think_too_mut Posted November 29 Report Share Posted November 29 On 5/18/2024 at 3:43 PM, Old Hippie said: Thought I answered this…was not married at the time… Even if you were married, no way. With my Thai wife, official marriage, we went to 5 banks, none even wanted to talk about opening a bank account for me. We said, I have to deposit 800,000 THB to sit in the account for 2 months to get a pensioner visa. Get that visa first, then we open you bank account. But Imigration asks for that account with 800,000 THB in it, for at least two months. The Banks: get that pensioner visa first. The way around might be to use some visa agency. Somehow, they can do that. 53,000 THB (if you have home in Thai which we have, in my name). 58,300THB if you don't. They open your account, home or no home, (told me no need to deposit 800,000 THB altouugh I can do it). Even told me it makes no difference to them whether I have 800,000 THB or not. An unregulated industry, they might just puff. If it comes to worse, if I used that service, all officials would find out if they wanted to know. Even if sitting legally in Thai for 2 months, extension for 1 more month, applying for a pensioner visa will still ask that the funds had been sitting in a Thai bank for 2 months. I can leave Thai and come back in 2 months. Doable, but difficult. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
think_too_mut Posted November 29 Report Share Posted November 29 I communicated those fact with Stickman, our Bard, he said it should not be so difficult. Unless he knows more, it all seems imopossible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Titanic Posted November 30 Report Share Posted November 30 There are no pensioner visas or retirement visas, it's an extensions of stay based on the visa, normally a non immigrant O visa with retirement as the reason. The visa remains the same, visas cannot be changed. Try another bank or go in an put 800k in cash on the counter, you get a different response from the same bank at different branches. Never had a problem opening an account, except years ago when they ask for a work permit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Hippie Posted November 30 Report Share Posted November 30 11 hours ago, think_too_mut said: I communicated those fact with Stickman, our Bard, he said it should not be so difficult. Unless he knows more, it all seems imopossible. Not impossible. Bank said, get an ID such as Driver’s license as it helps, not sure why or how etc…Bank wanted passport, my name on a lease or house book etc…can get that and 1-2 other things, but all takes time. An Agent/service can cut through everything by running around for you and getting it done properly. Tyrese services aren’t breaking any laws, they are just cutting through the red tape and bullshit… Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Titanic Posted November 30 Report Share Posted November 30 1 hour ago, Old Hippie said: Not impossible. Bank said, get an ID such as Driver’s license as it helps, not sure why or how etc…Bank wanted passport, my name on a lease or house book etc…can get that and 1-2 other things, but all takes time. An Agent/service can cut through everything by running around for you and getting it done properly. Tyrese services aren’t breaking any laws, they are just cutting through the red tape and bullshit… Only mugs and the lazy use agents, why pay through the nose for free services? you are doing them a favour depositing funds with them. Last time I opened an account at Exchange Tower Sukhumvit it took 15 minutes, there was no red tape or BS. Helps greatly if you apply with the Mrs there as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
think_too_mut Posted November 30 Report Share Posted November 30 All 5 banks (Mrs was with me) repeated the same script: "Show me your passport. With that stamp (60 days stay), no way we can open you an account". Me: to get that retirement visa I have to deposit 800,000 THB, I can do that right now. Bank: Get that visa first. Me: How, if I can not show my 800,000 THB deposit in your bank, account in my sole name? Bank: Get that visa first. Me: How, if can not show to the Immigration that I have the funds in a Thai bank, sitting there for 2 months? Bank: Get that retirement visa first. Me: I have a home here, the official deed. Bank: Get that retirement visa and then come to us. Catch 22. It was August 19. 2024. Possibly, visa changes, 60 days on arrival, Thailand Destination Visa, also got new things about pensioner visa, July 1. 2024. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Titanic Posted November 30 Report Share Posted November 30 2 hours ago, think_too_mut said: All 5 banks (Mrs was with me) repeated the same script: "Show me your passport. With that stamp (60 days stay), no way we can open you an account". Me: to get that retirement visa I have to deposit 800,000 THB, I can do that right now. Bank: Get that visa first. Me: How, if I can not show my 800,000 THB deposit in your bank, account in my sole name? Bank: Get that visa first. Me: How, if can not show to the Immigration that I have the funds in a Thai bank, sitting there for 2 months? Bank: Get that retirement visa first. Me: I have a home here, the official deed. Bank: Get that retirement visa and then come to us. Catch 22. It was August 19. 2024. Possibly, visa changes, 60 days on arrival, Thailand Destination Visa, also got new things about pensioner visa, July 1. 2024. Get a non immigrant O visa for 1900 baht at immigration, you can definitely open an account with that, later extend the visa on grounds of retirement or marriage. Don't listen to nonsense about having to get the O visa abroad, you don't. Form TM87 downloadable off Asean now site Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buffalo_bill Posted November 30 Author Report Share Posted November 30 https://unionspace.co.th/open-personal-bank-account.php Crooks or not, up to you to find out. Offering accounts even for tourists. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Titanic Posted November 30 Report Share Posted November 30 4 hours ago, buffalo_bill said: https://unionspace.co.th/open-personal-bank-account.php Crooks or not, up to you to find out. Offering accounts even for tourists. Only 28k lol don't support these 'services' Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
think_too_mut Posted December 1 Report Share Posted December 1 5 hours ago, buffalo_bill said: https://unionspace.co.th/open-personal-bank-account.php Crooks or not, up to you to find out. Offering accounts even for tourists. That is probably how visa agencies open bank account for someone applying for retirement visa. No need to put 800K THB into it. I don't really need Thai bank account, my bank refunds 200THB charged at ATMs. Only to deposit 800K THB which I would be hesitant to do with this place. There are ads "Debit cards for foreigners", never checked them, could be this same place or others are doing that too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now