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How can I open a bank account in Thailand while using temporary accommodation?

ThailandBank AccountVisaExpat LifeTemporary AccommodationResidency Certificate
Jul 3, 2024
6 months ago
Tony **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Advice on chicken and egg...

As I understand it, to open a bank account I need a proof of residency. I also understand that that needs to come from immigration. However, how does one use temporary accommodation (to look for a permanent place to stay) and still get a bank account in time to season 890k for 60 days?

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TLDR : Answer Summary
To open a bank account in Thailand while in temporary accommodation, it's essential to obtain proof of residency, which can sometimes be sourced from your embassy or a letter from your landlord. Many banks are now stricter, often requiring a long-term visa, like a retirement visa. Some may allow account opening with a temporary visa but may insist on full identification and possibly an insurance policy. Alternatively, hiring an agent can simplify the process, allowing account setup without extensive paperwork. Engaging directly with different banks can yield various requirements, as practices can differ across branches.
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Taz **********
Depending on what your accommodation is, you can ask the owner for the following things, a letter from the owner stating your information, name, country, passport number and stating you reside there and a copy of the owners Thai ID card, take this to immigration and request a residency letter, however banks are now insisting on ppl to have a visa such as a retirement visa in order to get a bank account
6 months ago
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Tony **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Taz *********
 will come on non-o. Hope to find a place in 2 weeks upon arrival... Then plan to take lease to immigration for residency cert.
6 months ago
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Tony **********
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Cris ******
Honestly I gave up after like 4 tries with the bank. I just got an agent and looped it in with my visa
6 months ago
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Lynnette *******
@Cris *****
 took me one visit to find out what hoops to jump through because I was on 30 day exempt entry, then return with the stuff they wanted. 2 hours doing the process and sorting out the two ID problem. ( I only had one ). But I had help from a Thai speaker who helped get it all done.
6 months ago
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Cris ******
@Lynnette ******
 I went to the same bank twice. The hoops were different both times haha. But its OK 👍
6 months ago
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Lynnette *******
@Cris *****
 I went to several banks last year they say no. Then asked an agent ( Siam legal) who wanted 14,000 tbt! So I went next door to Bangkok bank with a Thai speaker and we got it done eventually.
6 months ago
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Cris ******
@Lynnette ******
 oh wow. 555 that's a ton. My agent only charged 2,000.
6 months ago
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Lynnette *******
@Cris *****
 yes, it was ridiculous. My Thai helper nearly fell off her chair. She politely said no ( in a very loud voice Thai style )
6 months ago
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Cris ******
@Lynnette ******
 ya. Its sad when they try to scam people so bad.
6 months ago
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Cris ******
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Bonnie *********
Yes, I did. your temp residence counts.
6 months ago
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Nongnuch ********
@Tony *********
 . . . . . in Pattaya you visit an agent, they will open a Bangkok Bank account for you on ANY visa. No certificate of residency from Immigration needed, no mandatory insurance needed. The service will cost something like 5000.- THB. If not same day, then next day
6 months ago
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Henrik *****
Bank accounts will not be given to short stay people.

That’s why a residence certificat can be a help, but you may have to be staying 3 month on a long stay visa ( not tourist visas ) to get the certificat.

Probably much similar to a foreighner opening a bankaccount in your homecountry.

Same with residency, most countrys does not regard you as a resident, until after 3 months.

