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How do expats in Thailand choose a local bank for their accounts?

Bank Account Opening Thailand Banking System Expats in Thailand Bangkok Bank Kasikorn Bank Krungsri Bank International Transfers Visa Requirements Financial Services Local Bank Choices

Apr 23, 2024

8 months ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hi, Finally i am allowed to open a bank account, can you share how you chose which local bank to do that with?  Tnx!

* Update* conclusions: 

only 3 banks allow transfer of 50k BHT and above : (Bangkok, Siam and Kbank) so that makes others much less attractive for expats. Bangkok Bank is common choice maybe because you can have a foreign currency account there and it has branches outside Asia (LON&NY), but on the other hand it has the tendency to offer its customers to buy insurance (which I dislike). 

(any mistakes- PM me) 

THANK YOU ALL !!

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TLDR : Answer Summary

Many expats in Thailand discuss their choices for local banks, focusing on key players like Bangkok Bank, Kasikorn Bank, and Krungsri Bank. Bangkok Bank is noted for its international presence and higher transfer limits, while Kasikorn is praised for its user-friendly app and day-to-day service. Some users choose banks based on proximity or recommendations from visa agents. Limitations on international deposits and the ability to open accounts with certain visa types are also highlighted as important factors in their decisions.

Jeffrey ************

Kasikorn..

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ปวีณา ********

Krungthai bank

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Chris *****

These 3 banks.

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Jo ***************

I choose BKk because they have the highest money transfer limit. 2 million baht a day. Other banks have 50,000 baht limit. And it’s close to me

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Jan ******************

Most important

, opening a bank account it’s no big issue if you have a Long Stay visa. Did you manage just on visa exemption or tourist visa?

I have both Bangkok Bank and Krungthai Bank. They are more or less the same.

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Einat *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Jan *****************

and their application for online banking? another person commented that Bangkok has an application that is not so user friendly. oh and I have a long stay visa.

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John **********

i use the app from bangkok bank..no problem at all..but that is my opinion

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Jan ******************

I’m happy with it and can’t tell any difference between the two banks I have. They are equal and works very well. I pay for almost everything with the apps just scanning the QR-codes that almost all people purchasing something have. And I just transfer money from my bank at home.

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Jan ******************

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Damian ******

Bangkok bank or Kasikorn

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Alain ***************

The one closest to the place you live. Sometimes they want you to go to the branch you opened the account. I opened mine in isaan but moved to Bangkok. Luckily one lady at the local branch understand the struggle and simply called the other one to figure something out. In some cases also lowers ATM fees if you withdraw in the same province

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Einat *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Alain **************

and which bank has lower ATM fees?

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Einat *******

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Michael ***********

I've had 'savings' accounts with SCB (purple), Krungthai (light blue), and Kasikorn (K-Bank, dark green). I also have credit cards from TTB, Krungsri, and K-Bank. Best experience so far has been with K-Bank. Good app, easy to pay by scanning, easy transfer, not much need to visit a branch in-person.

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Einat *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Michael **********

Thats a great advice, from personal experience with all banks, and much appreciated!! thank you

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Einat *******

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Jennifer ******

KBank app has great user interface. Good for day to day. BKK bank app is a pain in the a***

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Einat *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Thanks!

@Jennifer *****

by KBank you mean Krugsri...?

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Robert ******

KBank is Kasikorn 🙄😁

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Robert ******

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Brandon *****************

I chose the bank that my school used to pay teachers.

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Robert ******

I have Bangkok and Krungsri. Krungsri are in my opinion much better for day to day use and service however they have a limit of 50,000 on international deposits. Bangkok have no limit.

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Einat *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Tnks, thats valuable info! Do I understand Krugsri have 50 thousand BHT limit on deposits...??

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Robert ******

to clarify this is for wise transactions and would probably only affect those like me who's visa requires

*****

+ International transfer every month.

I have no idea why this is.

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Robert ******

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Conny ************

Bangkok bank

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Einat *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Conny ***********

why to prefer bkk and not krugsri? or casikorn?

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Conny ************

It was the only bank I could use in 2017. Now its easy in other banks.

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Einat *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Conny ***********

tnks for clarifying. it helps me understand the situation.

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Michael ********

Bangkok Bank I believe is the main Thai international bank, it may be the only international Thai bank.

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Einat *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Michael *******

tnks! you mean that Bangkok bank in the only one who has oveseas branches. OK. thats a good reason to choose to go with them!

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Michael ********

That's what I'm told, they certainly have a branch in most European capitals.

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Michael ********

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Michael ***************

Most visa agents send you to one of the big 3 banks & they do it all for you. 🙏

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Einat *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Michael **************

I do it by myself, no agent. so I chose. thats why I consult with the group ...

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Michael ***************

k bank or Bangkok bank are the best 2 both as a fact & I have asked a lot of Thai people over the last 3 decades.

You can open several bank accounts deposit accounts

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Einat *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

thats a good idea! to open in both and see who is easier to handle

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Jan ******************

Most important, opening a bank account it’s no big issue if you have a Long Stay visa. Did you manage just on visa exemption or tourist visa?

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Bizkit ******

@Jan *****************

I don't see that exemption or tourist visa possible to open in that easy way without any insurance purchase. But with the Letter from immigration and tha bian ban book will make your way more easy.

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Jan ******************

Some still manage, but it’s almost impossible if you don’t have a long stay visa, unless you use an agent.

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Jan ******************

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Onne ***********

bkk

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Einat *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Onne **********

why this and not others...?

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Einat *******

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Jae *******

I chose my nearest bank, which happened to be kasikorn 🤷

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Jay *********

same

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Jay *********

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