Is the 7000 baht fee standard for opening bank accounts in Thailand, or specific to Bangkok Bank?

Nov 6, 2024
15 days ago
Kelly ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Is it necessary to pay around 7000 baht to open a bank account in all banks in Thailand or does only Bangkok bank charge this fee?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The consensus among commenters suggests that the 7000 baht fee is typically associated with an insurance policy required by some banks, such as Bangkok Bank, especially for customers on tourist visas. Many expats report minimal or no fees when opening accounts, often only needing a small initial deposit (around 500 baht) for the account. Various individuals shared their experiences, revealing that banking policies vary widely, and some were able to open accounts without the additional insurance fee. It's encouraged to explore different banks and branches for potentially better conditions when opening an account.
Per-Erik ***********
Xxx
David ********
There is no fee to open a bank account. You only have to deposit minimum 500 bht into your account.you don't have to buy anything from the bank they have never asked me.
Dan **********
I think when you open a bank account, they force you to get insurance. That may be this cost.
Bonnie *********
@Dan *********
No, they don’t. My banker asked me, no pressure.
Cale *******
.?.? What no
David *********
i opened a Bank of Bangkok as long as you have a visa i have never heard of that fee before
Dick *********
You might have misunderstood what the bank wanted. Think about it: How can they charge a 7,000 baht fee when other banks only require a small deposit when opening an account?
Tayab **********
I am Indian you are Thailand hotel helper job available
Shakoor *****
Sounds about right
Eugene *********
Not 7000thb Bangkok bank is notorious find another bank
Ed ********
Pattaya 4000-5000
T ****************
Every bank is different
Jeff ********
Yes it’s essential
Joe ******
Kasicorn bank I paid 500 baht for debit card that's all
Gabriel **********************
Anyone here to help with an agent ?
Alastair *******
I’m in Khon Kaen and every time I visit the Bangkok Bank whichever staff I see tries to sell me insurance 😉😁!

I just politely fob them off as I ride a motorcycle and need health insurance. Their health insurance doesn’t cover riding motorcycles!

I’ve found Thais to be quite dedicated to the concept of “up selling”😉!
Saije ******
I didn’t pay anything when I opened an account at Kasikorn bank
Chris ********
No
Marco ***********
I did it....... Accident insurance with bank account ....
Johnny ********
ITS free
Eric ********
I did not pay any fee
John **********
In a word, it’s bollox!!!
Stephen *******
It is for accident insurance 1 year not a fee as such
Robert ********
I am in bb bank no fee ?
George *******
I didn't pay anything
Tim *********
no bank charges that fee. Some agents charge that fee. Most agents open accounts for clients at Bangkok Bank, but I can only speculate on the reasons 🫢
Jim *****
Bangkok Bank in Central Festival took less than an hour to open account. They have a paper listing what the requirements needed to open account, no insurance purchase necessary.
Kelly ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jim ****
in Phuket?
Jim *****
@Kelly *******
the one in Pattaya beach rd
David ********
No bank wants to open them as lots of paperwork takes a hour or so so Bangkok Bank charge you that for accident insurance as previously said
Metta *******
No
David ************
Never paid a fee to open a bank account how ever I recently opened a new account with Kasikor bank and they informed me that I cannot link my account to internet banking as I am too old - wtf, on enquiring about such a strange rule I was told that anyone over 70 cannot link their accounts to internet banking becsuse older people get scammed more. I have been doing internet banking with this bank for 10 years on other accounts but they now dont allow me to do this any more - am changing banks, they dont seem to care.
Kadir *****
Additionally, there is a fee to enter and exit Thailand. How much should I pay?
Patrick ********
Use agent not easy anymore 5000 bht approx
Bent *************
No fee
Sean *********
You have to pay for card etc, normally 500 ish. Agent is probably the best way to go, a lot cheaper than the 7000 you were quoted
Gregory ********
A good start as this is a visa group—to tell everyone what visa you are on
Kelly ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Gregory ********
@Kelly *******
yep its not a retirement or marriage which is easier—use agent for 2000 or check if the 7000 is for insurance
Eric ********
I paid 200baht for a no fee debit card at any atm
Eric ********
And I have an account no other charges
Eric ********
@Gregory *******
retirement 3rd year
Will ******
Just pay it if it means they'll open one. Very difficult to open an account now
George *******
100 comments! 😂
Terary **********
I have opened two bank accounts in Thailand.

