Yes they have a fixation on blue ink for official forms and signatures

@Andy *********

this was 2 years ago Kap

Getting a bank account

Don’t expect to get something for nothing. Each office is an independent business. Each office makes their own criteria.

You certainly will pay a fee for transferring USD from USA to Thailand. The amount depends on the bank and the transfer service.

Banking is an essential service if you plan to spend time here. It’s not FREE.

I prepared ahead of time by getting a bank account set up 6 months ago.

I treated this as an important business transaction, not just a casual activity.

My Thai friend made an appointment for me at the Bangkok Bank branch across from Astra in CM. He also translated for me.

I am a middle aged physician and dressed as such. Yes I did do the whole business card ceremony.

I told the banker that I plan to retire soon and buy a condominium at Astra.

I was asked to purchase a life insurance policy for about $100. Presumably the banker gets a commission. Whatever, it’s the price of doing business at the bank.

They wanted to copy my passport and see my credit card from Wells Fargo. I think I showed them how much was in my account also to make the point that I’m a serious customer.

I also showed them $500 in perfect $100 bills that was to be the initial deposit.

Nothing else was required.

Act like a serious customer and you will be treated as such.

Present yourself properly and you should be fine.

If not, thank them for their time and visit another office.

Best wishes on your adventure to Thailand!

I was able to get an account with Bangkok Bank two years ago.

Since then I have been able to transfer money from my Chase account to BB NY branch as a domestic transaction costing $35. It is easy to do and posts to the Thai BB account within 24 hours automatically. The transaction registers as a foreign transaction.

The exchange rate is about 2 baht less than the best posted rate.

It is not the cheapest way to make large international transactions but it certainly has been convenient!

5555 no

@Mark ********

maybe it’s the spelling and punctuation ? Or lack there of?

Prolly

@Greg **********

I have made 3 transfers. The last was a few weeks ago.

Bangkok Bank has a New York office.

Transfers from your USA bank are charged as domestic and will post to your Thai branch office as international quite quickly.

There is a fee for the domestic transaction and the exchange rate is a bit low.

There may be a way to do it directly from Social Security to BB NY. I’m not there yet…

Invest in an attorney for proper advice?