["Impossible" to open an American financial account from Thailand?]

My son and I have successfully opened Transferwise Borderless Accounts and used for IRS refund direct deposit, stimulus payment direct deposit, monthly transfer of annuity payments. Works just like a bank account, but no debit/credit card, interest, etc. 

[Americans, Have You Received Your Virus Stimulus Check From Trump Yet?]

Another option is to open a bank account with American Citizens Abroad Member State Department Federal Credit Union (ACA-Member/SDFCU Account). You must be a member of ACA, which costs only $70 per year – $55 per year if you’re over 65. The ACA-Members/SDFCU account is simple to open and maintain. Everything can be done online. The most up-to-date EMV secure (Chip enabled) debit and credit cards are available. 

• You can reside full-time or part-time abroad and still qualify.
• You don’t have to have a residential address in the US.
• A non-US spouse can be a joint owner of the account of the American member, but cannot hold his or her own account.

 “COVID-19 UPDATE: An ACA-Member/SDFCU Account can assist individuals who need to provide the IRS with a US-based bank account for the CARES Act recovery rebate payments.  With an SDFCU account you will have the bank account and routing information necessary to provide the IRS for processing the rebate. Simply opening an SDFCU account does not guarantee receiving a direct deposit of the rebate without further action to provide the IRS with the information. The IRS, as noted in its recent memo (IR-2020-61 Economic impact payments: What you need to know), is currently developing a web-based portal for individuals to provide their banking information to the IRS online so that the IRS can process payments. If you open an SDFCU account you will have this account and routing information available to provide the IRS.”

[Americans, Have You Received Your Virus Stimulus Check From Trump Yet?]

While a U.S. citizen abroad may receive “direct deposit” of SSA benefit payments through Bangkok Bank New York, it cannot be assumed that the IRS will automatically use the same method for direct deposit of IRS Economic Impact Payments. The IRS requires a U.S. bank account to request direct deposit.

 

“The quickest way to receive your refund is by direct deposit to a checking or savings account, including an individual retirement arrangement. However, you need a U.S. account to request direct deposit. If you do not have a U.S. account, or do not choose to receive your refund via direct deposit, a check will be mailed to the address you provided on your tax return.”

https://www.irs.gov/individuals/international-taxpayers/helpful-tips-for-effectively-receiving-a-tax-refund-for-taxpayers-living-abroad

 

If one does not have a U.S. bank account, opening a TransferWise Borderless Account is an alternative; I have successfully used one to receive my 2019 tax refund payment from the IRS.

[Is Bangkok Bank Doing International Wire Transfers These Days?]

I transferred funds from my Bangkok Bank credit card to open my Transferwise Borderless account.

[Non-O Retirement Extension Using Combo Method]

18 hours ago, scubascuba3 said:

Missing the point, that doesn't explain why 2 Bangkok bank statements were required

I had 2 savings accounts -- one in each of 2 branches. For US social security deposits, a direct deposit account is required, meaning no ATM card and physically entering a branch office to withdraw and/or transfer to another account with ATM card; not very convenient. And I had a fixed deposit savings account for the additional amount of the combination. Thus, 3 bank accounts for the combination method and the IO did not like having to deal with all of the paperwork for 3 accounts.

[Hugging in Thailand]

I see the same BDMS advertisement every night -- I agree that it appears to be an appeal to non-Thai potential customers of the hospital network. First, the doctor wais to the patient -- you will never see that happen normally in Thai society; doctors are at the top of the social hierarchy, even if they are younger than the patient. Then, the doctor hugs the elderly lady -- absolutely nothing traditionally Thai about a man hugging an adult woman in public (even his own wife). I see this ad every night and it feels totally false every night; I have been living here continuously since 1975 and I have a Thai wife and extended family. I worked with doctors in the Ministry of Public Health for 40 years and I have never seen a doctor hug an adult female patient. 

 

BTW: If you ever meet my wife in my presence and you try to hug her -- beware that I might put an elbow into your ear -- just to educate you. And I won't even try to shake your wife's hand -- a wai is the perfect greeting. Try hugging a Thai young woman in a traditional setting and that might be the last thing you ever do. Young Thai men have always felt justified in physically attacking another man for just "looking at" their woman. If you ever hear: "Mong arai?" You might be on your way to becoming famous in the Thai news. 

[Non-O Retirement Extension Using Combo Method]

I had success using the combo method (US citizen) in Chiang Mai last May. However, I bit the bullet and paid a local agent company with extremely close ties to immigration to facilitate the process. 

 

I provided 12 month Bangkok Bank statements showing foreign transfers of funds (FTT) together with a letter from the bank stating that these funds were transferred in for "monthly pension transfer" using this format as recommended by the agent. 

 

I also provided a bank letter showing my 3 month seasoned fixed deposit (to top-up the annual income amount to 800k) and copy of updated bank book the day of the application. 

 

My foreign in-transfers were made into 2 separate branches, thus requiring documentation from both branches. The IO was annoyed by that, and instructed me to consolidate my bank accounts for the transfers for my next application for extension to make it easier for them.

[Retirement Visa - Confusion Over Changes in Proof of $$]

I was told by 3 Bangkok Bank branch offices that they can only issue 6 month statements; for 12 months, the statements must be issued by the Head Office, and that takes 7 days, so that needs to be planned for when starting the process for extension of stay.

[Retirement Visa - Confusion Over Changes in Proof of $$]

Here is an example of a letter from a bank showing monthly transfers for "monthly pension transfer" as checked at the top of the form. This form was recommended by the agent across from Chiang Mai immigration in April. It was used successfully for a retirement visa using the income method in May.

 

In addition to this letter from the bank branch, a 12 month bank statement issued by the Head Office was also required by CM immigration.

 

Whether or not this letter is now acceptable in CM or elsewhere at this time is unknown.

[Income change to 800k extension method.]

If your monthly pension transfers come short of the required monthly amount (65K), you could use the combination method by depositing & seasoning the difference in a local bank (amount less than 800K) for 2 or 3 (?) months prior to the due date of your extension.

 

Example: 11 X 65,000 = 715,000 + 85,000 seasoned bank deposit = 800,000

           

According to the police order, this combination method is acceptable. Whether or not your local IO will accept this remains to be seen.

[Change from 800,00 annually to 65000 monthly.]

US social security deposited my monthly check for Sept. 2018 on Aug. 31, 2018 -- early by a day. Thus, my monthly income deposit for Sept. 2018 dropped below the 65,000 amount required each month.

 

I would expect that this will happen again depending upon the calendar each year. Beyond our control -- we can only request leniency from the IO.