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How can I open a bank account in Thailand if I need a visa to do so and also need a bank account to get a visa?

Thai Bank AccountVisa RequirementsNON-O VisaLong-Term VisaVisa AgentsImmigration ProceduresExpat FinanceLiving in Thailand
Jan 31, 2024
a year ago
Frank ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
G'day, thanks for adding me to your site.

I have question, it has probably been covered here many times but i wasn't here.

My question is, to get a bank account in Thailand i will need a visa, but in order to get a visa in need to have a bank account in Thailand?

How do i get around that?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The post discusses the common dilemma faced by expats regarding the requirement of a bank account in Thailand to apply for a visa, and vice versa. The conversation suggests various approaches to navigate this issue, including hiring a visa agent, visiting banks directly (some users reported being able to open accounts without a visa), and obtaining proof of address through immigration processes. Opinions vary on the necessity of agents, with some advising direct bank interaction as possible and others recommending agent assistance due to varying bank policies. Additionally, the conversations touch on the ongoing changes in banking policies and personal experiences.
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Neil ********
Get a visa for over 1 year. You can use your local bank to prove assets and then you have 1 year to open an account in Thailand.
10 months ago
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Frank ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
A 12 month visa. From Australia
a year ago
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T ****************
You can visit Thailand for under 30 days( from most “western” countries) without a visa.
a year ago
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Norman **********
Agent is the best way forward!
a year ago
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Christopher *************
Depends on what kind of visa you are applying for?
a year ago
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Aaron ********
but you might need a work permit to open a bank account. It depends really, but I think there are ways to open an account just have to go talk to the bank
a year ago
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Aaron ********
You don't need a bank for a visa
a year ago
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Paul *********
Get visa from thai consulate in Sydney. You can keep your money in Australia
a year ago
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Kevin *********
Catch Y Sip Song.
a year ago
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Callan ******
@Elite *************************
a year ago
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David **********
Why would you need a bank account to obtain a visa? That makes no sense at all.
a year ago
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Henrik *****
It makes sense, because for some types of visa ( ie marriage, retirement ) there has to be an amount ( 400.000 - 800.000 Baht ) deposited in a Thai bank, to be able to get the visa.
a year ago
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Henrik *****
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David ********
Muppet’s on here
a year ago
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Alma ***************
What kind of visa? If you are just a tourist you do not need a bank account. If you apply for a non immig O then yes you need a bank account and lots of money in it.
a year ago
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Phil ******
@Alma **************
 if you visit often you need a bank account here as more cost effective than with foreign card at 220 baht per transaction
a year ago
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Alma ***************
@Phil *****
 true..that's why I did not close my account
a year ago
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Alma ***************
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Brian *******
Agency will sort that out for you with a fee
a year ago
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Us *****
This is the classic catch 22. For Thai guys to make money, they need to be a ladyboy and to be a ladyboy, they need money for operations.
a year ago
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Rj ******
Same as all keep saying, just go to a agent. If your in pattaya area message me just did itv1 week ago
a year ago
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Mitchell *******
If you are renting a condo longer term, it seems to be easier, as there is some sort of lease or agreement.
a year ago
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Henrik *****
Go to Immigration, they can issue a paper, that make it easier, to convince banks to let you open a bankaccount, since you need to put money in for visa-purposes.
a year ago
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Lay *******
@Henrik ****
 does that actually work? What do you say to the immigration officer? I'm in the same situation and getting desperate. I need to open a bank account in Bangkok soon!
a year ago
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Henrik *****
You simply tell them you are going to apply for retirement or marriage visa, for which you need to deposit a amount before you can get the visa.
a year ago
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Henrik *****
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Matt **********
Where do I find an agent that deals with helping get a bank account?
a year ago
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Alma ***************
@Matt *********
 just go to the bank with your passport and you will be able to open an account..
a year ago
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Neil ***************
@Alma **************
 I tried That last Friday at Bangkok bank in pattaya

