What are the best banks for expats in Bangkok to open an account with a 90-Day Non-O visa?

My understanding is that you cannot open a bank account unless you have a minimum 12 month visa stamp in your passport.

Change to OA retirement visa

I was in and out in 40 minutes. K bank by W district.

I don't believe in agents either and won't use them

It's getting harder every year 🤔😭😭😭

Hire a reputable female interpreter to go with you to the immigration office in your area and get a certificate of residency, then your phone/ mobile internet provider as well as confirm what they need for your review. Then go and gather or organise that with the interpreter and head off.

@Anthony *******

he succeeded in opening the bank account a few hours ago, putting 805,000 THB into it. Now he is left with a 2-days window to apply for the extension (thursday Feb 27 and friday 28) and still has a leeway to apply on monday March 2 and tuesday March 3

Stan Kamp if you don't have your 800,000 THB in a Thai bank account in your sole name, by December 27, you can forget your plan to apply for the 1-year extension. Because you will never meet the 2-months seasoning requirement if the money arrives later than midnight on Saturday December 27. That's the day after tomorrow. You have been wasting the recent 4 weeks for nothing

Why won't you use an agent to open a bank account? Why so much hatred for agents. They are just another business.

Go to krungthai head office branch in Nana.

I did it with no agent.

I had no issue and this was after Bangkok locked down it's customers.

Onestop

Visa

@Anthony *******

. . . he already has wasted too much time with running around and the refusal to use an agent.

Too much time? . . . I would rather say it is already too late!

He arrived on December 4th. His 90 days stay permit expires on March 3rd.

Let’s do a quick count!

On December 30, the 800,000 THB have to be in his Thai bank account in order to fulfill the 2-months seasoning.

But this would mean he applies for the extension only ONE DAY before his stay permit expires.

In case only one document is missing, it's over and he can leave Thailand after having spent a 90 days holiday.

Banks will be closed for New Year and the weekend. Today it is Thursday December 25th.

He is still wasting precious time . . .

He should have used an agent last week, in order to leave the chance for a 2-months seasoning to remain open.

I reckon – if you start counting and the money transfer doesn’t arrive before December 30, he has by now already lost that chance.

@Stan *****

you have already wasted too much time with your running around and the refusal to use an agent.

Too much time? . . . I would rather say, today it is already too late!

You arrived on December 4th. Your 90 days stay permit expires on March 1 (can you confirm?)

Let’s do a quick count!

On December 30, the 800,000 THB have to be in your Thai bank account if you plan to fulfill the 2-months seasoning.

But this would mean you can apply for the extension only ONE DAY before your stay permit expires.

In case only one document is missing, it's over and you can leave Thailand after having spent a 90 days holiday.

Banks will be closed for New Year and the weekend. You are wasting precious time . . .you should have used an agent last week, to leave the chance for a 2-months seasoning to remain open. You have now already lost that chance and you seem not to be aware of it

@Anthony *******

he arrived on December 4th. On January 2, the 800,000 THB have to be in his Thai bank account if he plans to fulfill the 2-months seasoning, and it would mean he can apply for the extension only ONE DAY before his stay permit expires. If only one document is missing, it's over for him. . . . Banks will be closed for New Year and the weekend. He is wasting precious time . . . he MUST get an agent ASAP if he wants the chance for a 2-months seasoning to remain open

@Anthony *******

how much more precious time is

@Stan *****

willing to waste? It's not only opening the account, it's also the wait until a money transfer from abroad reaches his Thai bank account. I am on nobody's commission. I am WARNING him not to waste much more precious time. If he insists on running around and willing to listen to all that rubbish the bank staff is pulling out of their noses, then he can go ahead and lose the ability to prove a 2-months seasoning

sad to read this. the process is supposed to be easy: apply online for your 90 days, fly over, rent a condo, get the req documents, open a bank account, deposit the money, wait 60 + days, and then get the retirement visa. thailand's 'blind men and an elephant' banking system didnt get the memo! at this point, you either persist, they get sick of you, and will relent, or you relent and use an agent. either way, the clock is ticking. good luck!

Go to a visa agent. I'm sure they only really like dealing through agents because everyone is scratching each other's backs and putting money into the Thai economy

Taken an agent

Yeah. The lease agreement and ID, signed on every page.

I had same docs etc., as you, together with proof of money. I opened an account with Kasikorn Bank with no problems. 🤷🏻

They were saying the other day with siam legal that there was no need for a bank account in Thailand and you could a home country bank account.

A level headed & intelligent Thai friend with is usually the answer. But Thailand can be a blast trying to do just about anything. Proof of residency is completely different from the lease agreement. And yes, you have to have the signed copy of the landlord's Thai ID, plus a signed copy of his ownership book (Title). There's definitely more.

Bangkok Bank is strict, but you'll succeed with consistency.

But you have a lot of steps to go.

You really need the Thai person that can translate for you.

It'll happen.

I didn't read all comments, but did you apply and get a retirement visa "before" you left the states.

That's actually #1. Without that, the bank is axed.

