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How can I open a bank account in Bangkok as a foreigner and do I need a translator?

BankingOpening a bank accountBangkokThai VisaVisa requirementsTranslation servicesExpatsForeigners in ThailandMoney transfer
Jan 27, 2024
10 months ago
Lay *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Bank help: I am trying to open a bank account to transfer money into a local bank from the USA. I need a translator to help me. If you speak both Thai and English, please reach out to me. I am located in Bangkok.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
A user is seeking help to open a Thai bank account for transferring money from the USA while in Bangkok. The conversation reveals that while some banks, like Bangkok Bank and Kasikorn, have English-speaking staff that can assist you, having a translator may not be necessary for the administrative process. However, challenges may arise due to visa requirements, and it's recommended to proceed with an agent for smoother service. Their input highlights that maintaining valid residency and visa status is crucial for account opening, along with potential documentation from immigration. Other users suggest using services like Wise for easier money transfers.
Andrew ********
I just opened a bank account with kasikorn I think they are the easiest. You need a o visa or higher also you need to go to the immigration office and they will give you a form and then you go to the bank and open an account?? It does take a while maybe that’s why they don’t like us to have accounts
10 months ago
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David ********
You will need a residence certificate from immigration to open an account a tm30 best use an agent as things have tightened up recently agent can sort these out and take you to the bank no que
10 months ago
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Mark *********
Does this really have anything to do with English? It is a very straightforward administrative process with very little need to speak any language. The issue is most likely simple supporting documentation by way of visa and residence. I am seeing no absolute clarity here on those. Everyone is just casting around in a mirk without such basic information.
10 months ago
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Mina *******
Sukhumvit area Bangkok bank , not far from landmark hotel . There are some staff speaks English . Good luck
10 months ago
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Anthony *******
If you are American you need to learn to speak English properly first
10 months ago
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Robert ***********
@Anthony ******
 Typical stupid statement.
10 months ago
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Anthony *******
@Robert **********
 it’s not stupid it’s true you call a toilet a bath room no shower or bath or a restroom no beds to lay on no sofa and you call me stupid?? Learn the language before you comment
10 months ago
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Robert ***********
@Anthony ******
 And you add another stupid response to your trail?? Please stop talking you sound ridiculous
10 months ago
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Robert ***********
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Steve **********
@Anthony ******
 not true, they don't !

There is no proper American languages it varies region yo region.
10 months ago
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Steve **********
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Steve **********
Every city branch ( not town or village ) Bkk has an English speaker
10 months ago
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Kris ********
Get a lawyer to help.
10 months ago
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Steve **********
@Kris *******
 yikes, don't even recommend an agent....ask Bkk bank manager if buying insurance from them will help..a 5000 policy commissions the bank employee...worth a try
10 months ago
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Steve **********
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Henrik *****
It will be very difficult if you are on a touristvisa, and you haven’t a permanent adress in Thailand.

They don’t waste time on people just in Thailand for a few weeks every year.

It would probably be the same if a foreigner try to open a bankaccount in your country
10 months ago
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Linz ************
@Lay ******
 as others have said, make it easier on yourself, get an agent to help do all the hard work, seriously it is not worth you messing around with
@Mots *********
 get our vote as well
10 months ago
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Phil ******
@Lay ******
 every bank the manager and assistance speak English. Best you get an agent as rules have tightened.

You definitely need a LT visa and even then Its hard.
10 months ago
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Maple *********
Where’s are you ?
10 months ago
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Lay *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Maple ********
 Bangkok
10 months ago
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Maple *********
@Lay ******
 go to Bangkok Bank at Asoke they can speak English.
10 months ago
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Maple *********
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Martin *****
Maybe it would help by telling where you are staying.
10 months ago
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Us *****
Just pay an agent to bribe the bank manager. That is the quickest and most painless way. When you are in Rome, act like a Roman.
10 months ago
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Jeffrey ************
Do you want to say where you are?...
10 months ago
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Lay *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jeffrey ***********
 yeah I should have, Bangkok.
10 months ago
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Lay *******
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Egger *********
Transfer to a wize account then

To your Thai account when opened , cheaper the a bank to bank transfer .

