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How can I open a bank account in Phuket with an ED visa?

ED VisaBank AccountPhuketVisa RegulationsThai BankingExpat Advice
Feb 15, 2024
9 months ago
Coby **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Bank account / ED visa / Phuket

Hi all, Phuket based and just received my ED visa stamp. Although im signed up for 12 months, the visa stamp only shows 3 months as it gets renewed every 90 days. Im ok with all of this.

Kasikorn and Bangkok banks in Central have both advised that a bank account is not possible.

Hoping to find someone who was successful in opening an account on an ED visa in Phuket. Alternatively, any recommended agents who can do it for a reasonable price (last quoted B8,300).

Note: i understand every branch has its own rules. Just trying to aim my attempts where success has been achieved already.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user is seeking advice on how to open a bank account in Phuket with an ED visa, which is valid for 3 months but signed for 12 months, and has faced refusals from local banks. Community members provide various suggestions, including trying different branches, using visa agents, and reaching out to their schools for assistance. There are mentions of changed policies affecting foreigners with ED visas and experiences with differing fees and requirements at various banks.
Us *****
Yup BS policy. I was able to open one up at Kasikorn with my ED visa last year. Then suddenly some of my new classmates can't open one up because they changed the policy.
9 months ago
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Stephen ******
For farangs the changed the rules in april 2023 a farang can only have a an account with Bangkok bank. All i needed was two forms of ID and a thai sim card in my phone so thay could download there banking app but the catch is it cost me 7000 bart . I am back in England and my app is working perfectly
9 months ago
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Coby **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Stephen *****
 similar outcome for me.

I guess I'll play the game. It is a one off expense i guess and will make life a lot easier here in Thailand
9 months ago
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Stephen ******
@Coby *********
 some times it better to play the game mate. There is always something that comes along and bites you on the arse anyway good luck to ya hoping to live there my self when the time is write
9 months ago
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Coby **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Stephen *****
 yeah. Committed to play the game and instantly felt the relief of not having the hassle. There are definitely better ways for me to spend my time instead of going from Bank to Bank to find that magical unicorn
9 months ago
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Coby **********
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Coby **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Update: getting it sorted through my visa agent to avoid the hassle. Went to 4 more banks today who all said that policies have changes with ED visas. 2 of them even showed me the policy update.

My agent have waived their service fee so that helps a bit and for the peace of mind to just have it done, I'll wear the opening costs. Thanks for all the helpful suggestions.

And i live in Phuket because i love it here Andy 😊 Been here in total for over a year and it suits me just fine.
9 months ago
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Andy **********
I don't understand why people choose to live in Phuket, it's a proper tourist trap!! the cost of living is a lot more expensive, There are other locations in Thailand where you can live the same lifestyle for 50% of what it is costing you now. ฿3500 agent fee to open a bank account in Pattaya 🙆🤦🤷
9 months ago
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Pisuttha *************
At my school you have to pay 200 baht for document at the school then you can open bank account with the bank who are our partners. But I don't know the detail how much you have to deposit at first time.
9 months ago
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Javier ********
Try more branches
9 months ago
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Declan **********
Talk to your school, they should be able to give you a list of independent branches where you can go and open an account.

Unless you're on an ED for Uni and have a student ID card busy branches like those in malls aren't going to entertain you.
9 months ago
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Coby **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Declan *********
 good suggestion. I did reach out to my visa agent but hadn't considered the school itself 🙏
9 months ago
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Coby **********
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Neal *******
“Banks in Central…”

Try free standing bank branches. Mall branches are filled with normal banking customers and are really too busy to handle foreigners trying to open accounts. Also, their employees aren’t trained to do so. I believe that your visa should allow you to open an account.
9 months ago
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Coby **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thanks. I did try my local free standing branch but suspect its just one of those things where i may need to bounce around a bit. I have also read that speaking directly with the manager could help. I hate being 'that guy' but if it works, im willing to try it
9 months ago
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Coby **********
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Christian *******
Agent in Pattaya 5000thb and she gets you a bank account in Bangkok bank in 1 day.
9 months ago
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Sye ************
@Christian ******
Hi, can recommend any agent in Bangkok open bank accounts.
9 months ago
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Christian *******
@Sye ***********
 ok nice can you recommend 1 in bkk than I’ll be there in bkk the 4th off next month?
9 months ago
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Sye ************
@Christian ******
 Christian Frere

Hi, my meaning was can you recommend any agent in Bangkok that can help to open a bank account?
9 months ago
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Sye ************
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Sue **********
@Christian ******
 he needs one in phuket
9 months ago
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Andy **********
@Sue *********
 i would say you just need to open an account wherever that will allow you to, if you're only on a short term visa, your options are very limited, the only thing I've been told is if you lose your bank card, change phone number, change passport number, you need to return to the bank where you opened the account, also there is a ฿15 out of province ATM withdrawals charge, other than that you can use banks just the same all over Thailand, then after the first year on a long term visa, you can open an account anywhere you want to, by doing it yourself.
9 months ago
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Andy **********
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Jessie ******
The way you describe it sound like you have a extention of stay based on education for 3 months... as far as I know the policy set by the central bank(the government) is that you need a 1 year+ extention of stay to open any account... so most will turn you away... you can just try branch after branch till one is willing to bend the rules or pay an agent that will grease the wheels I never used an agent so no clue what the going rate for that stuff is
9 months ago
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Ken ***********
@Jessie *****
 all you wrote is true but I want to reemphasive the absudity of needing a bank account to apply for many one year visas but having the bank require you have the one year visa first. A catch22 that only Thailand can have to drive money to agents and corrupt officials.
9 months ago
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Ken ***********
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