How can I open a bank account in Thailand with a tourist visa?

Oct 30, 2023
a year ago
Youssef ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
How open bank account with visa tourist
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TLDR : Answer Summary
Opening a bank account in Thailand on a tourist visa can be challenging and is subject to significant regulations that have changed recently. Many users advise that it may no longer be possible to open an account as a tourist, especially at major banks like Bangkok Bank, which reportedly began enforcing stricter rules in September 2023. Some users have shared experiences of successfully opening accounts either by obtaining a certificate of residence through their embassy or immigration, while others suggest using an agency to facilitate the process. Insurance purchase is commonly mentioned, although opinions vary on whether it is required. Ultimately, as experiences can vary by bank and location, many recommend persistence, potentially visiting multiple branches or seeking professional help from visa services.
Cliff *********
Getting a bank account

Don’t expect to get something for nothing. Each office is an independent business. Each office makes their own criteria.

You certainly will pay a fee for transferring USD from USA to Thailand. The amount depends on the bank and the transfer service.

Banking is an essential service if you plan to spend time here. It’s not FREE.

I prepared ahead of time by getting a bank account set up 6 months ago.

I treated this as an important business transaction, not just a casual activity.

My Thai friend made an appointment for me at the Bangkok Bank branch across from Astra in CM. He also translated for me.

I am a middle aged physician and dressed as such. Yes I did do the whole business card ceremony.

I told the banker that I plan to retire soon and buy a condominium at Astra.

I was asked to purchase a life insurance policy for about $100. Presumably the banker gets a commission. Whatever, it’s the price of doing business at the bank.

They wanted to copy my passport and see my credit card from Wells Fargo. I think I showed them how much was in my account also to make the point that I’m a serious customer.

I also showed them $500 in perfect $100 bills that was to be the initial deposit.

Nothing else was required.

Act like a serious customer and you will be treated as such.

Present yourself properly and you should be fine.

If not, thank them for their time and visit another office.

Best wishes on your adventure to Thailand!
Gaëtan *******
Myself, 10 years ago I just went to Krungthai headquarter and told them that I’m bored taking cash every time i travel to Thailand. They did open me an account with a debit card …

Nowadays… Im not sure 🤔
Stephen ************
@Gaëtan ******
Things, rules and regulations change in Thailand every 10 minutes never mind every10 years 🤣🤣🤣
Chris ******************
Go bkk bank south pattaya big c 6000bt money in account and you open a new account if you dont have one from before..
John *******
Try
****
William ***********
Contact her.

She opened an account where I couldn't...

Very professional

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*****
*****
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&mibextid=ZbWKwL
Cathie ***********
Which city is she in? Thanks
William ***********
Stephen ************
Avoid the hassle

Go to Tik Tok agency in Jomtien

Pay 5000 baht and have an account opened in less then 25 minutes with an ATM card and Bangkok Bank account book

Easy just so easy
Youssef ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Stephen ************
@Youssef *****
Jomtien. Pattaya

Google Tik Tok visa agent
Youssef ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Ed ******
I bought a Condo here. Just a few days ago, I went to 3 banks in Bangkok, try to open bank account, Bangkok Bank, K Bank and Krungthai Bank. They all said rules changed, tourist visa holders cannot open bank account. Bangkok bank advised me to go to Ambassy and get a non B visa first. I really do not what to do.
Peter *********
UOB bank 2nd road will do for you
Chris *******
Siam legal will open in Bangkok for 3000 baht
Marc *********
@Chris ******
its 5000 now and you need to take their bs bank insurance or else they wont get you an atm card (which yhey charge 4-600 baht more for) all in all it was nearly much more than 5000 by the end of it all, walked out of their bangkok office…
Martin *****
@Chris ******
. On a tourist visa?
Chris *******
@Martin ****
Yes

I contacted them years ago

But I had the residency paperwork

They do it in house
Robert ***********
@Chris ******
That was years ago. Not saying they don't "have ways" of getting it done but things changed drastically this year. And I had a residency certificate from immigration.
Martin *****
@Chris ******
. Thats the difference you had residency paperwork
Chris *******
@Martin ****
Once they saw it they said I didn’t need them

The main thing is they could have done without

For 3000 baht

In Bangkok at Bangkok bank exchange tower asoke
Martin *****
Martin *****
Good luck with that one. I did it true a good friend that lives here. He already had a account at Bangkok bank. We opened up a bankaccount in both our names. We canceled the account after one month and I opened up one in my own name because my name was already in there system.
Martin *****
Step 1 . Use the search function in the group . It gets asked everyday

