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How did you successfully open a bank account in Thailand on a tourist visa?
Thai visaBank accountTourist visaImmigrationFinancial services in ThailandForeigners in ThailandCurrent banking rules in Thailand
Apr 10, 2024
2 years ago
Robert ********
ORIGINAL POSTERWell me and my Fiancé.
Did it
have managed to open a saving accounts yes and on my Tourist visa With the little help in immigration, god bless that man
Did it
have managed to open a saving accounts yes and on my Tourist visa With the little help in immigration, god bless that man
TLDR : Answer Summary
The post discusses the experience of an expat who successfully opened a savings account in Thailand while on a tourist visa, with assistance from an immigration officer. The conversation reveals various perspectives on challenges faced by foreigners when trying to open bank accounts in Thailand, mentioning differences in treatment based on nationality, the necessity of insurance, and anecdotal experiences with different banks. Many participants share their insights, offer encouragement, and seek further information about agents or specific banking processes.
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Joe ******
Not rocket science.
But I guess it's a step forward.
Well done.
But I guess it's a step forward.
Well done.
Terence ******
Done mine on my own in Pattaya . All done in 3 hours. 😊
Jet ********
Is that Bangkok bank ??
Robert ********
ORIGINAL POSTERYou keep trying every one of them are different. Need to go to immigration first and get an authorization okay. For bank account
Jet ********
Tell them your moving there shortly and you need the acct to wire funds to
Greg *********
@Jet *******
that's exactly why I need it. Retirement visaReply to
Greg *********
Reply
Greg *********
@Jet *******
looks like Bangkok bank, BBJet ********
@Greg ********
I’ve had my acct there for years they are easy to deal withGreg *********
@Jet *******
not in the town I was at, even had the papers and they told my girlfriend no because was a touristJet ********
@Greg ********
in bkkJet ********
@Greg ********
try the one of sukimvitGreg *********
@Jet *******
yes, will be in Bangkok, Pattaya and Udon Thani. Will try all in MayReply to
Greg *********
Reply
Steve **********
Had friend from US last mo. visit on Tourist Visa
( 1st trip ) , he went to my bank, BB. Using hotel and tm-30, opened acct. Debit card 200 baht, deposited 1000 baht, no insur.
It's the way you present yourself, the officer, and having a face familiar to the bank with you.
( 1st trip ) , he went to my bank, BB. Using hotel and tm-30, opened acct. Debit card 200 baht, deposited 1000 baht, no insur.
It's the way you present yourself, the officer, and having a face familiar to the bank with you.
Dan ********
@Steve *********
that's interesting to know. And of course, act serious/be serious, even if just for fun.Steve **********
@Dan *******
Thai's like most, respect 'respect 'Reply to
Steve **********
Reply
Greg *********
What did it cost. I was going to get agent too
Thomas *******
I'm new and hoping to go this fall. What are the benefits of opening an account?
Greg *********
@Thomas ******
not really a benefit unless your looking at moving here and getting a retirement visa or other type of long stayReply to
Greg *********
Reply
Clark ************
unbelievable, er money is equivalent to nirvana
Eli ******
Who can I turn to for help opening a tourist account?
Greg *********
@Eli *****
I suppose you are talking 90 day tourist visa and looking to opening a bank account. It's difficult unless you get really lucky. Most likely you will need a agentEli ******
@Greg ********
Do you know an agent?Greg *********
@Eli *****
No, but your best bet is do a search once you know where you want to be. Many agents to choose from. Google searchReply to
Greg *********
Reply
Galenus ******
@Eli *****
there is not such a "tourist" accountReply to
Galenus ******
Reply
Galenus ******
You're not a native English speaker, are you? Took me some time to get it straight what you posted. But anyway, you got what you wanted.
Robert ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Galenus *****
I'm an a American blue collar worker mechanic semi trucks 🚚 not a teacher hence the language skill ... *****
55Reply to
Galenus ******
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Steve *********
Nice, but I prefer SCB for domestic transactions. Their mobile app for scanning QR codes is very handy.