One with KTB, with legit work permit and appropriate visa, no additional fees.

One with BKK marriage visa, pattaya, I had to buy the insurance.
David *******
Master card might need a 500 baht deposit to activate the account, but it goes in your account. I didn’t pay a single cent to open an account in Bangkok bank
Conny **********
@Da***
Ochoa master card has nothing to do with this. This is Thailand problem.

If you need a credit card in Thailand, without a Thai income, you need to deposit your credit in an account..
David *******
@Conny *********
I have Mastercards in 4 different countries, all require a small deposit to activate the mastercard account. In Thailand it is usually 500 baht, other places is roughly 5-10 usd (or equivalent) so I definitely think mastercard has a little to do with it.
Dave *********
@David ******
I paid nothing either.
Rob ******
It's free
Michael ********
We paid 5000 bahts of which 1250 bahts is deposited into your bank account.
Eric ********
Michael ********
@Eric *******
for about £80 we didn't have to do anything except sign a few forms. So a couple of hours later we could do a Swift transfer to buy our home.
Dave **********
We always turn down the expense insurance. If your branch insist on the insurance. Go to another branch
Dave ********
Never been charged for opening Kasikorn, Bangkok or Siam bank accounts.

They do charge for debit cards though.
Jim ********
KBank. I paid 200Baht for my debt card visa.
Hartmut ********
You must pay nothing. Look for an other bank
Brent *********
It cost nothing for me at K Bank. It went fast and well. I even left my pass book in the states and they charged me 50 Baht to give me a new one
David *******
Opening a bank yourself is free, but they will some times insist you take out insurance which is wrong. Try a different branch
Charlie ***********
You are paying for insurance as well
Keith *********
In my opinion. If you’re using an agent then yes. I paid that through an agent because of the visa I was on at the time. I had to travel to Pattaya to get one as. It was a definite no in the rural banks here. I really don’t begrudge it now. As having a Thai Bangkok bank account is so much easier. Paying by barcode scan is so easy and no chance of being short changed or scammed in any way AS far as I know
Christopher ***********
@Keith ********
Top advice Keith. I got my Non-O (retirement) 3 month visa and 12 months extension plus opened a Bangkok Bank savings account via the most experienced Visa Agent in Pattaya who also has the lowest prices. I had to buy 12 months Personal Accident Insurance at a cost of 3,000 baht. Agent booked a moto taxi to take me to the bank and back. 15 minutes done and dusted.
Keith *********
@Christopher **********
same. I complained at the time as I had to travel from ubon ratchatani to Pattaya but it’s really worth it in the long run
Keith *********
I was on a tourist visa at the time.
Christopher ***********
@Keith ********
Visa exempt entry for me.
Tor ******
I didnt pay anything (except the annual card fee) at K-Bank.
Frank ******
No to bank insurance , just 500 in your account, if you want cc $10/ year , just install Bangkok app to pay all bills via debit on this open account
Kane *******
After reading these posts it seems everyone's experience has been different. So, I guess nobody knows 🤦🤷🙅
Frank ******
@Kane ******
correct then go to banks and find out which ones are correct
Kane *******
@Frank *****
ฉันรู้ว่ามันทำงานยังไงแฟรงค์ ฉันอยู่ที่นี่มา 42 ปีแล้ว แต่ขอบคุณ
Christopher ***********
@Kane ******
Wow! In 42 years you will have seen the results of many moto accidents. Falangs boasting of no insurance need a very high limit on their credit cards!
Kane *******
@Christopher **********
...yep, was still horse & cart when I arrived 🤣 ... oh, best of luck for Kai's treatment, Godspeed to you all 🙏
Frank ******
Bangkok Bank Silom HQ BRING lease passport 500 baht in account to open
Jay *****
What visa are you having now? Tourist visa? If you have a non B or O visa, no additional charge to open an account.

