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Can I open a Thai bank account with the help of my girlfriend on a tourist visa?
Thai bank accountTourist visaVisa regulationsBanking in ThailandThai girlfriendExpat adviceAgent assistanceTax implications
Aug 30, 2024
2 years ago
Diego ***********
ORIGINAL POSTERMaybe not the correct group but im sure u guys will know the answer to it! I read many stories about getting help by thai girlfriend for opening a thai bank account (at the moment i stay like 6 months each year in thailand on tourist visa/exemption every time) getting a bank account makes many things much easier like paying for my appartment and all the bills. Is this possible with the help of my girlfriend?
TLDR : Answer Summary
The possibility of opening a Thai bank account with the assistance of your Thai girlfriend while on a tourist visa is complex. Some users suggest it depends on individual bank policies rather than the type of visa. While some experiences indicate that girls can help open accounts, it is generally recommended to consult a visa agent, especially if you are planning to stay long-term. Concerns about legality and trust when having an account in someone else's name were also raised. Engaging an agent is frequently cited as a reliable solution, particularly for those on a visa-exempt entry.
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Andy ************
Don't listen to these pricks telling you you'll have to pay tax. They're miserable old farts who have nothing better to do in their lives. Yes, go with your girlfriend to her bank and they'll open an account for you. Worked for me. If you stay with her, she'll take her house book, you take your passport. Laughing
Ali ******
I just opened a savings account with Bangkok Bank in Pattaya with my DTV. I have an ATM card, NetBanking, an app to make cashless payments. And I’ve transferred money to it from my US and Indian bank accounts. I went through Siam Legal in Bangkok.
Diego ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Ali *****
can u give me the exact location? Might be worth trying out or atleast give m a callAli ******
@Diego **********
Bangkok Bank Central Pattaya. You can Google Siam Legal in Bangkok, and they’ll walk you through the process.Diego ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Ali *****
thanks man appreciated alot!Reply to
Diego ***********
Reply
Henrik *****
You would probably need to be married to the girlfriend and even better have children together, because then you will have a stronger attachment to Thailand, than a tourist with a 2 month girlfriend.
Diego ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER6 years* and engaged
Henrik *****
Engaged will not help you, only if you are married.
Reply to
Henrik *****
Reply
Us *****
Just pay a visa agent 5000 to open one up. You're stressing over 5000 baht.
Diego ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Us ****
u might know one in the area of bangkok or nonthaburi? Or somewhere close, cant be bothered going to pattaya or phuket just for an accountUs *****
@Diego **********
bkk will cost about 8kReply to
Us *****
Reply
Bob **********
You’ll most likely have to use an agent and people are fear mongering about taxes and nobody knows anything because tax laws haven’t changed
Nongnuch ********
Diego Callegari it doesn't necessarily depend on the visa you entered Thailand with. It's rather depending on the bank's policy. So before you do the runaround, and before your "girlfriend" is tempted to open a Thai bank account for you AND her, in both names, just visit an agent. They will take care of opening a Bangkok Bank account for you on ANY visa, even on a visa-exempt entry
Diego ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Nongnuch *******
you maybe know such an agent?Nongnuch ********
@Diego **********
F.S. Consulting Co. in PattayaReply to
Nongnuch ********
Reply
Stephen ********
Yes. Put it in her name
Diego ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Stephen *******
who said something about putting it in her name? Guess u are the funniest back homeStephen ********
@Diego **********
jokes are always goodReply to
Stephen ********
Reply
John ******
@Stephen *******
absolutely wrong advice. How long do you live in Thailand? Did not learn much. Sorry to say thatStephen ********
@John *****
fararang cant own more than 488% of a propertySue **********
@John *****
I‘m sure he was joking 😉John ******
@Sue *********
hope soReply to
John ******
Reply
Brian ********
It depends what visa you have, of course. An agent can do it better than your girlfriend. Worth paying an agent, imho.
Nongnuch ********
@Brian *******
it doesn't depend on the visa, it depends on each bank's policy and how serious they are about it. Agents are known to open a bank account for you even on a visa-exempt entry, which means you have no visa at allJohn ******
@Brian *******
I agree. Try five banks and after that use an agent.Reply to
John ******
Reply
Rfael ************
It is probably illegal to open a bank account with the intent to circumvent banking regulations. And then there is the simple matter of trust for an individual that will also have complete control of your money.
Andy ************
@Rfael ***********
It's illegal to use an agent to pay a bribe to a government official in order to get a visa extension, but thousands do it every day. "Illegal" in Thailand means FAGraham ******
"circumvent banking regulations" in what way?