If not admin please rename the group to "opening a bank account in Thailand"
Micha ***********
@Martin ****
best comment … 🙏
Henrik *****
Very difficult on touristvisa, unless you deposit a large sum, like 400.000 - 800.000 Baht, which are needed to get other kinds of visa.
Robert ***********
@Henrik ****
They won't do it with that either. 11 branches. New rules March this year. No bank account with tourist visa.
Henrik *****
Then I was lucky !
Neil ********
Just get a multi currency account if you are a tourist. If you are planning on being here for a year or more then secure the right visa and proof of residency then no problems
Dimitris ************
Impossible. Pay an agent 3-4,000 baht and get it done in 30 mins
Youssef ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Dimitris ***********
yeah please in dm
Le *****
@Dimitris ***********
name of the agent please.
Dimitris ************
@Le ****
any visa agency will do for you in your area
Micha ***********
As i said …
Robert ***********
OK. Here is my experience going to 11 branches of Bangkok Bank, SCB and Kasikorn with a tourist visa.

Cannot open bank account with a tourist visa. Period.

I went with a great personable friend of mine who is thai national.

Even offered to buy insurance. Was denied everywhere.

One Bangkok Bank branch showed us corporate document that instructed everyone not to open accounts for any tourist visa. Even if depositing 800k baht.

I had...

Copy of my bank statement from USA showing some of my holdings

My passport

My Thai drivers license.

My residence certificate from Immigration.

My original condo lease.

My original electronic METV.

A large handful of thai baht.

No luck. No negotiation. Full stop when they looked in my passport and saw my stamp and METV.

This was in Phuket over the past 8 days.
Till ******
@Robert **********
exactly, get an study visa or work permit then your are fine. Or, if you have a trusted person like me, ask them to open a bank account on their name. Works like a charm.
Robert ***********
@Till *****
Won't help me when I try to file for my retirement visa in country if it's in another person's name.
Manfred ********
@Robert **********
, I have the same problem with non-immi-O visa
Till ******
not possible anymore, before March 23 you could open in bangkok bank.
Noppakhun ***************
BANGKOK BANK CAN.

1. Address certified from the embassy

2. Minimum deposit.

3. Passport

Done
Ang *****
@Noppakhun **************
not in Phuket - and I had 1 million to bank.
Till ******
@Noppakhun **************
not possible anymore since march 23
Noppakhun ***************
@Till *****
some branches do accept. Pls try ang call emsquare branch
Till ******
@Noppakhun **************
It was an global internal announcement. I tried many Bangkok banks. Did you open it recently there? I can call ok.
Noppakhun ***************
@Till *****
try emsquare
Micha ***********
@Noppakhun **************
only bkk bank in bkk
Ticha *****************
It became difficult recently for tourist visa to prevent money laundering
Bora ********
Go to bank

Have 20k dollar
Youssef ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Bora *******
and deposit it or what
Tong *****
Just go to an agent
Youssef ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tong ****
wish one
Noon *******
Check your inbox
Stephen *********
I got a certificate of residence from immigration, took it to Bangkok bank. Easy as that,.
Robert ***********
@Stephen ********
That was not recently. All changed in March/April this year.
Stephen *********
@Robert **********
Was last year.
Robert ***********
@Stephen ********
Yeah I hear that. I unfortunately got a late start. Augh.
Sarick **********
KBank:

Passport

2nd ID from your country.

Lease agreement + tm.30 might help.
Rob **********
With a lot of luck
Lyndon ************
Bangkok bank head office, wanted an "embassy-certified copy of my passport". For which I first needed to wait a week for an appointment. 2021.
Kevin **********
@Lyndon ***********
This is the correct answer.
Incognia **********
@Lyndon ***********
only it or more?
Lyndon ************
@Stelar ******
they wanted proof of my address and accepted my TM30 and a avidavid from my partner, plus a signed copy of her ID.
Shaughn ***********
@Lyndon ***********
yes this was the process I took last year. It may had changed now as I’ve seen reports of people saying that so someone will need to go to Bangkok bank head office in Silom to ask for a list of the latest requirements. I was able to get this letter done at the NZ embassy over email. Note there is likely to be a consular fee for this service though cheaper than the insurance option.
Zac ********
@Shaughn **********
read that list of requirements carefully, the letter from your embassy was only one item of a few different ones, other items included an introduction by a BKK bank employee or am introduction by a BKK bank customer.
Lyndon ************
@Shaughn **********
there were plenty staff that speak good English.
Micha ***********
Again… it is not possible to open a bank account with tourist visa … no no

