There is also Revolut and Mongo in the UK.

you dont have to be a US citiZen for a Schwab brokerage account which comes with a debit card. though their is a high account opening amount required.

Tod for seasoning of 800k is it 2 months or is it 60 days:. I deposited 4th Feb. when can I get in Pattaya?

Robert - can you plesse share how you are handling 1. Medical letter 2. Non criminal record and 3. Insurance that appear to be required for Non O A

I think the idea behind lowering the limit might have been to limit the amount of rip off per victim. For people with no funds (or willingness to play hard ball) the max they can rip off is the limit of the insurance.

Plus insurance cos were hurting.

But if I apply in the last few days of my visa - say 4 days, thats ok? I'd get an exit permit on the way out of Thailand and return with just a few days remaining.

@Steve *********

yep. You would think they would jump at the chance of having 800k sit with them for some years! Plus lovely fees to give statements etc...

@Steve *********

I am the last person to use an agent. I have mine now.

For others - which bank and branch was it and what paperwork you needed? I think this would help many people.

Even when I told them I would transfer 800k into it fir visa, they said no! Need work permit or retirement visa.

@Steve *********

I think there are two main types of cases. One, which I was, here on visa exemption or short term visas. Most banks (all in my case, till I went with agent) seem to say "no". The catch is for retirement visa need 800k in Thai Bank account...And to have Thai Bank account need retirement/long term visa. It would be helpful to many people if we identify bank branches that open for this category.

If you r here on long term visa, it seems to be easier. The answers often seem to confuse these different categories.

@Kool ******

ok. I will drop by there. Can't do any harm!