Expats are being told to present their passport when making any financial transactions at Krungsri Bank – even if it’s just paying a typical household bill. One foreigner who dropped by the bank to pay his telephone and TV bills was astonished to learn of this new requirement, especially as he had been using this same branch for some years.
“I was told the regulations had started several weeks ago and pointed to a poster sent by the Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO). I was shocked.” AMLO works independently and is answerable to the Prime Minister. A teller at another Krungsri branch confirmed the rule, which covers even the smallest sum.
However, after dealing with several surprised foreigners who regularly pay their bills at the same branch, bank staff eventually accepted a Thai driving license as proof of identity.
For the record, Thai nationals were apparently also being asked to produce an ID card when paying bills.
At two other major banks neither Thais nor foreigners were asked for ID when paying bills. They pointed out, however, that a passport or Thai ID must be produced if the amount paid exceeds 50,000 baht.
“It’s all a bit confusing as the regulations should apply to every bank and branch in the country. It’s also hard to see why a bank would have any objection to a friend, relative or even a stranger paying the bill of another person,” commented the expat. ID is apparently not required when paying bills at 7-Eleven or other establishments that accept payments for AIS telephone bills.
“I was told the regulations had started several weeks ago and pointed to a poster sent by the Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO). I was shocked.” AMLO works independently and is answerable to the Prime Minister. A teller at another Krungsri branch confirmed the rule, which covers even the smallest sum.
However, after dealing with several surprised foreigners who regularly pay their bills at the same branch, bank staff eventually accepted a Thai driving license as proof of identity.
For the record, Thai nationals were apparently also being asked to produce an ID card when paying bills.
At two other major banks neither Thais nor foreigners were asked for ID when paying bills. They pointed out, however, that a passport or Thai ID must be produced if the amount paid exceeds 50,000 baht.
“It’s all a bit confusing as the regulations should apply to every bank and branch in the country. It’s also hard to see why a bank would have any objection to a friend, relative or even a stranger paying the bill of another person,” commented the expat. ID is apparently not required when paying bills at 7-Eleven or other establishments that accept payments for AIS telephone bills.
