Open a savings account with say SCB, K Bank, it's discretionary at each branch so you need to look respectable deposit a decent amount but open at a branch in the province you are going to live.You will get a atm/debit card but you must have a Thai mobile registered to your place of living, do you can get mobile banking
Sounds like they didn't get the memo..following last Fridays Earthquake, the government are desperate for more tourists Digi nomads, anyone with money to spend in the local economy