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How does using an agent to manage funds for a Thai bank account work, and is my money safe?

Mar 25, 2024
2 years ago
Steven *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
So i am curious, if an agent is used, and they supply the funds required how are they able to access your bank account to deposit and withdraw funds? Are they a signitory to your account, is your iwn money safe? Also what address is used for the bank account? Can you use your own address or is it the agents address? Still a while off for me and i will depomy own funds but curious how it works???
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The discussion revolves around the process of using an agent to manage the necessary funds (typically 800,000 baht) in a Thai bank account for visa purposes. Questions raised include how agents access bank accounts, the safety of personal funds, and the address used for the bank account. Key points include: Agents often accompany clients to the bank to facilitate deposits and withdrawals, but access should be limited to a setup where the client's money is not at risk. Many suggest opening a separate account for personal use to avoid complications, and it's noted that clients retain ownership of the account, although agents manage transactions temporarily. Clients can use their own address for the account, but some participants caution against giving agents too much access to their personal information.
Daniel *****
When corruption occurs, you don't ask too many questions and only concern yourself with the end result.
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Luc ********
Goes into your account and out the same time. Illegal and a promise for future problems. (It is visible and trackable). I’ve done it as my time to do it properly , was too limited during covid. It haunted me with every consecutive visa renewals until I went for a new non-O and started from scratch. In my opinion not a good plan. Regards
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John ********
I presume when an agent helps you open a bank account, then the agent keeps your passbook and debit card if any, plus your passport, so they can then procure your visa for you. After that I presume because your using an agent, who work with immigration, they can facilitate around things you couldn't.
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Sean **********
In my case go to the bank the first day and open the account with my ID and funds.

Second day the deposit is made by the agent and the necessary document acquired from the bank. Immediately after the agent will instruct you to transfer the funds back to them
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Ash ***********
What would be a reasonable price for this service - -
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John ********
@Ash **********
I heard anything between 20k & 30k, but depending on where you are, you may get it a bit cheaper.
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John ********
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Ash ***********
Interesting information many thanks everyone πŸ˜ŠπŸ‘
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Reidar **********
Really incredible at what length .. Anyone would go to satisfy an immigration criteria, including giving " anyone" access to ones personal financial information. This is what most banking institutions are telling their customers .. Not to do ! For those that desire to retire outside their own country .. there are lots of alternatives to Thailand. Currently sitting in Ekkamai for a 3 day period, itching to leave back to Hoi An, where no- one is asking about my financial resources. Cheers.
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Andrew ********
The agent cannot use your bank account. You will set the pin when the agent puts the
*****
0thb into the account. You have to input the pin when the agent withdraws the money 20 minutes later lol. The bank account is yours. No need to worry. The address will be the address that you supply. It saves a lot of hassle using an agent. I've never had any problems.
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Noel ********
Yo give agent ATM card, in and out in one day if you need to do that

For example my agent told me to make sure my account is at zero, because he could not trust his people to not steal any money in there
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Tim *********
You sign a power of attorney document
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Kenny ******************
No problem. The visa agency services have people at the bank who do this procedure every working day, particularly here in Pattaya. All is taken care of, signatures, stamps, photo copies, etc. The money really isn't deposited, except showing in your bank book that your issued. But it will also show a withdrawel. The photo of your bank passbook is taken showing the 800k in the account and this is for immigration purposes. Just go to a reputable visa service here in Pattaya, and all is taken care of. If you need to get some document they will instruct you what to do.
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John ********
@Kenny *****************
Didn't know there was anyone reputable in Pattaya πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚
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Kenny ******************
@John *******
Maneerat travel and visa service. Soi 13 (soi Post Office). Google them or stop in their office
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Kenny ******************
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CN ****
@Kenny *****************
I'm sure many of us wondered how that 800k baht was actually handled. Thanks for the insight. 😊
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Kenny ******************
it's the paperwork and photos that make it all happen. And of course the fees paid by the agency to all the hands involved in the process- bank officials, immigration offiers at the district office, the agency staff, the agency assistance at the bank lobby to assist and instruct their client. Excellent service for a modest cost.
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Kenny ******************
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Jimmy ******
I had a problem many years ago regarding this. They managed to freeze my account from me and withdraw my money. I had to threaten them with some dangerous friends to get the money back.
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Tim *********
The agent uses your bank account. You attend the bank with them, and a few other clients. The agent works with one of the tellers to deposit the funds in each client's account in turn. Once the agent has a statement showing the deposit in your account, the money is moved to the next client's account. You come away with a credit and a debit, a couple of minutes apart
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Steven *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thanks for the responses so far. What about the address for account. Can you nominate your own address or is it the agents address?
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Tim *********
@Steven ******
Your account is registered at your address.
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Steven *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
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Steven *******
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Michael *******
Great topic πŸ‘ŒπŸ‘
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Tim *********
@Michael ******
do you feel better for having asked that, Michael?
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Michael *******
@Tim ********
read the other comments and you will see! And i will reply!! πŸ‘πŸ˜€
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Tim *********
@Michael ******
I read the other comments. I agreed with some and I disagreed with some. At least they added to the sum of knowledge. You added Fk@ll I suspect that's your whole life story
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Michael *******
@Tim ********
you would love to know! You would get a very big surprise you Worthless little dick! πŸ‘πŸ˜œ
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Michael *******
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Michael *******
@Tim ********
ugh?? πŸ€”πŸ€”just trying to make life easier? What a stupid question! πŸ˜‚
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Tim *********
@Michael ******
in what way do you imagine you made anyone's life easier? Don't feel obliged to reply
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Tim *********
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Nick ************
Agent opens bank account. Deposits
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0 baht. You sign a paper to allow them to take it out. A friend if mine actually changed the password before they took the money out. They were not happy but it ended OK. They can't take your money if there is none in the account.
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Steven *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
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Steven *******
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Teresa ********
They go to the bank with you or meet you there with your agent. They don't leave till the money goes back out of yours and into theirs. 555
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David *********
When you use an agent you sign a deposit slip and withdrawal slip This is how an agent puts money into your account and withdraws the money.
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Bob **********
When you bribe people many things can be done
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John ********
@Bob *********
exactly. Committing fraud against the government of Thailand with this method
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Michael *******
@John *******
in collusion with corrupt immig officials 😲
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Michael *******
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Johan **************
You have to give full access to your account to that agent so you should give them a empty bank account. They will ask for your cards and ask the bank to remove your app access so you cannot use your own bankaccount while their money is on it.
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CN ****
@Johan *************
I would still want to open a second account for my personal use during the visa process. Hopefully the bank would allow me a second account. Mostly because I want to start my ss direct deposit ASAP.
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CN ****
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Sean *********
That is a very legitimate question. I have come to find out that at least the agent I went through have a deal with my bankοΏΌ.

I also found that most agents prefer Bangkok Bank, and I believe it is for that reasonοΏΌ
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John ********
@Sean ********
legitimate if you’re skint and want to defraud the Thai government because you can’t meet the requirements
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John ********
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Paul *******
Anyone can deposit to your account, they will do this as you are there with them. But as soon as they have the statement they will sit with you and use the banking app to transfer back to their account with you watching or doing
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Bill **********
@Paul ******
exactly
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Bill **********
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Gary ********
You go in the bank with them and yr bankbook
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David ***********
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David ***********
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Bob *********
I've read only the retirees name can be on the account.
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Robert ********
I was wondering my self
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Giraffe *********
I know
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Marty *********
Many people maintain a separate bank account for the 800,000. I assume that is what an agent would be doing.
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CN ****
@Marty ********
that would be best as long as we can have another account to use.
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CN ****
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