Brandon Thurkettle thy did open the account. And yes, there is. The bank rep told me herself that it is now the same at all banks because new regulations from the government distaste that banks can only issue accounts for people with visas valid for a stay of one year or longer at a time.
And, I verified that the account was perfectly legal and eligible at the time I opened it.
Yes, there are scam call centers. Yes, they have been luring people into Thailand and shuffling them across the border to Burma and Laos to “work” as scammers. They typically take their passports making it virtually impossible to leave.
Yes, those scammers are using Thai accounts to launder money. The kingpins are all Chinese mostly.
That’s about where the truth ends and the fiction and propaganda start.
The Thai government couldn’t give a shit about slave workers here in Thailand, in Laos, Berma, Cambodia or anywhere else let alone laundering money.
As with almost everything the Thai government does this is a big dog and pony show.
No real kingpins, money launderers or criminals will be affected. No lives will be saved and no difference will be made.
It’s all about showing the authorities and foreign partners what a great job they’re doing by closing accounts that aren’t squeaky clean and properly filed. Except the ones that matter of course.
wrong. I was at the branch today to close mine and it was filled with people who were in the same situation. None received any notice from the bank whatsoever. And, all, like myself had access to their banking app.