If you are on tourist visa, they are selling you an insurance in order to process a bank account for you. If you really need a Thai bank account then just get the insurance that the bank provide. Bank will not scam your money as there is paper work involved in any money transaction.
Rob **********
Free
Tore *********
I opened with Bangkok Bank in Bangkok about 1 month ago. Charged me 500 baht for atm card which was then deposited into my account.

As someone already mentioned, probably trying to sell you life insurance?
Christopher ***********
@Tore ********
It’s PAI (Personal Accident Insurance). If anyone is under 65, rides a moto and has no other form of insurance, PAI is worth taking out. Unfortunately, Bangkok Bank PAI doesn’t cover moto accidents if you are 65 or over.
Michael ***************
I’ve found the best way to deal with any Thai commercial business is to go with a Thai friend or Partner, I’ve had no problems doing it this way
Dieter *******
Perhaps a debit card?
Werner ************
Yes for Falang foreigners need to pay for everything
Mark ********
Just decline it. If they grizzle, which they wont, walk off. Go to Krungsri.
Brian *******
I got mine but they wanted me to buy insurance for one year..help keep the bank happy and you get a little cover which is always good
Christopher *******
Why would you put yourself through that
Paul *****************
It's the amount that goes into your account to open it. It's not a fee.

Well in my case anyhow.
Luigi ***********
Be very careful with bankers, the bank tries to force employees to sell insurance policies that are worth little in their substance.

You must choose the type of ATM connected to the savings account.

ATM cards have small insurances incorporated in case of accident.
Herbert *******
Last week I paid an annual fee of 599 Baht for one year including a small accident insurance for my newly opened account at Bangkok Bank. Without insurance I would have paid 399 Baht for one year annual fee. I think every branch has different conditions or requirements. I opened the account in Mukdahan. It took 1.5 hours until I had my bank card and account book in my hand.
Chrisna **********
It's insurance probably.
Norbert **********
Agency charge in pattaya 5000 baht Bkk ,plus you debitcard fee abou 300 b
John ********
No, you just need a deposit to your new account.
Jack *****
recent opening of account with Kasikorn Bank... only fee was 300B for one year usage of the debit card/atm........ next year the amount reduces..
Rob **********
There is actually no fee to open a bank account, but most banks will require a initial deposit of 500 baht to open you a account. If they are asking a fee, or are trying to sell you insurance, walk out and try another branch or another bank.
Jarek ************
F the banks, this is exactly why everyone should stick to cash instead of being stup1d and giving them more and more control.
Conny **********
@Jarek ***********
and you still need to transfer your money....
Sameer ********
bitcoin is the best money there is
Jarek ************
@Conny *********
while I realize it would be very difficult to completely eliminate them, there is lots we can do to reduce the use of them. Rabit Card, Usdt, USDC, Monero...
Conny **********
@Jarek ***********
and it's still going to cost you... I would love to get my currency converted into THB notes under 0.65 percent..... The cheapest way still requires at atleast 2 Banks...
Darren **********
I’ve opened four accounts in Thailand and never paid a fee to open the account. However, they did charge a ฿100 fee for my ATM card.
Jet *****
Who charges this fee to you?

The bank itself?

Or you are opening the bank acc through an agent?

Bank does not charge this much, or even none.

Some may charge you a hundred or two to issue the debit card, operation fee etc.

And may request to make a minimum amount of deposit.

An agent on the other hand, will charge you a fee of course, a few thousands are very often.

people opens bank accounts through agents because they are rejected by the bank. In general banks will require customer to have a valid visa (working / retirement, tourist not accepted), if you only have a tourist visa you either need very good luck to find a bank teller that does not care about the visa or you have to find an agent and pay for them to put you through by their connections.
Andy ******
I opened a new account with SCB two months ago and they only asked for a 500 baht deposit to open an account but I put in more , back in 2013 when I opened an account with Bangkok bank they asked for 2500 baht for years insurance policy
Charles ********
Usually there is a fee for the card or added benefits for the account.

