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How can expats open a bank account in Thailand without a residency certificate?

ThailandBank AccountsExpatsNon-O VISAResidency CertificateChiang MaiBangkok BankVisa RequirementsJoint Accounts
May 10, 2023
2 years ago
Ellen **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
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.
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TLDR : 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.
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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.
2 years ago
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Onne ***********
@Jason ********
 make one rental agreement
2 years ago
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Graham *******
@Jason ********
 Yes, you need a reason for a bank account! Perhaps you could ask your wife for a rental contract?
2 years ago
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Jason *********
@Graham ******
 Thanks for the reply.Got my wife onto it now.Hopefully with the rental contract they will do it.
2 years ago
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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!
2 years ago
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Chan ******
@Graham ******
 Wow, amazing. I am still stuck in the bank account opening issue for my mom.
2 years ago
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Chan ******
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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!
2 years ago
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Owen ********
@Graham ******
 credit card, that I want to hear about. This will be an adventure worth waiting for!
2 years ago
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Graham *******
@Owen *******
 I might try today!
2 years ago
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Graham *******
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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
2 years ago
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Ellen **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Bob *********
 joint is for daily expenses
2 years ago
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Ellen **********
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Steve *******
Only 50!
2 years ago
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Dawn **********
Which BB in CNX?
2 years ago
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Christopher *******
@Dawn *********
 I was referred to a branch at center airport shopping mall. Right place?
2 years ago
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Ellen **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Dawn *********
 check above...I put in the address
2 years ago
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Ellen **********
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Christopher *************
To be honest it is easy ,I dont see why tourists want bank accounts , but for othwrs living here it's easy
2 years ago
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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 here
2 years ago
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Christopher *************
@Jared *********
 then rent a place and get a contract or buy a place and have a contract ,no issue getting a bank account then
2 years ago
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Jared **********
@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.
2 years ago
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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 transaction
2 years ago
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Jared **********
@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.
2 years ago
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Christopher *************
@Jared *********
 need to go to many branches and one will give you an account I'm sure
2 years ago
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Christopher *************
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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...
2 years ago
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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.
2 years ago
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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
2 years ago
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Christopher *******
@Christopher ************
 I don't qualify for OA yet. Still too young
2 years ago
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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.
2 years ago
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Bobby ********
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Frank **********
@Christopher ************
 no it isn't. Majority of people from what I see have problems.
2 years ago
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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.
2 years ago
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Steve *******
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Mark *********
Awesome 👍
2 years ago
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Max ********
And what visa, are you on?
2 years ago
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Ellen **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Max *******
 90 day retirement
2 years ago
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Chan ******
@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.
2 years ago
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Ellen **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Chan *****
 Non O
2 years ago
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Ellen **********
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Chan ******
@Ellen *********
 Are you required to purchase insurance please?
2 years ago
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Ellen **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Chan *****
 yes for 90day Non O.
2 years ago
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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
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0 baht inpatient and
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baht outpatient insurance. Her age is over the insurable age. Therefore, I am wonder she can do now.
2 years ago
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Chan ******
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Graham ******
@Ellen *********
 purchased outside Thailand then
2 years ago
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Steve *******
@Graham *****
 You can get the 90 day Non Imm O inside and outside Thailand.
2 years ago
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Graham ******
@Steve ******
 Yes but inside you'd need a Thai bank account and meet the financial requirements of 800k
2 years ago
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Graham ******
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Max ********
CNX stands for what?
2 years ago
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Valère *************************
@Max *******
 CNX = Chiang Mai... like BKK stands for Bangkok.
2 years ago
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Garrett ***********
@Max *******
 Google it
2 years ago
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Ruth *******
@Garrett **********
 Maybe you could have just answered him.
2 years ago
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Garrett ***********
@Ruth ******
 You could have also, but you didnt....
2 years ago
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Ruth *******
@Garrett **********
 you’re also assuming I knew what the abbreviation meant. Referring to cities by their airport’s initials is very odd.
2 years ago
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Ruth *******
@Garrett **********
 Valere Jesse Guerts Khaikaew already had by the time I saw the post.
2 years ago
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Ruth *******
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Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else
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Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else
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