How can I open a bank account in Thailand on a tourist or student visa?

Nov 3, 2024
2 months ago
Sarah *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
anyone know how to get a bank account set up with a tourist visa or student visa
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TLDR : Answer Summary
Opening a bank account in Thailand with a tourist or student visa can be challenging. While some users report success with agents who streamline the process for a fee (around 5000 baht), others caution that many banks prefer stable, long-term customers with residence certificates. Some mention that tourist visas generally make it difficult to open bank accounts, though some branches may still allow it depending on the manager's discretion. For student visas, having a letter from the school can help, but their acceptance might vary by bank. Engaging with an agent or being persistent can improve chances, but a permanent residency or substantial investment is viewed as beneficial.
Richard ***********
It's difficult..I couldn't find a way to open a bank account after many attempts.

I ended up buying a condo in Thailand and that allowed me to open up a bank Account
Nongnuch ********
they changed another rule by last week. Now you need to be over 50 in order to open a bank account. Seems everybody has gone haywire
Bart **************
@Nongnuch *******
source please.
Nongnuch ********
@Bart *************
don't worry, tea money will get you to open a Thai bank account even on a visa-exempt entry
Bart **************
@Nongnuch *******
I don't need any more accounts, I just don't believe the statement.
Nongnuch ********
@Bart *************
it's true. I heard it through the grapevine
Nongnuch ********
@Bart *************
a German visa advice group , and an agent in Pattaya confirming
Jo **********
@Nongnuch *******
NO, no such rule. Many people with an LTR, other qualifying visas, married or work permits can open and accounts in Thailand.
Nongnuch ********
@Jo *********
talking about those on tourist visa. Was always possible by agent. Then last week the banks told the agents "no more account opening if the tourist is under 50" . . .Ya wanna know what happened after one more week passed? The agents fee has always been 5000.- THB for those on tourist visa. Now it is 5000.- THB for those over 50 years, and it is 7500.- THB for those under 50 years . . . . . . like everywhere, it only is a question of money 😂
Jo **********
@Nongnuch *******
oh ok make sense
Michael *******
You can't with a tourist visa.Ive tried several times.The best way is to apply for a non immigrant O in your country.Gives you 3 months then convert to retirement visa.Opened account first day no problem.
Divya **********
If you're on an ED visa, it might be easier to open an account and you might not even need an agent if you're lucky. You just need to ask for a letter to open bank account from you school. Take that letter and visit the banks in your nearest shopping malls (Big C, Central, etc.). Some banks may refuse and will also ask for a "letter of residence" from the immigration. Do not feel disheartened, just visit different bank branch and try again. If you have a Thai person accompanying you, it'll help. Hopefully you'll be lucky and find a bank branch willing to open an account for you. If not, try and get the "letter of residence" from the immigration. If you don't want to deal with the hassle of going around yourself and possibly wasting time, just pay an agent to do it for you.
Patrick ********
Agent best way 5000 bht . Not possible on tourist visa I am in Pattaya tried cannot
Eric ******
I agree with the use agent suggestions. For what little they charge, and you don't have to fumble through the paperwork and shlep all over hoping to find one that will help. I found Mark at One Stop in Pattaya through You Tube interviews he has done with several channels. Search One Stop Visa on YT. He knows his stuff.
Michael ******
Depends on your passport. If American super easy.
@Brandon ***********
comment second option. Should work at any bank any branch but start with krungthai as its easiest.
Arnold **********
Buy a 25 million property and any bank will give you a account,very easy
Arnold **********
Go and buy a property and you will get a bank account easy
Nongnuch ********
visit an agent, they can open a bank account for you on any visa. In Pattaya, F.S. Consulting Co Stefan Fabbro are taking only 5000.- THB for this service
Alex *******
How long you have to stay to can apply residency certificate ?
T ****************
You need a Thai address.
Det *******
Student visa needs a letter from the school, pretty easy.
Bob *********
@Det ******
I got One with ed visa. not that hard....not easy either
Brandon ************
@Det ******
lots of reports over the last few months that banks won't give bank accounts for education visa holders even with a letter from the school.
Det *******
@Brandon ***********
I didn’t know that.
Nicholas ******
USE MOT SERVICES THEY ARE FANTASTIC
Sarah *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Nicholas *****
any agent in bkk, you could recommend
Nicholas ******
@Sarah ********
not bbk only pattaya
Andrew *******
MOT services Pattaya
Sarah *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Andrew ******
they don't have an office in bkk, is there an agent in bkk you could recommend, that'd be very helpful
Andrew *******
@Sarah ********
sorry mate only use MOTs
Henrik *****
As a tourist you don’t need a Thai bankaccount, and it will hard ( impossibel ) to get.

Reconsider if a Thai bankaccount is need-to-have or nice-to-have.

