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Can you open a bank account in Thailand on a tourist visa?

Bank Account Regulations Tourist Visa Thailand Banking Immigration Rules Foreigners in Thailand Expats and Banking Thai Visa Types

May 29, 2025

22 days ago

Andrew ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

I went to 3 banks and asked because I am thinking of switching from Retirement to DTV. Bangkok, K and TSB. Here is what I was told.

1. You can't get a new bank account on a tourist Visa, unless you have property here (and/or a Pink Card), or are married to a Thai

2. Any Bank accounts already open, will not be closed just because you change to a tourist Visa, (Your history of time is evidence you are not a new account for illegal activities)

3. No effort is being made to investigate and close any accounts that do not look suspicious (many multi millions of baht transactions, new accounts not being used etc)

Hope that helps

Caveats: 

1) If you are Russian or Chinese then you will face more issues as your countrymen are the majority of the high publicly for fraud that started all this.

2) If you got a Bank account on a tourist Visa before 6 months ago .. Things have changed your experience has no relationship to today situation

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TLDR : Answer Summary

Foreigners wishing to switch bank accounts while on a tourist visa in Thailand face notable restrictions. According to several banks, new accounts cannot be opened without either owning property or having a Thai spouse. Existing bank accounts are generally safe from closure when switching to a tourist visa, as prior account activity demonstrates legitimacy. However, Russians and Chinese nationals may encounter more challenges due to heightened scrutiny. The discussion highlights varied experiences among expats, with some mentioning they managed to maintain their accounts even with a tourist visa. Others suggest sticking with a retirement visa for easier banking access.

NON-O RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES

Go to the Retirement Visa Section for information on requirements, including age restrictions, financial requirements, and necessary documentation.
For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
Explore recent discussions by using the Non-O Retirement Visa tag in the search box at the top of the page.
Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.

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Sefton ********

exactly as I predicted..

21 days ago

Jussi ********

Problems is coming if you open new account year 2024 or later and now you have only turist visa, DTV is also turist visa.

If open account before last year, not any problems coming

21 days ago

Antanas *************

@Jussi *******

If I opened mine in 2022 around 2.5 years ago with tourist visa without any agent should be no problem I think 🤔

20 days ago

Reply to

Antanas *************

Henrik *****

Nothing new in that.

The same has been said for many many times for months now in this group.

21 days ago

Snowing ******

When I opened an account with a tourist visa in 2017, kasikorn bank staff did ask for property title deed before they proceeded. Not sure if I need to verify anything with them to make sure things are ok.

21 days ago

Lee **********

Wow thay keep changing the rules makes me nervous about planning a stay there mutch less buying a house..

21 days ago

Lee **********

@Brandon ***********

yes I get that kind of 😔

20 days ago

Brandon ************

@Lee *********

Well since foreigners can't own land, not much reason to spend time looking at buying a house.

21 days ago

Luit *****************

@Brandon ***********

You can get usufruct on the land, and you are allowed to own the house itself.

And you don't need a bankaccount to buy...

20 days ago

Jirka ********

@Brandon ***********

you can rent the land easy 😊 soon for 99 years

21 days ago

Brandon ************

@Jirka *******

the 99 years has nothing to do with buying a house. That's for factories and casinos. You will not have any access to those leases

20 days ago

Reply to

Brandon ************

Greg ********

To be fair the staff you are speaking to at a local branch are pretty far down the food chain. They can tell you only what they know today and how the current situation stands.

21 days ago

Anonymous ******************

Goverment's Thailand did'nt frendly with aillen, I think we will move to Vietnam more friendly than.