Transcript of the above video: 

As the title of this video suggests, we are discussing differences in processing and protocols associated with banking and immigration here in Thailand. What are we talking about here? I

thought of making this video after reading a recent article from the Pattaya Mail, that is pattayamail.com, the article is titled: Foreign applicants for Thai Bank Accounts facing new crackdown. Quoting directly: "Foreigners wishing to open a Thai Account face additional hurdles from Monday February 17. Even those who require a savings or current account to apply for a Destination Thailand Visa or a Non-Immigrant "O" Retirement Permit (with 800,000 baht) and the Destination Thailand Visa (with 500,000 baht) are likely to find difficulties. Well-connected and popular agencies such as TikTok based in Jomtien, have advised on social media they will be unable to assist with opening bank accounts for foreign customers until further notice. The Thai Government, via the Bank of Thailand, has officially launched a renewed attack on mule accounts in Thailand aiming to curb financial fraud and money laundering. Government Officials are reluctant to give a time scale for the latest crackdown on foreigners trying to open bank accounts in Thailand." That leads me to believe that this may be more policy now than just a one-off event that may, "this too shall pass". Hard to say, but the fact that they are reluctant to say like, "ahh, it's just sort of a thing we are going through, we are just dealing with this", leads me to believe there could be some issues here. 

That brings up the question or it brings up the title of the video I should say, which is things work very differently between Bangkok and Pattaya. What works down in Pattaya doesn't necessarily work up here in Bangkok and what works up here in Bangkok, does not necessarily work down here in Pattaya. I am not going to say that new policy changes by the Bank of Thailand will not have implications for folks trying to set up bank accounts here in Thailand or excuse me, here in Bangkok. 

That being said, our firm is based here; we do do operations down in Pattaya; we are aware of the changes with respect to Pattaya's protocols and we are finding solutions in other areas or through different methodologies. And oftentimes we are also having some luck dealing with things we used to deal with down in Pattaya, right now we are dealing with things up here. I am not saying anything specifically and I am definitely not saying anybody's going to be able to get around on this crackdown. But that being said, we have been here nearly 20 years, and I have had good dealings with the Banks. We have very cordial, albeit professional relations with Immigration here in Bangkok. 

Those who are abroad currently and might be worried about issues such as Banking and possible Visa issuance, be it a Destination Thailand Visa or even a Retirement Visa, it may not be a terrible idea to contact a legal professional and it may not be a terrible idea to contact one in Bangkok, not necessarily Pattaya, even if you may be looking to live down there longer term, as presently it may not be the most optimal place to get things done here in the Kingdom of Thailand.