Can I open a Thai bank account with a visa exemption?

Apr 8, 2023
2 years ago
Elly *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Can you open a Thai bank account on a visa exempt?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
Yes, it is possible to open a Thai bank account while on a visa exemption, although the process can vary significantly by bank and branch. Some users report success without an agent, while others suggest using an agent can simplify the process, albeit for a fee. Required documentation may include a certified letter of residency from your embassy and proof of address. Recent changes in regulations have made it more challenging, especially in urban areas due to tightening banking policies. It's recommended to check with different banks, as procedures and openness to expatriates can differ widely.
Peter *********
Use
@Wi**
... Save yourself a lot of money on terrible exchange rates.
Stuart ******
Does immigration accept as wise account for a non O?
Peter *********
@Stuart *****
I haven`t tried but I see no reason why not, as long as you can provide an account statement with your name on.
Dave *******
Yes if you use a fixer, I opened a Bangkok bank account for 4000 baht
Bob **********
Not easy
Carlos *********
I have a bank account but when they wanted to gouge me1000bht to put money into my account because I didn't open the account at that branch, they said I couldn't open a new account without the letter from immigration first. Banks are not essential!
Micha ***********
Not possible anymore…. My thai wife tried for my friend visiting from abroad… no not even at bkk bank (phuket not possible bkk might be different)
Mark *********
Asked my banker and she told me they no longer will create accounts for tourists. Said it created a large distraction and ultimately the bank typically loses money in the process. This was only concerning tourist accounts.
Greg *********
4 weeks ago
Jorge *****
@Mark ********
that loss can not be solved with paying money?
Greg *********
@Jorge ****
beg to differ, pay there insurance offer, account opened straight away
Alistair **********
@Greg ********
but was this within the last 2 weeks?
Mark *********
@Jorge ****
one would think so but doesn’t appear that’s an option
Jo **********
yes
Ally ************
I have spent a lot of time scouting the banks in CM over the last couple of weeks trying to open a bank account.. I've recently extended my 45-day visa exempt by 30-days..to give me time to prepare an application for an OA-Visa.. based upon marriage to a Thai national.. and wanted to open a bank account in order to get ahead of the 60-day deposit requirement.. however every bank i approached stated that only Bangkok bank could open accounts for foreigners.. ie. non citizens.. and Bangkok bank would not open an account without a certificate of residence from our local Amphur.. stating that the TM30 acknowledgement issued by immigration was insufficient.. and said in addition they would need an official letter from immigration granting me permission.. which has all been put in motion of course.. indeed the application to our local Amphur District Office was made in person and dealt with on the spot.. and i left there with the requisite certificate around 1.5 hours later.. the application to immigration was also made in person and was processed very quickly.. again actioned while i waited.. except i was informed that the letter has to be mailed to me.. and it would take around 3-4 weeks for it to arrive.. no explanation given for such a delay in issuing the letter.. despite my (Thai) wife doing her best to befriend the clerk and encourage a more expeditious outcome.. no express service was available as has been suggested on other threads.. so ive had to grin and bear it.. ive learned to just jump through the hoops as they are presented.. move onto the next one and go again.. its taking a lot longer than i would have liked but I'm slowly getting there!
Wayne *********
@Ally ***********
you do mean O visa on marriage, OA visa must be applied for outside of Thailand can not get it while in Thailand same as the OX visa is outside of thailand application only
Mark *********
@Ally ***********
elite Thai visa may be able to direct you.
Rob **********
It is possible but depends on a lot of things, mainly luck.
Daniel ************
yes
Chris ***********
I've done it on a tourist visa. You have to start with a number that gets their attention. No further from me on this
Kris ********
I did in Krungsri Bank...Samut Songkhram....10 minutes....
Elly *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
I wonder if they have not changed the rules there as it sounds like in bigger cities they may have. That is great that you were able to do that. Things are getting a bit tougher round these parts, but still we strive and thrive!
Peter *******
Not Bangkok Bank apparently, let us know if you do succeed
Mo ******
I just recently did this at the Bangkok Bank at Emquartier.

