How can I open a bank account in Bangkok without a permanent address for my Non-O visa?

Feb 21, 2024
10 months ago
Peter **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I hope this is allowed. Admins, if not then feel free to delete.

I am going to Thailand soon for permanent stay. My wife is Thay and we plan to live in Isan. We do not yet have a permanent address.

I have seen that it’s best practice to enter Thailand on a 90 day non-O visa. That makes me very nervous. I will need to open a bank account, get money into the account, and the timeframe is really very short. I understood the THB400k money must be on the account two months before applying for the extension. The extension must be requested no later than 15 days before the expiration date of the visa.

That leaves only 2 weeks to open an account and get money on it.

We will stay in Bangkok the first few weeks to arrange various things, so we will open the bank account in Bangkok (BKK bank). Will they give us trouble if we do not yet have a fixed address? Can we open an account using a hotel address? Can anyone refer us to a financial service company which can assist in opening a bank account for a reasonable fee?

Any (good) help is appreciated.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user is moving to Thailand for a permanent stay with a Thai spouse and intends to live in Isan, but is concerned about the logistics of opening a bank account in Bangkok without a permanent address. They are advised that opening a bank account may be challenging due to recent restrictions, but it's possible using a hotel address. A certificate of residence from Immigration is typically required, which may not be available without a fixed address. The comments suggest using an agent for assistance and provide insights into visa and extension application processes, discussing the necessary funds and documentation.
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Shaughn ***********
These are the current requirements at Bangkok bank
Adrien **********
You should be fine, prepare a wise account in advance unless your bank does not charge fees or cheat you on exhange rates.

If all goes well you can transfer the 400k within 48h technically so your are not that short on time. Thai bank can be opened within the day, a bank or wise transfer can be 1 day.
Robert *********
Many will open if you buy a year insurance policy and a decent deposit
Andy ********
You are going about it the correct way. Get your non immigrant O in your home country. You can apply for your one year extension up to your final day of your 90 day stamp but obviously this is not advisable.

The problem with trying to open a bank account in Bangkok is that Bangkok immigration won't issue a certificate of residence until you have first done a 90 day report.

The process may be easier in your intended home base in Issan. Most immigration offices will issue a certificate of residence as long as you have registered your address by completing a TM30.

Armed with a certificate of residence, your passport with a Non Immigrant O visa and another form of ID (maybe a driving licence from your home country) you WILL be able to open a bank account. In my experience Bangkok Bank is the best account to deal with immigration issues and has the best English speaking staff.

If you run out of time opening the bank account and transfering the 400k you have the option as a married man to apply for a 60 day visit spouse extension.
Nongnuch ********
@Andy *******
I guess you missed that the OP will not have a permanent address in the Eesan, but will stay in a hotel in Bangkok. Which means he cannot get a "certificate of residence" from Immigration in Bangkok, which is needed to open a bank account. We should suggest to him to use an agent for opening a bank account
Peter **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Nongnuch *******
I think you (both) got it right - with the “I will stay in a hotel in Bangkok”.

Can anyone recommend an agency which can provide assistance to get the bank account (in Bangkok)?

