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Can tourists open a bank account in Thailand, and what are the requirements?
Thai banking for touristsThailand expat bankingOpening bank accounts in ThailandVisa requirements for banking in ThailandBest banks for expats in ThailandBangkok BankKrungsri Bank
Apr 2, 2024
2 years ago
JP ********
ORIGINAL POSTERPossible for tourists to open Thai bank? Requirements, etc? Best bank(s) for ferang? thx! 🙏
TLDR : Answer Summary
Yes, it is possible for tourists to open a bank account in Thailand, though it has become increasingly challenging recently. The requirements often depend on the type of visa held by the foreigner; certain banks may allow account opening on a tourist visa, while others do not. Common advice suggests using an agent, as they can help navigate the process, typically at a cost ranging from 3500 to 4000 baht. Customers report varying experiences based on bank branches, so it's advisable to try different locations. Popular banks mentioned include Bangkok Bank and Krungsri Bank, and having a local address, proper documentation (like a passport and visa), and, ideally, a Thai friend to assist can improve chances of successful account opening.
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Heather *******
I have opened 2 accounts one with Bangkok Bank and the other with KBank on a tourist visa. Both accounts were opened with a deposit of 1000bts and no I didn’t take out insurance nor was I offered it. However I did have to provide a copy of my 6mth Lease
Nick ************
Keep going back to the same branch as it depends who you see on the day and what rank they hold. Go to main branches not the malls as the staff at those branches rarely deal with foreigners. I went to same branch of Bangkok bank 4 times before getting an account though I did hold a long term Visa extension. Keep trying or use an agent about 4000 baht.
Ck ******
is it have any contact agent helping open the bank account in bkk ?
Stefan *******
I wounder what is a agent can do what you can not do yourself,is it the bribe ?I have already have a bank account,got it on visa exemption 12 years ago
John ********
@Stefan ******
I opened an account with SCB in 1999 on a VOA. Unfortunately after I left Thailand and my funds in this account had been withdrawn by Thai, the bank closed the account. I still have my old passbook & debit card. When I go to Thailand later this year, depending on which visa I get from my home country, I'll go to an SCB branch and ask if I can open another account. Can but try.Reply to
John ********
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Ed ********
Use an agent
Giovanni *******
Se hai residenza in loco contratyo col padrone e visto non o poi annuale e depositi 800k bath pensi tu non abbia problemi guarda io abito a bangkok e mi trovo bene con la bangkok bank sara grande cara ma non da problemi
Jay ****
Agent. BBK. 4000 baht, minimum 25 days left on visa.
Shaughn ***********
These are the current Bangkok bank requirements. It was a lot easier before a year ago when they tightened up on requirements
JP ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Shaughn **********
This helps SOOOO MUCH. Thankyou!!!! 🏆🍻Reply to
JP ********
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Terence ******
Definitely Bangkok Bank . But depends on locations you are visiting in Thailand
Richard ******************
You need a minimum of a 45 day tourist visa
Jo **********
possible and without an agent
Ronald ***********
I believe the Bangkok bank is fine they have a lot of experience with farang, good luck.!
Xjwhudkwhry ********
Dirty ferang!!!
Hartmut ********
Ich würde die Finger von den Agenten lassen. Es wird sich früher oder später rächen.
Simone ****
Anyone under 40 non pensioners has opened one yet???
Nigel *********
10 weeks ago when I was in Patong, i opened an account with bbk bank. No problems
Nigel *********
Hi JP. Yes just my passport and a thai moby number. Sorry fot thr delay
JP ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Nigel ********
do you remember what documents they required?Nigel *********
Hi JP, just my passport and 5k bht deposit. But I will check with my girl who was with me
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Nigel *********
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Angelo ***********
Go find a bargirl she will assist you with your deposit 💵 lol 😂 sorry just kidding
JP ********
ORIGINAL POSTERReply to
JP ********
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Bent *************
Bangkok Bank
Otto *********
DIY and save the "commossion" for the agent.>
Get the right documents and then try different bank branches until you find one, that accepts you. A bit time consuming, but you can do it on your own.
Get the right documents and then try different bank branches until you find one, that accepts you. A bit time consuming, but you can do it on your own.
JP ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Otto ********
thx for this. any details on the right documents I'll need?Otto *********
@JP *******
In general you will need youer passport with a visa stamp, but which visa is not everywhere the same. Best is a 3-month visa. Then you might need your rental contract, and that should be all. Careful: each bank and each branch has slightly different requirements and from my experience it is easiest in tourism areas. Good luck.P.S: If you have a Thai to come along (NOT a bargirl!) that should help.
JP ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Otto ********
What's a bargirl 🤷♂️Reply to
JP ********
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Gordon *******
SH *****
@Gordon ******
, yeah…i done mine in 2011 was so easy…passport, home address in bkk thats it…and of course thai numberStuart *********
@SH ****
I did mine 35 years ago. All I needed was my passport and I got the account. Except times change. Rules change. Commenting on something that happened to you and you managed to have achieved 13 years ago has absolutely no relevance on the situation today.Stuart *********
@SH ****
That was 13 years ago. Of course it was easy then. Fast forward to the present day and it’s changed.Reply to
Stuart *********
Reply
Jan ******************
Possible if you hit 🎯and best to use an agent. From 3500 thb.
Warren *********
I opened mine by going to immigration with my thai friend & using her address. Without an address you will have to pay an agent.