If you are paying 7000 it's probably insurance. If you not on a long term visa, they are more willing to open account for tourist that pay for extra insurance.
Greta *****
No need to pay anything. Who asked you to pay that?
Jim ********
There's no fee. Are you being scammed by an agent?
Aaron *******
I was told they can open account for an existing customer, and if I buy the insurance I was an existing customer. 😎 The second option was to obtain a certificate of residence from immigration. I went with option 2. That was 3 years ago. I hear it's even harder now. I was able to open it with CR, I was at Bangkok Bank on 2d Rd in Pattaya.
Roland **********
Someone is trying to trick you!! Maybe you have asked an agent 💸😅Go to different banks and ask what their requirements are.. You can pay about 100 Baht for your bank card and possibly deposit 500 Baht in your account, which you can immediately withdraw via ATM if you want! good luck👌
Matti *****
Sounds like an agent is trying to rip you off
Giuseppe **********
No need to pay fees, if you are allowed to open account, i guess now aday tourists can't, no have just to give passport and money
Richard ***********
It's a scam
Mark ********
Richard Covington Yup. They try and get you to buy the insurance as if its needed to open a bank account with them. Many many branches try it on. Id call it a scam as well.
Tore *********
@Mark *******
id agree it’s sleazy/sneaky sales tactics. But doesn’t qualify as a scam. Sorry to nitpick, but it is what it is 🤷🏻‍♂️
Mark ********
@Tore ********
yeah....a scam to lighten your wallet.
Tore *********
@Mark *******
again, thats not the definition of a scam 🤷🏻‍♂️
John **********
That's right make yourselves look foolish discussing the definition of scam. 🤣
Mark ********
Tore *********
@Mark *******
are you 12 lol 😆
Kim *********
@Mark *******
from the bank?
Mark ********
@Kim ********
Yup. Ya just be firm, "not needed thanks".
Ryan ****
Richard Covington your definition of scam?
Brandon ************
Richard Covington it's not a scam. It's just an insurance policy. It's a real policy. A scam would be a fake policy.
David ********
@Brandon ***********
correct it's just a sales pitch. Like do you want fries with that. It is a real policy it's not just farang that they try to sell the policy but Thais also. The only money you need for an account is opening balance which l think is 500 bht that goes into your account. If you want a ATM card it is 400 bht. But ask them to set up you banking app all can be done on this app.
Nick ************
I eventually got a bb account on my 4th visit to the same main branch. They tried to sell me insurance fir around 7000 baht but I showed them my certificate I already had. They relented.
Keith *******
It didn't cost me anything.
Rick *********
@Keith ******
same, although if you want an atm card that is ฿200 @ year.
David ********
@Rick ********
400 bht for ATM card but you don't need a card. Just ask staff to download and set up the banks app on phone then you can do everything on you phone even withdrawals from ATM this also has no fees for withdrawal or payments
Keith *******
@David *******
thats what I do now.
David ********
The only fee is if you use and agent to open the account. Go yourself in your local branch of whatever bank if you have a gf or friend go with her to her bank. Depends on your visa and banks knowledge of process for foreigners. Try yourself before engaging an agent good luck 🤞
Lee *******
Just tell then you already have insurance and you don't require more
Sue **********
@Lee ******
We did that when we were on tourist travel and we really had a full thai insurance i even showed them, that didn‘t interested them, so we left without bank account
Jessika *******
@Sue *********
Tourists cannot open bank accounts.
Jason ******
@Jessika ******
yes they can ,I'm on visa waiver and Bangkok bank would give me a account no problem ,with 500 opening deposit ,699 for visa card and 5900 insurance ,just show passport ,resident certificate and my Thai driving licence ,so they will do it but insist on the insurance ,not sure why that's needed ?
Nick *******
@Jason *****
The insurance part is just a money making scheme, which they deem to be a fair trade for opening an account for you on a TV.
Jessika *******
@Jason *****
Commission of course! Lots of people won't want to pay all that just to open a bank account.
Jason ******
@Jessika ******
just replying to your that you said tourist can't open accounts ,when they can ,I'm not even mentioning about commission ,just what they asked for 🙏🏽
Nick *******
@Jessika ******
Wrong!! I opened an account with Bangkok bank on a tourist visa.
Jessika *******
@Nick ******
this is the exception rather than the rule. Most banks require long term visas for you to open an account.
Nick *******
@Jessika ******
Not the exception at all! They will however, make you buy 1 yr accident insurance for between 3k - 5k bht. Alternative is go through an agent for similar cost. Same same but different.
Jason ******
@Nick ******
your correct ,it's not an exception at all as most people opening are on visa waiver how ,but that seems to rattle the long termers on there Ovisa for some reason 😂you know how humans always want to try to feel above each other and I've lived in SEA for 20 yrs and ex pats are the worst 😂😂
Jessika *******
@Jason *****
opening an account on a tourist or visa waiver at Bangkok bank only is not the majority of banks. So technically I guess we are both correct. Either way enjoy your banking 😉 have a nice day
Nick *******
@Jessika ******
You are still not correct at all!!

