Go 15 minutes early.

It’s not just foreigners on tourist visas that are facing difficulties with Thai bank accounts. Lots of Thai people are having their accounts scrutinised, restricted and closed. There are signs in Thai in many branches warning customers not to let other people use their accounts. The restrictions we’re seeing now are part of an overall tightening of banking regulations due to the misuse of accounts all over the country.

The rules are quite strict, it’s just now they’re being enforced.

Looks like they don’t believe your work is generating income solely from outside the country.

Your latest TM30 will also determine which immigration officer you’re supposed to do your 90 day report at.

For instance, if you live in Bangkok but stayed in Chiang Mai for the weekend, and are then due to do your 90 day report when you get back to Bangkok,you’ll need a TM30 for an address in Bangkok in order to be able to do that.

I’m not on a DTV but neither am I on any kind of visa, long term or otherwise. Had my Bangkok Bank account for a very long time, like over 10 years. Updated my info in Bangkok this May, with some difficulties, but got it done eventually (not at the branch I opened the account at, which was the initial problem) so they completed the profile photo scan, updated the app on my new phone etc.

I had to go and get a replacement passbook, which meant going to the original branch in Chiang Rai. That was fine, but when I also needed a replacement bank card, for some reason the system wouldn’t unlock the card (I’d locked it on the app when I lost it). No problem,they said, we’ll just do a new card application. That’s when there was a problem because of my visa, or lack thereof.

Luckily I had my marriage certificate (both คร.2 and 3) as I had wondered if those might help, given that marriage to a Thai national is one of the reasons Bangkok Bank give for allowing a foreigner to have an account.

So, another 57 signatures on pieces of paper later, I had my new card but if I hadn’t had proof of marriage to a Thai national with me, I think there would’ve been a problem. One that may well have resulted in the closure, or suspension, of my account.

That was a few days ago now and the account, and app, are all working fine.

So yes, even accounts opened over a decade ago, like mine, will be subject to scrutiny if you need anything updating at a branch. If your current credentials don’t match their current policy enforcement, then you might have a problem.

So, essentially what you’re saying is that this person, whoever they are, is promoting his opinion as if it were fact?

Unfortunately that’s quite common these days. I’m sure he earns money from doing it as well.

They ask for all your passport pages AFTER you’ve applied and they’ve looked at your application because at that point they want to make sure you haven’t left the country once you’ve lodged the application.

Sending that beforehand does not prove that.

Wait till they ask for it.

If she requires a printed copy then those are on,y available for download for 7 days after successfully filing.

If she wants a new one it may be that she’s travelled somewhere and that place also filed one.

@Dana *********

Google search ‘fast track Bangkok immigration’ will give you a few results. Should cost around ฿1200

Due to the potential for long queues I always book fast track for immigration in Bangkok