You will have to go there twice. You need to first go and say you are a tourist and want to open an account. They will give you a form and then you need to go to your embassy and get it filled out. They might fill out the form directly or they might give you a different one. This is called a certified letter of residency or something similar. You need to bring proof of address and some cash with you as well to your embassy. Your embassy will charge you for this letter most likely so I can't tell you how much it will be. Mine cost 1400 and most seem around there.

You might be able to skip going to the bank for this step and get the letter directly from your embassy, but I just wanted to be safe and get the form from the bank just in case.

The second time you go there you will open your account. You need to bring your passport, proof of address, the letter from the embassy and 1200 baht at least.

500 is the minimum amount you need to open an account and it will be deposited into your account. The 700 will be charged to get a debit card. It might be more than 700. I can't remember exactly but definitely not more than 1000.

This was my own first hand experience and it was quite simple to do. I really suggest going to Emquartier to do so. Any big location should be okay, but they were extremely knowledgeable on how to open a bank account for a tourist and seemed to do it very often. I think there even were two other tourists ahead of me opening one too.
Chan ******
@Mo *****
You prove hotel address or a condo address please? Does bank ask you to prove other documents other than embassy letter to show your address such as electricity bill or something please? Thank you
Donna *******
Greetings from Siam Legal,as of 2 weeks ago the banks in Thailand has changed their regulation, so we have to unfortunately postpone your appointment until further notice. We will keep you informed for when we receive a confimation of new regulations allowing us to assist you once again.

We are doing our best to look for other alternatives for clients who wishes to open bank accounts. Once more alternatives are found we will make sure to contact you as soon as possible.
Donna *******
Tourists are no longer able to open Thai Bank Accounts
Jo **********
@Donna ******
yes they are
Donna *******
I have asked 2 agents recently and both have told me the same thing, it is not possible currently as banks have recently changed policy.

I've included 2 response I have received below.
Alistair **********
@Donna ******
I'd seen a couple of posts saying Bangkok Bank was stopping opening accounts on visa exemptions. Guess it's confirmed
Monn *********
Take a Thai person with you make it easyer.
Keith ******
Siam Legal. They will get you paperwork to open a Bangkok Bank account. 5000b. You also need a Thai SIM in your phone. Make an appointment in the morning and get a bank account in the afternoon.
Guan *****
i opened mine on visa exempt without having to go through any agent.
Elly *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Guan, was that a bank in Chiang Mai? if so which branch and in which area please?
Guan *****
@Elly ******
nope. i opened mine in bkk. bangkok bank branch at The 9th Towers in Rama 9 area. but before they were willing to open the account for me, i had to go to my country’s embassy to certify my passport first.
Jorge *****
@Guan ****
what is certify your pasport?
Guan *****
@Jorge ****
certified true copy of passport and address.
Sean *********
Shop around for an agent way less hassle
Jim ***********
Pay agent
Cliff *********
Getting a bank account

Don’t expect to get something for nothing. Each office is an independent business. Each office makes their own criteria.

You certainly will pay a fee for transferring USD from USA to Thailand. The amount depends on the bank and the transfer service.

Banking is an essential service if you plan to spend time here. It’s not FREE.

I prepared ahead of time by getting a bank account set up 6 months ago.

I treated this as an important business transaction, not just a casual activity.

My Thai friend made an appointment for me at the Bangkok Bank branch across from Astra in CM. He also translated for me.

I am a middle aged physician and dressed as such. Yes I did do the whole business card ceremony.

I told the banker that I plan to retire soon and buy a condominium at Astra.

I was asked to purchase a life insurance policy for about $100. Presumably the banker gets a commission. Whatever, it’s the price of doing business at the bank.

They wanted to copy my passport and see my credit card from Wells Fargo. I think I showed them how much was in my account also to make the point that I’m a serious customer.

I also showed them $500 in perfect $100 bills that was to be the initial deposit.

Nothing else was required.

Act like a serious customer and you will be treated as such.

Present yourself properly and you should be fine.

If not, thank them for their time and visit another office.

