Answered3 years ago
How can expats open a bank account in Thailand without a residency certificate?
We took a chance.....we were successful at opening 2 bank accounts at Bangkok Bank in CNX (125 Changhuak Rd, Tambon Si Phum, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand without having to go to immigration and get the residency certificate! The requested requirements were passports, US driver's license, international driver's license and our lease agreement. 2 1/2 hours later and what seemed like at least 50 signatures each and many stamps, We are in! Because one of the accounts is a JOINT account, we are not able to have immediate online banking until we get approval.(another application x 2) They will be sending the user ID by text, and mailing us the PIN number. This was all because there were two people on the account?? Expect 3-5 days before online banking. All in all, we are super happy.
Answer summary
An expat shares their successful experience opening two bank accounts at Bangkok Bank in Chiang Mai without needing a residency certificate. They provided various documents including passports and driver's licenses. The process was lengthy, requiring many signatures, and they noted that online banking access for a joint account would take a few additional days for approval. Other community members discuss the challenges of opening bank accounts in Thailand, especially in regard to visa requirements and the necessity of proof of residence.
47 repliesnewest first
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Jason *********
I'm on a non O ,90 day visiting spouse visa and I have tried 3 banks.went with my Thai wife and they still won't open it.They keep saying go to embassy.Im staying with my wife so I don't have a rental agreement.
Onne ***********
@Jason ********
make one rental agreementGraham *******
@Jason ********
Yes, you need a reason for a bank account! Perhaps you could ask your wife for a rental contract?Jason *********
@Graham ******
Thanks for the reply.Got my wife onto it now.Hopefully with the rental contract they will do it.Chan ******
@Graham ******
Wow, amazing. I am still stuck in the bank account opening issue for my mom.Graham *******
@Jason ********
Try talking to a realtor on this matter! I did get help (free) from a realtor who came to immigration with me and the bank!Graham *******
Congrats I recently did the same at BBK, I took TM30 and a signed agreement to buy a condo to immigration, got an approval from them, when to the bank, got bank book, atm card and online account there and then! I have now my 12 month stay and my house book and I am "going over the top" tomorrow and asking for a credit card! If I do not post again consider me MIA!
Owen ********
@Graham ******
credit card, that I want to hear about. This will be an adventure worth waiting for!Graham *******
@Owen *******
I might try today!
Bob **********
a joint account means more money for a non-o and the yearly extension they tell you 800k in a bank in your name only but good to hear they open accounts for you
Ellen **********
OP@Bob *********
joint is for daily expenses
Steve *******
Only 50!
Dawn **********
Which BB in CNX?
Christopher *******
@Dawn *********
I was referred to a branch at center airport shopping mall. Right place?Ellen **********
OP@Dawn *********
check above...I put in the addressChristopher *************
To be honest it is easy ,I dont see why tourists want bank accounts , but for othwrs living here it's easy
Jared **********
@Christopher ************
because i spend my winters here and i would much rather have a thai card with a thai account for daily use, and if i ever needed to replace it it would be a lot easier. No real mental gymnastics going on hereChristopher *************
@Jared *********
then rent a place and get a contract or buy a place and have a contract ,no issue getting a bank account thenChristopher *************
@Jared *********
need to go to many branches and one will give you an account I'm sureJared **********
@Christopher ************
yea its a bit of a hot mess, i’d like one in theory but not sure it’s worth it as it stands now. Made an extra account back home and mostly deal with cash works but having an in country Plan B would be optimal.Christopher *************
@Jared *********
good luck getting a bank account then , you will also pay ATM fees if you have a bank account in one area and withdraw in another ,unless uou use cardless transactionJared **********
@Christopher ************
i spend 4-5 months traveling around and do not stay in one spot for a month so all your suggestions are irrelevant for me.Christopher *******
@Christopher ************
why do tourists want bank accounts? I'll tell ya.. it's a catch 22. For the retirement visa, the thai embassy website states that 800,000 baht is needed in a THAI bank account. I am 7 years away, but want to build that nest egg as I continue working in USA. Now, to get the account, I need the visa I hand, whose perquisite is having the account, that needs a visa...
Steve *******
@Christopher ******
The vast majority of people retiring to Thailand arrive with the visa from their home Country which doesnt require 800k in a Thai bank thus enabling them to open a bank account without too many problems. They can then deposit and season the 800k for the 1 year extention of stay.Christopher *************
@Christopher ******
you can get a OA retirement visa in your own country for the first year then open a bank account in Thailand after
Bobby ********
@Christopher ******
You're better off building up your nest egg in your home country earning a slightly better interest rate (not much admittedly but everything adds up) and when you're ready for the visa transfer the 800k lump sum in one hit.Christopher *******
@Christopher ************
I don't qualify for OA yet. Still too young
Frank **********
@Christopher ************
no it isn't. Majority of people from what I see have problems.Steve *******
@Frank *********
The people that post on here have problems, that's why they're posting, a very small minority of the expat/foreign community. I'd say the majority living here dont have any problems. I dont know anyone living here who had a problem opening a bank account.
Mark *********
Awesome 👍
Max ********
And what visa, are you on?
Ellen **********
OP@Max *******
90 day retirementChan ******
@Ellen *********
If you applied 90 days non o visa outside Thailand, when you get the 1 year retirement visa, it will be Non O or Non OA please?Thank you.
Ellen **********
OP@Chan *****
Non OChan ******
@Ellen *********
Are you required to purchase insurance please?Ellen **********
OP@Chan *****
yes for 90day Non O.Chan ******
My mom is holding Hong Kong SAR passport, having asked many agents, they replied cannot help. For applying non o in Hong Kong, they request to submit insurance with
*****
0 baht inpatient and *****
baht outpatient insurance. Her age is over the insurable age. Therefore, I am wonder she can do now.
Graham ******
@Ellen *********
purchased outside Thailand thenGraham ******
@Steve ******
Yes but inside you'd need a Thai bank account and meet the financial requirements of 800kSteve *******
@Graham *****
You can get the 90 day Non Imm O inside and outside Thailand.Max ********
CNX stands for what?
Valère *************************
@Max *******
CNX = Chiang Mai... like BKK stands for Bangkok.
Garrett ***********
@Max *******
Google it
Ruth *******
@Garrett **********
you’re also assuming I knew what the abbreviation meant. Referring to cities by their airport’s initials is very odd.Ruth *******
@Garrett **********
Valere Jesse Guerts Khaikaew already had by the time I saw the post.Garrett ***********
@Ruth ******
You could have also, but you didnt....Activity
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