Your original statement was “You can not open a bank account on a tourist visa” Suggesting it’s not possible anywhere.

Looking like you don’t like to be seen as wrong, just accept you were. No need to try get a ‘draw’ 🤦‍♂️
Jessika *******
@Nick ******
I was incorrect in my original reply. Happy now?
Nick *******
@Jessika ******
Wasn’t hard was it.
Jason ******
@Jessika ******
I was only replying about Bangkok bank as that seems the one everyone is talking about and the only one that does it 🙏🏽
Sue **********
@Jessika ******
We could have at this BK Bank but would have had to pay life insurance which we already had,
Boran *****
That doesn’t sound Kosher….is that through an agent?
Brandon ************
I'm assuming you're on a tourist visa or some other type of visa that isn't a long term visa. Almost no banks will open an account for you if that's the case.

It's not a fee. It's to purchase an insurance policy. No, you don't have to pay it but then they won't open the bank account for you. It takes then a large amount of paperwork to open a bank account for a foreigner and therefore they don't want to do it unless there is something in it for them.

Most other banks won't let you open an account at all, so the insurance is a workaround to get the account.

If you don't want the insurance you can pay an agent you help you open an account, but you'll probably pay nearly the same amount.
Paul ********
@Brandon ***********
Since when can't you open a bank account in Thailand ?