Michael ********
@Steve ********
bangkok bank app scans QR codes and Kasikorn. Presume all others do but i only have those twoReply to
Michael ********
Reply
Luigi ***********
Good luck 🥸
Stephen *********
Very lucky
Khanobpan **************
Wishing you the best of everything .
Don't listen to haters they don't know your story.
We all have choices. Live your life, you only live once ,.. your not a cat with 9 lives
🙏 Chok Dee ka
Don't listen to haters they don't know your story.
We all have choices. Live your life, you only live once ,.. your not a cat with 9 lives
*****
555🙏 Chok Dee ka
Robert ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Khanobpan *************
yes wise words. so very true 🙌🙏🏿🙏🏿 I do feel very blessedKhanobpan **************
@Robert *******
Blessings ka and Khob khun mak ka 🙏Khanobpan **************
@Robert *******
.. I'm married to an American for 38 years ! That's because I followed my dreams 🙏🙏🙏🇹🇭 🇺🇸Reply to
Khanobpan **************
Reply
Robert ********
ORIGINAL POSTERI had lots of fun with people she work with
Robert ********
ORIGINAL POSTERI just wanted too share my story with like minded people who can relate not trying to show off .... I actually Try to get an appointment with Benjamin Hart. Law firm, but it fell through because socron holiday.
I would never have realized that. I got this on my own, so amazing me and my lady. We're so excited. I had to share. I've been with her now 3 years. And I'm finally here in her arms well for 10 more days then I go back to America to try to off everything and hopefully be back in August some time to do the under the calendar 180 rules . this is why it was so incredible important to have account for me to get funds all over during this time frame
I would never have realized that. I got this on my own, so amazing me and my lady. We're so excited. I had to share. I've been with her now 3 years. And I'm finally here in her arms well for 10 more days then I go back to America to try to off everything and hopefully be back in August some time to do the under the calendar 180 rules . this is why it was so incredible important to have account for me to get funds all over during this time frame
Mathias *******
@Robert *******
this sounds like you have a clear plan.Nipa ****************
@Robert *******
May I ask which branch of Bangkok bank?Robert ********
ORIGINAL POSTERNipa ****************
@Robert *******
ThanksReply to
Nipa ****************
Reply
Khanobpan **************
Congratulations ka
Dave *******
It’s easy enough, pay Cambodian visa 4000b, and you get a nice shiny new Bangkok bank account, I’ve had mine a few years now and no problems whatsoever
Theo ********
Vertel hoe
Remon ***********
Congrats! Lucky you. 😃
Narelle *********
Congratulations! 🙌
Nick ************
Just said no to insurance. No need to buy it to get an account.
Sangho *****
@Nick ***********
last Tuesday i was in Bangkok Bank with TR60 visa they won't open account without accident insurance for 6000 bhat i spend 5 hours to get certified resident paper from immigration office in jomtien pattayaNick ************
@Sangho ****
I showed the clerk the certificate I already had for health insurance and they opened an account for me without buying theirs. I had to go to the branch 4 times before I saw someone who got it done. First time they wanted me to have a work permit. Second time they thought my Visa had expired but they were looking at my used re entry permit. Yiu might find theirvindutsnve useful though. Glad you finally got your certificate of residence.Reply to
Nick ************
Reply
Us *****
Of course she wants you to open a "savings" account here. Now you can "scan" her and "scan" everything. 555
Robert ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Us ****
my account only mine she has way more than I have 555Reply to
Robert ********
Reply
Ron *******
Bangkok Bank. The tourist visa's friend.
Christopher *************
A million questions to follow , every case is individual so can't compare
John ********
That's you finished
Keith *******
Lucky man, I'm jealous lol
Thomas *********
Ho hum
Mathias *******
Is the account on your name? Does she have a ATM card to take care?
