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How can I open a bank account in Bangkok on a tourist visa, and are there agents who can assist?
Nov 15, 2024
a year ago
Ian ********
ORIGINAL POSTERIm in bangkok . And need a agent to do a retirement visa and open a bank account for please as i am on a tourist visa. I qualify for the 65k a month but dont have the 800.000baht . So will need an agent to help me please.
No bank will open an account anymore on a tourist visa.
Let me know with price details please .
No bank will open an account anymore on a tourist visa.
Let me know with price details please .
TLDR : Answer Summary
The user is seeking assistance with obtaining a retirement visa and opening a bank account in Bangkok, as they currently hold a tourist visa. They qualify for the retirement criteria (65,000 baht/month) but do not have the required 800,000 baht in a bank account. Many commenters shared advice on finding agents in Bangkok or Pattaya who can facilitate the visa and bank account processes, mentioning that agents in Pattaya might charge less. Some highlighted that certain banks still assist with account openings for tourists, particularly with the right documentation like a lease agreement or blue book. There were also discussions about converting the tourist visa to a Non-O visa without leaving Thailand, as long as one meets the necessary financial eligibility.
NON-O RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
- Go to the Retirement Visa Section for information on requirements, including age restrictions, financial requirements, and necessary documentation.
- For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
- Explore recent discussions by using the Non-O Retirement Visa tag in the search box at the top of the page.
- Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.
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Angelo ***********
You have try just more banks. You can open a bank account on any visa, and visa exempt.
Ian ********
ORIGINAL POSTERAlso i asked head offices aswell they all say same
Angelo ***********
@Ian *******
Well, then you have bad luck? Hm? Perhaps they simply do not like you?If a certain branch does not want to open an account: that is their decision.
And has nothing to do with your visa or lack there off.
What you think how an agent is doing it? If your visa would eb a problem an agent could not open a bank account for you.
FACEPALM
Tim ******
@Angelo **********
"If your visa would eb a problem an agent could not open a bank account for you."BS
Angelo ***********
@Tim *****
Up to you ... good luck. Seems you are on the dafter side of the brain cell department. Good Luck, you will need it.Reply to
Angelo ***********
Reply
Ian ********
ORIGINAL POSTEREvery bank i been too said same thing no. Ive been to about 40
Tim ******
Reply to
Tim ******
Reply
Tim ******
@Angelo **********
Yes sure 🤣.Ian ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Tim *****
you cant do that anymore . They have stopped itTim ******
@Ian *******
I know. That was meant sarcastically. Angelo hasn't understood it yet. 🤣Angelo ***********
@Ian *******
You can. I mean: one can. YOU probably can't. So figure out what you are doing wrong.Reply to
Angelo ***********
Reply
Radha ***************
@Arvind ******
try him genuine one I did myn with himJohnnie ********
Apply for a visa, you will get 60 days on top of your visa exempt. I did that, no problem, no agent, 35-40 minutes, easy as 🙏🇹🇭❤️🇹🇭🙏
Graham ******
@Johnnie *******
The initial Non-O Visa is 90 days not 60Johnnie ********
@Graham *****
normal tourist visaGraham ******
@Johnnie *******
but you cannot get a Tourist Visa "on top" of a Visa Exempt 60 day entry stamp but you can get a 90 day Non-O VisaReply to
Graham ******
Reply
Paul *******
Maneerat Visa Service Soi 13/2 Pattaya 25K 15 months O Visa
**********************************************************************************************
****
Pattaya 25K 15 months O Visa https://www.google.com/search?q=maneerat+visa+service&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en-us&client=safariAndrew *******
@Mots *********
Pattaya 👍🏻Kevin ********
Prepare to throw money at any agent there,and the odds U get a good one is very slim. Scammers
Fred *********
Bangkok bank still open on tourist visa you just go small branch not the main one
Dave *******
@Fred ********
you will be lucky most refuse you . So not not as simple as you stateFred *********
@Dave ******
they still doing it . Only Bangkok bank , but even with a work permit (blue book ) if you don’t have the proper visa in your passport to go with it won’t work . But yeah not like 5 years ago was so easy to open one
Dave *******
@Fred ********
agent easy Bangkok bankReply to
Dave *******
Reply
Max **********
@Fred ********
I tried many small branches on advice without success. One branch told me to marry Thai lady to open account. Ended up using Laurie, Chiang Mai visa shop with no problems and now have retirement visa.Reply to
Max **********
Reply
Osian ********
When i was last in Thailand on tourist visa, Bangkok bank was willing to sort it if i bought the 6k health insurance, maybe the cheaper option
Ruth *******
Sent contact info for a guy in Bangkok.