I just wanted the account to pay by QR code in the local market , etc. Being on DTV most banks said no. Bangkok Bank said sure you can open an account as long as you sign up for this yearly insurance premium. No way was I paying 50K Baht per year in worthless insurance just to have a bank account. I just gave up, so my wife went into SCB and opened an account in her name, installed the SCB app on my phone. Now I can pay like a local without the hassle. Big purchases still go on my Mastercard or Wise Card. I can get cash at SCB or pay by QR without a fee. The account is in her name but that really does not matter it serves it's purpose.

Don't think that the banks only pick on Farang. My Thai wife changed her sim card. 2 separate days 2hrs and 4hrs going from one shopping centre then another needed a receipt from sim company to prove it was her phone.

@Stan *****

Bank acc opening REQUIREMENTS

Thai bank account opening MINIMUM pre-requisites:

*** have a longterm visa, like a 90-days Non-Imm-visa type, an LTR or Non-O/A

*** be properly registered per TM30 Online System at your accommodation

*** visit Immigration and get the “certificate of residence”. Immigration in this document will ask the bank explicitly to open a bank account for the applicant

*** have a Thai mobile number and the SIM-card registered to your name and passport number

*** your passport as a valid document of identification

(some banks have started to ask you for another piece of identification, like your home country driver’s license)

*** a work permit (only if applicable – it is NOT a mandatory requirement!)

Here a list of NOT commonly NECESSARY pre-requisites, but which CAN get asked from (incompetent!!) bank staff:

*** a rental contract - actually irrelevant- but it is okay if you got one, or if you got a blue housebook indicating ownership of a condo.

*** a third piece of identification (check above)

*** a mandatory life-insurance or accident insurance the bank offers you for yearly 5000 Baht (they love to earn a sidekick)

*** your foreign Tax-number or Social Security number (which would be okay so far, why not)

Try several branches of different banks, you might find one that opens an account for you under the minimal requirements. Sometimes it takes a day or two of running around until you find a bank willing to help you.

I don’t recommend Bangkok Bank. Better get a Kasikorn or Siam Commercial Bank Plc. Account. Other good banks are Khrungthai and Khrungsri

In case you consistently meet bank staff who resist and pull out of their noses random requirements, use the service of an agent. In Pattaya for example, you can get your Thai bank account opened for 5000 THB using the agent F.S. Consulting Co.

@Stefan *******

You're American so you understand that time is money. Use an agent so you can enjoy your retirement.

Mate just pay an agency to get it done for you, doing by yourself will just stress you out, most people who are smart use an agent, good luck, it sounds like your going to need it lol

Sorry to hear that…

I took my husband to the Government Bank Saving (Aomsin Bank) at the MFA building, and my experience of opening a bank account for him for the financial proving purpose went very smooth.

I didnt have my abroad marriage certificate at a time, but they seem to be ok with that.

except the bank itself didnot provide any apps or scan to pay for foreigners.

We tried open another everyday bank account at K bank, but they ask for way more document including the translated marriage certificate and korror 22.

So if you are near MFA building and only need a bank account for visa extension purpose, try GBS

Unbelievable !! They don’t want retirees !! Perhaps banks should charge small monthly fees and make some money from it !!

Why do you want a bank account? Just stay for the 90 days and enjoy yourself

If you are really serious about getting a bank account, pay for the "insurance" once and be done with it. (It’s a br*be to get what you need.)

Im getting retirement visa from agency.Everything sorted for me.

It's clear by now that they don't want us and they will keep coming up with new requirements until you give up

Kasikorn was ok for me, the hassle was the residence certificate from immigration

Try work or business visa

I opened mine with non-o marriage at krungthai I did need a pink card but that was easy to get.. and the yellow book but I believe you can get a paper from immigration in place of that.

99.9% who leave it with an agent get a retirement visa by following their expert advice. My guy have to get a new bank, so a few months extra delay, but no issue that was a visa dead-end. The 0.01% who don't use an agent, must believe they are entitled to one, irrespective their ignorance about requirements and protocols.

@Stan *****

when you entered did you do so without a Visa.... ie a VISA EXEMPT?

Did you try Bangkok Bank in the Immigration Center in Lak Si? Let me look on map, I always forget the correct name: Immigration Division 1, 43,100.33,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x30e2832fce4f7053:0xe2cc4a5263fad687!8m2!3d13.91!4d100.82!16s%2Fg%2F11cs2hjmms?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MTIwOS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D

Simply put: what the banks ask you to provide is simply made up them. There is no rule that you need this and that. And every branch as in house at a different street corner has its new made up own rules.

Seems you blew the record with made up papers to show 😃

Anyway, I recommend Bangkok Bank in that building (Chang Wattana Road) "Ratthaprasasanabhakti Building (Building B)". They have a few staff members that speak excellent English. Just down the escalator from the immigration offices and you face it.

Then: be well dressed. I mean, long trousers, normal shoes, shirt (long arm if possible), don't look like a Yahoo tourist from Kentucky (hahaha) ...

