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How can I safely manage a bank account in Thailand if it's under my girlfriend's name?

Thailand BankingTourist VisaBank Account AccessOnline Banking SecurityUsing an Agent for BankingVietnamese Expat BankingThai Visa Regulations
Nov 13, 2024
a month ago
Alex *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hello, I have a question regarding banks in Thailand. Since I only have a tourist visa, I am not able to open a bank account. Therefore, I opened an account using my girlfriend’s identity. I have a debit card that allows me to make withdrawals. However, since my girlfriend's phone number was provided to the bank, I cannot use the app on my phone, which is a bit inconvenient... So, I asked my girlfriend to allow me to access my bank account online without using the app, but with a username and password. She explains that it’s dangerous due to scammers and that only the app is secure. Honestly, I don’t see why it would be riskier with a Thai bank than with a French bank to connect without the app. Connecting through the internet just means using a username and password... What do you think?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The original poster expresses frustration about using a bank account opened in their girlfriend's name due to the associated security and access issues. They seek confirmation regarding the risks of online banking without using the app. The community responds with various suggestions, including the option of getting an agent to open a personal account, changing the linked phone number to their own, or using a joint account. Several commenters also emphasize the importance of having a personal bank account to avoid complications and potential risks associated with accessing accounts under someone else's name.
Juls ******
Do your own bank account. Dont put big amount.
a month ago
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Alex *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Juls *****
 you don't need to worry about that. Thank you.
a month ago
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Alex *********
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Alan ******
Alex, anything to do with the internet is risky.
a month ago
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Robert **********
I wish I could find a girlfriend as trustworthy as yours.
a month ago
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Alex *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Robert *********
 As I've written elsewhere, even after 20 years of marriage, you can still have big surprises. That's what my lawyer told me during my second divorce. Is my girlfriend truly loyal and honest? I can't be completely sure. So, I'm taking precautions. She knows this and accepts it.

Sorry to disappoint you...
a month ago
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Robert **********
Haha. Nice reply. I was being facetious. Good luck with your quest.
a month ago
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Robert **********
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Rogerpatrik **********
You are a brave man 🙈🙉🙊
a month ago
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Bob ********
They will only allow you to have the app on one phone at a time, we upgraded our phones and we had to go to the bank and get them to authorise the app on the new phone by entering the imie number of the phone
a month ago
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Alex *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Bob *******
 ok. I will try but it looks that somebody wrote it's impossible with Kasikorn... I will see...
a month ago
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Alex *********
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Todd *********
Ktb doesn't have internet banking anymore, have to use the app

I don't have to do the OTP as I went to the bank and told them it's impossible to receive a text overseas
a month ago
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Ian **********
My friend opened a joint account with his Thai wife while on a tourist visa. Perhaps you could try that.
a month ago
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Jim ********
Get a Thai sim. Change the number on the account to that number. Set yourself a reminder to pay it every month using your online app. It is registered to your phone... just don't change your phone. It works even when you put your faring sim back in
a month ago
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Cliff *********
Have her put her SIM card into your phone.

The bank staff will help you initialize the account and the app on your phone.

Then you can use the app and access the account for deposits and payments.

After initialization, you can put your SIM card back into her phone.

You will have your own account number and password.

This is what I am doing with Bangkok Bank and it has been very very convenient.

Banking is done with the phone carrier and is secure.

For safety from her….don’t leave a huge amount of money in the account.
a month ago
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Alex *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Cliff ********
 That's the most interesting option. I'll see if it works with Kasikorn. Thanks for the advice.
a month ago
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Alex *********
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Rogerio ******
why can't you ask your gf to go to the bank and update 'her' number to your phone?
a month ago
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Alex *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Rogerio *****
 because my phone number is a foreign one and the Kasikorn bank refused it.
a month ago
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Alex *********
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Andy **********
It doesn't make any sense to be doing all the messing around, trying to use someone else's bank account, when you say you will need your own account in a couple of months anyway, for visa purposes, if you're doing the visa yourself, you will need to season the funds for two months anyway, an agent can assist with opening a bank account on a tourist visa.
a month ago
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Us *****
You did what? You are an id*ot. You might as well buy her a house under her name. Thai girls are tricky, your account would be emptied the minute she finds out you cheated on her. Get an agent to open one up for you.
a month ago
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Achanster ******
Ask her to change the telephone number to yours
a month ago
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Alex *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Achanster *****
 In fact, Kasikorn bank refused my phone number because it's a foreign number...
a month ago
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Achanster ******
@Alex ********
 oh dear, it very cheap to get a local phone no. Bht 300. That would solve your problem.
a month ago
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Alex *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Achanster *****
 yes. This is what I will probably do.
a month ago
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Alex *********
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Johnnie ********
I had a 30 day exemption, applied for a 60 day visa, no problem at all.

