Jason1988 Posted July 2, 2010 Posted July 2, 2010 I'm planning on spending more time in Thailand than the usual 2-3 week vacation a few times a year. Yes, I'm from the USA, so I need to take that into consideration. So guys, what bank in Thailand do you use and why did you choose that one? Any regrets? Thanks for your input! Quote
Gaybutton Posted July 3, 2010 Posted July 3, 2010 I hold accounts at several banks. I have three main reasons. My primary bank is Bangkok Bank. That is because Bangkok Bank has a branch in New York. It isn't a commercial branch at which you can just walk in, but they do have a routing number. My retirement income is sent to me each month by direct deposit. Since Bangkok Bank in New York does have a routing number, direct deposits are sent to that office, which in turn deposits the funds into my account and it shows up on the Thailand side the same day. I know of no other Thai banks in the USA. My second reason is I keep some money in banks that have the most common ATMs around town. That way I don't have to pay ATM fees every time I want to withdraw cash. My third reason is in case one bank ever fails or I lose an ATM card, an ATM eats the card, or whatever other kind of mishap occurs, I've still got money in other banks, readily available, while I am sorting out whatever problem occurred. Quote
Bob Posted July 3, 2010 Posted July 3, 2010 I only use Siam Commercial Bank now. I switched to there from Bangkok Bank many years ago so I could do the online stuff (transfers, etc.) which Bangkok Bank wouldn't let me do without a work permit. Quote
Guest tdperhs Posted July 3, 2010 Posted July 3, 2010 I use Siam Commercial. Before I got my non-im B Visa, I had to have a local bank account. That was the only bank out of the three I tried that gave me one. I have since tried getting an account with Bangkok Bank near my home, but the manager requires that I have a Thai cosign my application. I am not comfortable with that. However, that is not required at the Bangkok Bank in Pattaya. It is important that you select a branch near the place you intend to live. When you have your visa renewed you will need a letter from your bank. You can get it only from the branch where you have your account. Also, each banking district is somewhat autonomous, so that, if you have an account in Pattaya but you want to withdraw money from your bank's ATM in Bangkok, you will pay an ATM fee even though it is the same bank. Also, each individual branch may have separate rules for the same service. For example, I asked for a cash advance of 20,000 baht from a branch at a shopping mall in Udon Thani. I was limited to 5000. Next day I went to another branch about 5 km away and asked what the limit was that I can withdraw on a cash advance. I was told as much as my credit card would allow. And, of course, the only checks that are recognized are American Express Travellers Checks. Hope this helps. Quote
2lz2p Posted July 3, 2010 Posted July 3, 2010 I use Bangkok Bank. I opened it with a non-immigrant "O" visa with no problem. But if you want online banking, they require you have a work permit or long term visa (retirement, marriage, etc.) After getting my first retirement extension in 2003, I did get online banking. After my bank in US was bought out by Chase and the fees significantly increased for ATM use outside USA and for wire transfers, I opened an account with INGDirect, which allows me to draw funds from my Chase account at no charge, which I then send by "electronic check" to my Bangkok Bank account (through their New York Branch) at no charge by INGDirect. Bangkok Bank's NY Branch charges $10US and Bangkok Bank here in Thailand charges .025% with a minimum of 200 Baht and maximum of 500 Baht. It takes about 3 business days. Several of my friends also transfer funds through Bangkok Bank's New York branch -- one uses his Chase account, I think there is a small fee for account transfers within the Automated Clearing House (ACH routing numbers used by USA banks). You can find general information about banking in Thailand on this webpage Quote
firecat69 Posted July 3, 2010 Posted July 3, 2010 I use Kasikorn and love them. Their internet banking is great and when I wire transfer funds from USA, they are there in 1 day. When I need to talk to someone at Internet site , their Englosh is perfect. I remember when I opened in Pattaya, first branch told me work permits etc,. I just went to another branch and no problem in a few minutes I had my account. Quote
Gaybutton Posted July 3, 2010 Posted July 3, 2010 Bangkok Bank wouldn't let me do without a work permit. What is it that they don't let you do? I've never had a work permit and I have never had a problem doing anything with their online banking. their Englosh is perfect. Yay! Another Dan Quayle fan. And some people think he can't get elected again . . . Quote
Guest GaySacGuy Posted July 3, 2010 Posted July 3, 2010 My main account is with Bangkok Bank, for some of the same reasons that GB has an account there...that is I can make transfers from my ING Orange account in the US direct to the NY Bangkok Bank office and avoid any international transfer fees, etc. I also have an account with Siam Commercial. This I opened when Bangkok Bank wouldn't let me open an account before I had my retirement visa, but I needed a bank account. I kept it, and use it more as a savings account for those rainy day items. Quote
Guest Posted July 3, 2010 Posted July 3, 2010 Kasikorn. Why? I'd heard it was easy to open an account without a permanent address in Thailand. Sure enough the second branch I visited opened an account without anything more than an address scribbled on a piece of paper, my ID and a mobile phone number. Used my hotel address, with the hotel name omitted. They give you the passbook, ATM card and PIN there & then within 30 minutes. Quote
Gaybutton Posted July 3, 2010 Posted July 3, 2010 opened an account without anything more than an address scribbled on a piece of paper, my ID and a mobile phone number. Regarding ID, when you opened that account, was that ID your passport? If so, was it a tourist visa or a non-immigrant visa? Quote
Guest buckeroo2 Posted July 3, 2010 Posted July 3, 2010 I'm planning on spending more time in Thailand than the usual 2-3 week vacation a few times a year. Yes, I'm from the USA, so I need to take that into consideration. So guys, what bank in Thailand do you use and why did you choose that one? Any regrets? Thanks for your input! I bank with Siam Commecial Bank - I opened an account with them because their I like the purple color of their logo. Quote
Guest Posted July 3, 2010 Posted July 3, 2010 Regarding ID, when you opened that account, was that ID your passport? If so, was it a tourist visa or a non-immigrant visa? The ID was my passport. It had the 30 day stamp you get when arriving as a tourist at the airport. I have a savings account. Quote
Smiles Posted July 3, 2010 Posted July 3, 2010 Krung Thai Bank (KTB). Never refused me any request, always helpful, fees no different than any of the other thieves, easy to set up and view my account from overseas, simple to set up utility auto payments, lots of excellent english-speakers (at my branch), my fave gal always asks me if I want to buy her house (perhaps I will), a block away from my place. These qualities can probably be at least equaled at most of the banks mentioned here (and others not mentioned), so I think the 'block-away' thing was ~ in the end ~ the deal maker. Quote
Bob Posted July 3, 2010 Posted July 3, 2010 What is it that they don't let you do? I've never had a work permit and I have never had a problem doing anything with their online banking. It's been several years (and I checked with several branches of Bangkok Bank) but they absolutely wouldn't give me online access - and that's exactly why I switched to SCB. At that time, I only had the standard 30-day entry permit. And I suppose it's possible that Bangkok Bank has changed their policy since then and/or the Pattaya branches follow different rules (I was dealing with the Chiangmai branches). Quote
