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Do Thai banks offer high yield savings accounts for expats, and can these accounts be used for a retirement visa?

Jun 19, 2025
15 hours ago
Jeff *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Two questions. Does any of the Thai banks offer high yield savings accounts? If they do, can I use one of those accounts for my retirement visa?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The discussions reveal that Thai banks offer low interest rates on savings accounts, typically around 1.5%. Expat users reported using fixed accounts for their retirement visa requirements, maintaining 800,000 baht for instant access, although these accounts yield minimal interest. The conversation suggests that high yield savings accounts are not common, and many expats feel that the interest earned does not justify the fees, making it a challenging financial landscape for foreigners.
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Brian *********
Thats largely why i avoided the non O visa. That much money sitting in an account that will likely charge you more in various service charges than the interest it gives, no thanks. 👌
Dwayne ********
1.5% is good considering in America for a citizen it’s roughly a fluctuating .003/.0005.
Marty ******
Good luck with that their more focused on loans & credit cards that paying interest
Bill *********
I consider the "lost income" on having that account generating no interest as the cost of living in Thailand. I accept it and don't fret about it considering there're other ways more serious obstacles might be thrown at us expats. And I would assume that once I start generating an income in Thailand then taxes will be a issue that I really don't care to tackle.
Peter **********
Interest rates are rubbish in Thai banks. Moreover, interest on borrowing is very high, so they must be hugely profitable.
Henrik *****
You should be happy if they even let you open any type of account at the moment
Alastair ********************
To the best of my knowledge, the 800K has to be in an account that allows instant access which I assume would discount any high yield accounts.
Jeff *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thank you. Guess that savings does nothing
Steve **********
@Je**
I have a “fixed account” that I use for my visa only. I put in the 800K and have left it for years. I get about 8,000 baht per year in interest. It’s no issue to have that type of account but you don’t get much from it.
Gerry ******
@Steve *********
I have the same with government savings bank.its tax free with this Bank.
Andy ************
The very best you'll get is 1.5%. That's why the 65k monthly transfer is the preferred method
Tony *************
The answer to that question is as your a foreigner interest wise🤣😂😳🤭
Jeremy ********
The interest rates in Thai banks are absolute Trash
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