Also not bkk bank
Stuart *********
@Micha **********
, not true, I opened my account with the Bangkok bank last February whilst on a tourist visa, got a TM 30 from my hotel, went to immigration in Patong with 2x photos, passport, paid 500baht for a certificate of residence, went to the Bangkok Bank and got an account.
Robert ***********
@Stuart ********
And that was in February and the rules changed in March. Can't get with tourist visa anymore.

Consider yourself lucky
Eddie ******
@Robert **********
so how do you get
*****
0baht in a bank to get retirement extensions
Robert ***********
@Eddie *****
You start your retirement visa from your home country or get an agent to help you open an account.
Micha ***********
@Stuart ********
just read…. And what do i care anyway…
Zac ********
@Micha **********
wrong, I opened a Bangkok bank account on a tourist visa.
Robert ***********
@Zac *******
When? Last year is not this year.
Micha ***********
Micha ***********
Not wrong… as i said only not in phuket
Viola ********
@Micha **********
probably too many tourists try to open in Phuket. Maybe try in other regions ?
Noppakhun ***************
@Micha **********
wrong. I did open with a tourist visa under bangkok bank
Dave **********
@Noppakhun **************
not after September 2023 BB will not open an account on a tourist visa any more!!!
Robert ***********
@Noppakhun **************
OK. When and where?
Micha ***********
Well last week all branches bkk bank phuket said not possible anymore…
Eddie ******
@Micha **********
not correct I have done it
Micha ***********
@Eddie *****
again… when? What bank and where …as i said in phuket bkk bank all branches say it is not possible
Eddie ******
@Micha **********
January this year Bangkok Bank, Pattaya
Robert ***********
@Eddie *****
The document I saw from Bangkok Bang was dated April this year that stated no new accounts for tourist visa holders.
Andy **********
@Robert **********
with all respect!! please stop making life difficult for yourself, it would appear your location is in Phuket, as I've suggested just make contact with tik tok visa services in jomtien, all being well just go and spend a couple of days in Pattaya and get yourself a bank account and Thai driving licenses, that's what I did completely hassle free.
Robert ***********
@Andy *********
I have my thai license. 90 minutes and 205 baht later. Bank account is the only thing but it's not worth a round trip flight to Bangkok, bus to Pattaya, hotel stay x however many days and then the agent fee. That's not cheap.
Lutz ********
@Micha **********
It is possible, I did it with touristvisa.
Robert ***********
@Lutz *******
Not recently without an agent.
Micha ***********
@Lutz *******
what bank when and where… ? I agree it was possible before… but not anymore… happy to learn though but i doubt it
Viola ********
@Micha **********
or go to the immigration ask for certificate of residence
Robert ***********
@Viola *******
Doesn't matter. Tourist visa is now a dead stop no account.
Micha ***********
@Viola *******
well as i am living here since 10 years for me no problem… tourist! How would a tourist get a paper for certificate residence… tourist not resident .. self explained

Ok bkk bank used to do it but not anymore
Viola ********
@Micha **********
anyone can get residence certificate
Kim *********
@Micha **********
I got a certificate of residence from immi based on the tm30 report on my non o visa with permission to stay 3 months
Viola ********
@Micha **********
you are wrong!
Frank **********
@Viola *******
she is not wrong a lot of banks will not open an account for you. You may have to try multiple banks. I was lucky my Immigration office hooked me up with a bank.
Viola ********
@Frank *********
people just don’t know they need to get certificate of residence at the immigration 😜
Micha ***********
@Viola *******
not with bkk bank / scb/ kasikorn/ krungsri/ Thanachart with only tourist visa clearly no …
Micha ***********
@Viola *******
am i … i tried for a friend last week.. in Phuket not possible..
Viola ********
@Micha **********
try other offices ! Bangkok bank open an account of you buy insurance from them
Robert ***********
@Viola *******
Not true. 5 branches in Phuket. All said no last week.
Viola ********
@Robert **********
have you tried to come with certificate of residence?