Rfael ************
@Graham *****
I think the original poster isn't allowed to open a bank account and he is asking if he should open one in his GFs name instead, which he intends to control. That would be circumventing the law that disallows him to open a bank account in his name. It would probably be wise for him to delete his post.Graham ******
@Rfael ***********
There is no Thai law which prevents a tourist from opening a bank account and taking his girlfriend as I see it is to help with communication. A bank account in her name is useless to him in terms of Immigration requirements/needs.Rfael ************
@Graham *****
the original poster stated that he is in Thailand on Tourist Visa/Extensions 6 months at a time. In Thailand, Tourists are not permitted to open a bank account.Graham ******
@Rfael ***********
Yes they are, it is bank policies which prevent this not Thai law.Graham ******
@Rfael ***********
That is not Thai law I'm sorry, it's a policy.Rfael ************
@Graham *****
Bank policies are often the law itself, by extension and fiduciary responsibility. It's not my intent nor desire to get into long discussions about this. My intent was to offer sound advise to the original poster as to the risks of opening straw accounts and leaving his money in the name and control of a GF. We all know how those often can end up. I suppose its up to him to decide what he wants and is free to do. I also tried to answer your original question. If you are not convinced of the risks I was trying to point out, that is prefectly ok. Thank you for sharing your thoughts. Have a wonderful day.Reply to
Rfael ************
Reply
John ******
@Rfael ***********
each bank has its own regulations so nothing illigalReply to
John ******
Reply
John **********
Taking your girlfriend can certainly help. I'd start with her bank but you may need to try a number of different bank branches. Every branch has its own rules
Graham *******
maybe but we hear impossible with tourist visa, an agent might help. Remember if u are here 180 days you are very likely expect to file a tax return, you need to read all the rules for your situation.
Diego ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Graham ******
i never exceed 179 days so that shouldn't be the issue for now. This will be something to look into when i move her definitelyGraham *******
@Diego **********
There is a proposal to tax global income.Reply to
Graham *******
Reply
Stephen ********
@Graham ******
foreign citizens no longer pay tax.Ian *********
@Stephen *******
???? can you say a little bit more!Graham *******
@Stephen *******
where?Stephen ********
@Graham ******
In Thailand. New law from a few weeks agoJohn **********
@Stephen *******
Lol. There's only one visa that allows you to avoid tax on overseas income and the criteria to meet it is out of reach of the majorityGraham *******
@Stephen *******
can you show me the reference?Stephen ********
@Graham ******
I have the same here in Greece thanks to Stupid Sunak mateGraham *******
@Stephen *******
what do you have?Stephen ********
@Graham ******
Bangkok post websiteGraham *******
@Stephen *******
can u give me the link? I think you should stick with snooker!Stephen ********
@Graham ******
I have doneGraham *******
@Stephen *******
where is the actual link not say there is a link?Stephen ********
@Graham ******
on the website as I said earlierReply to
Stephen ********
Reply
Manuel *********
@Graham ******
wrong on the 181 day he counts as tax resident so 180 days is fineGraham *******
@Manuel ********
here you are "clever dick", 180 days or more and this included the day you arrive and leave. **************************************************************************************
*******
/FOREIGNERS_PAY_TAX2024.pdfIan *********
@Graham ******
If i am on a tourist visas, and i stay for 210 days -how, where and when would i be expected to file a tax return?John **********
@Ian ********
you need to go to the revenue department and get a TIN then between January and March the following year you file a tax return with the revenue departmentReply to
John **********
Reply
John **********
@Manuel ********
it's 180 days or more in a calendar year. 180 is tax residentManuel *********
@Graham ******
mr "clever dick" are you even paying taxes? i doGraham *******
@Manuel ********
No, I am spending money I earned before 1st Jan. Next year I will have wealthy pensioner LTR! Hence legally and smart financial planning I will continue as I have done most of my adult working life not paying taxes anywhere and legally because I am not a clever dick, I read the rules instead. 😎Brian ********
@Graham ******
so you've always been a rich freeloader. Got it.Graham *******
@Brian *******
proud of it, even never went into politics to achieve it.Brian ********
@Graham ******
proud of living off the backs of tax paying folks when you can more easily afford to pay taxes. That speaks volumes about your character.Graham *******
@Brian *******
ru American military?Brian ********
@Graham ******
veteran. Did 12 years in the US Navy.Graham *******
@Brian *******
and for that you did you get SS, it's you who's the scrounger, whopped in Vietnam, Afghanistan and you expect a pension? Worthless lay about, presidential sucker and loser.Brian ********
@Graham ******
I don't get a pension or SS. I do get railroad retirement and a pension from the refinery I worked at. You probably need to stop making stupid assumptions about people you don't even know. But hey, I paid my taxes and didn't pass that burden onto the poorer folks in my life because I'm not a selfish ass who brags about skipping out on what it takes to be a contributing citizen, to pay for the roads I've driven and ridden on, to pay for EMS service, fire service and all the other things that are needed for a functional modern society. Entitled folks like you who don't share the tax burden are exactly what is wrong with society today.Brian ********
@Graham ******
I agree, but that picture has nothing at all to do with you being a self serving freeloader.Manuel *********
@Graham ******
then your are not a clever dick your just a dick dick that don’t contribute to the country your living in they come for you don’t worry 😉Manuel *********
@John *********
more then 180 days so he’s taxable on the 181 day.John **********
@Manuel ********
you need to read the rules more carefully.**********************************************************
Reply to
John **********
Reply
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