Answered6 years ago
Can tourists open a bank account with a debit or credit card in Thailand?
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?
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.
52 repliesnewest first
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David *********
I got an account at Bangkok Bank with only a certified copy of my passport from the US embassy
George *********
Bank account can be opened in K bank and credit cards are not available.
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
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
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
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🤔🤔
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
Anthony ********
Had accounts for years with Bangkok and Kasikornbank privileged account. Just debit card never a issue. I wonder why Kasikornbank turned you down??
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
Noel *****************
Takes 6 hours transfer Australia bank to KTB Thailand with transferwise
Dallas ******
@Noel ****************
Would you happen to know the approximate monthly fees for having an account ?Raúl *******
@Noel ****************
depending on your age that is a good way to handle the situation 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.
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. 
Brian ********
I live in Cha am over 70 too old for credit card
Brian *******
No, cannot.
David ***********
Yes you can
Greg ********
I got a Bamgkok Bank accoubt with Mastercard debit on the card on a tourist visa in Pattaya.
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 -
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.
Then again Thais are kinda racist, and since you are 'caramel' your possiblity is reduced by half.
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.
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)
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)
Semar *********
@Eddie ******
can you share which branch please? Because i tried can not
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
Carsten ************
Easy, but Debit Card only. Credit Card only with workpermit.
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.
A-I-*****
Yep. We help our clients do them all of the time.
Sean *********
VIP-VISA,
Johan ********
Use Kasikorn bank... very easy
Jason ******
@Johan *******
did ask them .. NO .. ( Pattaya ) 
Ian *******
Last year I opened a bank account with Bangkok bank with a tourist visa.
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.
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.
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 💩. ..
Alice ********
@Jason *****
I didn’t have to have one......maybe. Damn I can’t remember which came first, the chicken or the egg 😂🤪
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
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
Ross ********
Can do with a years house contract
Elvrina *********
Bkk at airport plaza but you will need Residence Certificate.
Abass *********
OP@Elvrina ********
i don’t have a residence 
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
Abass *********
OPWas there any requirement they asked for ?
Henrik **************
Abass Ibrahim deposit money at least 500 thb when open it and you might need to buy an insurance from them.
Henrik **************
It is possible but you might need to visit 5 different bank offices to find 1 that will allow you to.
Grant ******************
@Henrik *************
try try and try again, you might 'need' to take out an insurance policy but yes you can. Abass *********
OP@Henrik *************
thank you 
Mark ******
Can’t sorry
Mitchell *******
I should be clear, I opened an account, and have a debit card. Not credit card.
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.
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.
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.A-I-*****
@Mark *****
wrong sorryAbass *********
OP@Mark *****
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