I’ve seen the website of Siam Legal, but they don’t provide assistance to open an account in Bangkok.
Nongnuch ********
@Peter *********
I don't know an agency in Bangkok, however if you don't bother driving to Pattaya, there are two agencies I can highly recommend. One is
@Stefan *******
F.S. Consulting Co. and the other is called "Mot's Service". Stefan will open a bank account with Bangkok Bank for you within 2 days and it does not cost an arm
Bent *************
Well, if you are going to stay permanrly in Thailand, why worry about 14 days?
Tim *********
I opened an account at Bangkok Bank by showing a hotel booking of one month and my non-O visa. It took me 2 days and numerous visits to do it. If I did it again, knowing what I know now, I'd use an agent to open the account.
James *********
Take your wife with you to the bank, makes it easier for you to open an account, best wishes 🤠
Brian ********
Christopher *************
Are you already married to each other?
Stephen ********
Hey i have 90 days tourist visa. From Canada so border run drive across Malaysia then return get 30 days?
Stephen ********
@Nongnuch *******
ok but for now until i apply for a retirement visa after the 90 days get 30 more after border run???
Stephen ********
After 90 day tourist visa cross boarder and get 30 more on reentry to Thailand?.?
Stephen ********
@Todd ********
you are right Sir! The I get 30 more days upon reentry or 15 Todd. Thank you.
Todd *********
@Stephen *******
you have a 60 day tourist visa, not 90. It can be extended in country once for 30 days at any immigration office for 1900 baht. After that, you must exit the country
Deya *******
@Todd ********
after turist visa 60 +30 can I appy for retíred visa?
Nongnuch ********
@Deya ******
you need to apply on Immigration for the "change of visa type" from a tourist visa to a 90-days Non-Imm-O retirement/over 50 visa. You must do this as soon as possible after you have transferred a minimum of 800,000.- THB to your Thai bank account, because you need a proof that the money came from abroad, and there must be a minimum of 15 work days left on your stay permit stamp to be able to apply.
Todd *********
@Deya ******
the actual answer is no. As there is no such thing as a retirement visa here (except LTR).

You could apply for a 90 day non-O visa, and then apply for the one year retirement extension
Rok ********
@Deya ******
yes, as long as 14 days remaining on the existing visa or exemption (told and been given even the last qualifying day by immigration officer in Sri Racha when enquiring).
Hristo ***********
I'll tell u how I did it, I did the 1 year extension just 2 weeks ago in Phuket. I did enter on a 60 days tourist visa. After that I did apply for a Non-o based on marriage. To get it you need some docs, you need a bank acc but you don't need any money. At least in Phuket. You need to have at least 3 full weeks left on your current visa/extension. Next, you have to transfer money to the bank acc, 400k+ thb, not important how you transfer them. They need to be in you acc 2 months before you apply for the extension. I did get the non o on 2.11.2023 and it was until 30.01.2024; So basically you have plenty of time to transfer the money and still have some days left before you apply for the extension. I did apply on 15.01.2024 and did get a consideration stamp until 12.02.2024. On 12.02.2024 I did just bring my passport and did get the 1 year extension until 30.01.2025. Only thing that you have to keep in mind is that they use to return you at least once to fix something on your docs, seems to be like a practice. So better plan 2 days for applying. And first go to the exact office where you gonna apply and ask about the docs, as it seems that not all of them follow the exact same procedure... At the end if you married, and bring the docs you get your visa, but keep in mind it did cost me ~5 days total.
Nongnuch ********
@Hristo **********
he got the correct visa, however he cannot get the "certificate of residence" from Immigration, if he lives at a hotel address. All banks require this certificate for opening a bank account
Andrew ***********
@Peter *********
not totally correct and I think for you it's best to find a agent to assist you, Google is your friend there as there are many in Bangkok.
Terary **********
I would like to point out
@Hristo **********
's experience may be accurate. You will discover each immigration office is different. I would recommend that you determine which immigration office you will be using and asking for up-to-date experiences from that immigration office.
Peter **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Terary *********
Have you understood that my questions in fact relate to opening a bank account? 😉
Jan ******************
@Peter *********
If you enter on a Non O visa and have a Thai wife I’m quite sure you’ll manage to open a bank account. The problem is if you enter on tourist visa or visa exemption and then want to apply for a Non O visa.
Peter **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jan *****************
Willing to bet money on “I’m quite sure”? ;)
Jan ******************
@Peter *********
I have both Bangkok Bank and Krungthai Bank archived on visa exemption some years ago, but everything is more strict now. The sure ting is that most banks now demand a Long Stay visa for to open an account. What we know that practice varies between the different banks and also branches within the same bank. Krung Thai didn’t even let me open a second savings account in their bank without a Non O visa even though I’ve been a customer for 9 years. On the other hand I have friends who managed to open an account on a tourist visa in Bangkok Bank in Pattaya now Christmas time. So I’m quite confident you will manage to open an accounts if you (and your wife) do some research and ask for requirements for opening an account. Your last option is to use an agent and they’re able to open an account even on a tourist visa for a price.
Peter **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Hristo **********
Chicken and egg. Which was first?

