I have three accounts in my name Siam Bank, Bangkok Bank and Thai Farmers Bank. I guess it all depends on the person at the bank. I started mine with only my passport and money for deposit.
I had to switch from my First Hawaaian Bank because they also limited me in the amount I would transfer to my. Thai bank. They told me at that time some 5 years ago that the U.S. Government wouldn’t allow them to transfer to any bank overseas especially Thai banks, so I changed banks and haven’t had a problem since.
Map provided should answer your question. I don’t know if they still do this but last time for me everything was done online and through the mail. Early days when I lived in L A just went to the consulate and done in one day.
I have been doing what you suggest before this COVID-19 mess, but now I’m staying put until this mess is over with and things get back to normal. And like several have posted maybe your chances of getting back in will be zero or you’ll have to jump through hoops. My advice is just stay put and wait it out.
They’re probably gonna fly to destinations that they don’t owe money to or where they’ve rented planes for fear of them being repossessed for non payment.