@Jspill or somebody from the UK: When banking with a Thai bank how do you go about funding that account?

Should I transfer from my UK bank to a Thai bank(was looking at Kasikorn) what kind of fees should I expect?
Who deals with the exchange rate, can I find the going rates somewhere?
Are there any other costs involved setting up a Thai account?
Costs of using the debit card? I assume it's free.

Thx!

A swift transfer from your UK bank to thai account is capped at 500 baht fee (0.25%, min 200 max 500). For example the kbank swift code is KASITHBK. So just transfer 50k+ baht at one time and it's <1% fee. Then the exchange rate they set should be on their website. Some banks have a calculator that'll tell you how much you'll receive. Then you can compare that to other services like Xendpay.

The debit card's 150 baht to get then 200 baht fee per year, for kbank. There are some scams they run where they try to sell you some special package that's 800 / year.

it's not a scam, you get a premium looking card.

source: i paid :x

Rawai sounds great for all of that, you definitely need motorbike for moving around though. I can PM you couple of decent places in Rawai that fit your price range if you're really interested.

Thanks man, I appreciate it. So I just took a look over at Kasikorn, which rates should I be looking at?

(GB buy 41.76385 sell 45.02375) found this on their homepage, are those the correct rates and if so I assume I get 41.76 baht for £1, is this correct? Then of course I ahve to pay 0.25% upto 500 baht with a minimum of 200baht, correct?

I had some cashback on my previous 800 bahts card but when I lost it, I couldn't get it again :/ . And they give me some 600bahts card with some useless discounts : 100 bahts cinema ticket instead of 200 ... (Not working for first class and sofa)

For the rate, I've always got better rates when I've transferred in week days.

If you are in the UK its better to go UK bank > transferwise (based in the UK
so no non sterling charge, my home bank nationwide charges 2% for that) > thai bank





Should be able to to get around .85 total vig, havent tried it yet but cant think of why it wouldnt work.

TransferWise was my 2nd best option to use to get low vig (1st was get cash -> change at SuperRich), jspill said there are better alternatives though - he meant Xendpay probably, just checked them up and if their homepage numbers are correct you get 80 baht more with Xendpay if you change £1000.

So it turns out Kasikorn has closed my bank account due to inactivity for 2 years and <2000 balance. That gives them the right to close the account and take the money they told me. OK.. Bunch of thieves. (I can login and the internet bank looks just fine, no message of closed account)
When I asked if I could get it activated again (not because I like them but because I need one now) they said need work permit. OK, don't have.
No other way I ask? Yes, you can (calculate for 5 minutes on calculator) and say I can get insurance for 14k baht and then they let me open a new one. Some sort of life insurance?!? If something happened to me within 1 year (I die) my family get 500k baht after that they cash the money.
Anyone heard of such a deal in Thailand? Basically a 14k fee to open an account?
Anyone had any luck open a bank account lately in Pattaya without work permit?

Speaking of life insurance, are their any companies that offer good, trusted life insurance for expats?

If I use XendPay, how much would the Thai bank charge me?

Nothing, you will see the actual amount in Baht you will get on your Thai bank, before agreeing to the deal.

It seems standard at the moment. Just another way to squeeze the falang, go to Bangkok Bank, they will ask for the same thing (you to purchase insurance) but they will only make you purchase a 6k baht accident insurance. If you ride motorbikes it might even come in handy

How many people staying in Thailand 6 months or more a year are paying their income taxes in Thailand?

that insurance is really good, iy has a clause that if your partner murders you they get money.

I don't think anyone who makes his money online pays taxes here.

From people who have done things like open a business here or purchased property with the view of building a life here and still make some money online I'd be interested to hear what people do with regard to taxes.

To answer your last question more directly - Bangkok Bank Central Festival on the 4th (5th maybe???) floor and you can.

so 6k to open a bank account with them? that i can live with. 14k just seems a bit rich...

Yeah that's the best deal I could find.

Lol at complaining about needing 60 USD in a bank so they don't got close it. My bank in the USA requires 1500 usd then they take 15usd a month for infinity time till the money's gone and they close it.

Are you sure? Does the Thai Bank not charge a deposit fee? Or does Xendpay include it on their end?

there is no fee or fee is like 20 baht for transfers between thai banks.

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Cheers lads!!

You can create a bank account using Bangkok Helper for 4k baht takes less than 1hr to setup.

http://bangkokhelper.com/registering...-bank-account/