U needed a list of things to have

Can use an agent and pay 6500 baht

And you get 300 baht in your account
a year ago
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Alma ***************
@Neil **************
 we did ours without an agent with a proof of address from our landlord and the money needed and got things done in one day..
a year ago
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Alma ***************
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Robert ***********
@Alma **************
 In 98% of the caes that is not true anymore.
a year ago
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Matt **********
@Robert **********
 what's the 2 percent?
a year ago
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Robert ***********
@Matt *********
 Random bank that you walk into and the person behind the counter let's you open an account. Maybe she likes your eyes or some other lucky annomaly.
a year ago
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Alma ***************
@Robert **********
 oh wow! I think it's a good thing I did not close my bank account since I opened it 3 years ago even after leaving Thailand last year..we are back now and it is still active..thibhs are not going to be the same going forward I bet!
a year ago
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Alma ***************
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Joey *****
@Matt *********
 don’t need agent

They can help, but you will pay some agents 7,000 baht
a year ago
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Joey *****
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Andy *********
@https://www.facebook.com/Ti****************************
a year ago
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Chris *********
How to get a SIM card 30days data only in Thailand?
a year ago
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Phil ******
@Chris ********
 go to telwiz or AIS store and do. You need a base plan and ontop data plan. Its quite simple
a year ago
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Henrik *****
@Phil *****
 Don't ask a question buried in another thread.

Start a new thread.
a year ago
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Phil ******
@Henrik ****
 bloody hell I really don't understand this.. Can we meet and you can teach me protocols....

Maybe at the old englishb pub where b pints are ผ฿45 btw 1-3pm.... p. Me
a year ago
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Phil ******
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Chris *********
@Phil *****
 I’m Nong Prue staying with a mate till end of March yay
a year ago
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Phil ******
Hey try and keep your number active whilst overseas. Go get a bangkok bank account too
a year ago
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Phil ******
@Chris ********
 end of April for me too. Enjoy
a year ago
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Phil ******
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Chris *********
@Phil *****
 thanks very much mate I’ll give it a try
a year ago
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Phil ******
a year ago
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Phil ******
@Chris ********
 im on these 2 plans. And can stream TV videos whatever i want
a year ago
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Chris *********
@Phil *****
 Telwiz or AIS ? And are they ok ( I’ll be travelling around Thailand)?
a year ago
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Phil ******
@Chris ********
 either depends what's closest. AIS is the carrier and Telewiz is an agent. Make sure you get them to setup the AIS App for you. Here's the link so install on your phone and Get them to set it up for you.

