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Can tourists open a bank account with a debit or credit card in Thailand?

Thai visabank accountdebit cardcredit cardtourist bankingimmigrationexpat advice
Jun 6, 2020
5 years ago
Abass *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Does anyone have an idea whether it’s possible for a visitor to open a bank account MasterCard or Visa card in Thailand as tourist?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
Opening a bank account in Thailand as a tourist is possible but can be quite challenging. Requirements vary by bank and branch, and some visitors report needing a residence certificate or a lease agreement. While debit cards linked to accounts can often be obtained, credit cards are typically restricted to those with work permits or substantial deposits. Success in opening accounts may require visiting multiple banks, and some have been successful with assistance from agencies.
David *********
I got an account at Bangkok Bank with only a certified copy of my passport from the US embassy
5 years ago
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George *********
Bank account can be opened in K bank and credit cards are not available.
5 years ago
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David ****************
I’ve had a bank account with Bank of Bangkok for six or seven years, and I only come on the 30 day tourist visa, but I am not able to access it online because I am only a tourist and not a work or retirement visa

They just change their debit cards and it now is a debit/credit card usable worldwide just like my USAA MasterCard debit/credit card from my local bank
5 years ago
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David ****************
I will admit, the manager of the bank branch was a college friend of my Thai lady, she made it fairly simple for me to obtain the account
5 years ago
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Richard ********
@David ***************
 I asked at BB 1 week ago they said only if I deposit the same amount in a holding account on retirement visa. I have a significant amount of baht in my debit card account also🤔🤔
5 years ago
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Richard ********
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Natalia ********
Yes you can, debit card with a flat contract at least 4-6 months for paying utility bills, depends really on a person at the desk to approve or not
5 years ago
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Anthony ********
Had accounts for years with Bangkok and Kasikornbank privileged account. Just debit card never a issue. I wonder why Kasikornbank turned you down??
5 years ago
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Noel *****************
BKK easy to get. You can always say your going to get a retirement visa. That will make them happy to have 800k in their bank, smaller branch is better. Big branches think they're above you
5 years ago
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Noel *****************
Takes 6 hours transfer Australia bank to KTB Thailand with transferwise
5 years ago
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Dallas ******
@Noel ****************
 Would you happen to know the approximate monthly fees for having an account ?
5 years ago
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Raúl *******
@Noel ****************
 depending on your age that is a good way to handle the situation
5 years ago
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Raúl *******
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Raúl *******
Some agencies would be able to do it, I did it in Pattaya. I paid around 3000 bht for the duty three years ago. Account plus debit card.
5 years ago
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Marc *******
@Raúl ******
 Asked around in bkk since my old acc was deleted. At least esidence or 1 year lease agreement i was told many times in diff banks and branches.
5 years ago
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Marc *******
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Brian ********
I live in Cha am over 70 too old for credit card
5 years ago
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Brian *******
No, cannot.
5 years ago
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David ***********
Yes you can
5 years ago
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Greg ********
I got a Bamgkok Bank accoubt with Mastercard debit on the card on a tourist visa in Pattaya.
5 years ago
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Daniel ************
you wont get a credit card as tourist - mayve only if you deposit that credit limit amount before and more - a debit card and account is possible -
5 years ago
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Derick ******
Unless u have alot of money, it's possible but only in big branch.

Then again Thais are kinda racist, and since you are 'caramel' your possiblity is reduced by half.
5 years ago
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Allan ************
I could not open an account, until I was married, also you can only have a credit card if you put the amount of money in, your going to spend, no credit card crunch here.
5 years ago
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Eddie *******
I opened a bank account on a tourist visa. Bkk bank. Cnx. No issues.

