Bangkok Bank Chaos

[Gaybutton]

Now I'm wondering if refusing to issue the letter is some sort of bank policy, some sort of misunderstanding by staff, or merely that you had been dealing with bank staff who simply didn't want to be bothered. It is also possible that there already had been enough complaints or orders by immigration to reinstate issuing the letters.

I can't imagine the staff member you know would have violated bank policy, risking her job, in order to help you or anyone else get the letter.

[Dodger]

Now I'm wondering if refusing to issue the letter is some sort of bank policy, some sort of misunderstanding by staff, or merely that you had been dealing with bank staff who simply didn't want to be bothered. It is also possible that there already had been enough complaints or orders by immigration to reinstate issuing the letters.

Who knows?

I wouldn't be surprised if they changed their knee-jerk policy and told branches to start issuing the Letter again because of too many customers getting pissed and closing their accounts. Or, maybe I was just lucky.

We'll know soon enough.

[Dodger]

......I can't imagine the staff member you know would have violated bank policy, risking her job, in order to help you or anyone else get the letter.

Two friends from Bang Saray visited the same branch (Big Blue/Pattaya Klang) last Friday and both were refused Bank Letters. The girl did in fact just do me a favor. Jai said it's because I go there so much (every month to do my withdrawals). Personal interactions do have their advantages!!!

BTW...this is the very same branch that's mentioned in the Bangkok Post article where the bank manager and 3 other staff members were arrested for colluding with Chinese money launderers earlier this month. This explains why the bank teller I'm friendly with returned to this branch.

Also...both of my friends use mobile banking and rarely visit the bank in person. Just thought I'd throw that in...

[Gaybutton]

The girl did in fact just do me a favor.

That brings two questions:

1. Was she risking her job by doing you that favor?
2. If she did it for you, why won't they do it for everybody, especially since they know immigration requires it of their customers? I didn't know bank employees get to play favorites.

I don't understand why they are refusing to issue the letters. Has anyone gotten an explanation from the bank? Has anyone spoken to the main office to get an explanation?

It would be difficult to convince me that tea money is behind this. Some seem to think tea money is the explanation for just about everything. Sorry, I don't buy that.

[Dodger]

That brings two questions:

1. Was she risking her job by doing you that favor?
2. If she did it for you, why won't they do it for everybody, especially since they know immigration requires it of their customers? I didn't know bank employees get to play favorites.

I don't understand why they are refusing to issue the letters. Has anyone gotten an explanation from the bank? Has anyone spoken to the main office to get an explanation?

It would be difficult to convince me that tea money is behind this. Some seem to think tea money is the explanation for just about everything. Sorry, I don't buy that.

Q1 - If she was risking her job by providing me with the Letter I know she wouldn't have done it.
Q2 - Nobody knows. I have my opinion but would rather not express that publicly.

One could assume that when the police uncovered the criminal acts going on at that BIG Bank earlier this month - the first thing that BOT had to do was determine if these criminal activities were isolated (one bank branch) or systemic (multiple branches/multiple banks) in order to create a reaction plan which involves auditing of customer accounts.

It was their initial knee-jerk Plan to just freeze everything while the audits were taking place that backfired almost immediately. They now have a revised plan which narrows the criteria that creates Red Flags (using algorithms) so fewer accounts now need to be audited requiring less time. It appears as if the revised audit plans are now focused primarily on tourists who have opened their accounts in the past two years and money transfer irregularities. At least that's what it looks like. Could be flat wrong.

This couldn't have come at a worse time for Thailand's banks in general. Huge inconvenience to some customers, but massive disruption...not only to the banking system, but to the working relationship between banks - immigration - agents which I'd love to talk about in more detail. Maybe another day.

My advice to expats: Maintain any/all documentation pertaining to your visa renewals. Don't use an agent unless it's for convenience purposes only, change your mobile and internet banking passwords frequently, limit your on-line transactions if possible, and make sure you have good anti-virus protection.

This is their problem- not ours. Just cover your ass.

[Dodger]

I just received my first monthly Credit Advice Statement via e:mail from my bank right on schedule.

If you sign up for this service at the Big Blue Bank you'll receive each monthly Statement on the same day that your funds arrive in your account from abroad. These may come in handy during your visit to immigration if your branch refuses to issue a Bank Letter.

