Can I open a bank account in Thailand while on a tourist visa for retirement visa purposes?

I’m here on visa exempt, only for 14 days. First time to Thailand.

I just opened an account with ATM and online banking.

I used an agent in Pattaya.

Bangkok Bank

I can help to find solutions

It's a bit of a walk around! I went to Bangkok Bank first. Three branches wanted me to by an insurance for 7000 bht in order to open one. I declined, I'm not throwing money away!

Tried kasikorn, they told me come back the next day to speak to the manager. I went to SCB (Siam commercial bank) next door and they opened one for me without any problems! Thai driving license was enough! Of course I had to present my passport as well! This was in Pattaya!

opened one yesterday with Bangkok bank near walking street in Pattaya.

Had a person who's not Thai citizen to translate.

They looked at my passport, it's new so no previous entry stamps were there, which they didn't like much.

The bank told me to get 1 year insurance with them or a letter from the embassy.

I didn't bother with the letter, paid 7100 (5900 insurance, 501 deposit, rest I guess is a card fee) and all done in about 20 mins.

Mick Mckee, I would advise you to go and talk to an agent, who routinely process visa issues. BUT compare prices for their service, as these prices vary a lot!

Is the 800k all that is needed for a retirement visa or to keep any visa to stay in Thailand or are there other requirements? Thanks for any advice

The 800k needs to be seasoned for 2 months for the yearly extention of stay NOT the visa. If you're not here yet get the Non Imm O in your own Country, if you are already here on a Tourist visa then yes you can open a bank account and apply for the Non Imm O visa here.

Non è più possibile con 1 visto turistico, però se vai in una agenzia e paghi, tutto diventa possibile

Not easy on a tourist visa.

Got an account at Bangkok Bank. Took about 30 minutes. First deposit just 5,000 baht, plus 300 baht card fee.

I am, however married to Thai lady, she had her blue book as proof of my address. KTB, too hard for them, tried there first..

I opened an account in Oct21 on a tourist visa with the head office branch of Bangkok Bank in Bangkok.

Needed an embassy certified copy of my passport and tm30 details. Took my Thai partner, she was asked to vouch for my address and showed her Thai id card.

Cost 500thb refused their offer of insurance etc. Head office have more English speaking staff and are familiar with the needs of foreigners, letters for immigration etc.

Tried many others before, without success. In my case I needed an appointment with UK embassy to get the passport copy, which caused a weeks delay...

Hi , after struggling for awhile I just managed to open an account.

This was the story in Chiang Rai.

I went to immigration and asked for a letter of my registration and told them I wanted to open an account for retirement visa funds

With the letter I went to Bangkok Bank and it was very straight forward from there.

So I think as long as you are registered living somewhere , which I understand is a legal requirement and done by your landlord etc that situation should work.

If you need more information, just ask.😎

I opened mine in Phuket on an O-A visa..just showed a copy of my lease and passport..300 baht, thank you very much.

I was there in February on a tourist Visa ( on holiday ) in Phuket, used an agent , cost me 4000THB for the agent, opened 2 accounts, 1 for personal use and 1 to deposit 800k for retirement Visa, took about 40 minutes, BBK branch, cost me about 5500THB in Bank fees, includes insurance. Hope this helps you make a decision 😊

To get the 12 month retirement extension of stay, you first need 90 day a Non-o visa.

I used MOT services Pattaya

Got me

Driving license

Banking account and long term visa

I see a lot of people saying use an agent. When I was waiting outside a Kasikorn Bank for my wife I saw a very large sign inside in English that said It is against the law for someone to open a account for another person. So how can the agencies do it legally?

Depends on location, bank and branch. I opened one in 2021 in Pattaya, Bangkok Bank on 2d Road. Needed a Thai to vouch for me, and a Letter of Residency from Thai Immigration in Jomtien. Just used my hotel address as residence. Was on Tourist Visa.

Helped me open Bangkok Bank very easy just needed passport. Fee was 4500 baht

You can use an agent they open account and get visa for you I just needed condo contract passport and a couple of photos have to pay fee

It’s completely doable, except it probably won’t be easy. All bank branches have their own specific rules and the manager will have sway on whether they’d let you open an account. Most won’t, but by going to branch to branch you’ll eventually find one that will.

Tips are to take a Thai friend with you, try shopping mall branches or places where they’re used to foreigners.