Buying insurance?
Robert ***********
@Viola *******
Tried all that. Residence cert, copy of my condo lease, big stack of thai baht. All did not matter because I had a tourist visa and there regs are no new accounts with tourist visa.
Andy **********
@Robert **********
I was told a few weeks ago, due to recent changes in banking regulations, the only way to open a bank account now if you're on a tourist visa is to use an agent.
Robert ***********
@Andy *********
I am aware. But I have talked to a few a d even they are saying it's not easy anymore. Two have contacted me. One wanted 10,000 baht and wanted to take my passport. The other 9,000.

That's not happening.
Andy **********
@Robert **********
I opened an account a couple of weeks ago in Pattaya with Bangkok bank, I used tik tok visa agent in Jomtien, they charged me ฿4000 agent fee, no need to buy the banks useless accident insurance, it was also ฿700 payable to the bank if you want the atm/mastercard, you accompany the agent to the bank, you don't even queue up, they also converted my international and home country driving license into Thai car and motorcycle licenses, they made it all ready simple.
Robert ***********
@Andy *********
What visa do you have?
Andy **********
@Robert **********
I'm currently on the METV issued in the UK.
Viola ********
@Robert **********
then you are not lucky with offices. Insurance in BKk bank??
Robert ***********
@Viola *******
I am not lucky? Ha! Luck has nothing to do with it but keep trying.
Kool *******
@Viola *******
that was last year in Jomtien.
Noel *********
Frank **********
With a lot of luck.
Steve **********
@Frank *********
if they say no. Go across the street to another branch
Frank **********
@Steve *********
oh I got an account back a while ago.
Steve **********
@Frank *********
things may have changed, it's usually up to the official in the bank..

I opened my first as a tourist years ago with just a PP and Hotel name
Frank **********
@Steve *********
I agree. It can change in a New York minute, lol.
Steve **********
Marc ********
Go Bangkok Bank.

Passport

Pay insurance 5900b

Finish
Robert ***********
@Marc *******
Not anymore. You have tourist visa you better get an agent.
Steve **********
@Marc *******
don't need to by insurance.

This was posted by a bkk employee seeking commission
Marc ********
@Steve *********
Correct don't need if you can present the required documents which I did not want to use time of my vacation running after them
Steve **********
@Marc *******
if only hear for vacation..no need, your visa, mc are good here. Many places charge a 1% fee if AE.
Marc ********
@Steve *********
I need. And I want. Period
Viola ********
@Steve *********
bit they do t open acc without it …
Steve **********
@Viola *******
oh yes. Very few buy insur. through a bank.

You don't go to a barber to have shoe repaired.p
Marianna ******
@Marc *******
Can you open on a tourist visa? What type of insurance?
Darren ********************
@Marianna *****
It covers you for a few health things but the main one is 100,000 baht per accident insurance. Unlimited accidents. I needed this anyway so was a bank-opening-bonus for me.
Marianna ******
Thanks for all the information.
Viola ********
@Marianna *****
yes, you can on touristic visa , it’s health insurance
Marianna ******
@Viola *******
I have travel insurance. I am covered by my local bank HSBC. Will they accept that or does it have to be their insurance?
Viola ********
@Marianna *****
nooo! You buy Bangkok bank insurance and they open account for that!
Marianna ******
@Viola *******
oh! Now I see how it works!
Marc ********
@Marianna *****
It's an accident insurance. Will not cover much but that's what they want you to buy... so they will not want to see any more documents to open the account for you
Marianna ******
@Marc *******
So if I am understanding correctly the bank organises the insurance.
Kool *******
@Marianna *****
all major Thai banks also sell insurance of all kinds.
William *********
@Marianna *****
I wonder if its health insurance
Viola ********
@William ********
it is a health insurance. Works for tourists
William *********
Bobby ***********
Viola ********
@William ********
yes, I have been to Bangkok bank, they told me the same. And insurance works well, my friend has it. I’m going to do soon! I’m
Marc ********
@William ********
Yes unless they changed "the rules" again.