I know it's harder now , as I've had a few , a Bangkok Bank account that I left dormant for decades was closed as I was using my Thai farmers ( now Kasikorn ) account which was closed because of inactivity ( back in UK for a couple of COVID years). I opened up a new account with Bangkok Bank last year though , no agents involved. No long term visa , in fact no visa of any sort. No insurance purchased.
Brandon ************
@Paul *******
last year was a long time ago. Things have changed multiple times between last year and now when it comes to bank accounts. They won't even do it for people on ED visas with a letter from their school anymore which used to be super easy.
Ian ********
@Brandon ***********
will they not open one on a student visa either
Paul ********
@Brandon ***********
Thanks for the info as I was thinking about going down the education visa route as I wanted a second Thai bank account.
Jason *******
@Brandon ***********
can't be that much paperwork.. it took them less then 10 minutes to open my account
John ************
@Brandon ***********
paperwork? ridiculous
Andy **********
@Brandon ***********
you might already be aware of this, but a well known agent in Pattaya is now stating this, I'm assuming it depends on what visa they have.
Ruth *******
@Andy *********
I believe an agent said that, but there’s no way that Bangkok Bank is not opening accounts for expats with work permits, for example.
Brandon ************
@Andy *********
that's only for Pattaya. I also saw someone say their agent was offering accounts again a few days later for a higher price
Conny **********
@Brandon ***********
no , the paperwork is done in 5 minutes... They just don't want to and take the chance to sell you something useless. Ask what the commission is on that sale....
Cole *********
@Conny *********
i just opened an account at bangkok bank with an agent helping the teller with paperwork it still took almost 1 hour for them to make the account. Setting up the app alone took 15 minutes. The agent got paid 5,000 baht.
Conny **********
@Cole ********
so the agent needed to show that you got something. Last time I was in and out within 15 minutes
Cole *********
@Conny *********
yeah I couldn't do it on my own without going to an immigrations office and bringing back a form because i was on a visitors visa. Immigrations is like a 40 minute drive one way so i paid an agent 5,000 baht to avoid long lines and a drive to immigrations. Once I got to the bank the next day the agent already had several forms filled out for me. Then that generated additional forms once they were turned in and checked all the data they made a bank card then they made a checking book. Then we had to set the app up for mobile banking that took a while. All together in and out in about an hour. Not counting the previous day waiting in line and was told I needed a form from immigrations first.
Conny **********
@Cole ********
you definitely value your time higher than I do.... 5.000 THB is more than I spend on rice for a year....
Conny **********
@Cole ********
of course my paperwork was in order.... Didn't you expect that?
Brandon ************
@Conny *********
when did you open your account? It took me almost an hour in the bank where that teller couldn't help anyone else.

And when the option is buy insurance or pay an agent, both about the same price, or don't get a bank account. Well then it's an easy choice.
Peter ***********
@Brandon ***********
yep took about an hour each for both myself and my wife about 1 year ago but no insurance.
Conny **********
@Brandon ***********
on a tourist visa it was a long time ago..... Last not so many months ago....
Ian ********
@Conny *********
ive tried everywere in 5 months to open an account, all have told me the same no bank account now unless lTR visa.

Im goimg with an agent. If theres any agents on here im in bangkok . PM me. Open an account for me please
Martin ********
I think I paid around 500 thb
Bob **********
@Martin *******
minimum to open an account
Ray *********
@Bob *********
you'll pay about 300 Baht each year for the use of an ATM card.
Jacques ********
@Ray ********
that’s what KBank charges
Tore *********
@Martin *******
same, I paid 500 which was deposited into my account 🤷🏻‍♂️
Bob **********
There is no fee they sometimes want you to buy accident insurance
Mike ********
@Bob *********
No fee but its a long time standard procedure for staff to be "encouraged" to sell product and that fact is from my long time Manager.
Bob **********
@Mike *******
yes I’m aware
Bonnie *********
Are they selling you insurance?
Kelly ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Mike *********
@Kelly *******
They make up the rules as they go along I’m afraid so sometimes you just have to suck it up!! It’s annoying but the longer you stay in LOS them the more you become accustomed to it until you don’t notice anymore. You just have to focus on the fact that you have achieved what you wanted. As time passes, you’ll get to know the right people to make your life easier with less red tape and BS but until then, just grin and bear it.

Remember, at the end of the day, you’re living the life that other people only dream about.

Best regards. Mike
Kelly ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Mike ********
Thanks Mike, exactly. And this account will make our lives so much easier that in the end it will even be cheap🙏🏼
Mike *********
@Kelly *******
It’s a small price to pay to achieve what you want. And it’s not as if you are not getting something for your money. You’re getting insurance backed by the Bank which is probably about as good as you can get.

Good luck. Mike
Kelly ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Mike ********
My husband tried to cancel but the manager said that in that case he would have to close the account 😅 so now he officially has life insurance
Kelly ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
You are right😅🙏🏼
Mike *********
@Kelly *******
Just pay the insurance money. It’s cover for a year and you get what you want- a back account. They’ll also look favorably on you for a while because you played the game. Insurance is well worth having anyway. That’s what I did and have never regretted it. Cheers
Gabriel **********************
I need an agent to help me with bank account application
Bonnie *********
@Kelly *******
You don't have to buy it, it's just offered.
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