it has all changed for them within the last week.

Took me three days but I finally opened with Krungthai. This in the Phetchabun/phitsanulok areas.