Can we open a bank account in Thailand with a short-term lease on a Non-Immigrant O Visa?

Question

In May my wife and I will be going to Thailand for 7 weeks on a Non-Immigrant O Visa – we are 77 and from the United States.  Unfortunately, we can not stay long enough to season our money in the bank since we are going to Africa to do a gorilla trek and our dates are set. Our goal on this trip is to set up bank accounts to deposit 800K into each account using wise.  We have rented an Airbnb condo and have received from the owner the 7-week lease, her ID card, and her ownership of the condo document.  In December we will return on a new Non-Immigrant O Visa and after two months apply for an extended stay permit for a year.

Our Problem: I am reading in Facebook that Kasikornbank (K-Bank) and other banks will not allow us to open bank accounts with that short a lease (even though we will have a TM30, Certificate of Residence, photos, and Thai phone numbers linked to our passports).

I see 3 possible outcomes:

1.        Kasikornbank will allow us to open accounts.

2.       We have to rent a cheap condo while we are gone for a year ($300/mo) just to have a lease.

3.       Use an agent.

From your experience, will Kasikornbank allow us to open an account. Are some branches or cities better to use?  If not, and we have to use an agent, what would the cost be using our own money and not the agent’s.

Ask Thailand · Answer

The user plans to stay in Thailand for 7 weeks on a Non-Immigrant O Visa and asks whether they can open a bank account with a short-term lease. Respondents suggest that while some banks might have varying requirements, experiences indicate that many have opened accounts without needing a long lease. They recommend either visiting multiple branches or considering an agent's assistance if necessary. Possible outcomes include successfully opening an account at Kasikorn Bank or needing to rent a longer-term condo for compliance.

Malcolm ********** · Answer

I opened 2 Kasikorn bank accounts just over a year ago and I am on a non-O with retirement extension and had no problems, all I needed was the residency certificate and my passport plus my phone (account in my name) if I wanted to install the app.  Things do change and some more rural branches might require a yellow housebook but none of my friends have had to present a lease agreement when opening a bank account.  Kasikorn bank appears to be the easiest going but still needs proof of residency and you can only get the certificate from Immigration if you are on a long term visa such as a non-O and it's possible that Immigration will require the lease agreement before issuing the certificate so that might be where confusion comes from.  I'm in Khon Kaen and found that the Kasikorn branch in Central were not very helpful and the lady there really didn't want to deal with me but the branch at Lotus was extremely helpful as was the branch further along the main road, remember that you don't have to use the branch nearest to your home as you can do banking at any branch and in fact I keep my 800k in the Jomtien (Pattaya) branch but get the statement and letter needed for my yearly extention from the Khon Kaen branch.

Bill ********** · Answer

When I checked in with Immigration to plan a Marriage visa, shortly after arrival last fall, I was informed they no longer allowed Bangkok Bank. They gave me a choice of several different banks; we chose one that would be convenient to where we live; which happend to be Kasikorn (Green Bank); Imm officer provided an intro document for us to make setting up Kasikorn easy and painless. So far, hiccups have been small.

Donald ********** · Answer

The banks don’t need to know your full story! If questioned about the lease you don’t need to tell them you intend to leave the country. You can say that your accommodation is a short term arrangement until you can find something more suitable. From what I gather you’ll be better to involve a Thai person acting on your behalf, so the suggestion to use an agent to assist you seems sensible, but use your own funds for the bank accounts. Also be aware that some bank managers don’t like dealing with people who are in their seventies and older!

Tom ********* · Answer

I did not need lease agreement when opening account with Kasikorn

Den **************** · Answer

I read where you can make a monthly deposit instead of the whole amount.

MNathalie ********* · Answer

You only need 1 retirement visa and deposit 1 time 800k. You wife can be under your retirement visa.

Charles ************ · Answer

Get a non O retirement visa in the US before coming. I got mine in D.C. for $200 including multiple entry stamp. It might be more now, as I did it in 2016.

Phil ****** · Answer

Visit a few branches with kbank. If its no then see an agent

Fra ***** · Answer

You also need a Thai number

Fra ***** · Answer

I had a 4 week lease on a non O Visa and it was easy to open an Account! Only Bangkok bank make trouble

Wannikea ********* · Answer

Try and pick a branch near where you're going to live as some things can only be done at your branch in person. Where are you planning to settle in Thailand?

Can we open a bank account in Thailand with a short-term lease on a Non-Immigrant O Visa?

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