OPENING A THAI BANK ACCOUNT / OWNING A BIKE!!

[rambo 0]

Hi All....

Can anone advice the easiest way to open a bank account/obtain an ATM card??? Which is the better/easier Bank to be with???

Also, any advice on buying a 'used' scooter.....insurance/taxes/laws etc...

 

Your expert info please............

 

 

R...

[vidman 2]

hi rambo,

 

can i just compliment you on your rippling musles....you must be at tony gym everyday!

 

Anyway the all-knowing TG says

 

'siam bank easy to open account with atm.....only need passport'

 

'can buy used bike from cheap cheap places on sukumvit rd e.g neuvo second hand for 15,000bt'

 

bike insurance and tax yearly is 470bt and shop on 3rd rd will do everything for 50bt including going to the transport office on the rayong rd.

 

personal bike accident insurance is 1200bt from ayudhya allianze co (round corner from nua bus station)

 

oh and if you buy the bike for cash then registration is no problem...just give your condo address

 

sawadee krrrrrrrrrap

Edited March 5, 2007 by vidman

[barry_bonds 1]

hi rambo,

 

can i just compliment you on your rippling musles....you must be at tony gym everyday!

 

Anyway the all-knowing TG says

 

'siam bank easy to open account with atm.....only need passport'

 

'can buy used bike from cheap cheap places on sukumvit rd e.g neuvo second hand for 15,000bt'

 

bike insurance and tax yearly is 470bt and shop on 3rd rd will do everything for 50bt including going to the transport office on the rayong rd.

 

personal bike accident insurance is 1200bt from ayudhya allianze co (round corner from nua bus station)

 

oh and if you buy the bike for cash then registration is no problem...just give your condo address

 

sawadee krrrrrrrrrap

 

I was thinking about opening an account too, but I whether they offerred paperless statements on-line, since I don't have a permanent address, yet.

 

I purchased a new bike and didn't know that I was suppose sign off on some documents, in order to get the white plates instead of the red plates that I have. Now I have to wait 3 of 4 months to get those white plates. The insurance that I purchased, I was told it was 2 years, but then I found that it only applied to the theft of the bike. My policy for accidents is only for one year. I thought that was strange to have two separate expiration dates and I don't know why they did that.

 

The only thing that I had to do previously, when purchasing the bike, besides providing my passport, was to go get a Residence certificate in Jomtien (proof of residence) and I had to give that to the dealership. I don't know if this also applies to used bikes.

[rambo 0]

Vidman....

 

Thx for the info......nice picture of you diving in the North Sea......hows life in Aberdeen anyway! Call me a cynic but have you super-imposed your pic to hide the murky waters and bog roll that pollutes our natural coastline???

 

Please do tell.....

[Owl_ 0]

I went to the Siam Commerical Bank on 2nd Rd near Central Pattaya at the beginning of Feb. 2007 and asked about opening an ATM account and they required a sponsor with a permanent address in Pattaya. I could not use my hotel address to open an ATM account.

 

What Siam Bank (and it's address) should I try next time I am in Pattaya to open a ATM?

[jacko 8,823]

I have an account with the Bangkok Bank, they just wanted my passport....but I believe you need to have a Non Imm visa in there rather than tourist or no visa. Quite pleased with the service and English abilities there, second Rd oposite Soi 6.

 

Registering a motorcycle may be a little more complex than stated, not sure if you need a 'residence letter' I did for the driving license. Off to immigration with copies of all sorts of stuff....loads of photos..my house rental contract the most surprising one.

 

This is a useful site.... Pattaya Expats Club

Edited March 6, 2007 by jacko

[casper_uk 12]

Yep, just sorted out my Thai Bank acount today.

 

First choice was the Siam 'something' Bank, who said I needed a work permit to have an account. The girl did recommend the Bangkok Bank though.

 

Perfectly positioned across from the top of Soi 6 is my closest Bangkok Bank, I went in and saw numerous signs saying that you needed a passport and a letter from Immigration in order to get an account.

 

I decided to wait and speak with someone anyway ....... glad I did, they copied my Passport and I provided my address together with 300 baht. In return I had an ATM card, Passbook and a free 'bag'.

 

Easy.

 

I never asked about the visa types ..... but I do have a 12 month 'O' visa.

[kev0184 12]

Jacko/Casper, i got my account 3 days ago with the siam bank on 2nd rd, just past the central junction on the right hand side.

 

totally painless, copied my passport, and i only have a tourist visa, lady spoke perfect english, deposited cash, got the ATM card, registered for internet banking all in 20mins, no problems about visa etc etc.

 

seems to be who you get on the desk at the time about the visa thing. TiT

[Eneukman 1]

I opened an account with the Bangkok Bank on Pratamnak Road 2 and a bit years ago with just a 30 day stamp in my passport and using my hotel address. I was only able to open a savings account with an ATM card but that suits me fine.