Robert ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Mathias ******
no just mine and only 1 card my nameStacey ****************
@Mathias ******
and what if she does. What is it your business how this man spends his money.Dan ********
@Stacey ***************
its a fair question concerning the ease of opening an account.Mathias *******
@Stacey ***************
sorry, these were my thoughts and questions upon his post. If you have a problem with that, you should turn off the light and go to bed.Robert *****
@Stacey ***************
It’s a fair question especially if she’s on the account. (Joint)Stacey ****************
@Robert ****
only for the aspect of how it could affect him for applying for a visa. Not for anyone to bust his chops about it. Too many on here think it’s fine to be cads to these fellas posting. It’s not.Reply to
Stacey ****************
Reply
Rob *******
Now tell us the con’s….
Robert ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Rob ******
be positive be polite and be luckyReply to
Robert ********
Reply
Jan ******************
Good, where was this, and did you need to buy insurance?
Robert ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Jan *****************
she ask me if I wanted a insurance on my debit card me and my lady started to as question she said nevertheless we chose normal banks card I was handed a visa debit card no insurance was that I know off I did ay 400 baht for card but what I deposit was the full amount I gave so no insurance policy was perchedMichael *******
@Jan *****************
that’s normally the case with BKK BankJan ******************
@Michael ******
Yes, but I know an agent who manage to open an account for you without an insurance, unless you’re from India, China or Russia. Her fee is 3500 thb and ATM card 700 thb. Good option as the insurance normally is around 6000 thb.Ethan *****
@Jan *****************
can share the contact?Jan ******************
@Ethan ****
pmVinay ********
@Jan *****************
can you please share the agent with meJan ******************
Andi ***********
Jan Kenneth Nesland could you PM me the agentbalso, thanks.
Robin *********
@Jan *****************
why different for Indian, Chinese & Russian ????Sean **********
@Robin ********
apparently these groups are associated with a higher rate of fraud and illegal activitesJan ******************
@Robin ********
I don’t know sir, seems strange but I’m only handing over information I’ve got myself.Robert ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Jan *****************
I took my self and my lady into immigration and he look at us and said can I help you .I said.. I waint t open bank account he said passport please. I started looking for it he said quickly he look at her ask where I'm staying .. she said with me asked her for home book and said this will take 20 min. Go sit over there . 20 minutes later calls us up he said bank will not give with out later he make later stamp something in my pass book blackpink came on the TV a maid a comment how I loved them his cell phone ring .he got off .he said so you love kpop .I replied you ring tone was bts .. se smiled and said yes love's the meaning be hi d the song how they travel so far for love I said I doing the same . Few moments later he handed me a envelope and said if one bank say no keep trying we payed 1,000 baht gave me change and we left over to Bangkok bank.. in a Robinson. ...and we open account try for 2 .but 1 account per letter fom im immigration i said ok . signed a lot of papers ...I deposit 118 and I had to have a thailand phone # we excuse us went and bought a time came back installed app on my phone and we tested and left... I feel so lucky and blessed... I'm sry if you don't believe but I'm heading home with one and I'm so relieved that I didn't need a broker for lawyer. Just a kind immigration person ho seems to like kpop.Fernando *******
@Robert *******
hi can you share the location of imigration office that you visit?Jan ******************
Michael *******
Agents just pay a bribe all amounts to the same thing feeds corruption
Jan ******************
@Michael ******
You might say this. I don’t know if there’s any formal regulations against opening a bank account on a short time stay as some still manage also without insurance, and I did both Bangkok Bank and Krungthai Bank myself some years ago on visa exemption without any insurances.Greg *********
@Jan *****************
yes,you don't need insurance, it's just a gimmick. If they insist on it, go to another bankMichael *******
DLT offices where an agent will bet your license in a day - there is now a 3 month waiting list in Phuket to get an appointment all because they spotted the gravy train - we now have to drive to Phang Nga or pay an agent (bribe)
Michael *******
@Jan *****************
I did the same in 2018 no issues then - they have clamped down now, which means somebody gets a good payday same has happened with Cert of Residence which are free, and DLYKen ***********
@Jan *****************
things have become much more difficult over the last 2 years...not sure why.Jan ******************
@Ken ******
Yes that’s for sure. I did both Bangkok Bank and Krungthai Bank some years ago just on visa exemption.Reply to
Jan ******************
Reply
Ken ***********
Not a minor feat
Alan ********
Well don
Reply to
Alan ********
Reply
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