You may need to stay on another kind of visa, than you prefer to have, to get things sorted out, before getting the long time visa to base a future life on.
6 months ago
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Lynnette *******
I did it on a visa exempt (extended to give enough days), I have a condo and someone who spoke Thai helped me. They didn't tell me about insurance till I'd done everything. . I was so annoyed but after an hour waiting, leaving and coming back next day with extension, an hour doing application, I didn't want to leave without my account. 5,000 tbt ins, no need to renew this. The only thing that was a real problem for me was 2 forms of photo id.
6 months ago
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Tony **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Lynnette ******
 passport and US driver's license?
6 months ago
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Lynnette *******
@Tony *********
 some of us do not have driving license. Like me for instance. And UK does not use ID cards. . Stopped doing that shortly after the war.
6 months ago
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Lynnette *******
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Max **********
Maybe easier to get car licence first then bank account.
6 months ago
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Jo **********
I did not need a residency certificate
6 months ago
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Tony **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jo *********
 what bank and when? I will be in hua Hin.
6 months ago
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Jo **********
@Tony *********
 it was in San Pa Tong near Chiang Mai. SCB Bank
6 months ago
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Jo **********
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Jim ***********
Go Bangkok bank take out insurance open account. 6000bant approx. Job done
6 months ago
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Stan **********
@Jim **********
 what type of insurance is this?
6 months ago
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Jim ***********
@Stan *********
 basic but allowed me open bank account
6 months ago
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Jim ***********
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Sacha ****
@Jim **********
 they dont do this in BKK bank in Samui anymore.
6 months ago
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Jim ***********
@Sacha ***
 pay agent then.
6 months ago
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Sacha ****
@Jim **********
 nope still cant, here in Samui they now ask a minimum if 31 days stamp remaining in passport and resident cert then can.

Varies around the country
6 months ago
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Jim ***********
@Sacha ***
 crazy making things so difficult.
6 months ago
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Jim ***********
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Ed ********
Pay an agent
6 months ago
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Us *****
You just buy the chicken and the egg. No need to wait for it to hatch. PAY AN AGENT
6 months ago
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Terary **********
Its a common question. The fastest easiest options are find a bank that will sell you an "insurance policy" to open a bank account or find an agent to open the bank account for you.

You might be able to apply for the visa in your home country, come in on that visa, go to immigration, get the letter then go to the bank. That might, legally work, but I am pretty sure most people exercise one of the two above options. FWIW, I bought the insurance policy.
6 months ago
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Mark ********
@Terary *********
 I didn't even do that. Bit of fast talking and they literally trip over themselves trying to sign you up. If it doesn't work in the first bank go to another. FYI I did mine at Krungsri Sai Yuan Phuket. Make sure your clothes are immaculate, shave and generally carry yourself as if your shit doesn't stink. A gold ring on the finger doesn't go astray either. Walk in in shorts and singlet you wont get far at all.
6 months ago
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Mark ********
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Jon **********
If you can’t solve these simple tasks like opening a bank account perhaps expat life is not for you.
6 months ago
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Nick *******
@Jon *********
 why are you even here? it's a reasonable question to ask people that have been through it - the clue is in the name of the group. Why don't you find something more constructive to do with your time, or take your trolling somewhere else.
6 months ago
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Robert ***********
I love the comments from people who got their bank accounts 18+ months ago.....
6 months ago
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Todd *********
@Robert **********
 nothing has changed in the last 18 months. Just the new people seem ill equipped at life skills 101
6 months ago
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Robert ***********
@Todd ********
 You are not getting a bank account without a long term visa or an agent in most cases
6 months ago
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Todd *********
@Robert **********
 it depends on the person (and their negotiating skills) their look, their assets, the bank, the location, the branch… many still manage to get it done on a TV. But good chance you will be paying insurance. Or get an agent
6 months ago
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Todd *********
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Mark ********
@Robert **********
 I should add..I run on an O-A visa. That makes a difference.
6 months ago
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Mark ********
@Robert **********
 thank you.
6 months ago
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Mark ********
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Robert ***********
@Jon *********
 Its not as easy as it was a few years ago.
6 months ago
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Todd *********
@Robert **********
 it wasn’t easy a few years ago either. Just that people whine about it publicly now
6 months ago
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Todd *********
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Mark ********
@Jon *********
 Stupid comment. You have to ask if you don't know. How else do you get the info?
6 months ago
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Mark ********
But this is what this site is for. Saves a trip into the bank etc. I bet you still go into a bank and deposit 6 bucks of coin and ask for a printed statement.
6 months ago
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Jon **********
@Mark *******
 from the bank perhaps
6 months ago
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Bart **************
@Jon *********
 the bank can only tell you what they require. They are not consultants on how to plan your visa, at what stage to get that, etc.
6 months ago
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Bart **************
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Mark ********
Just do what I did. Walk into a branch. Take your passport with you. Tell them you have sold your property in *insert home country* and you are going to buy a cond here. You wish to transfer 5 million baht into the bank account sometime in the next 2 weeks. You haven't found a condo yet but you want to be ready and all set up to purchase one when you do hence the need for a Thai bank account. Mention you will also be interested in the banks insurances as well but you will cross that bridge when you come to it.
6 months ago
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Sue **********
@Mark *******
 In which year was it?
6 months ago
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Mark ********
@Sue *********
 2023
6 months ago
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Robert ***********
@Sue *********
 Not recently.
6 months ago
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Robert ***********
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Robert ***********
@Mark *******
 Yeah good luck with that ...
6 months ago
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Braulio *********
@Robert **********
 Always someone trying to game the system.....
6 months ago
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Steve **********
Things have changed so much, when 1st came on 02 as tourist, opened 2 accounts 1 at Kasikorn, 1 at Bangkok Bank, with PP and was staying at Majestic Suites on Sukumvit. Desk clerk cane with me to both banks..left with account and debit card at both banks in less than an hour each....still have both.

