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Can my Thai wife open a joint bank account with me in Thailand as an expat?

Thai bankingjoint bank accountsexpat bankingBangkok BankKrung Thai Bankbank account feesforeigners in Thailandvisa not requiredbanking for expats in Thailandmoney transfer to Thailand
Dec 18, 2024
a day ago
Richard ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
I see lots of questions about Thai banks. I have been married to my Thai wife for 50+ years. She has a Thai passport and ID card and an American passport, drivers license etc. we live in the USA 🇺🇸.

we are fixing to go to Thailand 🇹🇭 again in January. I want her to open a bank account and add me on the account like here in the USA 🇺🇸.

Is that doable? Also which banks in Bangkok are more user friendly and have less fees?

TIA
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TLDR : Answer Summary
It is possible for your Thai wife to open a joint bank account with you in Thailand, even though you are an expat residing in the USA. Many users report successfully having joint accounts with their Thai spouses at banks like Bangkok Bank and Krung Thai Bank, which are known to be foreigner-friendly. While fees are generally low (around 300 to 400 Baht per year), it's important to consider how the account will be used, especially if submitting it for visa purposes, as joint accounts might complicate fund verification. Overall, Bangkok Bank is recommended for its user-friendliness and lower fees.
Peter **********
she needn't mention being american. all in thai
a day ago
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Daniel **********
Bangkok bank brilliant no problem
a day ago
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Graham ******
Don't worry about the fees as they are around 300 to 400 Baht a year, get one that best suits your needs
a day ago
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Greg ***********
my girlfriend and me each had our own account with the SCB. We openend a third account, a joint account. Unfortunately, for this joint account, no online banking was possible. As this originally was our main purpose - to be able to pay bills and other, by online banking - using this joint account, we decided to cancel the account.
a day ago
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กะลาสี *****
Like you, I am an American married to a Thai. It is ABSOLUTELY POSSIBLE for you and your wife to have a joint account. I know this because my Thai wife and I had a joint Krung Thai Bank account in the past. I now have my own bank account (for the 800K retirement Visa money verification purposes) and a separate bank account for all of our typical monthly activities/expenses, while my wife now has her own accounts. If you are not planning on using the JOINT account for visa purposes, then it should be fine.
a day ago
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Jay *********
@กะลาสี ****
 he's saying he has no visa status in Thailand and does not want one, only wants to visit. I am unaware of any Thai bank that will allow a name of a foreign national with no visa status to be put onto an account but please correct me if I'm mistaken.
a day ago
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กะลาสี *****
@Jay ********
 he would have to be here in person and he does say in his original post "WE are fixing to go to Thailand 🇹🇭 again in January" so he will either arrive on a visa exemption or apply for a short term visa before he arrives. Additionally, agents get bank accounts open for people on visa exemptions all the time. That said, he could absolutely make it happen. It might cost him a little money but he could definitely do it.
a day ago
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Jay *********
@กะลาสี ****
 so as I thought, he needs to get a visa first and then it's no problem, sorted. Thanks for your reply
a day ago
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Radost **************************
@Jay ********
 he don't need a visa, why you posting when you don't have any clue about banks in Thailand? He is the husband of the account owner so he will be easily added to the account.
a day ago
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กะลาสี *****
@Jay ********
 no problem and I appreciate your civil comments. So many people become argumentative and even combative over small disagreements in groups like this one. Pleasure conversing with you, hope you enjoy this beautiful weather we are having. Cheers! ~ Bill
a day ago
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กะลาสี *****
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Richard ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
I do not want to live in Thailand 🇹🇭 only visit. I am not doing a visa.

I only want my Thai wife to open her account and add me on there so we can send money there when the exchange rate is good.

Is this not possible?????
a day ago
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Bob ********
@Richard *****
 my wife is similar in that we visit from Australia, be careful what account she opens, my wife had one that hit her with monthly fees. Now she has one that only charges 600bht annually. Also she will probably be able to get the 700bht per month pension. The other thing we do with friends that have kids or grandkids or visiting Australia, we agree a rate and exchange money, saves both parties fees.
a day ago
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Max ********
@Richard *****
 you can send money to her account any time you like, where is the problem I do it all the time.
a day ago
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Michael ********
@Richard *****
 yes possible
a day ago
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Jay *********
@Richard *****
 you can send her money without being on the account, bank transfers are very easy in Thailand
a day ago
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Jay *********
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John *********
What would be the value to you to have a joint account?

Are you planning on spending more time in Thailand than just a month or 2 a year?

My Thai wife and I spend 6 months a year in Thailand and 6 in the US. Been doing this for 3 years.
a day ago
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กนกวรรณ *************
I need some advice for my hubby too 🙏🏻☺️
a day ago
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Jeffrey ************
Depends on what you want to use the account for.
a day ago
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Stuart *********
You can have a joint account with your wife, but it can be a pain in the backside to use for certain things.

For example if you use it to apply for a visa (and your immigration office allows a joint account) you’ll need double the required funds as they see joint accounts as 50% your money and 50% the other party’s.

Usually way easier to get a separate account for stuff like that.
a day ago
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Micah ********
@Stuart ********
 Made the mistake of doing a joint account here when my family arrived (we're both farang). I won't make that mistake again. 😂

I eventually opened an account with just my name and got an extra debit card for my wife. Not sure if there's a way to add an "authorized user" but never been an issue this way
a day ago
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Micah ********
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Christopher ***********
Absolutely doable! Bangkok Bank are most definitely ‘foreigner friendly’. They like to sell personal accident insurance as the staff get commission. If you have no other form of insurance it’s worth buying at around 5,000 baht. Fees are similar. You pay an annual account maintenance fee and fee for debit card if you request one.
a day ago
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Robert ***********
@Christopher **********
 Its not 2020 anymore. Not easy in the slightest.
a day ago
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Christopher ***********
@Robert **********
 Mixed reports daily of failures and successes in opening Thai bank accounts. Richard is in a good position.
a day ago
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Robert ***********
@Christopher **********
 There are very few positive success stories. They surely aren't daily. Quite rare without an agent.
a day ago
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Christopher ***********
@Robert **********
 Report 7 hours ago on DTV Facebook page.
a day ago
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Robert ***********
@Christopher **********
 I didn't see it. But that's 1.
21 hours ago
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Robert ***********
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CjandBrigitte **********
@Christopher **********
 Not that easy to open a bank account nowadays. Require you to have a long term visa and proof of that. Even DTV visa holders are finding it very difficult of not impossible to open a account without the help of a agent.
a day ago
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Brian *********
@CjandBrigitte *********
 guess this is subjective. I had no problems at all getting a Bangkok bank account on the first try. Provide what they asked, was pretty simple. 👌
a day ago
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Christopher ***********
@CjandBrigitte *********
 Richard has Thai wife with Thai passport, Thai ID card and no doubt friends and family in Thailand.
a day ago
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Christopher ***********
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