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Can I open a bank account in Thailand with a Non-O visa?
Thai Bank AccountNon-O VisaBanking in ThailandVisa RulesRetirement VisaExpat ExperiencesBangkok Bank
Oct 20, 2025
6 months ago
Keith ****
ORIGINAL POSTERJust for your information. I popped into the Bangkok bank in Doi Saket and was told yes you can open a bank acct with Non O visa. It can only be a retirement account. They have stopped marriage visa accounts.
TLDR : Answer Summary
Users share their experiences regarding opening bank accounts in Thailand with a Non-O visa. One individual successfully opened a retirement account at Bangkok Bank, while others reported inconsistencies between different bank branches and their policies. It appears that requirements can vary significantly, with some branches allowing accounts only with marriage visas and others accepting retirement visas. Many also recommend considering alternative banks like K Bank or Siam Commercial Bank for easier account setup.
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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Jeff *************
You can’t get a one year non o until you have a bank account opened and
*****
0 deposited for at least 60 days and you have to have at least 15 days before your non o expires, yes it’s a tight window especially when the banks aren’t helpingJeff *************
Of course they know you can’t touch the 800,000 baht that they can use for free
David *******
@Jeff ************
That's why I use the 65k monthly transfer method. They won't get use of my money!Jeff *************
@David ******
but they get to for the first year, since you have to have a year of deposits to show themDavid *******
@Jeff ************
I switched from OA via a bounce so I'd already accumulated almost two years of 65k so I never needed the lump sum.Reply to
David *******
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Glen *******
They wanted my non O visa to be 12 months but mine was only 3 months. They were my first choice
David *******
@Glen ******
You can do it with a 90 day non-O provided you have a 12-month leaseGlen *******
@David ******
Not at Siam unfortunately. I own a condo here and it was all head shakes and cannot.K bank were happy to help though.
David *******
@Glen ******
Bangkok Bank you can. Condo ownership ranks very low with the banks as tourists can own a condoReply to
David *******
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Maitin *******
Well, fuck it, not getting married ... Again 😁
Eddie ****
Why no one talk about Siam Commercial Bank? Is it not popular here?
Donald **********
@Eddie ***
Possibly a few more requirements for the SCB. They wanted a Yellow Book from me which I didn’t have at the time. Now I’ve got it I’ll try them again, but I was able to open an account with K-Bank with little problem and no requirement for the Yellow Book.Christopher ***********
@Eddie ***
I was about to open an account at SCB. It was the only bank in our town. I was sure that it wouldn’t close down for that very reason. Guess what?Eddie ****
@Christopher **********
l have my SCB account for many years and I have never been asked for providing extra information, their services are excellent. I just have my passport renewal and they updated my information without asking any questions!Rene ********
@Eddie ***
agreeReply to
Rene ********
Reply
Glen *******
Classic !! I walked out of Bangkok Bank about 1 hour ago asking for my account to be re-opened with brand new non O visa in passport. They said “if you’re very lucky, they will open it”. 🤷♂️
Walked about 200m to K bank and opened a brand new account in 10 mins. It’s like a lottery.
Walked about 200m to K bank and opened a brand new account in 10 mins. It’s like a lottery.
Pete **********
Sounds like your slightly confused.
Rene ********
@Pete *********
thank you! My point entirely!Reply to
Rene ********
Reply
Brook ********
Why anyone would continue to use Bangkok Bank is beyond my comprehension.
Yo***
@Brook *******
yes your are totally right and I agreed fully. I already thought to open a new bank account in Thailand to kick the bangkok bank out. I tried some other thai banks in my town, they all required me to buy an insurance that I already have from bangkok bank.😂 Why do I have two the same insurances at the same time?? I better give a donation to poor people instead of buying two same insurances at the same time. I do not know where else banks can make open an account for me without a must to buy an insurance? I am really stuck in Bangkok bank now.😅Frank *****
@Brook *******
had my accts there since 2016. Not worried, and can't be bothered going through all the things needed to open another acct. especially going to immigration for yet another certificate of residency. 555. The less I have to deal with the bureaucracy here, the better!Kim *********
@Brook *******
probably because many don't have a problem with themBrook ********
@Kim ********
yes. That must be it.Reply to
Brook ********
Reply
Don-Laura *******
@Brook *******
we’ve had nothing but good experiences with Bangkok Bank but unfortunately not everyone has.Shaughn ***********
@Brook *******
because it’s mostly holders of tourist visas of various types mostly being affected and this bank was the easiest to open previously. This same subset of people are still unable to open at the other banks unless they get a long term visa. A lot of them may have Thai spouses but no long term visa since they are likely to be bouncing back to home country to work a bit before returning.Graham ******
@Shaughn **********
You said it, mostly but not all ;)Brook ********
@Shaughn **********
the owner of my moo ban had her account closed arbitrarily by that bank with no notice. She’s Thai. Many arbitrary decisions it seems implemented with no notice.