Seriously: opening a bank account is a serious business transaction. And here we are in Asia. Not aiming at you, but someone else might read this: just be dressed one scale lower than for a job interview. Sneakers are okay, but sandals/flippers are not. Tie not mandatory ()

Good luck and keep us informed.

P.S. did you mention you want to permanent deposit 400,000THB and 800,000THB for 3monts?

One stop visa see Mark soi6 Pattaya skip the bs

I was in a similar situation, I tried to get a residence certificate at immigration but the Airbnb I was staying in gave me a TM30 that wasn't valid (something about the Italian owner of the condo not being on the title deed). K-Bank wouldn't let me open an account without it so I had to sign a one year lease at a condo. After I did that I was able to open an account at K-bank with the lease. When I applied for my one year extension the immigration officer made me also get a copy of the condo title deed (Tabien Baan) - this was the only thing I didn't have and didn't know I needed even though I researched a ton. Luckily the title deed was in the condo so I just made a copy of it and went back to immigration the next day and was able to get my one year extension.

The easy answer is to find a legit agent. I dont know about you. But I would much rather pay someone a few thousand baht than deal with the headache you're dealing. But hey. You do you. You obviously like to not be wrong. Good luck. I opened one on a non O easy. Kasikorn bank in rayong. No agent. Lots of rule changes lately. Banks are afraid of doing wrong.

It is very frustrating… it feels like the goal is always moving … on December 12th I finally open my account at Krungsri they were super (brown bank) but I got the run around very frustrating… now I will need an extension my my non-o expires … I can’t get an appointment in my immigration office until 🤔

Can you not speak to the condo owner, and get a copy of his/her ID to attach to the lease?? You seem to already have all the documents required, to open an account yourself, if you insist on doing it yourself, you just simply need to keep trying different banks, if it becomes impossible, just contact the Thai visa centre in Bangkok, they can assist you to get a Thai bank account opened, when it's combined with doing the retirement visa, contact them and discuss your options.

Stan Kamp Bank acc opening REQUIREMENTS

Thai bank account opening MINIMUM pre-requisites:

*** have a longterm visa, like a 90-days Non-Imm-visa type, an LTR or Non-O/A

*** be properly registered per TM30 Online System at your accommodation

*** visit Immigration and get the “certificate of residence”. Immigration in this document will ask the bank explicitly to open a bank account for the applicant

*** have a Thai mobile number and the SIM-card registered to your name and passport number

*** your passport as a valid document of identification

(some banks have started to ask you for another piece of identification, like your home country driver’s license)

*** a work permit (only if applicable – it is NOT a mandatory requirement!)

Here a list of NOT commonly NECESSARY pre-requisites, but which CAN get asked from (incompetent!!) bank staff:

*** a rental contract - actually irrelevant- but it is okay if you got one, or if you got a blue housebook indicating ownership of a condo.

*** a third piece of identification (check above)

*** a mandatory life-insurance or accident insurance the bank offers you for yearly 5000 Baht (they love to earn a sidekick)

*** your foreign Tax-number or Social Security number (which would be okay so far, why not)

Try several branches of different banks, you might find one that opens an account for you under the minimal requirements. Sometimes it takes a day or two of running around until you find a bank willing to help you.

I don’t recommend Bangkok Bank. Better get a Kasikorn or Siam Commercial Bank Plc. Account. Other good banks are Khrungthai and Khrungsri

In case you consistently meet bank staff who resist and pull out of their noses random requirements, use the service of an agent. In Pattaya for example, you can get your Thai bank account opened for 5000 THB.

Bless you for putting into words what so many of us struggle with..🙌🏽🙏🏽Thank you Stan

Opened up an account for my friend just yesterday with Krugsri

Req

Passport and visa

Phone contact

Proof of residency from immigration

That's it

Job done ✅

You’re American. Try opening a bank account in any country other than America. Not easy.

What an ordeal. It has always been hard (at least over last year) but doable.

Forget about your money with Thai banks. Foreigners are just a nuisisance, kind of customers not worth pissing on them. Thai banks, as any other worldwide, are after home loans, credit cards, business loans, nothing you would ever come near to.

Be happy if any Thai bank even let you sit and talk. Some, like Kasikorn,do that, not every expositure.

Besides getting conflicting info from two tellers at Kasikorn they’re still a good bet if you have your docs in order. While annoying, a signed copy of the landlord’s ID should be easy to get. If that’s all you’re missing you’ll have no problem opening the account in time to season funds for 60 days before your 90 is up. But they gave us a list of documents to return with, no teller opinions entered the conversation. Maybe ask if another branch can provide you that list to remove the ambiguity.

Talk to kasikorn. Went today to a branch. They seem to have the most lax rules

And some laughed when I said he was anti farang 🤷

The share price of the cerebelum is decreasing at a rapid rate

You want a retirement visa without being retired?

Maneerett brilliant pattya

What specifically is your Non-O visa based on?

There are companies who can get this done for you. But banks are not interested in offering accounts to tourists at this time. Lots of regulator pressure.