I needed an address to open account ,
10 months ago
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Lay *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Egger ********
 thanks, I was thinking of doing it that way. The banks in Bangkok gives you a currency exchange rate that's pretty low. Have you used wise for awhile, any problems?
10 months ago
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Egger *********
@Lay ******
 I use wise all the time , once bank is set up transfer in minutes. Can set up regular payments easily as well.
10 months ago
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Egger *********
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Ang *****
A translator won’t be able to help you if the reasons are the bank says no. Usually a visa issue.
10 months ago
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Marty *********
I’ve usually found English speaking staff at Kasikorn. Occasionally they put me on the phone with one of their English fluent staff.
10 months ago
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Geraldine **************
I have never needed an interpreter to open a bank account in Thailand.
10 months ago
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James ********
@Geraldine *************
 presumably coz your native tongue is not Burmese ….
10 months ago
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Geraldine **************
@James *******
 😂Nooooooo I don't think so... I am English.
10 months ago
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James ********
@Geraldine *************
 😉
10 months ago
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James ********
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Geraldine **************
The Bangkok Bank has English speaking staff that can help you.
10 months ago
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Robert **************
@Geraldine *************
 I just opened one in Hua Hin with Bangkok Bank. Relatively simple process. But it would help to have a native speaker with you. If not Google translate might be sufficient. Good luck
10 months ago
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Geraldine **************
@Robert *************
 I already have an account with Bangkok Bank. I have had it for many years.. But thank you anyway 😊🙏
10 months ago
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David ********
@Geraldine *************
 Have you considered something like ‘Wise’? Open a Wise account and send money from your USA bank to your Wise account and use Wise to transfer it to Bangkok Bank … unless you’re trying to transfer several hundred thousand dollars it might be more convenient to open a Wise account than set up a Bangkok Bank account using translators (I assume that since you already have a BBK account there’s some limit on that account that precludes just doing a regular wire transfer from your US account?)
10 months ago
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Geraldine **************
@David *******
 I am English not American!!!
10 months ago
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David ********
@Geraldine *************
 lol, I got everything wrong, didn't I? ... That said, I believe Wise it's a British company ... But I may be wrong ... Again!! Lol
10 months ago
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Geraldine **************
@David *******
 I already have a Wise account and a Thai bank account.. It's not me that needs any advice here 😂
10 months ago
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David ********
@Geraldine *************
 oops ;-)
10 months ago
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David ********
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Colin **********
@Geraldine *************
 depends on the bank, some don't, but thier call centres do have an English option, as do other banks.
10 months ago
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Geraldine **************
@Colin *********
 I just mentioned Bangkok Bank which I have used for umpteen years! As I have never ever needed an agent or interpreter. In any of their branches that I have visited language had NOT been a problem.
10 months ago
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Colin **********
@Geraldine *************
 yes that's your experience, very valid, in the two branches near me no one speaks English, my experience.
10 months ago
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Geraldine **************
@Colin *********
 Fair enough! As you rightfully say.. We can only speak on our own experiences 👍
10 months ago
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Geraldine **************
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May *********
There are many Burmese agents who provide the services which include for opening the bank account in Thai banks. If you are not met the requirements to open the bank account, translators can’t help you but only for interpretation service.
10 months ago
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Lay *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@May ********
 Can you recommend one in Bangkok?
10 months ago
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May *********
@Lay ******
 once my friend used called Mon Mon in her fb account
10 months ago
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May *********
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John ********
Translators are for written documents and interpreters are for oral
10 months ago
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John-Paul ******
John Wilson I am sure the poster appreciated the education... though we all knew what they were saying.
10 months ago
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Damo ***********
@John *******
 what a CH you are.... we all know what the guy needs.... can you help him or not? If not, shut up!
10 months ago
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Damo ***********
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Martin *****
Take an agent..
@Mots *********
10 months ago
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Martin *****
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