Contact the Thai visa centre who run this group. All the banks are refusing foreigners to open bank accounts. Immigration know this and are not happy with the banks. I had no choice but to ask an agent to help me open a bank account. 20 000 baht. Easy, no stress and done quickly. I did everything else myself.

@Ian *********

That is exactly what I am facing. Doing everything that is required by immigration only to be refused a bank account. Opening an account was supposed to be the easier part of the process, in my head anyway.

I can speak and understand the Thai language enough to make conversation but it is different when dealing with banks and immigration. I have my Thai girlfriend with me to help but the staff in the banks seem to dismiss us without listening and not even looking at my documents. They seem to want an easy life without the hassle of giving me an account. I have been coming to Thailand for 19 years and fully accept that things are done very differently here. For your information, English is the most commonly used 2nd language in Thailand. It's much worse for someone from Germany or France, nobody here can speak these languages. I had a German friend who hated the fact that he had to speak in English because he couldn't speak Thai. I love Thailand, the people and the weather and have always been fully aware of the problems with the culture and the language.

@Peter *****

I have a letter from immigration showing my address. They said I have all the necessary documents to be able to open a bank account. I think their main problem is that no one in these banks can understand English.

@Ossie ********

I have the Non immigrant O visa. This is the visa everyone needs to then apply for a year long retirement visa,which is my goal. No one speaks English in the the banks up here in Bueng kan and I think this is the main problem. I'm even considering asking an officer from immigration to accompany me to a bank. Maybe such a suggestion would be laughed at in immigration. Going to look further afield in Udon Thani where there are more falang and maybe an English speaker in a bank.

@Ossie ********

do you know of an agent who could help with opening a bank account? I don't need any help with the visa

@John ********

I must have 800,000 baht in a Thai bank account for 2 months before I can apply for a retirement visa. First I need a bank account

@David *****

I think the main problem is that no one in any of the banks nearby can speak or understand English. I do also get the impression that it would be too much hard work for them to do for me. Thanks for your help 👍

@Brandon ***********

Thank you. I do have a residence certificate that is for opening a bank account. I think I will contact an agent. Time is running out!

@Greg ********

Thank you. Maybe this is what I should do 👍