Guest Posted June 29, 2010 Posted June 29, 2010 Last year I opened a savings account at the Kasikorn bank. Very professional they were too. This evening I tried logging in (just to see if there was a mobile phone top up option), but had a logon problem, which caused the account to get locked. There were 2 alternative numbers to call, but when I selected the correct one the guy was very helpful & e-mailed me a new password after asking some security questions. Very efficient. Some UK banks insist on posting passwords. Their website seems as good as any bank I have tried. Anyhow, there is a mobile phone payment option for AIS, which is the same as 1-2 call. What seems to be missing is an IBAN or other recognised international number for this account. A couple of times a year I may receive a little money from people abroad & thought it might be better to send that to my Thai account, as that's one less set of exchange rate losses to worry about. That's rather difficult to do with no IBAN. On the other hand, I think quite a few UK savings accounts have the same problem. There does seem to be an option to link an overseas account. Quote
Gaybutton Posted June 29, 2010 Posted June 29, 2010 Are Kasikorn any good at sorting these issues out? Usually yes. I expect they will unlock your account while you are speaking to their agent. Let us know what happens. If you are able to find out why it was locked, let us know that too. It might help prevent others from having the same thing happen to them. Quote
Guest Posted June 29, 2010 Posted June 29, 2010 Usually yes. I expect they will unlock your account while you are speaking to their agent. Let us know what happens. If you are able to find out why it was locked, let us know that too. It might help prevent others from having the same thing happen to them. Sorry, I've done the usual trick of editing the original post after your reply.... Anyway, your were right. Once I tried the other number they did sort it out there & then. Quote
billyhouston Posted June 29, 2010 Posted June 29, 2010 What seems to be missing is an IBAN or other recognised international number for this account. A couple of times a year I may receive a little money from people abroad & thought it might be better to send that to my Thai account, as that's one less set of exchange rate losses to worry about. That's rather difficult to do with no IBAN. On the other hand, I think quite a few UK savings accounts have the same problem. There does seem to be an option to link an overseas account. IBAN is rather Euro-centric. I had my Kasikorn Branch provide me with a printed slip which has all the details needed for International transfers in. Basically, you need the Swiftcode which is: KASITHBK You also need the address of your branch and the account number (which includes branch information anyway). I have always found them to be helpful and efficient with (Thai) interbank instant transfers available long before my UK bank. Quote
Bob Posted June 29, 2010 Posted June 29, 2010 It seems that a fair number of banking institutions lock up (disable) an online account if it isn't used (accessed) within a certain amount of time. For example, I have one account here in the states that will lock me out unless I access it at least once every 90 days. My guess is they do it for some perceived security reason. The IBAN thing was new to me but I see it's solely used in greater Europe. For international wires, we (at least the US and Canada) use only SWIFT codes (which, versus the earlier number system of ABA numbers, consists of letters only). Quote
2lz2p Posted June 30, 2010 Posted June 30, 2010 The following information is from the Pattaya City Expats Club website noting that the IBAN code is not used by Thai Banks: Bank to bank wire transfers are probably the most common method for transferring funds from your home country to Thailand. Banks in Thailand do not use an IBAN (International Bank Account Number) identification number; however, they do use the SWIFT coding system for banking transactions. The SWIFT codes for the major Thai banks are shown on the Thai Banks and Exchange Rates Page. Their website also has a list of Thai banks showing their SWIFT codes as well as links to the bank's website: List of Banks The website also has more information about banking in Thailand at: Banking Quote
Guest fountainhall Posted June 30, 2010 Posted June 30, 2010 It seems that a fair number of banking institutions lock up (disable) an online account if it isn't used (accessed) within a certain amount of time . . . The IBAN thing was new to me but I see it's solely used in greater Europe Citibank in at least some countries also lock accounts if not used within, I think, 6 months. The iBan thing is now in use in Hong Kong. I suspect it will spread further in due course. Quote
Guest Posted June 30, 2010 Posted June 30, 2010 Useful information all around. Thank you everyone. My account was almost certainly locked due to the length of time between logins, which had exceeded 5 months. Maybe a 90 day limit? I shall have to try a small transfer using the SWIFT code. Quote
billyhouston Posted June 30, 2010 Posted June 30, 2010 I shall have to try a small transfer using the SWIFT code. Those who have the celebrated Nationwide Flexaccount can, nominally at least, arrange the 'SWIFT' transfer online. However all this really does is send a request to their foreign dealing people who then process the request. The basic cost is Quote
