How can I open a bank account in Thailand as a tourist without a work permit?

We did in central festival mall in Phuket. No need embassy document

@Karel ****

I am on a tourist visa, covid extended and Bangkok Bank were happy to open an account for me

Wrong. Bkk bank can

@Anthony *******

I told

@Lyndon ***********

same but he said can do !!

@Ni**

legend

@Nick ***************

if that's true RESPECT

@Brad ******

It's useful if ordering food on Tuk, you can scan and transfer without having to have the exact cash. I always pay the vet with bank transfers so don't have to worry about having sufficient cash with me. If you go out shopping and have left your card at home, most shops of any size, will allow you to scan and pay with your phone. I have used it at the supermarket and at restaurants that don't want to touch cash. I have used it to transfer money to charities, pay for tickets to events, pay my monthly internet account, pay my rent, put credit on my phone, buy air tickets, train tickets and bus tickets in Thai baht. Using a Thai bank account at a point of sale reduces the losses in currency conversions incurred when using a foreign credit card

To get "retirement visa" (non+o) you need thai bankaccount. I asked 5 different masks in bkk. Only Bangkok baNo was helpful.

But you need address & passport verification from your embassy according to theit rules.

They're might be ways assume this, if you go with that person, in other banks, but any other require work/study visa.

Some get lucky and keep saying "no no problem at all". Moraine they did it long ago. Many many changes.

Yes you can, I have opened 2 accounts, and had only tourist visa. All they wanted was my current address when I'm in Thailand.

@Sam *******

sorry for your experience but yes it can be done without an agent.

Kasikorn will need a work permit as well OR a offer of emplyment along with the first page certification of the company.

@Bä ***

, planning for the future. Plus, I am there several times a year, and will eventually retire there.

I am in Chiang Mai and so used an agent here. Nearly all agents in Bangkok should be able to take care of this for similar price I would imagine.

Just google Thai Visa Service and there should be one close to your location.

I am on Tourist Visa (STV) and I was able to open an account with Bangkok Bank but they needed a residency certificate before they would open one which I was able to get from immigration.

@Bä ***

he did say earlier he has been renting a condo for many years, guessing he is getting ready for long term visa

@Bä ***

I opened one on a tourist visa for me it was because I was coming three times a year,I have family here,and KNEW I would need one in the future,but even 10 years ago it wasn't easy went in a few bank and my wife had to sign as guarentor

@Bä ***

I think in most people cases, they not really tourist here for a short term but just might end up on the visa for a while. I have been here a year, stv then visa exempt, then Thai ed. So most of that time is under tourist visa. It can be inconvenient with high atms fees, plus some places need bank transfers like for water bill, or even a bar went to the other day, no cash, no card, bank only.

@Ian ********

I did likewise with Bangkok Bank in Sikhio, Korat. The branch has since been demolished and I'm due for a new bank book & Visa debit card. I hope that doesn't cause any headaches. Initially BB Sikhio said no, not possible. We went, had lunch and returned to the same branch, different staff member, and it suddenly became possible. 🤔

I think if the bank teller you're dealing with isn't familiar with the process, a simple no, not possible is less of a headache for them.

@Will ***********

I opened a an account with them on visa exempt, but I need to close it because it is essentially useless because of restrictions they gave.

@Michael *******

This is what I did and I opened an account with a student visa in Bangkok Bank