Opening a Thai bank account for Immigration purposes.

[Faz]

1 hour ago, Eagle said:

I read somewhere that you have to have at least 30 days left on your visa to get a 'residence certificate'.

No idea where you read that.
The odd Immigration office does place unusual requirements as an obstacle, like Bangkok that insists you must have submitted a 90-day report beforehand, but at most IO's it's not an issue.
 

1 hour ago, Eagle said:

A English friend here in Chiang Mai who has been here for 20+ years said it's fairly easy to get this and being married to a Thai with our own house should make it even easier.

Provided you've filed a TM30 notification with your local IO, then obtaining a residence certificate should be straightforward.

Gone are the days when a copy of your wife or landlords Tabien Baan (house book) and ID card was sufficient as proof of address to open a bank account. These days they require more evidence, such as a residence certificate issued by Immigration, or a Yellow Tabien Baan (house book) issued to foreigners by your local Amphoe.

Although the British Embassy Bangkok provides a limited range of notarial and documentary services for British nationals in Thailand, they do issue confirmation letters of proof of Thai address if requested.

 

[Eagle]

1 hour ago, Faz said:

No idea where you read that.

I got the information from here: https://www.chiangmailocator.com/wiki-getting-a-residence-certificate-p81

but this is probably outdated because it also talks about a 'departure card' which to my understanding is no longer in use. I believe that refers to the TM6.

[Faz]

1 hour ago, Eagle said:

I got the information from here: https://www.chiangmailocator.com/wiki-getting-a-residence-certificate-p81

but this is probably outdated because it also talks about a 'departure card' which to my understanding is no longer in use. I believe that refers to the TM6.

I believe the author mentions 30 days due to the fact CM apparently require 2-3 weeks processing time.
That's probably to justify a fee for the residence certificate, which should be free.

The fact you mention opening a bank account suggests you're looking to stay 'long term' in the future?

[Eagle]

1 hour ago, Faz said:

The fact you mention opening a bank account suggests you're looking to stay 'long term' in the future?

Probably not more than 6 months at a time. Nothing is definite at the moment. I'm not sure yet about committing to stay long term. 

[Faz]

1 hour ago, Eagle said:

Probably not more than 6 months at a time. Nothing is definite at the moment. I'm not sure yet about committing to stay long term. 

Depending on the method of how you stay for up to 6 months at a time, you could apply for a residence certificate or a Yellow house book and Thai ID card for foreigners.
Either of which will be accepted as proof of address for a number of things, such as opening a bank account or purchasing motorcycles/vehicles.

[Karolyn]

If one has legal ID or residence in another ASEAN nation, can that be used to open a bank account in Thailand? 

[KhaoYai]

On 7/9/2023 at 5:47 PM, Karolyn said:

If one has legal ID or residence in another ASEAN nation, can that be used to open a bank account in Thailand? 

I doubt it.  It can be difficult under any circumstances at any bank.  The norm is that you hold either a work permit or a retirement visa.  I had difficulty when I held a Multi Entry Non O based on marriage but managed to open an account eventually. You can visit one branch of a particular bank and be refused, then visit one just a couple of miles away and be accepted.  It can even depend on who you ask in a branch.

If you don't fit the requirements, you've probably got more chance in Pattaya than anywhere else - I've heard of people opening and account on a tourist visa there. But be aware, if you use your account out of the branch's area, you are likely to incurr charges for transactions.  I get charged 20 baht for using an ATM out of my bank's area.

[Thai_Law]

If anyone needs assistance with this, click on the link for our post to learn more: 

 

[laurent69]

One question. Do we know if there is a minimum amount in the bank account for the Thai bank to report it to the country of origin on 30 June 2024 as per New CRS guidelines?

[hughcow]

I had to go to my two banks Bangkok bank and Kasikorn to change my phone number. Both branches near my home in Bang Bon. Bkk bank was an hour of my time plus 20 pieces of paper from bank documents to copies of passport, visa etc 22 signatures later I walked out having successfully changed my ph no.

