How can I successfully open a Thai bank account while on a tourist visa?

Have u tried Krung Thai Bank yet?

for tourist visa stamp on passport no bank can open an account. you need to go to Lao (before appointment) to get non o visa. than you can open an account (this was my case not sure how it works for others)

My accountant opened a new account for my visa. Not an agent or expensive company.

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!

It’s an absolute nightmare. I gave up and asked a “friend” to help and they made it happen for 2000THB. Some people are just lucky, I have to buy mine.

I really don't understand why they make it so difficult to give them money......

Bangkok bank between soi 12 an 14,big Bangkok bank around that area one lady in there specialiseswith farangs and makes it very easy, even on tourist visa

If say a little bit about where you are in thailand.you will get better answers

This has become a bit of a train wreck post. As some people have mentioned here though, the best place to go is Bangkok Bank head office in Silom. Good English speaking staff there. You go in the main door and turn left and walk past all those tellers in the room and reach another corridor where you turn right and head on up to another big room where you can apply for bank account. As others have stated they will give you a list of requirements that you can choose from. For me the only option was to get the embassy letter that certified my address in home country and that of where I’m living in Thailand temporarily. Once you got that letter then you are good to go. Good luck

I used Siam Legal in Bangkok, took 20 minutes, easy!

Forgot to say that different branches if same bank have different policies.

I tried 3 different banks in Pattaya, all 3 denied since I did nor have a visa yet. Used an agent and got account in 1 hour.

Now I am back and have my 800k in BB (3 months) and applied for retirement visa.

I've read there's new rule concerning bank accounts being opened by people on tourist visas - it's not allowed any more.

Did you wear your best elephant pants and show the bank your ฿300?

I know it has gotten more difficult to open an account, but would suggest Kasikorn. Ask for the manager. You will normally have better luck with him than a clerk. Dress neat and tell him you planning to retire here next year. I think you might get it done. Let us know. Ask the requirements if he gives you a hard time. Might try a little "coffee" money for him if he doesn't budge. Good luck.

Tik Tok visa in Jomtien

Bangkok Bank In and out in 20 minutes done.

Requirements:

Home country driver’s license

Tourist Visa 60 day

Thai telephone number

2 recent photos

5,000 baht

No messing about No ifs or buts … DONE. !

Bank book ATM Card - Good to go

I just popped around the prime minister's office this afternoon and he told me to tell you, to try Siam commercial bank in the big C mall on top of South Pattaya Road and Sukomvit

i got a BKK bank account pissed as ,dressed in t shirt,thongs, got account bank was shut by then left out back door, easy as depends on who you get

bank clerk rang me next day wanting to have a coffee with me

Pretend you want to buy a condo

Pm.

Got turned down at k Bank.

Very much welcome at krungsri.

Passport with a 30 day exempt stamp. What they wanted to see was my 1 year property rental agreement . 20 minute tops .

Mots services

The basic requirement for opening a bank account is to prove you have a solid reason for opening a bank account. Work, marriage, or "permanent stay" are such valid reasons. The last one is proven by a Resident Certificate from Immigration. Some Immigrations like BKK are very restrictive for issuing an RC, while others like Phuket and Chiang Mai are ready to issue an RC against even a TM30 from a hotel.

Bangkok Bank will with your girlfriend id

If you are in Bangkok then I’d recommend Siam Legal. I think the cost is 5,000 baht and they will open an account for you with Bangkok Bank. You might get lucky trying to open an account on your own but it is more miss than hit.

Just keep trying branches in different towns/provinces!

I have 1 & I still don’t not travel in a tourist visa!

Don’t listen to all the ‘know it alls’

Good luck 👍

I opened an account with SCB many years ago, so things might have changed.

I was being refused because of the wrong visa type, so I showed the clerk my pension docs and told them that amount would come in every month until I died.

They took my docs and passport and went and spoke to the manager, when they returned I had an account.

I was also accompanied by a Thai speaking friend. Good luck

This is just a warning how things are in Thailand. this is just the beginning

Just pay an agent.

Each branch is an individual unit, but if you try a branch near the immigrations you will have more success.

Opened at Bangkok bank Hua Hin, Have a Thai address, a letter from immigration, on a 60 day tourist visa

Seriously, you will get different answers at different banks AND it can differ with location too!

We were told we had to have a bank account to get retirement visa, but told by the bank that we had to have retirement visa first. It was a very frustrating catch 22.

If you go to a bank in a high tourist area, your chances are better.

Use a visa agent

Keep trying

Maybe aletter from immigration

What is your current marital and residential status in Thailand? Are you married to a Thai? Do you live in a private residence owned by said wife.. or perhaps another relative? What visa do you presenly hold, if any, and how long is left on it? This is all relevant to the banks.. and with a better understanding of your situation you might get some better advice my friend

Go to Bangkok Bank and buy the insurance from them. Then they will open acount no problem.

At least last year it was the case

Post a photo of how you were dressed when applying.

Also, what was the amount of initial deposit?

No one ever answers this.

I opened mine in chaing Rai easy.

Bangkok bank at central festival Phuket opened one for me while I was on a tourist visa last year. There was a lot of paperwork but they can do it 👍

Yet some people say it's easy to open bank account!

I tried 7 different banks in Pattaya with negative success.

Agents charge 3-4000b

Everything sorted.

Go to visa agent. Bit expensive but you don't have to to do anything . Same day opening bank account and in 3 weeks you will get your passport back with stamp . Make sure you get multi entries. Cost little bit more but no more hassle

Go to the head office in Bangkok on Silom road, just around from Chong Nonsi BTS, go to the far left hand side and up to the first floor, they will help you.

Yeh bangkok bank. Also a little tip....decline the eftpos card if they offer (unneeded expense). You just use your mobile phone at ATMs these days, to withdraw cash and pay people)

Try UOB bank very helpful

Pay agent job done

Agents.

Try krungsri

Bangkok bank. You'll probably need embassy certified copy of your passport. Go to the Silom Head office branch and ask for their requirements.

Bangkok bank is the easiest to open. But you may have to try more than one

Make sure you dress tidy as well. Look the part. It does help.

I suggest using agent to help you out. They even help you getting retirement visa in the same day if requested

Try to call up your embassy in Thailand, try to ask if they provide a supporting letter to open an account and bring letter to the bank.

There's more than 5 banks in a single mall. You haven't even tried yet. You need to ask a lot more bank branches as every branch even of the same brand has different rules. You need to be asking 40 or 50 or 60 banks. But it's gotten much more difficult in the last 1-2 years so many are using an agent to open an account now.