Which bank branches in Pattaya are the easiest to open a bank account for the "O" visa?

[hiigara]

I will need to open a bank account to extend my O (Retirement) Visa (90-day).

Thank you

[davidge]

8 hours ago, hiigara said:

I will need to open a bank account to extend my O (Retirement) Visa (90-day).

Thank you

If you arrive with a Non O then it is still possible but very difficult. If you try doing it yourself you will be very, very lucky to get one. Even with an agent now they might ask for an IDP, a Thai driving licence, a Thai SIM card properly registered in your name and maybe a long term rental contract and ither things in addition to the Non O.

Edit: after checking your account I’ve Advanced you so please search for a thread on Agents and Bank Accounts and best continue there.

I’ll PM a link.

 

[talung66]

I dont know.

Back in the day i first hit up Kasikorn on pattaya Tai  & would have opened an account on the spot for a insurance fee of 13k. 

Then  i started walking around central festival for the trading hours & only  BKK and Ayudhya did one with a Tourist visa. 

Paid the tourist excess fee of 599 a year for the card with accident insurance now got the 300 baht yearly fee one and interest takes care of that.

Edited April 20 by talung66

[Ocraled]

Mmm....why would it be difficult with O-visa, since bank account is needed for showing the money for extension?

[davidge]

43 minutes ago, Ocraled said:

Mmm....why would it be difficult with O-visa, since bank account is needed for showing the money for extension?

Don’t expect logic. There’s been a lot of pressure from the government on banks due to the prevalence of ‘mule accounts’. This has led to banks making it much more difficult to open accounts. From what I understand, it’s not quite as difficult outside of Pattaya but here it really is a problem now. 

 

[Thomaz73]

2 hours ago, davidge said:

Don’t expect logic. There’s been a lot of pressure from the government on banks due to the prevalence of ‘mule accounts’. This has led to banks making it much more difficult to open accounts. From what I understand, it’s not quite as difficult outside of Pattaya but here it really is a problem now. 

Indeed. Had a chat with Maneerat the other day. And it's simply a no go. 

[geezerrb]

I personally cannot help and it's not helpful but my early trips I got a Kasikorn account so easy but the problem was then if you didn't use the account enough which for me never worked if I was in the UK you had to keep getting a new card. A few years later when I opened my BBK account after trying several branches I realised the "insurance scam was on" but I knew for the future (thanks to some good advice) that this could be the best account , many may disagree but I so far have found it the best account for me.

[Soi7]

39 minutes ago, Thomaz73 said:

Indeed. Had a chat with Maneerat the other day. And it's simply a no go. 

And if they can't do it I'm surprised anyone can

[davidge]

11 hours ago, Thomaz73 said:

Indeed. Had a chat with Maneerat the other day. And it's simply a no go. 

 

10 hours ago, Soi7 said:

And if they can't do it I'm surprised anyone can

I posted in the thread in Advanced about what was required now according to an agent I spoke to. I don’t want to post it here as it is a very ‘sensitive’ issue now. I did ask another agent via Messenger but they would only give info face to face due to the current situation. I do think it is still possible to get an account with a Non O but other things are required as well.

[nunchuck]

Has anyone opened a bank account lately.  ?
 

 

a guy a met said get a education visa first and you will get a bank account 

 

this not for me I already have one 3 years 

old friend coming here and he is just inquiring 

thanks 

[JamesCook45]

You could try using an agent to help.  One Stop Visa at the bottom of Soi 6 might be a start.

[LazyLus]

57 minutes ago, JamesCook45 said:

You could try using an agent to help.  One Stop Visa at the bottom of Soi 6 might be a start.

Absolutely. Marc from 'One Stop Visa' on Soi 6 helped me out beginning of the year to get an account at BKK Bank in Pattaya. Lately it has been getting more and more complicated to open the accounts, but he can still do it. I think there is an over 50 rule now though.

Go and chat to them.

Not promoting him but he helped me asap when required, so can only really speak of this experience. 

Edited April 30 by LazyLus

[freedom42]

PCEC Club on youtube just did a video on this with Duncan from Mots. I am not promoting or plugging his business or youtube channel, but he explained things on there the other day. 

[rajs123]

Enquired about opening a new bank account with Maneerat. A Certificate of Residence is required by the bank(s). The list of documents required by immigration has now grown substantially. Maneerat asked for:

1. Rent agreement

2. Thai ID card/passport copy of owner

3. House book copy of owner

4. Electric bill which has the same name of the owner

5. Title Deed back and front

6. My passport with two photographs

Who said retirement was complicated in Thailand 🙂 Requirements are very different now than when I opened my first bank account.