John *****
@Warren ********
you can use any address. Hotel will work. Never heard that good character money spinner before😂, usually need a proof of residence from immigration, 100 baht. Though I opened one with krungsri, didn't need itDiana ********
@John ****
what Krungsi branch ? Bangkok or where please ?John *****
Diana Phuong Pattaya klang
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John *****
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Andy **********
@John ****
I've heard of people getting a resident certificate, along with a cover letter from immigration, to say that the person needs to open a bank account, so they can deposit the money for long term visa purposes, I'm not aware of saying anything about having a good character 😂Warren *********
@John ****
not sure about using a hotel as your address, my thai friend had to show her id card at immigration & said i was living with her.John *****
@Warren ********
hotel works fine. Thai banks don't send any mailReply to
John *****
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Alan *********
@Warren ********
You went to immigration to open a bank account?Heather *******
Heather *******
@Alan ********
that’s a whole load of misleading and wrong information. I have two bank accounts one with Bangkok Bank and the other with KBank both opened within the last few months. I have never been asked to get a letter from immigration. In both cases I opened both accounts using a tourist visa by depositing 1000bts into each and nor was I asked if I wanted to insurance.Andy **********
@Heather ******
where did you open the accounts on a tourist visa?? I was told by bank staff, it's not possible to open a bank account anymore on a short term visa, so I contacted an agent. I've heard other people saying the same thing, cannot open an account on a short term visa, but if they got a resident certificate, and a cover letter from immigration, saying they need to open the account to deposit the money for a long-term visa, they then allowed them to open the account, so the requirements must be different from bank to bank.Brandon ************
@Andy *********
not different from bank to bank, different from bank branch to bank branch and sometimes even teller by teller.Heather *******
@Andy *********
Bangkok bank Airport mall Chiang Mai and K Bank Cha amReply to
Heather *******
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Warren *********
@Alan ********
if you do it yourself,you have to take a letter from immigration saying you are of good character. That's why you need a thai person to vouch for you. They charge 500 bhat.You take it back to the bank & it's 300 bhat for the bank card. Every year they charge 300 bhat to keep the bank account open. Tbh i would pay an agent if i had to do it again. It's a lot of hassle.Reply to
Warren *********
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Carlos *********
Your visa will help determine it. Extremely hard for a short stay visa. But anything is possible.
Bård ********
BBK
J ******************
Maybe a Thai native speaker can assist you
Aake **********
@J *****************
dont helpJP ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Aake *********
how entitled.Evelyne **********************
@JP *******
I think she meant doesn’t help, I had the same experienceReply to
Evelyne **********************
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Mark *******
Agent will sort it , mine cost 4000B with Bangkok bank
Ck ******
@Mark ******
can you please the agent contact with inbox ? thxGabriele *******
@Mark ******
can you please share the agent name in my inbox? Thank you.Mark *******
@Gabriele ******
Phyu Phyu Aung บริษัทเอเจนซี่สำหรับต่างชาติในพัทยา TIK TOK SERVICES THAILAND+66 95 795 7703
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Reply to
Mark *******
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Flo ******
@Mark ******
please PM agent nameMark *******
@Flo *****
in the link aboveReply to
Mark *******
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Phyu ************
@Mark ******
would you mind sharing the agent name with me ? I am also looking for an agent to assist me when I arrive after water festival from the UK Many thanks 🙏
Mark *******
@Phyu ***********
บริษัทเอเจนซี่สำหรับต่างชาติในพัทยา TIK TOK SERVICES THAILAND+66 95 795 7703
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Phyu ************
@Mark ******
many thanksReply to
Phyu ************
Reply
John *********
@Mark ******
was the 4k for just the agent, just the insurance on the account or both?Mark *******
@John ********
บริษัทเอเจนซี่สำหรับต่างชาติในพัทยา TIK TOK SERVICES THAILAND+66 95 795 7703
************************
Mark *******
Reply to
Mark *******
Reply
Diadear ******
@Mark ******
would it be possible to share agent name in my inboxMark *******
@Diadear *****
doneReply to
Mark *******
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SteBu ******
Possible. Bangkok Bank.
Depends on your location
Depends on your location
JP ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@SteBu *****
possible from Phuket, or Pattaya?Anthony *********
@JP *******
People mean the “Bangkok Bank”. It’s the name of the bank. They’re not referring specifically to the city of Bangkok.SteBu ******
@JP *******
idk about Phuket. But Pat is okReply to
SteBu ******
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Stuart *********
Possible to do but these days incredibly hard in many cases. You’ll possibly need an agent to assist.
Marek ******
@Stuart ********
not need agent some one bank is open for turist BanghokbankRuth *******
@Marek *****
he said “possibly”. Opening an account with Bangkok bank in Bangkok is exceptionally difficult without an agent. One can always get lucky though.Stuart *********
@Marek *****
Yes for sure some are. It’s finding those that’s the problem. You can try 240 branches (a made up figure) to find the one that will or you can use an agent and get one opened tomorrow.JP ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Stuart ********
do you suppose it's possible from Phuket or Pattaya? or the only option now is in bkk itself?Ruth *******
@JP *******
the agents in Pattaya appear to be significantly cheaper than in Bangkok too, based upon quotes I’ve seen. I know nothing about Phuket.Stuart *********
@JP *******
Pattaya has lots of agents that can help. I’m sure there’s lots in Bangkok or Phuket too.Reply to
Stuart *********
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