Banks in Thailand are like everywhere in the world, interested in having good stable custormers, that have a permanent address, a steady easy traceable income, and use the account all year round.

That is why the banks are reluctant to give accounts to people on short time ( read: tourist ) visas, and who only spend part of the year in Thailand.

Don’t expect to get a residence certificat, until you have stayed at a permanent adress in at least 3 month, since that is what the residence certificat should confirm.

Furthermore the added attention on whitewashing of money, is an added burden on the banks, so even depositing large amounts isn’t a guaranteed way to open an account.

The value of a resident certificat, had gone down, since Immigration Officers are giving them to people that are not on a longterm visa, or have stayed severel months at 1 adress in Thailand, so even if it is a formal requirement, the bank make up their own assesment of the stability of the want-to-be customer.

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9-thailand-to-implement-stringent-compliance-regulations-for-new-bank-accounts?
Bradley *********
@Henrik ****
lots of people get bank accounts with tourist visas. It depends on the branch manager.
Ralph *******
@Bradley ********
Really? Which bank, which branch?
Nongnuch ********
@Ralph ******
he forgot to mention: on tourist visa with the help of an agent
Ralph *******
@Nongnuch *******
I think he’s talking BS. But if I know the bank and branch then perhaps I can try.
Brian ********
Jo **********
act rich, act like your going to be making big investments here and make statements to that affect. you will get one open. you need to know how to BS
Brett *****
@Jo *********
just like you are now
Jo **********
no unfortunately not
Brett *****
@Jo *********
your comments so wrong
Jo **********
@Brett ****
they worked for two of my friends. Maybe you have not lived here long enough and speak fluent Thai, and know the culture. Money 💰 is important.
Brett *****
@Jo *********
mate I understand thailand already have bank account all my friends are thai long term friends
Phil ******
Sarah *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Phil *****
any agent you could recommend in bkk
Phil ******
@Sarah ********
maybe

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


Many in Pattaya fron ฿5k.
Jim ********
Use an agent
Jim ********
Whitt *******
@Jim *******
you sound lost as you look
Jim ********
@Whitt ******
I know plenty. I asked where. Thailand is a large country . I think it’s you that is lost
Whitt *******
@Jim *******
I asked you to go further on your "use an agent" comment. You asked me "where". It's you that is lost?
Jim ********
@Whitt ******
yes and I can go further if you tell me where you need an agent. I won’t give you the details of an agent in Phuket if you require an agent in Bangkok. Tell me where in Thailand you wish to use an agent and if I have contact details for one in that area I’ll gladly give you the information.
Sarah *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jim *******
could you recommend an agent in bkk, that'd be very helpful
Jim ********
@Sarah ********
not Bangkok no. I have contacts in Pattaya, Krabi and Phuket
Whitt *******
@Jim *******
if you don't know one, don't advise one
Whitt *******
@Jim *******
know an agent?
Martin *****
Take an agent
Whitt *******
@Martin ****
have suggestion for agent?
Brandon ************
1) Easiest and guaranteed way, find an agent and pay about 5000 baht to help you open the account.

2) More difficult and not guaranteed way, get a residence certificate from your immigration office, and then start going into bank branches and asking. Maybe after 50 or so you might get lucky and find one that will let you open an account, or they might let you open an account if you buy their insurance for about 5000 baht.
Sarah *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
any agents you could recommend in bangkok
Marcin *******
@Brandon ***********
residence certificate? Can you elaborate? It's different to residence certificate to buy a vehicle or obtain a driver's licence.
Brandon ************
@Marcin ******
it's the same thing. But each residence certificate is issued for a specific reason so you can't use the exact same document for both of those things. You must get a new one each time.
Marcin *******
@Brandon ***********
there was no option "open a bank account" on the form when asking for the certificate. Hence my question
Brandon ************
@Marcin ******
I'm not sure really. I just know that many banks require it.
Whitt *******
@Brandon ***********
have an idea for an agent to do it? Asking for my friend.
Eddy *******
@Whitt ******
FS consulting Pattaya. First class.
Rolf *********
@Eddy ******
do you know any agent in Bangkok please?
Eddy *******
@Rolf ********
sorry no. Only in Pattaya. They are the people I used.
Rolf *********
@Eddy ******
ok thanks
Damo ***********
@Whitt ******
BS asking for a friend lol 🤥🤥🤥
Michael ********
@Brandon ***********
we didn't pay 5000 bahts, only, 1000 bahts I think to open our bank accounts in September
NT ********
@Michael *******
what bank, what visa?
Michael ********
@NT *******
Bangkok Bank. Will get a Non O retirement Visa when we arrive in December.
Bonnie *********
@Michael *******
That’s a lot different from their visa.
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