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Should I open my bank account in Bangkok or in the area where I will be living in Thailand?

Bank Account Opening Bank Account Thailand Banking Immigration Documentation ATM Fees Expat Finances

May 25, 2024

5 months ago

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

ORIGINAL POSTER

Should I open my bank account in Bangkok branch or where I’m going to be living most of the time?

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TLDR : Answer Summary

It is recommended to open your bank account in the area where you will be living rather than in Bangkok. This is because having your account in the same location as your immigration office simplifies the process of obtaining any necessary documentation for visa extensions. Additionally, banks typically provide better service at your local branch, including no ATM fees for withdrawals within the same province. Overall, choosing a local branch is more convenient for managing your finances as an expat.

Ivan ************

Besides the out of province ATM charge there can be a wide range of things you need to go back physically to the branch you opened it at, so best do it near where you live.

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Dave *****************************

Where you are living. My bank would not change my branch. My only way around it is to open another account 🙈

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Steve **********

Where you're going to be living..no fees, develop repoire with staff.

You'll need yearly letter so easier if theybknow you

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Kenneth ********

No 2

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Mick *******

100 % yes

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

Where you live....

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

ORIGINAL POSTER

Thank you all for your help 🙏

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Will ************

I pay an annual fee of 400 baht and have no ATM fees in Thailand

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Simon **********

I am with Bangkok bank and I don’t have to a pay a fee for free ATM withdrawals from anywhere I have been in Thailand

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Simon **********

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Vinny **************

I just opened bank account with Bangkok bank . They sent me to immigration to get a letter stating I could open bank account

With them .

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Greg ***********

@Vinny *************

that letter is the "certificate of residence" from Immigration, which every bank will ask for when a foreigner wants to open a bank account

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Pui *****

@Greg **********

not necessary if the foreigner has a physical work permit book.

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Vinny **************

@Greg **********

I took yellow book and pink id card .Thought that would have sufficed

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Greg ***********

@Vinny *************

I would have thought so, too. As the yellow book is a substitute for a residency certificate. Apparently the bank wanted to see something more up-to-date. How old is your yellow housebook?

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Vinny **************

@Greg **********

Just over 1 year old

Wife took blue book also

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Vinny **************

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Stephen *********

Cheaper and useful for documentation opening where you live. No ATM fees for example.

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Christopher *************

@Stephen ********

no ATM fee if you do cardless ATM transactions at any branch or atm

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Christopher *************

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

You should open your bank account in the same area where you will be going to immigration to apply for your extensions. Some banks will not assist you in getting documentation unless it's the branch you opened your account at, so it's just easier to do it all at the same place.

Also if you use ATMs in the province you opened your account in, there is no ATM fee. But there is an ATM fee in other provinces.

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Simon **********

I have never been charged for using an ATM in a different province or by most of the other banks either.

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

Usually you get unlimited free ATM withdrawals from your own bank's ATMs in your home province. Plus X number of free ATM withdrawals from other bank ATMs in your home province. But normally you are charged for all ATM withdrawals outside of your home province. Possibly the fee is so small you don't notice? Usually like 20 baht. You would have to check what type of allowances your bank account has for out of province ATM withdrawals.

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

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Phil ******

@Brandon ***********

you should add that bangkok bank cardless withdrawl is fee free

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Christopher *************

@Brandon ***********

no ATM fee if you do cardless ATM transactions at any branch or atm

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Christopher *************

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