How can I obtain a residence certificate and open a bank account in Thailand without a long-term visa?

@Chan *****

May I know if you managed to eventually open a bank account? If yes, please share how u did it. Thanks!

Go to the bank with someone with Thai ID card.

We bought life insurance at Bangkok bank was cheaper than the fee and then they gave both my husband and myself free bank accounts. Before we got this tip they refused to open a. Account unless we paid approx 7k each.

I went to 5 banks telling them I needed to open an account in order to get my retirement visa. Each one insisted that I had to provide a copy of my work visa! Huh?

I ended up paying an agent 3000 baht for some kind of certificate which a bank accepted for opening an account. A lot, right?

Going to apply for my retirement visa next week.

Come to chiang Rai I will help you to open a bank account for

Talking about residential certificate, how do you get it? Also, how to get Thai driving licence? Do you need to get both car and motorbike driving licence? I have a retirement visa but no fixed address

I will never understand why Thailand banks make it so hard to open an acct It’s not like we are asking for credit cards Stupid system

Go to Bangkok bank, soi 43 Sukhumvit road.

I guarantee you success

Answered this question many times. You simply take a thai resident with. With their house papers it is a very easy process. I've had a Bangkok bank account for many years without any problems

Just use an agency and you won't have any issues. I paid an agency 500 baht to open my account in Chiang Mai.

Don't believe anyone who says that you have to pay several thousand or buy insurance from the bank. Not true.

Remember that even if you go in to a Bangkok Bank office and they don’t let you open a bank account, you can go to next Bangkok bank office and they maybe will open a account for you.

Looks like all office have different rules.

You might try such banks like UOB or CIMB, which are originally from Singapore. And maybe, there are some American banks in town.

It’s a joke isn’t it. Probably the best way is to pay an agent. In reality, there are no rules why to not allow a bank account… but business is business I guess..

If u are usa or English Siam legal will get ur visa and take u to open bank account. For a fee not much. Cost is worth not having hassle

Hi sis ,

@Siam ************************************************************

2000 thb only

Go to the main Bangkok bank silom Rd bang rak Bangkok with a letter from immigration or your embassy and lots of money to put in the account and they will be happy to help

I used siam legal international, I believe it was 3000 baht or so to open an account at bangkok bank

Go to bank with a Thai who has an account and get them to vouch for you. I went and they sorted it in 15mins at Bangkok Bank.

If it's any help , I opened Bangkok Bank account in Chiang Rai with a resident certificate from immigration. 🙏

Residence certificate but you still need to certfiy it with your embassy

I opened a thai bank account in Chang Mai on a tourist Visa @ Bangkok Bank in July 2022 , very easy process .

I went to immigration and got a letter from them for 500baht and I'm on a tourist visa.

Kasikorn

Pay a visa agent , they all have “contacts” at branches that can open an account …. Saves you a lot of time going around all the different banks !

Just go to a rural town bank

Classic Catch-22. You need a bank account for a long term visa but Bank Manager says you can’t open an account without a long term visa.

There is nothing in Thai law that prohibits a foreigner from opening a bank account - with or without a long term visa or work permit. That said each branch of each bank has its own rules and some won’t allow it yet some will. If one branch won’t allow it walk along to the next one. Try shopping mall branches, or ones close to an international school who are well used to people needing an account but have no long term visa.

If you’re in a major city or tourist centre then you’ll more likely have luck at some branch. Ask in a local Facebook group for that area who’s had success and what bank/branch. If you’re in the boondocks in Nakhon Si Nowhere then you may be out of luck.

Some banks/branches will ask you to take out a insurance policy to open an account. You may get away politely refusing, as they know it’s not mandatory, but probably won’t.

Some may want a “proof of residence” from an embassy or immigration. Again another classic Catch-22. A number of immigration offices will only issue this is if you’ve done a 90 day report, but you need a long term visa to have done a 90 day report. You may have better luck at your embassy, but don’t hold your breath.

Taking a Thai friend along may help in some instances, but no guarantee you’ll get an easier acceptance.

Perhaps show a wad of cash and say I need to deposit this somewhere. Again it may not help.

Unfortunately it’s just hit and miss.

Failing any luck yourself put a shout out for an agent to help. Generally visa agents offer a bank account opening service. Expect cost to be circa 5,000 baht.