For Android

*******************************************************************


You live here?
a year ago
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Chris *********
@Phil *****
 thank you so much for your kind help mate much appreciated.regards Chris btw are you over here now ?
a year ago
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Phil ******
@Chris ********
 yep
a year ago
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Chris *********
@Phil *****
 Pattaya?
a year ago
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Phil ******
@Chris ********
 nahhh. Here in Phrakanong in my appartment. Married a long time now
a year ago
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Chris *********
@Phil *****
 good luck to you and yours Phil
a year ago
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Phil ******
@Chris ********
 pm sent
a year ago
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Phil ******
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Paul ********
Keep trying banks and eventually you will hit pay dirt!
a year ago
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Joey *****
I went to immigration and did TM-30… (address verification) took it BBL main head office Silom and opened without issues.
a year ago
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Kim *********
@Joey ****
 immi give you a proof of residence which can used to open a bank account other things - that is based on the tm30 - at least that's what I experienced
a year ago
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Joey *****
@Kim ********
 my lease was accepted at immigration then immigration sends the registered mail to me. Take that to Bangkok Bank
a year ago
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Joey *****
@Kim ********
 registered mail was sent to my condo where I share with a Thai. Jut wrote up a lease agreement. That was sufficient for address at immigration
a year ago
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Joey *****
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Damien ********
@Joey ****
 did u have to take out insurance with the bank ?
a year ago
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Joey *****
@Damien *******
 no I did not
a year ago
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Joey *****
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Frank ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thank you all for your replies. I live in Australia, do i approach an agent in Australia or Thailand?
a year ago
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Henrik *****
@Frank ***********
 Don't use a agent, get in control and do it yourself.
a year ago
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Chris *****
@Frank ***********
Get the agent in Thailand. Many available who can assist. Take note, every bank branch in each province can be different even if same bank name.
a year ago
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Chris *****
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Jo **********
you do not need a visa to open a bank account. I did and others have. you don’t need an agent
a year ago
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Luc ************
@Jo *********
 nope. That stopped last year, even with an agent. I tried.
a year ago
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Mitchell *******
@Jo *********
 It is getting harder in the last year or so.
a year ago
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Keith *******
@Jo *********
 I have been to all 3 branches of Bankok, all 3 branches of Kasikorn a and 2 of Siam banks in my city, NONE will open an account on an OA visa without me going to the UK embassy in Bangkok for a letter of guarantee. Thousands of people have in the past without a visa, I am aware, people still do now at random branches in random cities. Most people now use agents as its the easiest method!
a year ago
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Jo **********
@Keith ******
 have you been SCB?
a year ago
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Keith *******
@Jo *********
 yes
a year ago
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Keith *******
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Jo **********
@Keith ******
 ok Bangkok. I think as most things i’m in Chiang Mai and they are much looser
a year ago
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Jo **********
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Keith *******
@Jo *********
 everything changed roughly a year ago
a year ago
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Graham ******
@Keith ******
 it is still possible but, granted, more perseverance is needed
a year ago
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Jo **********
@Keith ******
 these were recent
a year ago
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Jo **********
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Seán *******
K bank is the best I have found and they also process on line visas for the government which seems to make my applications easier. You will need some proof of address in Thailand but assistance is will be needed from a reputable Thai.
a year ago
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Steve *******
I opened an account with BBL without a visa BUT I had a Thai address. However I do agree, best to get an agent. Even with the bank, having a Thai spouse to deal with the bank made it a lot easier
a year ago
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Phil ******
@Frank ***********
 agent now OR apply for a long term visa in your home country that allows you to show funds in your HC account.

Then travel here to complete visa process
a year ago
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Keith *******
@Phil *****
 I tried this but no bank account with OA visa
a year ago
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Phil ******
@Keith ******
 damn dunno what you did wrong Keith try this guy
@Integrity ******
 in Bangkok or an agent near you.

Current from
@Siam ******
 NOTE they advise even with Visa Exempt

********************************************************************************
a year ago
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Keith *******
@Phil *****
 easy with an agent
a year ago
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Keith *******
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Chris *******
@Keith ******
You can use your home bank account for first time
a year ago
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Keith *******
@Chris ******
 I came 15 months ago on an OA visa, where i live it is impossible to open a bank account on a OA visa, maybe Bangkok it is possible if you go from branch to branch. I am aware If you use an agent no problem, 18 months ago you could open on an OA here but it changed because of money laundering. I see many other people in other cities say the same, in this and many other groups.
a year ago
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Chris *******
@Keith ******
You can open bank account thru Siam legal for 3000 baht
a year ago
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Keith *******
@Chris ******
 yes I'm aware, next time I travel to BKK I will
a year ago
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Phil ******
@Chris ******
 correct
a year ago
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Phil ******
@Keith ******
 already have from 13 years ago. Whilst they tighten rules I advised a friend last year. He went to a bangkok bank standalone branch and got it Aug.2566.
a year ago
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Keith *******
@Phil *****
 random branches in random cities you can, majority not
a year ago
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Phil ******
@Keith ******
 yep def. Not the mall branches
a year ago
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Phil ******
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Mark ********
@Keith ******
 I got 2 bank accounts on my OA visa. Bangkok Bank and Krungsri.
a year ago
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Mark ********
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Tong *****
Go to an agent
a year ago
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Brett ******
You could use a visa agent, they can help you with opening a bank account and visa options.
a year ago
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Brett ******
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