Hey guysโฆ Iโm from a EU country but in the past 6 years I spent there just 3 weeks.
I have a bank account in Australia, since I spent there over 4 years. Now Iโm mostly in Thailand or travelling around.
Because of my experiences
a) PayPal froze my account for several weeks until I was able to give them documents that are very difficult to get if Iโm no longer in Australia
b) when applying for a tourist visa to Australia just to pick up rest of my stuff - itโs supposed to be done within 48 hoursโฆ well it took them 3 weeks just to ask me for additional details (that I already gave them with the application anyway) - I lost my tickets and bookings - of course no way to email them, call or whatever
This made me think about the fact that I have all my money in Australia. While Iโm doing nothing illegal I canโt risk that some โofficerโ with a bad day decide to freeze my account to investigate whatever and Iโll be left with nothing for who knows how long. Not to mention they usually canโt grasp the concept of perpetual travelling.
So my question - anyone has RECENT experience with opening a bank account in SE Asia? Either personal or business (thinking about UK LLP or US LLC)
It seems that
a) countries such Singapore has assumption that everyone and his dog is laundering moneyโฆ $500 at a timeโฆ
b) Thailand with lazy and incompetent staff where you ask to open non-resident bank account just to be told โdonโt haveโ โฆ you point on the 3x3 metres huge board behind them listing interest for non-resident bank account - answer โaaah, yes yes canโt open, new rulesโ (even while having a Thai with me)
Thanks!