Answereda year ago

Can I open a bank account in Thailand while staying in a hotel on a retirement visa?

Non-O Visa Bank Account Opening Residency Certificate TM30 Form Condo Rental Pattaya/Jomtien Agencies

Gareth ********

asked Oct 23, 2025

1.3k

views

replies

likes

Hi all, I’ll be coming to Thailand end of November beginning of December on a non o based on retirement (UK), my question is can I open a bank account while staying in a hotel ? My plan is first couple of weeks in hotel while looking for a condo. Is it possible to open a bank account while staying at a hotel and what documents would I need to do this ?

Also does anyone recommend any agencies for rental and sale of condos in Pattaya/Jomtien area ?

Thanks for any advice and recommendations

Answer summary

The user inquires about opening a bank account in Thailand while staying at a hotel on a Non-O visa based on retirement. Several community members reply, indicating that it’s possible but requires specific documents such as a TM30 from the hotel and, in some cases, a residency certificate and lease agreement. They recommend considering waiting until a condo is rented for a stable address linked to the bank account. Additionally, the user asks for recommendations on agencies for condos in Pattaya/Jomtien.

11 repliesnewest first

Click comment and we will ask for your email, then OTP, then name.

Gareth ********

Thanks everyone for the advice and information, one more question from the advice given, is it straightforward changing your address at the bank if your staying in the same area just moving to different condo ?

My plan was to rent condo for up to 6 months while looking for somewhere to buy, does this cause any problems ?

a year ago

David *******

@Gareth *******

changing your address is easy enough. You just have to remember that wherever you open your account will be the "Master" bank and any changes must be done at that branch only.

a year ago

David *******

Your only in a hotel for 2 weeks, wait until you've found your property as your bank account will be linked to the original address .

You have 30 day's from entering Thailand to open and deposit the required funds to extend your none O visa.

The funds need to be in your account for 2 months prior to your extention and if the address doesn't match your extention application you could face a problem.

a year ago

Anthony ********

@David ******

I got my bank account using my address in Pattaya … now I’ve decided to move to issan so when I go to get my extension in issan will I have a problem as my bank account isn’t linked to my new address but to the one in Pattaya

a year ago

David *******

@Anthony *******

no, but you'll have to get your letter from Patteya. What I was trying to address is all bank correspondences IE statements will go to the address you've registered the account to so if its a hotel you might never see a statement.

a year ago

David *******

@Anthony *******

yes you can change your address at another branch but I'm sure it involves closing your current account and depositing into your new account even though its the same bank. So then there's another problem for next year's visa extension, you have to show your money is in the bank for 2 months before and 3 months after (easy for the first extension) but when you can't produce a full year's statement (although you can show the 2 months prior) they will clearly see you didn't keep the required amount in for the 3 months after you last did your extension as your previous account has now gone and you'll find your previous branch probably won't help you (although it could be the same bank)

a year ago

Anthony ********

@David ******

can I therefore go to a branch of my bank in issan and walk in and change my address so it will switch from Pattaya to that branch in issan … or open another bank account with the same bank and therefore have 2 accounts with the same bank but with different addresses

a year ago

Jesper *******

Having a lease agreement will have a better chance ....some banks scb/kbank dont even need residency cert(some branches)

a year ago

Tony *****

There’s a branch of Kasikorn right close to Jommtien Immigration. Get your TM30 and other documents needed and go there. There were so very helpful and willing

a year ago

Pete *******

Each bank branch may have different requirements for account openings. All the ones I’ve seen require a certificate of residency together with a 1 year lease.

a year ago

Graham ******

Yes, just get a copy of your TM30 from reception as you'll need it to get your residence certificate from Immigration. You'll also need a Thai sim registered to your passport.

a year ago