See the "Thai Visa Agencies - history and future" article: https://www.gaybuttonthai.com/viewtopic ... 51#p116551Pattaya Mail wrote:In February 2025, visa agents were hit by the news that opening bank accounts or servicing existing ones were banned because of the government crackdown on largely unrelated scams and illegal call centers. Perhaps this restriction will prove to be temporary, but others are waiting in line.
I have no idea of the effect this will have on the "Catch 22" for many foreigners trying to obtain the retirement visa - You can't get the retirement visa without a Thai bank account and you can't get a Thai bank account without the retirement visa.
For many years I have been urging people to get a Thai bank account while you still can. If you find yourself caught up in this, you can't say I didn't warn you.