banking paperwork

Post by **Cowtown Comedy** » Mon May 12, 2008 11:33 am

This falls inline with the post about buying cars. I went into bank last week, of which I have 2 bank accounts in my name. For business reasons I wanted a 3rd account, but for convenience I went to a different branch of this bank. The assistant manager asked to see my passport/non imm visa, my work permit, and proof of residence (ie blue or yellow book). She was very testy with me, and very demanding of this information. I said "excuse me, I already have 2 accounts with this bank, I dont have a work permit (i do have one but I refused to show it to her), and I want is a 3rd account"...I finally gave up and went back to the original branch, where there were no problems and many smiles. The manager at this branch said I didnt need as WP, or proof of residence to open an account.

ozuncle · Post by **ozuncle** » Mon May 12, 2008 12:18 pm

Bangkok Bank explained to me that it was LAW that I needed a work permit or various other things before I could open a bank account.
Whilst in HH, Siam opened one with passport only.
Some banks bend the rules.

Post by **lomuamart** » Mon May 12, 2008 2:29 pm

I'm pretty sure that it is/was the law that a foreigner should have a Work Permit to open an account up.
It was one of those hastily thought up, knee-jerk reactions to some supposed threat that Thailand was being taken over a few years ago.
I reckon that it was never really implemented and never taken off the statute books.

Post by **nevets** » Mon May 12, 2008 2:40 pm

I think you will find you can open a savings account quit easily.
Just need a passport.

Post by **Wanderlust** » Mon May 12, 2008 2:43 pm

I think it was introduced around about May 2000, as i came back to Thailand from a trip in the UK just after that with a load of travellers cheques that i intended to open a bank account with (in Bangkok). I went to every single bank I could find and not one of them would let me open an account. Arrived in Hua Hin in late 2002 and after a conversation with a local expat one night opened an account with just my passport the next day. I don't know if it was a law that was passed originally, or just a regulation suggested to the banking industry, but I suspect it had something to do with the ongoing fight against money laundering and other international crime, rather than being anything targeted at foreigners for being foreigners; it is pretty difficult for a foreigner to open an account in the UK now too - I wanted to make my UK bank account into a joint account with my Thai wife and was told no, and we couldn't open a new joint account either, despite me holding an account for over 20 years.

Post by **nevets** » Mon May 12, 2008 3:59 pm

I have a Bangkok Bank account in Samut Sakorn and Kow Yoi both are in my wife and my name opened 5yrs ago and not shut down but not used in a long time since i opened a bank account in my name in Cha-Am.

Super Joe · Post by **Super Joe** » Mon May 12, 2008 8:14 pm

Bangkok Bank explained to me that it was LAW that I needed a work permit or various other things before I could open a bank account.

This is from bangkok bank's own website:
Q. How do I open an account if I’m not a Thai resident ?
A. Foreigners with a long stay visa, work permit or even a tourist visa can open a savings account with Bangkok Bank at any of our branches nationwide. To open a savings account at any one of our branches, you will need to bring your passport or work permit.
take your laptops with you

and they say:
they will give a farang a mortgage on a condo providing he has employment/WP or self-employed with company accounts

and they say:
they will let your thai spouse get a mortgage on a condo, even though her salary is insufficient and even if you do not work, providing you sign as the guarantor

but not on land though for obvious reasons
.

Post by **margaretcarnes** » Wed May 14, 2008 6:07 am

Wanderlust is quite right about the problems opening accounts in the UK now. Among the required documents here are copies of utility bills, as well as passport etc. If you live in accomodation where the landlord pays the bills you need your tenancy agreement as proof.
There may well have been a law in LOS relating to the need for Work Permits, but have to say I never had a problem. Opened accounts from 99 through to 2002 with various Thai banks, with the 1000 baht and passport. The only problem was with Bangkok Met, who sit on UK government cheques for at least 4 weeks.