They say it’s only those connected with mule accounts, do you believe it?
The say you have to keep your visa money in all year, but that not law.
They say no marriage visa accounts, but that not law either.
Pass.
Jack ********
@Brook *******
you’ll believe anything. Stop stuffing your face with pizza and burgers and do a reality check. Thai people aren’t randomly getting their accounts closed. Do you even know what a moo ban is? Owner?Brook ********
@Jack *******
thanks for your wise suggestions. no pizza or burgers. I only eat Thai food.
The owner of the moo ban is the developer who owns all the lots in the gated community. She sells half and leases the other half, building houses on each lot.
Reply to
Brook ********
Reply
David *******
@Brook *******
You've had a bad experience so everybody else should walk away from Bangkok Bank? Seriously? 😂Dennis *********
@David ******
I don't know if Brook had a bad experience or not, but I've seen enough posts on various expat, visa and Thailand groups from many people outlining the problems experienced. Everyone should feel free to open their account with whoever they wish to, but I have yet to see one person outline any trouble with any other back other than BB especially with freezing accounts (I have seen several people talk about having their account opened for years getting their accounts frozen and even a couple of those who have business accounts with the same branch).
Jonathan ********
@Dennis ********
SCB stopped allowing for joint accounts to have their app be used on both parties’ phones so I opened an account with BKK Bank, just an example how different needs for different customers.Reply to
Jonathan ********
Reply
Richard ******
@Brook *******
Why, not everyone has been having trouble.John-Paul ******
@Brook *******
so what's your suggestion?Brook ********
@John-Paul *****
My suggestion, obviously, is don’t give Bangkok Bank any business or money.Damo ***********
@Brook *******
'obviously' you missed the guy's request... maybe he was asking 'which' bank he should go to other than Bangkok.. pretty 'obvious' actually. (I used 'obvious' because it may be the only word you understand) 😂Rene ********
@Damo **********
I find kasikorn and scb fine. Sick of Bangkok BANK TOODamo ***********
@Rene *******
Kasikorn so easy to deal with... have to wait in line for a small period of time.. but generally great service.Reply to
Damo ***********
Reply
Rene ********
There is something wrong with your syntax,
Keith ****
ORIGINAL POSTER@Rene *******
get a life, stupid comments like that are pointlessRene ********
@Keith ***
and by the way, I have an excellent life in ThailandRene ********
@Keith ***
sod youKeith ****
ORIGINAL POSTER@Rene *******
sad man, 555Rene ********
@Keith ***
apologies but I found your comment offensive. I read your post with interest and it didn't make sense to me. " You can open.,....... " And then the jump to retirement visas. Linguistically, it seems wrong, linkage. Sorry, but that's what I understood, while trying to understand it, lol. And I've had quite a few of both.Reply to
Rene ********
Reply
Keith ****
ORIGINAL POSTER@Rene *******
get a life, comments like that are stupidRene ********
Maybe I didn't undertstand. The linkage between non of and retirement visa. My bad, apologies
Wannikea *********
@Rene *******
period not comma.Reply to
Wannikea *********
Reply
Brandon ************
Each bank branch manager sets the requirements for their branch. So what you were told are the rules for that single branch. Not for Bangkok Bank. Others have been told the exact opposite at other branches, that only marriage visa is allowed to get an account and they don't accept retirement anymore.
Frank *****
@Brandon ***********
isn't that annoying? The things us farang have to put up with here do chafe sometimes, but I've learned to go with the flow here, sabai sabai... I love the influence that Thai culture has had on me. Much respect for Thailand, in many many ways superior to mine, in my opinion. The bkk bank freezing accts, for example. Been with them 9 years, keep thinking I should open a Kbank acct, but can"t muster up the gumption to go do it, lol. If my acct is frozen, i'll use my schwab atm card.Cris ******
@Brandon ***********
We spoke to one in the town over and it was the opposite, only marriage with yellow/blue book. I am hearing though that Kasikorn though across the board is quite accepting though.Tim **********
@Cris *****
opened an account this week with Kasikorn in khon kaen with a non o visa and a certificate from immigration to apply for a yearly retirement visa after funds in back for 2 month. The bank wanted my U.K. tax reference which I was not expectingCris ******
@Tim *********
ya ive heard that is going around for people from the UK.Reply to
Cris ******
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