Now I think they want your 1st born and 5 baht gold.
6 months ago
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Mark ********
@Braulio ********
 Bwhahahaaaa!!.welcome to Thailand! 😂😂
6 months ago
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Mark ********
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Stephan ***********
The proof of residency can be from your Embassy/Consulate as well... depends on the bank/branch...
6 months ago
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Tony **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Stephan **********
 not sure how my eBay could do that. Can you explain?
6 months ago
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Stephan ***********
@Tony *********
 You take your rental contract or Thai drivers license or anything what states your address here to the Embassy and the write you a letter to confirm this address.

When I went to my consulate here long time ago I just told them that I need it to open a bank account and they knew exactly what they have to write. But... if you can get it from the Immigration it's definitely cheaper... much cheaper... 😁
6 months ago
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Stephan ***********
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Sue **********
@Stephan **********
 The Certificate of Residency is meant to be a residency (long term rent or own house) address in Thailand, you can only get with the TM30 at the IO
6 months ago
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Stephan ***********
@Sue *********
 You are right, but I am too... 🙂

Did I say that you can get a "Certificate of Residency" from the Embassy? Nope... I said "proof of residency"... slightly different thing, but for some banks good enough.
6 months ago
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Stephan ***********
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Greg *********
This has been asked & answered about a million times. Use the group's search feature. 🔎
6 months ago
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Tony **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Greg ********
 I've been reading this group for 6 months. Nobody's addressed the chicken and egg issue in a way that makes any kind of reasonable sense. Everybody has ideas from 5 years ago nobody has ideas about now.
6 months ago
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Colin *********
@Tony *********
 you're not the only one who's searched the group and the specific answer you're looking for doesn't appear as you'd like. I've done it & dozens of posts from others appear, not a specific answer, which means wading through possibly dozens of posts and 'gazillions' of comments. I gave up searching and asked in my own post (after searching online as well). These groups are here for helping people, so why some people choose to comment with words that aren't helpful, but just lead you into a maze is beyond me. Because too many foreigners on tourist visas have been opening bank accounts in past years, Thailand seems to be asking for them to have long term visas to open accounts. A lot are therefore turning to Agents to help them open accounts, at costs up to 5000 Baht.
6 months ago
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Greg *********
@Tony *********
 It's really very simple: ask another bank. As many have said, one will inevitably agree to open an account. It's not a new or unique problem.
6 months ago
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Greg *********
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Brandon ************
If you already know you want a certain visa for Thailand then do it the way it's supposed to be done. Apply for that visa through your Thai embassy before you travel to Thailand. That will make opening a bank account much easier so you don't have to try to figure things out in a way they weren't meant to be done.
6 months ago
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Tony **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
 that's exactly what I'm doing. But that doesn't help with getting residency doc and bank account within 30 days of arrival to meet the 2 month seasoning requirement.
6 months ago
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Pom ********
@Tony *********
 Immigration issue our certificate of residence since we have NON-O visa year and 1 rental contract.
6 months ago
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Stephen ********
@Tony *********
 I got a residence cert on a tourist visa. Depends where your staying, Bangkok seems to be the odd one out where you need to have done a 90 day report before you can get a residence cert.
6 months ago
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Tony **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Stephen *******
 where were you? I'll be in hua Hin.
6 months ago
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Tony **********
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