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How long does it take to open a bank account in Thailand with all the proper paperwork?

Bank AccountsThailandExpatsVisa RulesNon-O VisaOpening Bank Accounts in ThailandDocumentation Requirements
Jul 22, 2025
10 days ago
Michael **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hi everyone

A easy question. Having all the proper paperwork and going to a bank to open an account how long or how many days does it take

Thank you šŸ™ all
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The process of opening a bank account in Thailand can vary widely based on the bank, location, and the customer's specific visa status. Generally, it can take anywhere from 30 minutes to a few hours, depending on the efficiency of the bank and the amount of paperwork required. Some users reported being able to complete the process in about 30 minutes, while others experienced delays of several hours or even days, particularly if additional documentation was required or if they faced complications due to their visa type. There are also varying experiences across different regions in Thailand.
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Frazer ******
Was in and out in about 15 minutes
9 days ago
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Roberto *********
About an hour
9 days ago
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Jesper *******
Processing time 30minutes including registration of bank app
10 days ago
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Michael *****************************
Why donā€™t you ask in the bank,ā€¦if you want an easy answer.
10 days ago
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Tom ********
Having the correct paper work is one thing but do you have the correct Visa?
10 days ago
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Brendan ********
I done it in a hour . But some banks dont want to know
10 days ago
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Kevin ******
Plan on an hour, but likely done in 30-45 minutes.
10 days ago
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Paul ********
If you're lucky, 30 minutes at immigration to get the necessary paperwork, and 30 minutes at the bank. Walk out with a bank book, Visa debit card and working ap on your phone.

That's how it went for me a couple weeks ago at Kasikorn Pattaya Central Festival. I'm on a non-immigrant O retirement Visa. So much faster and easier than opening my Bangkok Bank account 5-ish years ago.
10 days ago
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Doug ********
@Paul *******
wow lucky.
9 days ago
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Paul ********
@Doug *******
 All my friends have been doing the same. The bloom is off the rose with Bangkok Bank and their recent frankly sometimes bizarre requirements and policies apparently NOT demanded by Immigration authorities. For this reason and others, many are opening a second or third thai bank account out of an abundance of caution.

ALWAYS have a "Plan B." And in today's crazy geopolitical environment, Plan C and D is a reasonable precaution.
9 days ago
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Doug ********
Was that 90 day visa or the year extension ?
9 days ago
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Paul ********
@Doug *******
 one year extension.
9 days ago
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Doug ********
@Paul *******
ok thanks I guess why so.quick as last month I did with non O 90 day retirement and three banks refused so appears to be getting more difficult for new account holder. Glad I got mine.

Have a nice e day
9 days ago
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Doug ********
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James *******
I suggest stopping by at the bank's headquarter office if you live in Bangkok. Lately almost all banks ask for a work permit. If you have one no problem, if you don't then either they copy your info and tell you that they will call within 1 week but they don't, or they ask you to personally go to the headquarter office to open it. My last trial was today at Kasikorn and SCB, both failed.. yes my visa qualifies for a bank account.
10 days ago
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Michael **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@James ******
 My visa also qualifies itā€™s a o non immigrant married to a Thai. Yes I think I will have to go to there headquarters in Phuket .

Thank you for your advice
10 days ago
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Tony *****
@Michael *********
 sorry I know this isnt helpful but I tried both Kasikorn and SCB in phetchabun. If was on a marriage visa both banks would have been given me an account. It just reiterates what everyone says about different places.

Luckily Krungthai helped me out.

Good luck mate.
10 days ago
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Tony *****
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Giraffe *********
Rems of paper your signature that many times by the time you do last one they tell you it's not the same as the first one

It's true happen to me
10 days ago
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Wannikea *********
Easily an hour
10 days ago
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Alan ******
In Thailand???? šŸ˜‚. Between 30 minutes and 3 fkin week
10 days ago
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Doug ********
after the last few days of reading this question so many times the only answer I can give is....how long is a piece of string.....Im

Sorry just drained of reading this so many times lately and having gone through it myself. Please accept my apologies for such a flippant answer . Lots of people here given you the best advice they can, good luckļæ½
10 days ago
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Michael **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Doug *******
 Sorry if I disturbed you with my question.

But I just wanted to know how long because it has taken me 8 days waiting for the bank branch to call me.So I am going tomorrow and just say to them is it a YES or NO can you or canā€™t and then I will go to look at another bank
10 days ago
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Michael **********
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Tony *****
Depends on type of visa and location. Iā€™m in phetchabun and it took three days and numerous banks. Iā€™m on a Non O for retirement. I was refused an account as I wasnā€™t married or had a yellow house book by Kasikorn and SCB banks. In the end Krungthai opened one with no issues.

Different areas have different interpretations or guidance to the rules.
10 days ago
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Michael **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tony ****
 It doesnā€™t matter Tony how Max replied. One thing is that he is correct about some areas just donā€™t know how to go about on opening a bank account to a foreigner who is married with a Thai and has all his paperwork.
10 days ago
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Tony *****
@Michael *********
 my comment was to you not Max. I sought advice from here and took all of the relevant documents before I went only to be rejected as things have dramatically changed in the last weeks.

This is an advice group designed to help people navigate particular challenges.

The advice is as recent as can be and is either useful to you or not.
10 days ago
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Tony *****
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Max *************
@Tony ****
 He asked about the time it takes when meeting the requirements.
10 days ago
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Tony *****
@Max ************
 ahh Max. Why do you always have to be so damn confrontational? Itā€™s a theme for your posts

I met all the requirements but those banks decided not. I took along everything that THEIR websites told me to but still refused. This is an advice group. I was merely pointing out that despite doing my research I was still refused. Thatā€™s why I put the area as the demographics are clearly important.
10 days ago
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Tony *****
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Peter *********
10 days ago
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Pete *******
Putting aside the waiting time to be seen you should be done in about 30mins.
10 days ago
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Max *************
At my Bangkok Bank branch about 40 minutes.They love taking copies and you have to sign every single one.
10 days ago
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Michael **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Max ************
 Thank you Max can you please tell me in which area because Iā€™m in Phangna and I believe they donā€™t have any idea what is going on
10 days ago
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Max *************
@Michael *********
 I'm in Jomtien south of Pattaya. My branch is on Jomtien second road.
10 days ago
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Michael **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Max ************
 Thank you
10 days ago
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Michael **********
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Alain ***************
How fast can you sign papers? I needed to sign at least 8 times on forms, passport copies etc.
10 days ago
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Max *************
@Alain **************
 I signed my name 12 times and had to write my phone number 3 times when I opened a new FDA a few months ago. And I'm and old customer. Go figure! šŸ˜Ž
10 days ago
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Max *************
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Steve ***************
It took me almost 2-hours at Bangkok Bank in Pattaya even though I arrived before they opened. People with agent assistance appeared to get preferential service, but the bank was also incredibly busy. Think that I must have signed my name about 20 times, but left with an ATM card and passbook.
10 days ago
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Osian ********
@Steve **************
 recently or over a year ago?
10 days ago
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Steve ***************
@Osian *******
 May this year.
10 days ago
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Steve ***************
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Anna *********
If theyā€™ll do it for you loads of paperwork and up to an hour Good luck
10 days ago
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David **********
30 minutes
10 days ago
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Graham ******
No time at all
10 days ago
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Graham ******
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