How can I open a bank account in Thailand for property purchase if I don't meet the visa requirements?

Thai Visa Bank Account Property Purchase Marriage Visa Visa Exemption Non-Immigrant Visa Expat Advice Pattaya Banks Thai Marriage Registration RE Finance

Jan 13, 2025

2 days ago

Anonymous *************

ORIGINAL POSTER

I'm a bit stuck with wonder if anyone can help with some advice.

My plan is to purchase property with my wife, so I need a bank account.  She will purchase in her name, and offer a lease with a loan to give me some security.  I'm chatting with Pattaya agencies to assist with getting a bank account. I've been told I can't get a bank account on a visa exemption because I'm under 50. So - I need a visa first, yet visas often seem to need a bank account!

My circumstances:

-British Citizen, under 50.

-Married to my Thai wife 13 years, dual nationality.

-We live in the UK

-She changed her name to English name on both passports + Thai ID

-But- we don't have a marriage certificate in Thailand

-Child born in England, dual nationality with full passport+Thai ID

-Only on visa exemption

Problem is - I don't think any of the visa categories work.

-Marriage visa - requires money in a Thai bank account, and a house book entry

-Retirement visa - not old enough

-None of the work visas make sense, I'm not working.

1,372

views

likes

all likes

replies

images

users

TLDR : Answer Summary

The poster, a British citizen under 50, seeks advice on opening a bank account to facilitate purchasing property in Thailand with his Thai wife. Complications arise due to his visa exemption status, preventing him from opening an account, while various visa categories require a bank account or other stipulations he does not meet (such as the marriage visa needing a Thai marriage certificate and funds in a Thai bank account). Comments suggest alternatives such as utilizing agents in Pattaya to navigate the process, exploring the non-O family visa for residence, and properly registering the UK marriage certificate in Thailand to resolve documentation issues.

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.

Lee ********

Firstly are you getting a Thai mortgage ?

As the house will be in your wife's name 51% then the mortgage will be paid through her bank account normally , we'll that's my experience .

Try Kasinkorn Kbank and go with your wife , I tried Bangkok and few others and they always want a long term visa .

The marriage visa seems the best path for getting more from Thailand but the 400,000 baht or £10,000 is a lot of change . You can withdraw after but needs to stay in the bank for over 2 months .

You can get your marriage registered at the local Ampor office/municipal area office . Take your UK marriage certificate plus your wife will have to show the name change possibly too .

Plus might need other documents.