Best wishes on your adventure to Thailand!
Phil ******
@Elly ******
yes you can as its easy
Elly *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Phil *****
it seems that it is for some and for others not so. That is why this thread is so long and vairied. TIT as they say!
Elly *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thanks Phil for the info - it looks like my partner will be transferring to an ED visa soon but he may still benefit form having a Thai bank account in the future especially if he decides to go Guardian visa on our son's ED visa. Is it easier to get Thai bank account on an ED visa? Just curious?
Phil ******
@Elly ******
yep different banks and different branches within the same bank. Also making new clients budget pm also can influence their decision. All banks in the world want to id you and also what an address. Thai banks aren't any different. If you have a house book and can get a letter from immigration confirming your address Bangkok bank is easy. My friend Alistrr did it last August on a VE. Going to a head office or major branch in Bangkok or on Alisters case Hua Hin seemed to work.

Good luck. The rules have been tightened to stop the scam accounts. From mid year the BoT has directed all banks to introduce Biometrics for all transfers over I think 50k.
Alex *******
Because of the huge inflow of Russians it is now - apparently since about a months or so ago - very difficult (and much more difficult than before so all the comments that somebody did it a year ago are not really very relevant unfortunately)
Elly *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thanks Alistair - yep stuff changes quickly.Ok now what the heck is this - - - common reporting standards that are being implemented soon - - - - ?! please share
Alistair **********
@Elly ******
basically a global version of FATCA. Where banking data is exchanged between countries. So you can't hide money in foreign banks. Thailand eventually agreed to this and it's being implemented here this year I believe.
Elly *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Alistair *********
here we go! No cash and all this sh%t....feels like the walls are closing in! I think Thailand wants to have zero cash by 2025.
Alistair **********
@Alex ******
it's been getting progressively harder, even over the last couple of years. Had staff say regulations have changed so they can't open accounts now when they use to open them only a couple years ago. Maybe it relates to the common reporting standards that are being implemented soon.

Each bank seems to have a check list, and you have to tick the right box to get an account.
Julie **********
Yes. We did it last summer,in Hua Hin. Bangkok Bank /Blúport Mall. No agent, just ourselves. Got the relevant paperwork at immigration. Completed in around 30 mins for the both of us.
Ni**
@Julie *********
what paperwork from immigration? certification of residency? I though it needs 90d report
Alistair **********
@Ni**
Bangkok immigration needs a 90 day report, other locations seem to not have that requirement.
Julie **********
@Ni**
yes, that's what it was. No, that's all we needed. We were only here for 6 weeks. We're back now for 3 months. Been so convenient, using our Thai bank accounts.
Andy *******
Yes. Easiest way = Agent. 4000 baht average
Dave *******
@Andy *********
spot on, I did it recently, 4000 baht
Elly *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hi Dan, I think Laurie might be someone that i talked to in the past. He is an ex aussie policeman who owns small sized hotel in the old town right near Thapae Gate. Thank you for remiding me about him because he does specialize in licenses but i did not know that he could also possibly help set up a bank account too! Thank you kindly!
Elly *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thank you. Know of a good one in Chiang Mia?
Dan ********
@Elly ******
Laurie at The Chiang Mai Visa Shop is the guy to see..I came to CM for 2 weeks in March to set everything up for a retirement visa later in the year.In 3 days I had a Thai bank account and my 2 Thai driving licenses,no effort to me whatsoever.Laurie and his wife did absolutely everything for me,including driving me to the bank and licensing center and dealing with all the paperwork and officials.Very good value,won’t rip you off and also has a nice guesthouse at reasonable rates attached to the visa shop in Old town..highly recommended.

******************************
Elly *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Oh yes I know a few, but they all seem very good in that they will not offer those extras. Will ask around, thanks Andy.
Andy *******
@Elly ******
I personally don't but sure there are many. Maybe Google 'Chang Mai Visa Agents'
Steve ********
They're few and far between now. Might have to go through an agent. I think they charge about 5000 baht
Paul *******
@Steve *******
I don't think much has changed. It's always been a case of each branch making their own decisions. Main branch of Bangkok Bank and a few others, mainly in tourist/expat areas should be able to open one. All other areas = could be difficult.
Stuart *********
Yes. Finding a branch that will let you is the hang up.
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