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How can I open a bank account in Thailand without a long-term visa?

Thai bankingVisa requirementsLong-term visaBank account openingExpat adviceNon-O visaThailand immigration
Sep 22, 2019
5 years ago
Sodi *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Ok, here we go again, classic catch 22. Been to several Thai banks to open an account, told I first need to have a long term visa (1 year). Immigration says, you need to deposit 800k THB in a Thai bank at least 2 months prior to making a visa application, suggestions and comments please. I'm 54 and a UK passport holder.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user is facing a common issue for expats in Thailand: needing a long-term visa to open a bank account while being required to deposit a significant amount (800,000 THB) prior to applying for this visa. Comments from the community provide various suggestions including trying specific banks like Bangkok Bank and Krungsri, utilizing an agent to facilitate the process, or confirming that a passbook savings account is the best option. Many users emphasize persistence and the potential for bank staff to make exceptions if a decent deposit is promised. Some also recommended using a Thai friend or referral to help with account approval.
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James ********
Thanks All for your helpful suggestions.

Good Luck on getting your bank account open to enable your obtaining the extension of stay...

I close commenting.
5 years ago
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Robert ********
Two things to note: By "reference letter from your embassy" they actualy mean a letter certifying that your passport is genuine. I did that last month from the UK Embassy, for a cost of 25 GBP. I presume other embassies will have similar services. Secondly, and very importantly, the type of account you want to open is a passbook based SAVINGS account. This is the easiest account to open, and perfect for retirement visa funds. Don't try to open a "current account" - for some reason that is a lot more complicated.
5 years ago
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Robert ********
Do you live in Bangkok? If so you can open an account with Bangkok Bank quite easily, even on a short stay visa. Expand the "required documents" box of the following web page and see section 2:
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5 years ago
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James *******
Just use an agent, they will pick you up get your account opened and drop you home for 3000 baht, saves all the Fing around.
5 years ago
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Dom **************
Bangkok Bank Silom Branch (HO). On short term visa your bank in UK must send a Swift Message to their branch. The information can be found online. Although it's not really interesting if you live outside Bangkok because they can't emit a new debit card when your account is in BKK.
5 years ago
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Mark *********
Krungsri and Bangkok are your only real bets. Make life even easier and use a service like tik Tok in Jomtien. Places like that sort all the paperwork for you. You pay a price but all done for you 👍
5 years ago
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Sami **********
@Sodi ********
 thumps up for Tik Tok 🙂
5 years ago
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Mark *********
@Sodi ********
 No problem.👍🙏
5 years ago
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Siggi ********
You don't need any service, go and open, why should pay money for nothing?
5 years ago
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Sodi *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Many thanks
@Ma**
, have messaged them
5 years ago
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Mark *********
@Sodi ********
 tik Tok have a Facebook page. Just search. If I remember right it cost me about 3000 baht. They pick you up and take you to the bank. Really was hassle free
5 years ago
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Sodi *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ma**
, would you have a link please?
5 years ago
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Sodi *********
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Jayne **********
If you tell them you plan on opening it with 800.000 bt, i bet they will bend any rules for you. Times are hard, i bet they will welcome you.
5 years ago
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Paul **********
Savings account only.
5 years ago
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Paul **********
I have an account at Kungsri bank. I opened it with a tourist visa.
5 years ago
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Brian ********
I was able to get one at krungsri in exchange tower.
5 years ago
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Ashley ***************
Best chance with Kassikorn. Bring passport. Show them.u want to deposit a decent sum. ( 10k) ish. I opened one on a tourist Visa , however they were familiar with me as I Ad been in the area for a while and said was soon to be Non -o.

Depends on teller I think a lot. But personal expieriance and being denied from others ( even with non - o - long term Visa, kassikorn was the most user friendly and easier one who accepted)
5 years ago
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Barry *******
Ashley Malaichaisong Depends where u are at . I tried to open an a account at Kasikorn in Wichianburi. Wife already had one there . They wanted a yellow book I had a O visa with 1 year extension . Eventually got that . Then they wanted immigration letter. Still have my original SCB account in Pattaya. But had it for 15 years ,only needed a passport then .eventually ran out of time and didn't fancy driving 90k to Phetchabun immigration. Will try again this time round
5 years ago
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Barry *******
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Henrik ***********
Yes Thai logik 🙄
5 years ago
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Marty *********
Just keep trying. There are years of reports of people obtaining Thai bank accounts on short term visas. My friend said he came here on a short term visa and tried at a dozen banks before being able to open an account. Anecdotes like this abound. I almost got rejected even though I had a fresh O-A visa. My girlfriend intervened to convince them to give me the account.
5 years ago
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Mike *******
Found Bangkok bank ok in chaing mai.thats of course if your there
5 years ago
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Jp *******
if u stay in BKK, go to Bangkok Bank head office in Silom where they will open your account with just a tourist visa. Some branches will but others won't.
5 years ago
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James ********
Yep...story heard again and again. Keep trying. If one branch or bank says No...go to the next one. Take a Thai friend with you. Go to a bank where another expat or Thai friend has an account. Ask to see Manager. Tell them you want to deposit 800,000 Thai baht into their bank. Good Luck.
5 years ago
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Alex ***********
@Ja***
 it definitely helps to have a Thai ‘referral’ from a current account holder
5 years ago
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Alex ***********
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