BKK at Pattaya 🙏🇹🇭❤️🇹🇭🙏
a month ago
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Andre ***********
Go around with your passport, you will get it
a month ago
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Bill ********
😂😂😂😂😂
a month ago
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Ling *****
The reason the app is better is because you can only have it on one device at a time. Everytime I buy a new mobile phone I must go in person with my passport to my bank to put and verify it on the new phone. Some banks like Krung Thai bank have stopped Web login altogether. One thing for sure, I would put any account in my own name and if I have to pay an agent to do it I would. Good luck.
a month ago
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Sue **********
@Ling ****
 Well thats not quite right, I just bought a new phone and did the whole set up within the app and it took seconds, no need to go to branch. K+ App.
a month ago
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Ling *****
@Sue *********
 I can only tell you what I had to do. I have the Kasikorn Account too. When I bought the new phone a message came up saying "you must go to your nearest branch to set up the app" so I did. This was only last year. Same with Bangkok Bank, I had to go to a branch.
a month ago
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Alex *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ling ****
 ok. I understand.
a month ago
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Alex *********
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Aake **********
If you opened a bank account in your girlfriend's name, you do not have a bank account in Thailand
a month ago
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David *******
She will scam you just use your card
a month ago
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Ning ******
get her to get another sim card and ask the bank to change the phone number.
a month ago
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Alex *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thanks to everyone who advised me to get an agent, but as I wrote to another member, it’s a temporary situation. I just wanted to verify that there is indeed a risk in connecting without the app.
a month ago
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Narong *******
Tell yr gf to Change the tel number and Give yr Number as it is yr account.....is easy....she can go inside the Bank to do so and probably even via the app ....Problem Solved
a month ago
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George *******
@Narong ******
 But legally it isn't his account. His girlfriend opened the account with her id card details, therefore technically and legally the account is hers.
a month ago
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Narong *******
@George ******
 small technicality.... If is the account that uses... Even if his gf opened it... I would change the number so he can use prompt pay, check the balance etc.... Is not a big deal
a month ago
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George *******
@Narong ******
 ok, so he could just change the phone number that is linked to the account?
a month ago
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Narong *******
@George ******
 yes if his gf opened for him and and there is only his money in that account.. Why not? Nothing will happen.... He would just use it normally... Is not a big issue.... I would not pay 1-5k to an agent surely .
a month ago
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George *******
@Narong ******
 I agree, trust is a nice thing
a month ago
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George *******
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John *******
You normally get a receipt after the withdrawal that shows you the balance. I do not see a problem.
a month ago
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Orby ********
I opened a bank account in Thailand and I was only on holidays.The rules may have changed now.
a month ago
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Bob **********
You’ll need to set up

Online Banking at the branch that you opened the account
a month ago
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Alan ******
I was in same situation as you wanting to open bank. I did get one open with BKB but had to buy 1 years health insurance think it was as it was some time ago. But still hear banks can open them so it’s just finding the right one. I would say that you been told if buying insurance through them you can open. Worth a go. I paid 5000 baht for insurance at that time
a month ago
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David *********
Go to the bank and change phone numbers from hers to yours and set it up on your own phone
a month ago
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Mark ***********
@David ********
 don’t think he would be able to do that if he used his girlfriend’s ID
a month ago
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David *********
@Mark **********
 they don’t know who owns the phone or the number
a month ago
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Pat *****
@David ********
 if id not match phone nr they can close tge account!
a month ago
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Mark ***********
@David ********
 when I went to change my plan with AIS, I had to show my ID. But you might be right, other carriers may be less careful.
a month ago
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Mark ***********
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Martin *****
Open your own account.. as others said already, pay an agent
a month ago
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Mark ***********
Just go to an agent and pay for an account to be opened in your name with your phone number
a month ago
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Phil ******
@Alex ********
 she's telling the truth. Why not get an agent to open a bank account for you. It costs ฿5k
a month ago
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Alex *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Unnecessary. It’s a temporary situation. In 2025, I will have to choose between the "retirement" visa and the "marital" visa. And at that point, it will become mandatory to have a personal bank account. I just wanted to verify this information. You confirm that she’s right. I admit it surprises me a bit..
a month ago
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Rolf *********
@Alex ********
 I had many bank accounts from different banks in Thailand, all fronted by girls I knew. They ALWAYS provided me full control over bank card, bank book, bank app. I would never accept anything less. Never had 1 baht stolen or “borrowed” by any of these girls either since without the bank book and a police report about lost bank book they can’t access the account even if they go to the bank and try. And they always registered my phone number to the account when signing.
a month ago
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Wayne ********
@Alex ********
 I use Bangkok Bank app and prior to the beginning of this year. You could download the app on any phone put your pin number in and get access to your account. Sometime around the first part of the year they changed their system to only allow the app to be used on the phone with the phone number registered to the account. my iPhone was a US phone number so we used my wife’s phone number. This year when we return, I had to fill out paperwork and put my Thai phone number associated with the account so I could have access to it. a bit confusing but she’s telling you the way it is.


a month ago
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Pat *****
@Alex ********
 i use both, app and online bkk bank, is safe, and online you can only transfer to existing contacts/ accounts... for new one u need to confirm with OTP send to your phone...
a month ago
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Phil ******
@Alex ********
 yes but do look up the rules as its a catch 22 situation. So you to Bangkok bank and ask them what's required to open a bank account in your name. Then you will understand. Oh btw got mine 13 years ago so no problem with me.
a month ago
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Alex *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Phil *****
 No, I'm sure I can't open an account in my name with a tourist visa. It was probably possible in the past, but it doesn't matter since I will switch to another visa status in 2025. So, all good...

Thank you anyway.
a month ago
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Elías ********
@Alex ********
 everything is possible if you pay to a so-called agent. Worth the money? I don't think so. But, possible.
a month ago
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Phil ******
@Alex ********
 as I said Lots of people report the catch 22. Need to dep. Money into an account for immi but can't open a bank account.

Good luck.
a month ago
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Phil ******
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Michael ******
Just get your own by useing an agent around 4000baht
a month ago
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Leong ***********
Some bank’s apps authenticate using the phone’s IMEI.
a month ago
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Leong ***********
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