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Answereda year ago

What are some banks in Thailand that are easier to open an account with for expats on a Non-Immigrant Visa?

Steve *********
asked Oct 4, 2025
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Got my account locked by Bangkok bs kin Roi-et , Staff seem clueless. Any other bank which is easier to get account ( have 15 months left on non immigrant visa , letter from immigration , two Thai driving licences ( bike and car ). They say they not take a TM 30. Must have a yellow book !

Any ideas please ?
Answer summary
The user reports issues with getting their bank account unlocked at Bangkok Bank and seeks alternatives for opening a new account in Thailand without a yellow book. Comments suggest banks like SCB and Krungsi may have easier processes and also discuss the challenges with necessary documents, such as the TM30 and residence certificates. Recommendations include having a backup plan in the event of account freezes.
35 repliesnewest first
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Marty ******
Marty ******
Happening everywhere , no warning customer service email or sms , if you not using your account depositing$ etc your lumped in the scammer mode , frozen account , maybe they should look at Bangkok bank Head office CEO,s cause someoneโ€™s getting graft from money launders ๐Ÿ‘
Steve *********
Steve *********
OP
@Marty *****
I wired
*****
before bank froze account, did not arrive till 2 days after account froze when i asked them, why they take my money but wont let me take out they just shrug their shoulders ..... the staff in my Bangkok bank, were utterly clueless
David *******
David *******
Sounds like you've got a dodgy visa obtained by an agent, so they want you out. I don't know if the other banks are still entertaining agency visas
Steve *********
Steve *********
OP
@David ******
nope. Got it at Roi-et immigration
David *******
David *******
@Steve ********
There's no such thing as a 15-month non-immigration visa, so it all looks very dodgy. Are you sure you didn't use an agent?
David *********
David *********
@Steve ********
at roi et immigration they allowed you to renew extension 3 months early
David *******
David *******
@Steve ********
And you definitely didn't use an agent? Roi Et usually only allows 30 days prior for extensions
Steve *********
Steve *********
OP
@David ******
I renewed my 12 month visa 3 months before it expired hence 15 months left
Andy ********
Andy ********
@David ******
you are correct. It is the only way.
Michael ********
Michael ********
SCB...opened in 30 minutes, with the right documents
Walrus *******
Walrus *******
You take the renters I D card photo copied and they must sign across it. Just did it alll
Phil ******
Phil ******
@Steve ********
which visa gives you 15-months? Follow Greg's guide and there's numbers to call.

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ญ ๐†๐ซ๐ž๐ โ€™๐ฌ ๐ƒ๐ข๐ ๐ž๐ฌ๐ญ: ๐–๐ก๐ž๐ง ๐˜๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ ๐“๐ก๐š๐ข ๐๐š๐ง๐ค ๐€๐œ๐œ๐จ๐ฎ๐ง๐ญ ๐…๐ซ๐ž๐ž๐ณ๐ž๐ฌ

More and more foreigners in Thailand are facing the same nightmare: accounts suddenly frozen.

No warning. No access. No way to pay bills or even buy lunch.

Soโ€ฆ whatโ€™s your Plan B?

โœ… Smart Safeguards

Multi-Currency Debit Cards

Wise โ†’
*************************


Revolut โ†’ revolut.com

N26 โ†’ n26.com

Payoneer โ†’ payoneer.com

Remitly โ†’ remitly.com

Hold THB or auto-convert from USD/EUR at real rates. Add to Apple Pay/Google Pay โ†’ works at stores that accept contactless Visa/Mastercard (not PromptPay QR)

Works at ATMs and most Visa/Mastercard terminals (some Big C stores, larger retailers). Note: Wise/Revolut cards donโ€™t work with Thailandโ€™s local PromptPay QR system, but they do work where contactless Visa/Mastercard is accepted.

Keep an Overseas Account Active

Donโ€™t close your home account. Link your Wise/Revolut card to spend in Thailand. Even if your local account freezes, youโ€™re still liquid.