 

I instructed a money transfer from my Isle of Man account over the internet on Monday afternoon this week and the funds were in my account when I updated my passport this afternoon (Wednesday). Shame about the exchange rate though - only 67.7525 - £!

 

Alan

Edited March 7, 2007 by Eneukman

[Bullfrog 2,224]

I have had bank accounts with Thai Farmers ( Kasikorn) for more than 10 years and I haven't had any problems with them so far.

 

Having said that....I would like to know the name of the bank that pays the best interest to Farangs....some don't pay interest toFarang at all...

[rambo 0]

Hi you lot....

 

Gret info so thx......I knew there would be quite a few different experiences from different BM's...

 

Thailand eh???

 

R...

[jacko 8,823]

I decided to wait and speak with someone anyway ....... glad I did, they copied my Passport and I provided my address together with 300 baht. In return I had an ATM card, Passbook and a free 'bag'.

 

Easy.

 

I never asked about the visa types ..... but I do have a 12 month 'O' visa.

I got a free wallclock and scrounged a couple of placemats!

Transfers from my UK Jersey account are fast.(total of £30 charge)..money there next working day. THe exchange rate is comparable to cash exchange in LOS. Sadly the £ is down recently.

Edited March 9, 2007 by jacko

[Scumbag 0]

Jacko/Casper, i got my account 3 days ago with the siam bank on 2nd rd, just past the central junction on the right hand side.

 

totally painless, copied my passport, and i only have a tourist visa, lady spoke perfect english, deposited cash, got the ATM card, registered for internet banking all in 20mins, no problems about visa etc etc.

 

seems to be who you get on the desk at the time about the visa thing. TiT

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.

[casper_uk 12]

Does Siam Commercial have Red or Blue 'signage'?

 

The Siam 'something' bank I went to first on 2nd road had Red Signs, so not sure if this was the same bank or not.

 

Anyway, i'm with Bangkok Bank now and have my first complaint!

 

Drunk or not, I'm sure I put the right 'pin number' in when trying to withdraw cash one night ...... but it took my card after the 3rd attempt.

 

Sad thing is I couldn't even remember which machine i'd been trying.

 

A return visit to my joining branch was made where a new card was quickly made up for me ...... for a charge of 300 baht though.

 

Good news was .... I got another free bag

[Scumbag 0]

Does Siam Commercial have Red or Blue 'signage'?

Siam Commercial Bank is distinctively purple.

 

[casper_uk 12]

ah that could explain why I didn't get an account at the branch I visited ...... I was starting to take it personally

Edited March 14, 2007 by casper_uk

[jacko 8,823]

It would be an interesting thread continuation if people commented on whether the bank they are with is good, OK or crap.

I would say good for my Bangkok bank....

Others here mention SCB, but for me I heard someone rant negatively about them so went elsewhere.....also the abbreviation for my UK bank is also SCB and I am a simple minded fellow who confuses easily!

[Emil 0]

I opened an account with Bangkok Bank with only the 30 day entry stamp back in Sep because I was told that I needed an account with them to apply for my retirement visa. When I went to immigration the next day the immigration offical told me that they wanted to see 3 months history on my account. Told him sorry that I had just opened it yesterday and he let me slide but said when I come back for my 90 day update the I should have 3 months of activity.

 

This is really the way to go if one is visiting LOS often as on the day of their arrival they could exchange their currency for baht and deposit it immediately in their account. Then as long as they use that bank's ATM machine their is no service charge. A very safe way to secure your funds.

Edited March 18, 2007 by Emil

[Eneukman 1]

I'm happy enough with Bangkok Bank.

 

If applying for an extension to your visa, based on retirement, Immigration will now insist that you have had the 800,000 baht in the account for a minimum period of 3 months. If the funds haven't been in the account for a sufficient period of time, they will likely only stamp you in for 90 days and tell you to come back at the end of that period.

 

I invariably use another bank's ATM, purely on the grounds of convenience and am charged either 20 or 23 baht per withdrawal. If I wanted to avoid the charge it would cost me 20 baht on a baht bus to get to and from the nearest Bangkok Bank ATM to where I am so I choose to pay the fee.

 

Alan

[Sa-teef 44]

I opened an account with Bangkok Bank with only the 30 day entry stamp back in Sep because I was told that I needed an account with them to apply for my retirement visa. When I went to immigration the next day the immigration offical told me that they wanted to see 3 months history on my account. Told him sorry that I had just opened it yesterday and he let me slide but said when I come back for my 90 day update the I should have 3 months of activity.

 

This is really the way to go if one is visiting LOS often as on the day of their arrival they could exchange their currency for baht and deposit it immediately in their account. Then as long as they use that bank's ATM machine their is no service charge. A very safe way to secure your funds.

 

Good information as always Emil.

I think I'll probably take your advice, thank you!

 

The major players in town along with Siam Commercial bank mentioned before:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There's bound to be one near you.

 

All six have english language websites and some have very modern online banking services as well as ATM/ debit cards of various types.

 

Do a google along with pattaya in the search.

 

 

~Sa-teef