Bank accounts for work permit holders only

[lee]

I friend of mine recently applied for a standard bank account at three banks in Udon, Siam Commercial, Thai Farmers and Bangkok bank, however all three refused his application because he had a multiple 'O' visa stamped in his passport.

It is now clear that some banks now require the following to open a simple account and deposit your money with them;

Passport with Non B stamped in it
Valid Work Permit
Tabian Baan

All banks have different rules so he will continue to look for a bank that accepts his application, or as a last resort leave his dosh in the UK and make withdrawals via visa card.

I remember 8 years ago when it was possible for Johnny foreigner to open a bank account on a simple tourist visa or non-o, I guess they don't need/want the foreigners money these days.

[Fred the Farmer]

Too right Lee

I went down to open an account the day before yesterday so I could get paid, and I only took my passport thinking that would be enough......But they had changed their laws. That was Thai Farmers.

Consequently in BKK on the weekend I lost my ATM card, I went to a Bank in BKK, and they said to cancel and re-order the card, that I would have to go to the Ban Muang Branch in Nongkhai, get a local lost report from the local police and do all there.

Also if I did not have my bank book with my I would have been screwed with no way of getting money out. You would think with Internet and all that these banks could provide some decent services.

For me; this is the crap that gets under my goat in Thailand. The inability to use logic, that if I had required ID, passport what ever it is in one place, its not going to be any different in Nongkhai or BKK. (this was Bangkok Bank)

[papaguido]

I just opened an account at SBC branch at Big C with Non-Imm O. Also, a friend of mine opened an account with VOA visa about 6 months ago, but I forget which bank. But like you said "All banks have different rules so he will continue to look for a bank that accepts his application".

[lee]

I just opened an account at SBC branch at Big C with Non-Imm O.

I too opened an account with the SCB at Big C recently and I was asked to show my work permit, tabian baan and non b visa. So I had to drive home, make copies of all the documents and revisit them to proceed with the application. Maybe just different rules for different people.

[lee]

I've heard from other "authoritative" sources that laws have changed and now require a work permit to open a bank account. I do not believe this is true, because the banks serve many tourists who wish to put their money into a local bank and use a local ATM account for their stay here, especially if they're staying for one to three months. It would make no sense anyway, and is probably a misunderstanding. It's reasonable to expect that a work permit and other documentation are required to open a checking account, but not a savings account tied to an ATM card for withdrawals.

Well it's certianly true that some banks require a work permit in Udon now.

[papaguido]

I've heard from other "authoritative" sources that laws have changed and now require a work permit to open a bank account. I do not believe this is true, because the banks serve many tourists who wish to put their money into a local bank and use a local ATM account for their stay here, especially if they're staying for one to three months. It would make no sense anyway, and is probably a misunderstanding. It's reasonable to expect that a work permit and other documentation are required to open a checking account, but not a savings account tied to an ATM card for withdrawals.

Well it's certianly true that some banks require a work permit in Udon now.

Well not only that, but about the folks that need to satisfy the proof of income requirements for immigration in order to apply for 1 yr ext. ( just like myself).

I opened my account on the 22 of this month. All they ask for was my passport and verified my visa and made copies. After all was done I even got a free umbrella ...TIT

[pompui]

Thai logic,was it on Stickman? that a farang who is retired and in his 70's in Bangkok on a retirement visa, was asked 'have work permit' to open an account. As if he is still working!!!! TIT A TITTY DO DAR.

[glalt]

It's simply not true that you must have a work permit to have a Thai bank account. A friend of mine was turned down at the Siam Commercial Bank. I took him to immigration and explained to them that he needed a bank account to apply for his retirement visa. They verified his address and gave him a document written in Thai to give to the bank. Siam Commercial opened his account and gave him an ATM card right on the spot.

A bank account is required for a retirement visa. How do you suppose guys get their retirement visas?

[Galee]

Was refused at 3 banks before opening an account with BKK Bank at BigC.

[Franco]

Opened bank account earlier this year with Bkk bank in Udon, no problem just produced passport, but did have thai girlfriend with me who is government staff (Teacher), look like she my sponser and she did say that the bank staff would have refused application if she had not accompanied me. looks like the subject clear as mud.

[lee]

It's simply not true that you must have a work permit to have a Thai bank account.

That may be the case for some banks but as I said before every bank has its own rules, or like immigration they make them up from day to day. LOL

[Prenders88]

It's simply not true that you must have a work permit to have a Thai bank account. A friend of mine was turned down at the Siam Commercial Bank. I took him to immigration and explained to them that he needed a bank account to apply for his retirement visa. They verified his address and gave him a document written in Thai to give to the bank. Siam Commercial opened his account and gave him an ATM card right on the spot.

A bank account is required for a retirement visa. How do you suppose guys get their retirement visas?

How would anyone on a "O" settlement spouse visa, show 40,000 baht a month income if you can't open a Thai bank account?
We now need to go to immigration to get a letter to verify ones address in Thailand.??

[Garnet]

Prenders, your avatar makes me wonder if by chance you took a good swig of the same stuff Beer Monkey's been swilling lately?

[oldfield]

I just opened an account at SBC branch at Big C with Non-Imm O.

I too opened an account with the SCB at Big C recently and I was asked to show my work permit, tabian baan and non b visa. So I had to drive home, make copies of all the documents and revisit them to proceed with the application. Maybe just different rules for different people.

Is that Siam City Bank or Siam Commercial Bank?

[Prenders88]

Prenders, your avatar makes me wonder if by chance you took a good swig of the same stuff Beer Monkey's been swilling lately?

LOL

No I'm off the drink
It's the face I pull with all this crap with Thai banks moving the goalposts.

[papaguido]

I just opened an account at SBC branch at Big C with Non-Imm O.

I too opened an account with the SCB at Big C recently and I was asked to show my work permit, tabian baan and non b visa. So I had to drive home, make copies of all the documents and revisit them to proceed with the application. Maybe just different rules for different people.

Is that Siam City Bank or Siam Commercial Bank?

It's Siam Commercial...is there a Siam City bank?

[JimboPSM]

... is there a Siam City bank?

I'd never heard of Siam City Bank before, but a search revealed that there is actually such a bank and it even has a branch in Udon.

The web site is:

• http://www.scib.co.th/en/home/default.asp

Although there are pages in English, it does not appear as English user friendly as Bangkok, Kasikorn & Siam Commercial Banks.

[lee]

Is that Siam City Bank or Siam Commercial Bank?

Siam Commercial Bank.

[AussieBoy]

I open account at Big C SCB on the 25th June just passport, with girl friend giving her address