A Credit Advice includes the same information as a Bank Statement for international money transfers including where the funds originated, who sent them, transfer charges, exchange rate, and receiving bank account info., etc.

This is a free service at the Big Blue Bank and I suggest anyone banking there should sign up for this service.

[Gaybutton]

These may come in handy during your visit to immigration if your branch refuses to issue a Bank Letter.

After you go to get your visa extension, please give us a new update for the documents immigration required. You never know what may change from year to year.

[Dodger]

After you go to get your visa extension, please give us a new update for the documents immigration required. You never know what may change from year to year.

I just did my extension 10 days ago, and in addition to the same documentation I always provide them I provided a copy of the Credit Advices (previous 12 months) I had my bank produce for me.

To be honest, and I know how this is going to sound, but the guy reviewing my documentation is the same person I've known for at least the past 10 years...we are friendly towards each other... and he didn't pay the least bit of attention to the documents I handed him. He was more concerned to know if I still had the same boyfriend who was with me the last time I came to immigration. I told him we were just married. He said jokingly..."and you didn't invite me".

My father told us kids to always be friends with the Butcher, the Banker, and the Bartender. I've added Immigration Agent to the list...

[Rocket]

My advice to expats: Maintain any/all documentation pertaining to your visa renewals. Don't use an agent unless it's for convenience purposes only, change your mobile and internet banking passwords frequently, limit your on-line transactions if possible, and make sure you have good anti-virus protection.

This is their problem- not ours. Just cover your ass.

That’s why I just go to the bank to withdraw baht, no atm or debit cards for years. But I did just get an atm card from one bank. I had some online accounts hacked years ago and I’m always a bit worried now.

Apple claims they don’t get viruses in their devices. I find that hard to believe. When I bought my new iPad Pro from Apple this summer I had a problem uploading my info from my old iPad. Four hours in the store, 6 calls with apple support for a total of just over 14 hours getting the issue fixed. And not completely, still issues on my phone with syncing health care.

what a nightmare! They had me create about 20 passwords and we recorded all the inputs and reactions of the devices. Something went wrong in their main servers apparently. But at least they spent 14 hours of manpower trying to fix the issue. It’s hard to even get google on the phone.

[Jun]

That’s why I just go to the bank to withdraw baht, no atm or debit cards for years. But I did just get an atm card from one bank. I had some online accounts hacked years ago and I’m always a bit worried now.

Apple claims they don’t get viruses in their devices. I find that hard to believe. When I bought my new iPad Pro from Apple this summer I had a problem uploading my info from my old iPad. Four hours in the store, 6 calls with apple support for a total of just over 14 hours getting the issue fixed. And not completely, still issues on my phone with syncing health care.

what a nightmare! They had me create about 20 passwords and we recorded all the inputs and reactions of the devices. Something went wrong in their main servers apparently. But at least they spent 14 hours of manpower trying to fix the issue. It’s hard to even get google on the phone.

You rival Dodger for sticking to medieval banking technology !

My approach is rather different. I'm not claiming I'm right, but it's convenient & I'm happy with the security.

I use cash wherever possible in Thailand. I always get that from an ATM, as I value the convenience. No queues & 24-7 hours.
This also adds layers of redundancy, as with that, the bank book & the app, I have 3 ways of withdrawing money from the account, so could probably manage for a while if I did lose the bank book.

Of course, there are stories of ATM cards being skimmed. So I prefer to go to the ATM at a green bank, with cameras & withdraw money from there. That's after inspecting the card slot & covering my hand as I enter the PIN.

As for hacking, I take some precautions.
1 I have one e-mail that is just for friends, family & banks. I have other e-mails for business where security is less critical. The google spam filter picks up daily spam for the less secure accounts and almost nothing for the limited circulation e-mail.
2 I have a fairly secure password system for banks.
3 They all use 2FA for adding new payees.
4 In my view, adding apps increases security. Some of my accounts offer instant notifications for transactions. So if something started going wrong, I could take action.

The only problems I've had were with 20th century banking technology. The kind where you hand a credit card over & they put it in a machine with carbon paper to copy the card details. One petrol station in Birmingham copied the details & cloned the card. The credit card company was very efficient at resolving this.