I went to Bangkok bank last week and was told by two different reps that I needed an affidavit from the US Embassy validating my passport. However, from a previous thread I opened last week I was informed: “The Krungsri bank in Emquartier will open a bank account with just a passport and a lease (or sometimes just a business card of the building you stay at) and the Kasikorn bank down at Central World Trade will do the same.” Therefore you may want to give one of those banks a try. It is probably hit or miss depending on which branch office you go to.
If you do decide to go the route of getting an affidavit (that’s what the letter is called...) from the embassy, you may need to push them for n appointment. That was my experience with the US Embassy. Be prepared to be a squeaky wheel.
thank you for answering, but I only needed to know if my wife can follow as a trailing spouse. I was told by Immigration pretty much same thing you stated in your very thorough answer. The exception being they said I could apply for the retirement extension directly from the 30-day hard stamp. Do I have a high level of confidence that is true? Probably not, considering the IO didn’t know whether or not my wife could join me as trailing spouse, that is really my question here. Everything else is in order, including bank stuff, so I’ll see what happens when I apply for the 30-day extension, then go to apply for the retirement extension at counter C-1 shortly thereafter. Was also told no seasoning required for the 800baht.
it’s been great here, but 4 months is a long time to be here. I highly recommend it though. Most places have reopened and more I remember it when I was here 2 yrs ago. Definitely more chill and laid back here. You have great trip also. I’m sure we’ll talk again soon!
