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What are some tips for expats trying to open a bank account in Thailand, especially with Krungsri?
Banking in ThailandExpats in ThailandKrungsri BankBank Account OpeningVisa RequirementsNON-O VisaThailand ImmigrationSattahipForeigners and Thai Banks
Feb 5, 2026
3 months ago
Von ***********
ORIGINAL POSTERSuccessfully opened another Bangkok Bank account in Sattahip today, had all my documents for Rental agreement, passport with 12 month extension stamp on my Non-O visa. Phone number verified.
Half hour later tried at Krungsri branch in the Big C Super Store complex at Sattahip.
Was told that I would need to wait till I renewed my Visa, for the record my 12mth extension was on 9th Jan 26, so it goes through till Jan 27, not sure what the Bank Staffer was thinking, called her out on her claim and then the story changed to it was not possible with Krungsri Bank and I should try other banks.
So there you have it, make of that what you will, my thoughts are that the staffer didn’t want or know how to deal with a Foreigner opening a Bank account or Krungsri are not wanting Foreign account holders on their books.
🤔🤷🏽
Half hour later tried at Krungsri branch in the Big C Super Store complex at Sattahip.
Was told that I would need to wait till I renewed my Visa, for the record my 12mth extension was on 9th Jan 26, so it goes through till Jan 27, not sure what the Bank Staffer was thinking, called her out on her claim and then the story changed to it was not possible with Krungsri Bank and I should try other banks.
So there you have it, make of that what you will, my thoughts are that the staffer didn’t want or know how to deal with a Foreigner opening a Bank account or Krungsri are not wanting Foreign account holders on their books.
🤔🤷🏽
TLDR : Answer Summary
The post discusses experiences opening bank accounts in Thailand, specifically with Bangkok Bank and Krungsri Bank in Sattahip. The poster successfully opened an account at Bangkok Bank but faced challenges at Krungsri Bank, where staff initially provided conflicting information regarding account eligibility for foreigners. Comments from other users suggest that different branches can have varying policies, with recommendations to consider banks like Kasikorn and SCB, known for being more foreign-friendly. The conversation highlights the bureaucratic inconsistencies in Thai banking and the necessity of having a Thai bank account for visa-related matters.
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Yo***
When I am in a foreign country, I try at first banks. Then, I know how is this country. usually bankers do similar what immigration or authority do in the country. Thai banks are like immigration in Thailand. or thai banks are like Thailand. Today yes, tomorrow no, A said yes, B said No even in the same place, same person. same condition. 😹
Jay ****
I opened Krugsri account with just my passport 3 weeks ago. Also krugthai, and kasikorn. Go to different branches. Some workers are just lazy.
Gideon ****************
The staff at that Krungsri were forcing me to buy insurance at a minimum of 9000 baht to open an account there. Don't even bother with them.
Von ***********
ORIGINAL POSTERGideon von Marschall yeah, left me cold, would not bother with them ever again.
Reply to
Von ***********
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Jesper *******
Try kasikorn or SCB they are more foreign friendly......just to share i have 3 thai accts....1 for immigration 1 for daily expenses and the last one stash away from the Mrs 555
Von ***********
ORIGINAL POSTERJesper Ngiam I have Kasikorn already and had a BKK bank account for past 14 years but the branch up in a small town near Nong Khai closed and the central branch in Nong Khai took over management-ship of my account, given I am not living in that area anymore, made sense to get a branch closer in case BB have another brain fart and I need to attend the branch for some verification/identification shamozol.
I will try SCB, they have a local branch in Sattahip.
Cheers
I will try SCB, they have a local branch in Sattahip.
Cheers
Reply to
Von ***********
Reply
Jonny *********
How do you verify phone number? I have had the same number for 12 years, so not sure how I get it verified. Thx
John *********
Jonny Larsson Get a letter from your phone provider
Ant ***********
Jonny Larsson
Go to the store of the telco
( AIS ) or whoever
You will need your passport and proof of address
They add this info to your phone records & ask them for a statement ( cost 50 baht )
Present the statement to the bank
Go to the store of the telco
( AIS ) or whoever
You will need your passport and proof of address
They add this info to your phone records & ask them for a statement ( cost 50 baht )
Present the statement to the bank
Jonny *********
Ant W Tailor ok thanks 😊
Reply to
Jonny *********
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John ********
i went to Krungsri to open an account had all the relevant paperwork and was just told no accounts being opened for farangs.
