@Stephen *******

glad you got it done, but this is what’s causing all the bank issues right now. Foreigners on visa exempt and tourist visas are not allowed to open bank account. It’s how all this money laundering is being done. Got the banks scared and many are not opening accounts for foreigners regardless of the type of visa.

This is not anything against you.

@Anna ********

Banks are scared right now and it’s causing issues for just about all foreigners.

@Luke *********

there’s no ban. Banks are simply scared. The Thai government isn’t saying you can’t have a bank account. They’re simply telling banks to stop doing it when you shouldn’t. Banks will hopefully relax in the next few weeks.

If you apply somewhere other than Thailand, you’ll have the health insurance issue. That’s why I usually tell people to come here on a 60 day TV and don’t hear via an agent. Right now banks are having a meltdown regarding the Thai government’s crackdown on money laundering. Find an agent in the area you plan on living and talk to them.

@George ******

it’s not permanent. It should ease up in a few weeks. And yes, that is the concern right now. It’s a real and serious problem. All brought on by banks allowing the money laundering to happen in the first place.

Come on a 60 day tourist visa, get a good agent, and bam, done!

Starts over when you come back

@Stuart ********

ok if you say so

@Nick ***********

the reason this is happening is the Thai government is cracking down on money laundering. This has the banks scared.

@Stuart ********

at this time is not true. The Thai government has Thai banks scared. They are not allowing foreigners to open accounts even with Non-O status. It’s been widely published. Even popular agents are saying they can’t do it.