Fintech Platforms

Use Wise, Payoneer, or Remitly for cross-border bill payments and transfers. Faster and cheaper than SWIFT.

Local Anchors

Property ownership, marriage visas, or long-term visas give stronger eligibility. Banks are far less likely to target these than tourist accounts.

Split Your Risk

Donโ€™t rely on one bank. Keep part overseas, part in fintech, part local. If one channel freezes, the others keep you going.

โ„๏ธ If Your Account Is Frozen

Call 1441 โ†’ press 2 (anti-scam/unfreeze hotline)

If unresolved, escalate via BOT hotline 1213 (Financial Consumer Protection Center).

File a complaint with BOTโ€™s Financial Consumer Protection Center (FCC):

Call 1213 or email
*************


Submit via BOT Helps & Complaints portal

**********************************************


Include passport, account number, branch, visa, proof of address, and evidence of legitimate transactions.

Visit your original branch with:

Passport & visa docs

Proof of Thai address

Thai mobile number in your name

Bank statements / recent transaction evidence

Show proof of legal status (work, retirement, marriage, long-term visa).

Ask the bank to release only the โ€œsuspicious portionโ€ of funds (per BOT guidance).

โš ๏ธ Reality Check

Crackdowns on mule accounts and scams are driving this โ€” but many innocent foreigners are caught in the net.

๐Ÿ‘‰ Donโ€™t wait until your account is frozen. Build your backup plan now.
Phil ******
Phil ******
Wise is fine by me.
Nico *************
Nico *************
@Phil *****
Wise or Revolut..

Which one you prefer : I have Wise.
Steve *********
Steve *********
OP
@Phil *****
3 months on my old visa. 12 months on new one 26 Dec 26
Phil ******
Phil ******
@Steve ********
really confused now. Specifically what 90 day visa and 12 month Extension of stay are you on. Is this your first and are you stamped under consideration for the 12-month Extension of stay meaning its not approved as yet? Did you use an agent?
Mark ********
Mark ********
Which visa gives 15 months?
J **************
J **************
Krungsi
Steve *********
Steve *********
OP
@J *************
this is requirements as of today
Nico *************
Nico *************
J **************
J **************
@Steve ********
that is k bank not krungsi
Steve *********
Steve *********
OP
@J *************
ok. Thanks.
Sue **********
Sue **********
You need the certificate of Residence which you get at the immigration. You need your TM30 for that.
Gerg **********
Gerg **********
How do you get a yellow book if you rent?
Alan *****
Alan *****
@Gerg *********
whatโ€™s a yellow book
Gerg **********
Gerg **********
@Alan ****
A house book is like a registration for your address in Thailand. The book has the names of the people living in the house, like a census. Thais get a blue house book and foreigners can get a yellow book if they live there.
David *********
David *********
Gerg **********
Gerg **********
@David ********
Thatโ€™s what I thought. And since many retirees rent, itโ€™s insane to demand a yellow book to open a bank account.
Steve *********
Steve *********
OP
@Gerg *********
I donโ€™t rent. But I can still get a tm 30. Unfortunately bank staff not know what that was !!!!!
Gerg **********
Gerg **********
@Steve ********
Incredible. smh
Steve *********
Steve *********
OP
@Gerg *********
the staff ( including the manger ) did not have a clue. They said at one point you need to show a blue book house sale in your name. ! I said farang not allowed but house ! They do dumb
David *********
David *********
Bangkok bank in robinsons roi et unfrozen mine 4 me and was a chaing mai account no yellow book just non o visa retirement residence certificate ais paper sim registered to me done same day went back next day closed account straight into kasikorn new acc fck bkk bank
Steve *********
Steve *********
OP
@David ********
I went there first they said need go branch where I opened it. The branch I n Bangkok said Thai driving licence and passport showing visa will open it !!!
Chris **********
Chris **********
In & out <30min
Chris **********
Chris **********

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