@Jo *********

much cheaper to pay the fine for not doing it at all.

@Christian *******

why don't you drive on the left side?

@Tony ********

I don't stop because on two occasions when I did the guy behind overtook me and nearly killed the people crossing. I worked out it was safer for pedestrians if I kept going.

Presumably you have Thai bank account? If you have 0 baht in it then you dont exactly have to start again. Apply for non O in the country you are in and enter Thailand then get 12 month extension at the appropriate time. OR Enter Thailand visa exempt for 60 days and get 30 day extension if you want. Then get 90 day non o in country at the appropriate time Followed by 12 month extension. If you dont have a Thai bank account with 0 baht you should get a non O out of Thailand and open one and season the 0 baht before getting 12 month extension. Use the options to plan your future renewal date to possibly not coincide with when you are not in Thailand. I did this to move my renewal date away from the summer months when I am in the UK.

@Jordan ****

because a DTV is a tourist Visa and the bank think that a tourist requesting a bank account is likely to be up to some sort of illegal activity.

@Tim *********

so you are on a tourist visa and used an agent to get it. That realy is a joke because all you have to do is turn up and you get 60 day visa exempt. That really is a joke. And I like spending money that's why I went to monthly payments ASAP. That released my 0 baht and I put in another 0 baht and bought a new car.

@Todd ********

but you get other problems like not being able to get a residence certificate from your local IO to buy a car or get a DL or get your stamp transferred to a new passport. Trust me my life has been a lot easier since I got my extension myself and last time I entered with agency visa at BKK I was instructed to do it myself next time.

@Todd ********

that is why you change to monthly income method.

@Michael *****

when I went to BB to open an account they thought my re entry permit was my visa and it had cancelled across it. Then I showed them my retirement stamp and they wanted a work permit! Anyway, three visits later I did see someone who knew what they were doing and got an account. If they close it now I'm stuffed as I am in the uk. Will not be able to pay my rent electric or water bill. I had better start talking nice to my landlady.

Anonymous participant 680 there are lots of reasons why they might close accounts that is why they are doing it.