nice2noya

lopburi3,, Forgot to thank you for State Department CU suggestion. I WILL look into this option. Thanks again.

Thank you lopburi3, I'm not sure about the CU you mentioned. I'm not a vet but I know they offer great services. As far as smaller local banks, I struggled with this and found that not so many offer ATM cards that work in Thailand so targeting the larger banks that do frustrate me. I do like your suggestion about direct deposit of my SS check. It may turn out to be the best solution. Oh, I'm in Pattaya, Thailand and have two bank accounts here...I should check out the possibilities... THANK YOU!

You're absolutely accurate. When I owned five businesses and deposited over $90,000 USD a month in their bank I had a "personal account representative" I could call 24/7 and never had to enter a bank. No problems went unsolved for more than one day. Now, after divorce and businesses sold or gone, I'm NOT a "desired customer" of Wells Fargo. I wish they would just come out and tell me, "Go bank somewhere else" instead of the phony scripted statements about "how concerned they are that I'm having THE SAME issues over and over". I AM moving on, just wanted an opinion about a BETTER bank for me as a poor person on SS.

Hello again! Been in Thailand about three years and constantly frustrated by my useless Wells Fargo bank back in the USA. I have been denied access to my online banking four times and I can only resolve by paying for long distance calls to the many layers of people within Wells Fargo. (the most common issue is that they now want to send a SMS cold to a phone number in USA so that I can access my accounts) Been with them over 10 years and explained MULTIPLE times I am in Thailand and I don't have a working phone number in the USA. Like pounding a stake in my skull when dealing with these people and I'm done and ready for another bank. Any Americans with good advice for a better choice? I look for an account that works with low balances and fees as I'm only interested in a destination for my SS check and a debit card for rarely used occasions. Thanks again in advance.

Wow! Good observation. Well, that answers my question as the "Thai Insurance" is only good for a max of 10,000 baht of coverage. What a waste of money. Didn't want to renew my personal insurance with Pacific Cross until I was sure I could successfully renew my Retirement Visa....but...you make a valid point. Thank you!

Hello everyone, I'm about to make a trip from Thailand to USA in early May and return on May 19th. I'm working on the Thai Pass application and have a question. On the list of documents and requirements they ask for proof of Health Insurance with coverage of $20,000 USD. I have Pacific Cross insurance with high coverages BUT, I'm wondering if the "Thai Insurance" I was forced to purchase when I renewed my Retirement Visa last June would satisfy this requirement? I paid for this "Insurance" only because I couldn't get my Retirement Visa renewed without it. It is issued by "Bangkok Insurance Public Company Limited" and even the guy who issued it to me at Immigration said it was not worth much. Anybody know for a fact that I could use this for my Thai Pass application? (It would be nice to get something back for the 3000 baht I was forced to pay. haha) Before the obvious question is asked, "Why didn't I use my expensive Pacific Cross Insurance to satisfy the Retirement Visa requirement??" Answer: I was told by Immigration that because my Retirement Visa expired in June of 2021, and my Pacific Cross Insurance was to be renewed in August 2021, they, (Immigration), had no way to know I WOULD renew my own insurance so I HAD to buy their "Insurance". Good answer and a very creative way to get another 3000 baht from me. haha So, does someone know if I can use this "Thai Insurance" for my Thai Pass application? Thanks to everyone in advance!