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What are the new challenges for foreigners opening bank accounts in Thailand?

Feb 17, 2025
5 days ago
Andi ***********
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TLDR : Answer Summary
Recent discussions highlight new challenges faced by foreigners when trying to open bank accounts in Thailand. Key issues include a requirement for specific visa types, particularly the NON-O where funds must be held in a Thai account. Additionally, there have been reports of agents withdrawing from offering services for exorbitant fees, complicating the process further for expats.
DTV VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
Jim ********
It seems now even agents are pulling out from offering bank accounts for huge bribes
Andi ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jim *******
Temporarily.....business will be back at a higher handling fee
Greg ********
The difference between the O and DTV extension requirements though is for O the money needs to be in a Thai account and always has.
Andi ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Greg ********
@Andi **********
In other news I hear visa renewals are back on down there.
Andi ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Greg *******
you mean retirement visas are increasing in renewaS?L
Greg ********
@Andi **********
What they stopped last Thursday in response to the new banking regulations seem to have started up once again. Waiting for pal to confirm he is doing it tomorrow.
Andi ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Greg *******
ok...it seems it was a response to govt crackdown who targeted 1000s of accounts which now need investigating.
Greg ********
@Andi **********
I am waiting till they ask for a TIN like Singapore and UK are doing. Does not need to be a Thai TIN but might need one somewhere. A pal just took a long weekend in Singapore to sort his account out there. Could not get it to work doing it online.I might have to do same.
Andi ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Greg *******
i got a request last week from Halifax for a TIN for the first time... Thai banks are going to be asking for one?
Greg ********
@Andi **********
Thailand has signed up for CRS. Seems same as UK and Singapore and thst is why they ask now. Nothing confirmed with Thailamd as yet but they are sill implementing the new requirements.