In the new ruling, you can not get a bank account without a non-O visa or work permit. And you can not get a non-O in Thailand without the bank account.

Circles, circles, circles. Hence I search a financial service company which can assist me opening the bank account.
Sue **********
@Bradley ********
provided he can prove a long term stay as well some bank branches require more than others its really not easy any more now so better take an agent
Sue **********
@Bradley ********
well I did it and it was a very serious company. If you don‘t have Thaiwife or Thaifriends and every bank branch refuses even though you bring all docs needed and plus time is running out with the non O 90 days then you are grateful for any help
Ruth *******
@Sue *********
he has a Thai wife, but I did it without one.
Gary ****
You will really struggle to open a bank account without the correct visas nowadays, they have cracked down recently. You could use an agent to get one, it's not something I would do personally, but many people do.
Ruth *******
I know an agent in Phrom Phong who will help you open an account. Unfortunately, agents in Bangkok are expensive. Before I had my non-O and was able to do it myself, they quoted me 15K baht.
Peter **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ruth ******
It is really helpful to say “I know an agent”. May I suggest that you share the name / contact information, if you want to be helpful?
Ruth *******
@Peter *********
I would have happily shared information on how to find them had you messaged me. However, given your response to me, I have no desire to help at all. I will say this…don’t bring that attitude to the bank. Best of luck to you!
Nongnuch ********
@Peter *********
F.S. Consulting
@Stefan *******
in Pattaya will open a Bangkok Bank Account for you, for a fee of 5000.- THB. And you are not forced to sign an insurance contract. 15,000.- THB? That's a ripoff, it's a ridiculous quote
Ruth *******
@Nongnuch *******
I think that it would be INCREDIBLY stupid to forge a rental contract when you sign it as evidence of your domicile as part of your application for an account. But, hey, if you’d prefer to think the bank clerks are stupid for not planning for people who would do that (but, then again, they HAVE planned for it by making people sign), you go right ahead.

You’re not being respectful in your comments. I shared my experience. It’s not wrong. It’s just different from yours. I wasn’t disrespectful to you when I shared it, but you can’t hold your emotions in check. Get it together!
Nongnuch ********
@Ruth ******
you have been EXTREMELY lucky, as it is NOT standard for a foreigner to open a bank account without the "certificate of residence" from Immigration. You were very LUCKY, because from experience and my longtime standing in visa advice groups, I KNOW FOR SURE it has been standard in 99.9% of all applications to a bank account. . . .It has NEVER been different. Your experience? This is the first time I read that somebody was able to prove his address at a bank with a rental contract. It is ridiculous, irresponsible and stupid from a bank clerk to accept this! That's just my five cents!
Andy ********
@Gary ***
if you read the OP he will have the correct visa. He is getting a Non Immigrant O before he travels to Thailand.
Peter **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Ok, guys. Chill down. Probably Ruth is writing about some actions in the past, not aware that things have changed considerably just recently. There is no need to start shouting at each other. Stay cool and be happy. Thanks!
Nongnuch ********
@Andy *******
yes he got the correct visa, however he cannot get the "certificate of residence" from Immigration, if he lives at a hotel address. All banks require this certificate for opening a bank account
Ruth *******
@Nongnuch *******
they do not. They do, however, require a permanent address. I opened two accounts with my 90-day non-O plus a lease.
Nongnuch ********
@Ruth ******
you were damn lucky 😃😁😃 Banks normally don't accept leases, because you can buy the forms at any thrift store and make a lease up on your own! Banks normally only accept Immigration's "certificate of residence", that state "for opening a bank account" and they have a validity of 4 weeks only
Ruth *******
@Nongnuch *******
I guess I was “damn lucky” twice. I opened one account for my visa and a separate one for doing transactions, so I don’t accidentally overwithdraw (or have someone else do so, which happened with my “home” account) from my visa account. Once I had a Non-O visa, I had no trouble at all.
Brandon ************
The extension can be applied for on the last day of your visa entry stamp. The 15 day thing is if you're converting from a tourist entry to a non-O visa.
Peter **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
That is good to know. Thanks.
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