I have a regular debit card for the account. (And ฿5000 accident issuance. It came with the debit card......that actually pays out no problem)
5 years ago
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Semar *********
@Eddie ******
 can you share which branch please? Because i tried can not
5 years ago
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Semar *********
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Steven ********
Bangkok bank has an office in New York and you can open. If you’re in the US prior to travel and have a Visa or MasterCard issued from them
5 years ago
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Carsten ************
Easy, but Debit Card only. Credit Card only with workpermit.
5 years ago
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Chris *********
I've always had a work permit when opening an account, but I've seen ppl here saying some branches of some banks will let you open one without a w-p. What I do know is that foreigners who dont have a local salary of at least 100K have to open a fixed account holding twice the amount as your desired credit limit.
5 years ago
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A-I-*****
Yep. We help our clients do them all of the time.
5 years ago
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Sean *********
VIP-VISA,
5 years ago
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Johan ********
Use Kasikorn bank... very easy
5 years ago
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Johan ********
5 years ago
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Jason ******
@Johan *******
 did ask them .. NO .. ( Pattaya )
5 years ago
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Jason ******
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Ian *******
Last year I opened a bank account with Bangkok bank with a tourist visa.
5 years ago
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Alice ********
Just....no. They do it that way so tourist won’t come here and open bank accounts. Literally, that’s why they changed it.

I use my bank visa from the USA. I just told my bank where I was going to be and they told me how much I could cash out the ATM a day from my checking/savings.

In Thailand cash is king. Unless I am going to a big grocery store, I am using cash.
5 years ago
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Jason ******
Most wanted to see a 1y stay visa to open one BUT to get that visa they require you to have a bank account first lol .. Thai 💩. ..
5 years ago
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Alice ********
@Jason *****
 I didn’t have to have one......maybe. Damn I can’t remember which came first, the chicken or the egg 😂🤪
5 years ago
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Alice ********
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Paul ********
Google
5 years ago
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Chris *******
It is very difficult

I succeeded at a bank account with cash deposit at

Bank of Bangkok terminal 21 in a tourist visa

However

I had to go to the us embassy and get a certified stamp from them about my current address in Thailand

I do know you can hire Siam legal for 3000 baht to get your bank account opened without going to the USA embassy
5 years ago
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Ross ********
Can do with a years house contract
5 years ago
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Elvrina *********
Bkk at airport plaza but you will need Residence Certificate.
5 years ago
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Abass *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Elvrina ********
 i don’t have a residence
5 years ago
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Abass *********
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Adrian ********
I’ve tried many times wont open for foreigners like to be able too if anyone has recently but thai changed so much banking visa criteria
5 years ago
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Abass *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Was there any requirement they asked for ?
5 years ago
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Henrik **************
Abass Ibrahim deposit money at least 500 thb when open it and you might need to buy an insurance from them.
5 years ago
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Henrik **************
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Henrik **************
It is possible but you might need to visit 5 different bank offices to find 1 that will allow you to.
5 years ago
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Grant ******************
@Henrik *************
 try try and try again, you might 'need' to take out an insurance policy but yes you can.
5 years ago
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Abass *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Henrik *************
 thank you
5 years ago
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Abass *********
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Mark ******
Can’t sorry
5 years ago
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Mitchell *******
I should be clear, I opened an account, and have a debit card. Not credit card.
5 years ago
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Mitchell *******
It is doable, but yes, very branch specific, and even bank rep specific. I went with a female friend, and she did all the talking.
5 years ago
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Scott **********
I have not tried myself but have read lots of stories. My conclusion is that. Bangkok bank is your best bet but it is completely branch specific. In Chiang Mai for instance there are a fair number of Bangkok bank branches but one specific one that pointed to if they want to open an account on a tourist visa. To avoid high ATM charges I just go to any Bangkok bank branch and can withdraw amounts free of charge using my home debit card.
5 years ago
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Steve *********
@Mark *****
 yes you can. I have had 2 Thai visa debit cards - all obtained whilst on visa exempt entries. Having said that, I'd always go to open your account with a Thai friend.
5 years ago
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A-I-*****
@Mark *****
 wrong sorry
5 years ago
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Abass *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Mark *****
 🤔😳
5 years ago
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Abass *********
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Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else
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