Then Kasikorn bank. 4 pages and signatures and done using an english speaking banker from head office on the phone. The last question was would you like sms messages? The cost 198 baht per month and a 20 baht annual fee. I get that free from Bkk bank.

When I actually opened my account at Kasikorn  in December last it was a nightmare in itself, even though I already had an account with Bangkok bank. Despite a passport, retirement visa, proof of address, what got me over the line after 2 hours in the bank was my childs' birth certificate with me as the father. They then told me that I was lucky as there were new govt restrictions on opening a bank account coming into force the next month which would make it even harder. Maybe in a tourist area like Pattaya it may be easier but it is certainly not my experience unless you use a visa agent with their "connections". From my experience the days of opening a bank account without a long term visa, work permit etc are long gone.

[ThaiWolf123]

On 6/16/2024 at 9:42 AM, hughcow said:

I had to go to my two banks Bangkok bank and Kasikorn to change my phone number. Both branches near my home in Bang Bon. Bkk bank was an hour of my time plus 20 pieces of paper from bank documents to copies of passport, visa etc 22 signatures later I walked out having successfully changed my ph no.

Then Kasikorn bank. 4 pages and signatures and done using an english speaking banker from head office on the phone. The last question was would you like sms messages? The cost 198 baht per month and a 20 baht annual fee. I get that free from Bkk bank.

When I actually opened my account at Kasikorn  in December last it was a nightmare in itself, even though I already had an account with Bangkok bank. Despite a passport, retirement visa, proof of address, what got me over the line after 2 hours in the bank was my childs' birth certificate with me as the father. They then told me that I was lucky as there were new govt restrictions on opening a bank account coming into force the next month which would make it even harder. Maybe in a tourist area like Pattaya it may be easier but it is certainly not my experience unless you use a visa agent with their "connections". From my experience the days of opening a bank account without a long term visa, work permit etc are long gone.

I politely suggest you do some homework before doing anything involving bureaucracy in Thailand.  A little research can save an awful lot of time and hassle. 

'Then Kasikorn bank. 4 pages and signatures and done using an english speaking banker from head office on the phone. The last question was would you like sms messages? The cost 198 baht per month and a 20 baht annual fee. I get that free from Bkk bank.'

• 20 baht / month or 199 baht / year
  (Only for accounts with more than 400 transactions/month, there will be an additional monthly fee of 10 baht per month.)

K-mAlert -SMS Transaction Alert - KASIKORNBANK

According to BB website there is an SMS fee:

SMS Account Alert (bangkokbank.com)

Only 15 baht/month/account. Enroll from January 1, 2024 to December 31, 2024 and receive the first 2 months of FREE service, if you are registering for a new account and have not applied for this service before.

Great value with a yearly package only at 149 baht/account (you can save 31 baht).
 

Sorry, I'm not trying to be pedantic but facts are facts and misinformation is easy to come by.

[hughcow]

On 6/30/2024 at 12:34 PM, ThaiWolf123 said:

I politely suggest you do some homework before doing anything involving bureaucracy in Thailand.  A little research can save an awful lot of time and hassle. 

'Then Kasikorn bank. 4 pages and signatures and done using an english speaking banker from head office on the phone. The last question was would you like sms messages? The cost 198 baht per month and a 20 baht annual fee. I get that free from Bkk bank.'

• 20 baht / month or 199 baht / year
  (Only for accounts with more than 400 transactions/month, there will be an additional monthly fee of 10 baht per month.)

K-mAlert -SMS Transaction Alert - KASIKORNBANK

According to BB website there is an SMS fee:

SMS Account Alert (bangkokbank.com)

Only 15 baht/month/account. Enroll from January 1, 2024 to December 31, 2024 and receive the first 2 months of FREE service, if you are registering for a new account and have not applied for this service before.

Great value with a yearly package only at 149 baht/account (you can save 31 baht).
 

Sorry, I'm not trying to be pedantic but facts are facts and misinformation is easy to come by.

 

[hughcow]

Do my homework? That was how I heard it straight from the banks head office. Why would I then go and check something as irrelevant as SMS's that I never asked for and didn't want?

I'm sure other will appreciate your post correction for their benefit as would've I if you hadn't been so patronising.