This is NOT an official government website. We are an independent resource providing information and assistance to travelers.
How can I open a bank account in Thailand while using temporary accommodation?
Jul 3, 2024
2 years ago
Tony **********
ORIGINAL POSTERAdvice 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?
Suggestions?
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?
Suggestions?
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.
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.
Pelle Eriksson★★★★★
Absolutely Bangkok's best service I highly...recently on Facebook
Luca G.★★★★★
I used this agency for my DTV Visa...recently on Google
Trusted Retirement Visa Agent
OVER 100,000 EXPATS SERVED
#1 VISA AGENT IN THAILAND
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
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.Reply to
Tony **********
Reply
Cris ******
Honestly I gave up after like 4 tries with the bank. I just got an agent and looped it in with my visa
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.Cris ******
@Lynnette ******
I went to the same bank twice. The hoops were different both times haha. But its OK 👍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.Cris ******
@Lynnette ******
oh wow. 555 that's a ton. My agent only charged 2,000.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 )Cris ******
@Lynnette ******
ya. Its sad when they try to scam people so bad.Reply to
Cris ******
Reply
Bonnie *********
Yes, I did. your temp residence counts.
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 dayHenrik *****
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.
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.
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.
Tony **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Lynnette ******
passport and US driver's license?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.Reply to
Lynnette *******
Reply
Max **********
Maybe easier to get car licence first then bank account.
Jo **********
I did not need a residency certificate
Tony **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Jo *********
what bank and when? I will be in hua Hin.Jo **********
@Tony *********
it was in San Pa Tong near Chiang Mai. SCB BankReply to
Jo **********
Reply
Jim ***********
Go Bangkok bank take out insurance open account. 6000bant approx. Job done
Stan **********
@Jim **********
what type of insurance is this?Jim ***********
@Stan *********
basic but allowed me open bank accountReply to
Jim ***********
Reply
Sacha ****
@Jim **********
they dont do this in BKK bank in Samui anymore.Jim ***********
@Sacha ***
pay agent then.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
Jim ***********
@Sacha ***
crazy making things so difficult.Reply to
Jim ***********
Reply
Ed ********
Pay an agent
Us *****
You just buy the chicken and the egg. No need to wait for it to hatch. PAY AN AGENT
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.
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.
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.Reply to
Mark ********
Reply
Jon **********
If you can’t solve these simple tasks like opening a bank account perhaps expat life is not for you.
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.Robert ***********
I love the comments from people who got their bank accounts 18+ months ago.....
Todd *********
@Robert **********
nothing has changed in the last 18 months. Just the new people seem ill equipped at life skills 101Robert ***********
@Todd ********
You are not getting a bank account without a long term visa or an agent in most casesTodd *********
@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 agentReply to
Todd *********
Reply
Mark ********
@Robert **********
I should add..I run on an O-A visa. That makes a difference.Mark ********
@Robert **********
thank you.Reply to
Mark ********
Reply
Robert ***********
@Jon *********
Its not as easy as it was a few years ago.Todd *********
@Robert **********
it wasn’t easy a few years ago either. Just that people whine about it publicly nowReply to
Todd *********
Reply
Mark ********
@Jon *********
Stupid comment. You have to ask if you don't know. How else do you get the info?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.
Jon **********
@Mark *******
from the bank perhapsBart **************
@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.Reply to
Bart **************
Reply
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.
Sue **********
@Mark *******
In which year was it?Mark ********
@Sue *********
2023Robert ***********
@Sue *********
Not recently.Reply to
Robert ***********
Reply
Robert ***********
@Mark *******
Yeah good luck with that ...Braulio *********
@Robert **********
Always someone trying to game the system.....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.
Now I think they want your 1st born and 5 baht gold.
Mark ********
@Braulio ********
Bwhahahaaaa!!.welcome to Thailand! 😂😂Reply to
Mark ********
Reply
Stephan ***********
The proof of residency can be from your Embassy/Consulate as well... depends on the bank/branch...
Tony **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Stephan **********
not sure how my eBay could do that. Can you explain?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... 😁
Reply to
Stephan ***********
Reply
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 IOStephan ***********
@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.
Reply to
Stephan ***********
Reply
Greg *********
This has been asked & answered about a million times. Use the group's search feature. 🔎
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.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.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.Reply to
Greg *********
Reply
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.
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.Pom ********
@Tony *********
Immigration issue our certificate of residence since we have NON-O visa year and 1 rental contract.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.Tony **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Stephen *******
where were you? I'll be in hua Hin.Reply to
Tony **********
Reply
47 comments
2 years ago
51 comments
2 years ago
240 comments
2 years ago
21 comments
2 years ago
15 comments
2 years ago
48 comments
2 years ago
33 comments
2 years ago
88 comments
2 years ago
183 comments
3 years ago
27 comments
3 years ago
13 comments
3 years ago
134 comments
3 years ago
26 comments
4 years ago
26 comments
4 years ago
30 comments
4 years ago
72 comments
4 years ago
107 comments
4 years ago
31 comments
5 years ago
32 comments
5 years ago
135 comments
5 years ago
59 comments
5 years ago
50 comments
6 years ago
84 comments
6 years ago
24 comments
7 years ago
12 comments
8 years ago
7 comments
a month ago
9 comments
a month ago
21 comments
a month ago
16 comments
a month ago
8 comments
a month ago
The ask:thailand community, consisting of multiple Q/A groups with over 100,000 members, powers this platform. It is not an official government resource. Our members actively contribute to this resource, and while we strive for accuracy, we cannot guarantee its complete reliability. Assistance to travelers is provided as a community service.