John ********
So i went next door to Krungthai and had an account opened in about an hour.
Reply to
John ********
Reply
Deepak *******
If you have one bank account, why do you need multiple bank accounts? I have lived in Thailand for more than five years without any thai bank transactions.
BC ********
@Deepak ******
having only one bank account is just plain stupid. One should always have several options instead on betting everything on 1 single option.You need plan B and another bacck-up plan C. (Not just for banks.)
Deepak *******
BC Farang: That is the reason I switched to a DTV visa—to be completely free from Thai bureaucratic nonsense. No need to step inside a Thai bank or Thai immigration office. I feel liberated now. :)
Von ***********
ORIGINAL POSTERBC Farang you get it exactly Sir! 🙌🏾
Reply to
Von ***********
Reply
Yo***
@Deepak ******
In my case, surely I need some other bank account. I have bangkok bank account but it was frozen twice. Not only once but two times just for three months term. And I totally lost Bangkok bank trust. so I opened two more thai banks. Thai banks are easy to limit your access and freeze or close at any time. So, need some back up for the worst case. Two is better than one. Anyway, if you have no thai bank account, how is your visa or extension or stay permit? You already have PR?Deepak *******
Young I used to have Non-O, but I now changed to DTV to be completely free from Thai bureaucratic nonsense. I had three bank accounts ten years ago. After Covid, I stopped using Thai banks completely. Now I think they have closed one bank account. I still have two bank accounts, but I haven't used them at all for the last five years.
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Deepak *******
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Andrew ********
@Deepak ******
at one point I had three different bank accounts at different banks in America My reason was FDIC only insured accounts up to 250,000 per depositor for each account type
Jay ****
EXACTLY. And it's even less here.
Deepak *******
In the home country, it is different. I have more than 19 bank accounts in the USA and 100+ credit cards.
Andrew ********
@Deepak ******
people use credit cards like checking accounts and really screws with their credit I had 3 credit cards ranging in different limits. They hit your credit 2 ways
- Combined balance and credit limit
-individual balance / credit limit
The ideal method to credit cards is keeping the balance at 70% use at billing cycle
And then you have to keep the combind avaible balance at 70% of limit
Pay on your credit cards twice per cycle it was a trick I learned
Track the money you used on them and then 4 weeks before billing cycle pay
***
then 2 weeks before billing cycle pay the other ***
this will register as a double payment and do this before billing cycle you just removed the interest on money used. Having a paid off credit card hurts your credit and if you are going for a home loan they will look at it as a negative item as well
Reply to
Andrew ********
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Von ***********
ORIGINAL POSTERDeepak *******
Von Steiglitz just curious to know what people do with multiple bank accounts in Thailand. I started the experiment of living in Thailand without any Thailand bank transactions and never encountered any issue. I switched to a dtv now after 10 years of o visa. And many dtv visa holders complain about not being able to open a bank account. I was wondering why people need a thai bank account. Thai banks must have come to the same conclusion as me that one does not need a Thai bank account to live in Thailand.
Yo***
@Deepak ******
yes right. But I need it for my extension. I can live fine without Thai bank account in Thailand, but I have to have Thai bank account for immigration use. And, Thai qr scan is useful and If you have Thai bank account, you can use wise, so you can get better rate than any of other ways. If someone wants to live in Thailand for long and consistently, Thai bank makes life easier.Paul *********
@Deepak ******
until you go to renew extension of stay and need to show proof of funds in a Thai bank.Von ***********
ORIGINAL POSTERPaul Malcolm don’t bother explaining yourself to a wombat, they only know what they think they know.
I don’t explain myself to anyone that doesn’t need to know my business.
My post was as an informative telling of dealing with 2 different Thai banks… so others can see the best options if navigating these matters.
All good mate. Cheers.
I don’t explain myself to anyone that doesn’t need to know my business.
My post was as an informative telling of dealing with 2 different Thai banks… so others can see the best options if navigating these matters.
All good mate. Cheers.
Reply to
Von ***********
Reply
Wayne *******
Von Steiglitz More replies like this are needed 👏👏👏
John ********
Nah. Imagine being triggered by that simple question. And then going on to call him a wombat. Who calls people names on Facebook for fuck sake.
Reply to
John ********
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