Answered4 years ago
Can I open a bank account in Bangkok on a tourist visa without a work permit?
Anyone opened an account with a tourist visa in Bangkok successfully in the very recent past? Always hitting the wall of need a WP. I have Thai drivers license and certificate of residency….
Answer summary
Many expats have successfully opened bank accounts in Bangkok while on a tourist visa, although experiences vary by branch and specific case scenarios. Important documents typically include a passport, a letter of residence from immigration, a Thai driver’s license, and sometimes a certified letter from an embassy. Some users mentioned needing additional documentation such as a condo rental agreement or a letter from the embassy to facilitate the process. In general, persistence and having all possible documentation can help overcome initial rejections from banks.
34 repliesnewest first
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Jo **********
i opened an account being visa exempt recently
James *****
OP@Jo *********
which bank and whereJo **********
@James ****
SCB san pa tong
Cliff *********
I had no trouble with Bangkok Bank but had to buy a life insurance policy
Iliyan ***********
Go to Pattaya, Bangkok bank on soi bukhao. Queue up for the young guy he can do it. You will get a debit card + passbook. Costs about 7500 baht with "mandatory" insurance. Bangkok has no options at the moment as far as i know.
Ross ********
@Iliyan **********
you bought any sick buffalo while you were there?
Karim ***************
@Ross *******
scammed, right? 😂Iliyan ***********
@Ross *******
I'm still here and no.Ross ********
@Iliyan **********
$200 to open a bank account? 😂Iliyan ***********
@Ross *******
that's fine for meKarim ***************
@Iliyan **********
doesn’t matter if that’s fine for you… He pocketed your 7500 and you were scammed.
Phil ********
Bank of Ayutthaya
Ploenchit branch
Talk to the young woman at the desk to the right of the tellers.
Passport & rental agreement
No need certified embassy passport letter.
Ploenchit branch
Talk to the young woman at the desk to the right of the tellers.
Passport & rental agreement
No need certified embassy passport letter.
Sh***
Siam Paragon , Bangkok Bank Branch.
Need letter from your embassy.
Passport and Initial deposit.
Given ATM Card and Passbook.
Need letter from your embassy.
Passport and Initial deposit.
Given ATM Card and Passbook.
Christopher **************
@Jayson *********
what kind of letter do you need from your Embassy?Sh***
@Christopher *************
just head to your respective embassys and tell the consular officer that you need a letter to open a bank account there after will advise you accordingly
Charles ********
Yeah.. Easy.. Just don't take the first no... Keep handing them documents until they say yes.
Bring everything you can. With a resident cert you should not have much trouble at Bangkok Bank or krungsri. If you have to just go to a different branch.
You can open an account on visa exempt, but if you have some non imm visa the better even without a wp.
Bring everything you can. With a resident cert you should not have much trouble at Bangkok Bank or krungsri. If you have to just go to a different branch.
You can open an account on visa exempt, but if you have some non imm visa the better even without a wp.
James *****
OP@Charles *******
I follow your advice and now have account at Krungsri. Helps to have Thai DLJames *****
OPLumpini
Max ******
@James ****
congrats. Which branch did you go?Kraig *******
I opened Bangkok bank account in Nana branch with a certified copy of my passport (got it done at British Embassy) on visa exempt, very easy to do just needed a Thai number, I actually used hotel as my address.
This is limited to a savings acc so you can't use the app but you can you get a master card issued for online transactions.
This is limited to a savings acc so you can't use the app but you can you get a master card issued for online transactions.
Dror *********
i have saving account with debit and can use the app.
Kool *******
@Kraig ******
the savings account part has no effect on if you can use their internet banking app, or not. The bank base that on your visa type, and if you have a work permit. Tourist visas have lots of problems getting approved for online banking. It is a separate company. Part of the anti-money laundering laws. Normal people do not go on vacation to another country, and open a bank account then leave a short time later, but keep the bank account active. Pretty much the only ones that get a checking account are businesses. Regular accounts are all just savings accounts, with a debit card. I have three different accounts with Bangkok Bank, including a foreign deposit account, that I keep dollars not converted into baht yet, and have online banking with all of them.At the main Bangkok Bank branch on SiLom road, take the escalator to the second floor. Go in the first door on the right, and to the first desk. Tell them you'd like to open an account. It is the service section for foreigners. Lots don't know about it.
They usually ask you why. Depending on your age, you can tell them you want to start transfering cash over from whatever country you live in, so you can start getting the money needed to buy a condo if you are under 50, or to get the money transferred into a Thai account needed for your retirement visa because you are 50+, which is bt800,000. They might require some documents, but this usually works.
Michael ********
@Kraig ******
i was told cannot use app when opened my savings account in silom road branch of Bangkok bank. But when i went to small branch in tescos to get my yearly letter lady asked why no app and set it up for me in five minutes. Months ago now and works fine. Try again elsewhere (when its not busy)Kraig *******
@Michael *******
I actually tried this again in Ao Nang BB few months ago and they still couldn't let me use the app.I was told I couldn't use with my current visa, will ask again👍🏻.
Michael ********
@Kraig ******
didnt even show visa, was getting letter for visa extension thoughJames *****
OP@Kraig ******
when was thisKraig *******
@James ****
about a year ago.
Will ***********
What kind of account? Bank account?
I opened a Bangkok Bank account on a visa exempt stamp 6 months ago. Depends how they feel that day from what I understand. Try the branch near St.Louis BTS. I walked right in and got one no problem.
I opened a Bangkok Bank account on a visa exempt stamp 6 months ago. Depends how they feel that day from what I understand. Try the branch near St.Louis BTS. I walked right in and got one no problem.
Paul ********
I opened one years ago with a condo contract but had to pay an insurance fee to open it. At the time it was worth it as I avoided all the bank withdrawal fees when I ran out of cash here. Soi Bukhow was the most understanding one
Russell *******
Have you tried getting a letter of residence from immigration? I also struggled , but as soon as I had the immigration stamped letter it was a breeze .
I did it in Chang Rai ,500 Baht for letter . I actually live on koh phangan and when I was in the immigration office I heard the officer mentioning the letter to open bank account ,as I overheard someone else's conversation 😎
I did it in Chang Rai ,500 Baht for letter . I actually live on koh phangan and when I was in the immigration office I heard the officer mentioning the letter to open bank account ,as I overheard someone else's conversation 😎
James *****
OP@Russell ******
I got the letterRussell *******
@James ****
have you tried at the bank with it ?Russell *******
@James ****
oh ok , sorry to hear that.James *****
OP@Russell ******
yesActivity
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