Is it worth opening a local bank account in Thailand for a long-term stay?

As far as I know that you need to apply for Non -Immigrant O (Non O) before arriving in Thailand to open a bank account.

If you have access to a Monza or Starling type account (no fees,abroad) get one or both before you travel.

You can use the card to pay for things here in Thailand and also they are free to withdraw cash. Simply go into a bank and present your card and passport. There is no fee and you get nearly the daily exchange rate. You can also use the ATM but there's an additional 220 baht fee. Enjoy!

Use WISE account or similar.

talk with

@Patrick *******

@Sindy ********

If you have a passport from Finland you just can come on a 60 days visa exemption, do a 30 days extension, a border bounce and re-enter on another 60 days visa exemption and apply for a new extension.

Bank account is convenient but not necessary for a one time stay and you probably won’t be allowed to open on either unless you get an agent to assist you as stated.

For a first time stay up to six months you could also have considered a regular six months multiple entries tourist visa. The METV gives you possibility for to stay up to nine months and for a six months stay you’ll need to do one border bounce. Can only be applied for at the embassy/consulate of your permanent residence at date. Up to you, but a METV normally costs around 200 USD.

METV You’ll find it under tourist visa with multiple entries and six months validity.

Start by figuring out which visa have requirements that you can meet, then you will know how long you actual can stay.

The visa requirements, you will find at the website of the Thai embassy in your country.

Unless you have a non-immigrant visa, you probably cannot open a bank account. Most likely you will need to use an agent to assist you in obtaining one