Bank Accounts

[Roel]

I am happy with Kasikorn K-Cyber Banking too. Cannot recall it being difficult to set up. I even added my (Thai) girlfriend's account smoothly by faxing the application form and a copy of her ID-card to a certain Kasikorn department in Bangkok.
The most easy to set up is Siam Commercial Bank's EasyNet. You can immediately start internet banking by visiting the EasyNet website and registering right there and then with your PIN-code assuming you already have an SCB account with ATM card. No need to visit the bank to fill out an application form.

I have no experience with Bangkok Bank's Bualuang iBanking.
I opened my Bangkok Bank account in Hua Hin almost 20 years ago and when I applied for internet banking at a Bangkok branche here in Phuket recently they told me they could not help me because account had been opened with another passport than the one I currently have. Hua Hin would require a copy of my new passport first.

My solution: You copy my passport, I sign the copy in your presence and you fax it to Bangkok Bank Hua Hin. And while you are at it you can copy my work permit too if you like.
Bangkok Bank (Thai) solution: You go to Hua Hin.

[JimmyGreaves]

Any of these online accounts allow you to send money back to the UK?

[aragon]

Big thanks to all contributors, a lot of useful information and seems to me that KK Bank is the way to go, so shall be opening an account when next in HH.

[Roel]

Any of these online accounts allow you to send money back to the UK?

No idea, my salary does not travel any further than Chiang Rai.

But on Kasikorn's FAQ page it says:
• International Funds Transfer : You can transfer money from savings account or current account to international bank account added on K-Cyber Banking from 08.30 to 16.30 of business day. The maximum credit line for this service is 500,000 Baht per day.

[PET]

[quote="SunandFun"]I have been following wire transfer rates for the last month or so. It seems that so far, KasikornBank is better than Siam Commercial Bank in this regard. Since I am transferring for a condo, the exchange rate is important to me.[/quote

A very good site to compare the various Thai banks' for their exchange rates is
http://bankexchangerates.daytodaydata.net/default.aspx

If you use the TT calculation rate this will give you the transfer rate into your account in Hua Hin ( it is also the ATM rate)

[SunandFun]

@Pet, Thanks, I will save this link and check it regularly.

[aragon]

Another query, if you guys don't mind, I assume that you can hold a foreign currency account in Thailand and on the basis that my assumption is not totally wrong, as they quite often are:

1. Do Thai banks offer this facility or is it only foreign banks?
2. If foreign currency is transferred into Thailand, how difficult is it to get it back out again?

[aragon]

Another query, if you guys don't mind, I assume that you can hold a foreign currency account in Thailand and on the basis that my assumption is not totally wrong, as they quite often are:

1. Do Thai banks offer this facility or is it only foreign banks?
2. If foreign currency is transferred into Thailand, how difficult is it to get it back out again?

Is there no one who can provide some input on this................please

[PeteC]

Yes they do. A quick look at Bangkok Bank site revealed: http://www.bangkokbank.com/Bangkok%20Ba ... fault.aspx

If you look at the sites of the other large banks like K Bank, Siam Commercial, Bank Ayudhaya you'll probably find the same.

Each bank probably has documentation requirements to enable a person to transfer funds out. You should check with them but at minimum you should keep clear documentation on what you transferred in, and when, to assure no questions by the tax people that you may have earned the money here. Pete

[aragon]

Yes they do. A quick look at Bangkok Bank site revealed: http://www.bangkokbank.com/Bangkok%20Ba ... fault.aspx

If you look at the sites of the other large banks like K Bank, Siam Commercial, Bank Ayudhaya you'll probably find the same.

Each bank probably has documentation requirements to enable a person to transfer funds out. You should check with them but at minimum you should keep clear documentation on what you transferred in, and when, to assure no questions by the tax people that you may have earned the money here. Pete

Thanks Pete, top man.