Brian *******
bangkok bank opened mine
Jay *****
If you are only staying short term, why do want to have a Thai bank account? Paying an agent for an account to use on a short visit, will cost you at least 5000b or more for the account.
Tim ******
@Jay ****
Maybe he is on a tourist visa because he wants to apply for non-o / retirement extension. 🤔Osian ********
@Tim *****
is that right? By opening an account and transferring the 800k, will immigration then allow you to jump from tourist to NON-O without leaving Thailand, asking cos I just never knew that was possible 🤔Graham ******
@Osian *******
Yes, you can get a Non-O (retirement or marriage) in country if you meet the requirements including financials (800k/400k in a Thai bank account ot Embassy income affidavit).Tim ******
@Osian *******
yes. Convert tourist visa to non-o and apply for a 1-year extension based on retirement if you are 50+.Don't have to leave Thailand.
But if you don't use a visa agent, maybe 60 days is not enough and you must extend the tourist visa 30 days.
Reply to
Tim ******
Reply
Ian ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Tim *****
correctReply to
Ian ********
Reply
Gigi ****
Is it a need to open a Thai bank actually? Considering it…
Tim ******
@Gigi ***
Yes. There are also expats who live in Thailand permanently and not just when the weather is pleasant for Farangs.And when you stay permanently in Thailand a Thai bank account makes your life easier.
This counts also for other countries.
Ian ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Gigi ***
i wanted to retire i dont have the 800.000 baht to apply next way is *****
every month for two ywars in a thai account so yes it is essentialGigi ****
@Ian *******
I see!Reply to
Gigi ****
Reply
Andy **********
Contact an agent in Pattaya, it is usually a lot cheaper than doing it in Bangkok, you can get the bus from Ekkamai bus station to Pattaya, and the same to go back.
Tim ******
@Andy *********
Yes. Very easy.I did it some months ago.
2x 130 Baht bus ticket, 2x 100 Baht for Grab to Ekkamai and back. And to 2x 100 Baht from Pattaya bus terminal to visa agent and back.
From Ekkamai there are big comfortable busses. Bus about 3h.
Reply to
Tim ******
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Nick *******
Still opening accounts here in Patong on TV’s.
Gigi ****
@Nick ******
which bank and branch in Patong?Nick *******
@Gigi ***
Bangkok bank. I opened mine in the Rat-U-Tit Road branch and a friend of mine opened his last month in the branch that is located at in the basement of the Jeung Ceylon shopping mall.Reply to
Nick *******
Reply
Sandra *******
Need either a blue book or lease agreement to open bank account along with your visa
Matthew *******
The agents in Bangkok I spoke to charge top dollar
I’d head to Pattaya
Farang Thai Visa
I’d head to Pattaya
Farang Thai Visa
Randy ******
@Matthew ******
If a person opens a bank account in Pattaya in a big Thai bank (say Bangkok bank which have branches all over the country) , can he live in a different city? Most transactions are done electronically nowadays. Although, you still need to deal with them personally once a year for the dreaded visa extension.Matthew *******
@Randy *****
you can however your atm card will incur a small fee when used at atm outside of the areaAndy **********
@Matthew ******
select cardless withdrawal at the ATM, and authorise it using the app, it is free for out of area withdrawals, it is usually ฿15 for out of area withdrawals, only if you use the physical card.Matthew *******
@Andy *********
thank youReply to
Matthew *******
Reply
Mark ***********
If you don’t mind a day trip to Pattaya, Nan Services are fantastic
Phil ******
@Ian *******
try @THAI *****************************
price btw฿5-10k.James ********
There’s really no point with tourist visa.
Unless you are trying to save money on withdrawal fees
All of Thailand has to go through same process
Unless you are trying to save money on withdrawal fees
All of Thailand has to go through same process
Ruth *******
@James *******
where in his post did he ask whether he needed an account? I don’t think he needs your permission or approval. He is just looking for the resource.Reply to
Ruth *******
Reply
Joy ******
Please contact
@https://www.facebook.com/shar*****************************
Reply to
Joy ******
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