I opened my account last year. Same proceedere
Dave **********
@Marc *******
BB doesn't open on tourists visa any more, stoped September 2023
William *********
@Marc *******
I will try it when I come
Darren ********************
@William ********
I did this last week. But with the help of my agency i am buying a condo through. 6000 baht for insurance and 500 to deposit in account.
Cimi ******
@Darren *******************
was any other paperwork required?
Darren ********************
@Cimi *****
No but I did have my real estate agent with me so I am not sure if her being there made it easier. Plus the fact I am buying property in the country but I hadn't done so at the point of opening the bank account.
William *********
@Darren *******************
Thats cool thank you
Maple *********
If you in Bangkok, go to embassy of your country and ask for certificate of residence (address of your condominium or hotel) after that go to open Bank account. Bangkok Bank it’s most easy.
Scott *********
@Maple ********
your hotel will put your stay in the blue book no problems
Maple *********
@Scott ********
it’s in the last year now I don’t get any problem.
Kim *********
@Maple ********
you get certificate of residence from immi - 500 baht - I just did it
Viola ********
@Kim ********
what papers they asked you to apply ?
Maple *********
@Kim ********
yes but my case we stay near embassy and managers of Bangkok Bank they told me I can do it there. So We have bank account now. I think this depends on the Bank what they accept.
Kevin **********
@Maple ********
This is correct although what they give is a notarised copy of your passport...Bangkok Bank will then open it.
Maple *********
@Kevin *********
everything it’s depends on Bank company.
Kevin **********
@Maple ********
In my case the bank manager showed me their policy book in English which shows exactly the criteria for opening an account.

Without a work permit this is for sure the easiest way.
Zac ********
@Kevin *********
if you look at the criteria closely you will see that you don't actually need the letter from the embassy. The first thing is passport with a valid visa, then it was a list which stated one of the following, the first being a letter from your embassy or an introduction from a BKK bank employee, further down the list was an introduction by a BKK bank customer. It did take quite a bit of time explaining the word "or" because they kept pointing to letter from your embassy but after much dogged determination the manager came out and hey presto the forms started rumbling out of the printer. This was in the Bangkok bank on Phanon Yothin road in Saphan Mai, so not a tourist area
Kevin **********
@Zac *******
Good to know! I didn't bother reading everything that day lol
Maple *********
@Kevin *********
yes. I asked Bangkok bank in Phuket, they told me just buy insurance we can open bank account.
Kevin **********
@Maple ********
Yeah straight bandit bank behaviour
Viola ********
@Maple ********
CERTIFICATE OF RESIDENCE YOU DO AT YHE IMMIGRATION OFFICE!
MJ ****
@Viola *******
residence cert in the Immigration for those who have a work permit. If u are in a tourist visa ur embassy will provide for u.
Viola ********
@MJ ***
not necessarily
Maple *********
@Viola *******
we do at embassy.
Viola ********
@Maple ********
how come if it’s Thai residence? However I did in the immigration
Maple *********
@Viola *******
you can did it in immigration too. I heard someone they did it on immigration but in that moment Bangkok bank they told me that I can did it in embassy. They just need official paper.
Cimi ******
@Viola *******
can you be more specific please? Is this the TM30 you receive from your hotel? Or something else?
Viola ********
@Cimi *****
I don’t remember , it was just a form and passport copy and a picture
Viola ********
You have tm30 anyways when extend. But I applied the same day so I don’t know if it’s needed or not
Wayne *********
@Maple ********
not many embassy do them anymore
Shaughn ***********
I did this process last year. But have had reports of this requirement changed since March this year. Need to go to Bangkok bank head branch in Silom to get the latest list of requirements.
Maple *********
@Wayne ********
we do it the last year.
Wayne *********
@Maple ********
as I said NOT all do it now. So your did thats not all
Malcolm *******
Victor *******
Only with agency like tik tok
Garrett ***********
Victor *******
@Garrett **********
Minimum is ED visa even for the easiest bank = Bangkok bank
Zac ********
@Victor ******
I opened a Bangkok bank account in Saphan Mai in Bangkok on a tourist visa with no letter from the embassy.
Bobby ***********
@Zac *******
how long ago? I did this a few months ago without an agent in Chiang Rai at Bangkok bank. It now requires a notorized copy of your passport from your embassy. Every bank said no without the notorized letter and I had a wealthy Thai friend take me to every bank. I did not buy the insurance
Zac ********
@Bobby **********
that is one of the list but if you read it carefully it says one of the following, they kept telling me that I needed it because it is first on the list but I kept pointing to the word "or" and pointed to my wife and saying Bangkok bank customer then pointing to introduction by a Bangkok bank customer on the form, eventually the manager came out and it was done.
Scott *********
@Zac *******
correct 100%. Actuallly only need very few documents
Bobby ***********
@Zac *******
once again how long ago? This is my first hand experience in Chiang Rai. If you did it without recently, well good for you. Just like with immigration your experience may vary by location
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