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Can I add my Thai wife to my Thai bank account while on a retirement visa?
Sep 22, 2025
7 months ago
Jamie *********
ORIGINAL POSTERI recently was married to my Thai fiance. Today I was told by my Kasikorn bank that I can't add my wife to my Thai account with a retirement Visa. I'm not sure if that means I will have to update my retirement Visa to a marriage visa 🤔
TLDR : Answer Summary
A user recently inquired about adding their Thai wife to their bank account while holding a retirement visa. Responses indicate that joint accounts can complicate the visa requirements, particularly for proof of funds. Most commenters advised against adding her to the current visa account to avoid jeopardizing the required balance, suggesting opening a separate joint account if desired. Furthermore, there was discussion regarding potential implications for financial security and estate matters.
NON-O RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
- Go to the Retirement Visa Section for information on requirements, including age restrictions, financial requirements, and necessary documentation.
- For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
- Explore recent discussions by using the Non-O Retirement Visa tag in the search box at the top of the page.
- Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.
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Jonnie *******
As far as I’m aware you can’t add another name to the personal account you currently have, you’d have to open a new account if you wanted to have joint accounts and the funds in a joint account can’t be used for proof of funds for your retirement, I have both a joint and a personal account with Kbank that were obtained whilst on a retirement visa.
Mikkel *******
Do not add her to the account your visa money is in. That would void the use of that account for your visa unless you always have more than double of the requirement (as you then only own 50%). You can have other accounts that are joint. Marriage visa is not a requirement for that, and you should be able to do that with proper documentation (including marriage certificate).
I opened a joint savings account with my wife in Kasikorn doing that.
I opened a joint savings account with my wife in Kasikorn doing that.
Jamie *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Mikkel ******
The main reason why I am looking to add my wife is because if I die before her, how will she be able to withdraw the 800,000 baht?Mikkel *******
@Jamie ********
if you trust her enough, you could give her power of attorney to the account. Without her name being listed on the bank book etc. Talk to your bank about that. But honestly, if you are just looking to make sure she will get it when.. Then being legally married is enough.John *********
@Mikkel ******
if you don’t trust her enough….you know the rest, or will learn.Reply to
John *********
Reply
Mikkel *******
@Jamie ********
you can write a will for a few thousand bahts that will enforce this, and prevent her from being locked out of the money for a while.Mikkel *******
@Jamie ********
if you are legally married here in Thailand, she will automatically get that.Mikkel *******
@Jamie ********
there are papers for that. She do not have to be *on* the accountReply to
Mikkel *******
Reply
Scott *********
Dont add her your money will be gone fast
Bill *********
@Scott ********
No truer words have been spoken!Reply to
Bill *********
Reply
Becky **********
Open another account, take your marriage certificate to show them and you can get a joint account
Gianpaolo ******
Why do you want to add her name? If she dies before you, will you have to split half of her money with her children
Jon *****
Probably not a good idea to add another person to your visa account anyway.
John **********
Be wary of doing this on the account you use for your extension of stay. Even assuming your immigration office will accept joint accounts you would need double the money in the bank as they view only half the money belongs to you. Get her an account of her own
Pertti *************
Open second account👍 keep that 800k old one👌
Peter *******
Just open a separate joint account, or pay her a wage monthly
Chang ******
Sometimes wife is more expensive than gogo bar girl 👧 555 sorry
Scott *********
@Peter ******
she can work earn her own money.why would you pay her??Peter *******
@Scott ********
Yes never happens men paying thai girls monthly 😆Mark ********
@Scott ********
my wife has her own online clothing business and never asks me for money. I pay basic household expenses, she pays kids tuition and her parents pocket money. I’m lucky they never ask me for anything. It might be reverse psychology because I end up paying for stuff anyway but on my own terms.
Bill *********
@Mark *******
I think they would call you a unicorn! 👍Reply to
Bill *********
Reply
Bill *********
@Scott ********
You mean Thai girls can and would actually work after marriage? I think that's a myth 😕Mark ********
@Bill ********
you’re an idiot, tosser!Bill *********
@Mark *******
That was a positive comment I made! Geez!Tore *********
@Bill ********
are you ok lol?Bill *********
@Tore ********
All good! 👍Reply to
Bill *********
Reply
John *********
@Peter ******
pay a wife a wage 🤣 so not a wife thenMartin ********
@John ********
Does he mean "house-keeping" ......I think soFrankie *****
@John ********
to her .. it means a lot as she has own income.. that will motivate her to do even better ..Chang ******
@John ********
indeedMark ********
@John ********
it’s a bargaining chip, my dear boy!!Reply to
Mark ********
Reply
Gerg **********
You have to have an account by yourself, without your wife to show the funds for a retirement visa. Joint accounts are not allowed.
Bill *********
@Gerg *********
Definitely a good idea to keep separate. When the marriage wraps up, she'll disappear with whatever funds she can get her hands on, so at least your visa won't be in jeopardy.Robert ********
@Gerg *********
that are allowed it then you have to double the fundsMichael ********
@Gerg *********
And the Marriage visa.Mikkel *******
@Michael *******
same.. You need for retirement: an account in your name only with 800K, and for marriage: an account in your name only with 400K.Some immigration offices do allow joint accounts, if married, but then the balance has to be double as you only own 50%.
Reply to
Mikkel *******
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