Scumbag

You need a new banner as the brown clashes with the blue...

I thought the US was a lot bigger than that compared to other countries...

You mean this one?...

Like others have said it depends on who you talk to and which embassy/consulate you go to. Some are a lot easier than others. I got a one year Non-Immigrant Type-O visa form the Perth (Australia) with complete ease. I now other places only issue them sparingly. The visa is a multiple entry visa and 90 days is given at each entry. It is possible to stay in Thailand for up to 15 months on this visa (with 4 border runs.)

Siam Commercial Bank is distinctively purple.

I agree with Kevin. I opened an account with Siam Commercial Bank (SCB) at their branch on Soi Buakoaw. I had no problems as I had a work visa for Malaysia (TIT.) I have spoken to a few people that have had no problem opening an account at their 2nd Road Branch. For me using a hotel as an address was not a problem. With SCB I don't believe that they issue statements. Instead they give you a pass book that you can have updated when you require it.

I think that taking a medicine 'just in case' is not a good idea. With antibiotics the more they are used the more resistant the bugs become to it. I believe that doctors hand out antibiotics too readily. It is quite possible that at some time in the future this will bite us on the arse. If the bugs are resistant to the antibiotics we have then we are stuck with the little critters. My advice would be buy them but only take them if/when you notice the first symptoms.

My funds were sent as Australian dollars and SCB converted it immediately to Baht.

There was a tightening up of international transfers to the UK at the beginning of the year. There is now a notice on my internet banking transfer screen stating new requirements of transferring money to the UK and Europe.

For the sake of completeness here is how it panned out... As you have no doubt read opening a bank account can be a little problematic unless you have a long term visa for Thailand. As I travel to Thailand on 30 day visas I was prepared for problems and had backup plans. The reason I wanted a Thai account is to transfer money from home to Thailand. Before arriving I decided to try to open an account with Siam Commercial Bank (SCB) as they have many branches, have a good repetition and have internet banking facilities. At the first opportunity after arriving I headed to their sub-branch on Soi Buakhao. After I had explained that I wanted to open an account they asked me what type of visa I had and how long I had been in Thailand. When I told them that I enter on the 30 day visas their reaction was not very positive. I quickly explained that I work in Malaysia for 4 weeks and then come to Thailand for 4 weeks (not exactly the truth but pretty close.) They asked to see my visa for Malaysia but unfortunately it was in my other passport in the room. After a trip back to the room there was no problem. The account was opened and I was issued with an ATM card (at a cost of 300B.) Oh, and I got a free bag. The second part of this process was to transfer funds to the account from my Australian account. I sent Australian dollars and the transfer was completed on Tuesday afternoon by my Australian bank. On the following day the funds where available. It turns out that the funds were credited to my account on the same day as my Australian bank completed the transfer. I am still deciding whether to have access to my account using internet banking. I am a little concerned about security but the convenience would be good. I had a little experience with the bank before I left. Being in Pattaya seems to have the affect of turning off my brain for some reason. In the early evening on the day before I left I decided a trip to the ATM was necessary. No problems getting the money and I returned to the room before I realised that I had left the card in the machine. It was 6:30pm and I get the lady on the phone to the bank who told her that the branch at Big C was open until 8pm. I thought that the one at Tucom was more convenient so I called a lady that works very close to that branch and she confirmed that it was open. So it was onto a back of a bike and off we went. After a bit of a wait and a few signatures on forms written in Thai I was on my way with a new card and another free bag. The cost of the new card was 300B.

I think what Mr Toom is talking about is that there are 3 exits to the public areas after going through customs at the new airport. It seems that exit A is for domestic and exits B and C are international. By far the best option is to have a valid SIM card when you arrive so that you can contact the driver. Another option is to arrange to meet the driver at one of the exits from the terminal. I think there are 20 of these exits and they are numbered. I would guess that exit 14 or 15 would be half way between exits B and C to the public area. However, I know most will take the easy option and hope for the best..

Thanks for the warning but this situation was your own doing. Even though you have a visa it does not guarantee that you will be allowed to enter a country by an immigration officer. If they believe that there is a valid reason they may not allow you to enter or allow you to enter for a period less than what the visa states. Always check what they stamp in your passport.

Given that you have tickets to leave the country for both times you enter you will have no problems.

I placed it where I am fairly sure it is. It is opposite Soi Happy.

I had a very quick look at doing it through PayPal. However I came to the conclusion that their fees are too high. Also if you are transferring from Farangland to Thailand send your own currency and not Baht. Thanks for the information on your problem opening an account. I'll keep the branch you used in mind should option 1 fail.