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What are the best banks in Pattaya for opening an account without insurance while on a 90-day Non-O visa?

Banking in Thailand Non-O Visa Pattaya Visa Requirements Expat Banking Thai Banks Opening a Bank Account Insurance Embassy Requirements

Mar 9, 2022

3 years ago

Оливер *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hi,

Can someone advise me on a branch of any bank in Pattaya, where I can open an account without having to buy an insurance? I'm on a 90 day non 0 visa. I tried Bangkok Bank on second road jomtien (need approval letter from embassy), teprasit rd. ( Buy insurance for 6.900bht, Lotus (insurance) and kasikorn Lotus ( work permit)

Thanks in advance!

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TLDR : Answer Summary

Many users discuss their experiences trying to open a bank account in Pattaya without needing insurance while on a 90-day Non-O visa. Common suggestions include SCB, Bangkok Bank, and Kasikorn Bank. Several commenters mention that requirements can include certified copies of passports, proof of residence, or service fees. Experiences vary significantly, with some banks requiring more documents than others. The general consensus is that having a Thai speaker can help navigate the process, and using agents or services can expedite openings at a cost.

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Aaron *******

I opened one in 2021 at Bangkok Bank on 2d Road Pattaya. Was on a 45 day visa exempt entry for tourist. Needed a Thai to vouch for me. Had to go to Thai Immigration to get a Letter of Residency.

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Alastair ********************

I have the same visa, I opened a Kasikorn Bank account, ATM card, bank book, banking app. Needed a Thai address (no mail goes there) and also my UK address. I opened it in Sukhumvit. Documents passport, driving licence, visa.

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Chris ********

Mid January 2022, opened an account at BAAC in Ubon after about 15-20 walk-ins, even on the day to another BAAC branch. None of them would open an account if I didn't have one, or a combination, of the following; retirement visa stamp in passport, work permit, marriage certificate, certified letter from UK embassy in Bangkok, certificate of residence. Sadly there appears to be no bank that has a straight forward application process. Go into LOTS of branches, with a Thai speaker, and cross your fingers . Good luck

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Tukka *******

Just done today at Bangkok bank Ploenchit branch with 1000 baht deposit and 100 baht for ATM also one year service fee 300 baht

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Steve **********

Bangkok Bank

PP and rental agreement.

Acct. w/ debit card in 15 minutes

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Philip **********

Kasikorn bank Central Festival. I opened one approximately two months ago. 1,000 deposit. Debit card 400. Insurance wasn’t offered or mentioned. Just showed my passport. I’m on an extension based on retirement.

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Trevor *************

I opened a bangkok bank a month ago near to the entrace to walking street and cost just over a 1000 baht and they put 500 baht into the account and this included the atm card.no paper work from embassy and i took just my passport and rental contract

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Steve **********

@Trevor ************

simple

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Steve **********

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Craig ********

I opened one 2 weeks ago ,I used tik tok services and only needed my passport ,took less than one hour in total

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Craig ********

@Оливер ********

yes or you'll spend hours trying to do it and then then you'd have been better off paying someone and having it done in 15 min with no stress

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Оливер *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

they did it!🍻

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Оливер *********

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Оливер *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

fee?

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Оливер *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Waiting at SCB right now. Seems they can do it. Or maybe another waist of time! Let's see!

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Оливер *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Sorry, I don't throw over a hundred euros away for a thai bank account!

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Craig ********

@Оливер ********

up to.you

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Craig ********

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Craig ********

@Оливер ********

4000 Inc a 500 deposit into bank account

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Craig ********

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Brett **********

Do you have a certificate of residence? That often makes things easier and can be got at immigration quite easily

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Оливер *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Brett *********

I do

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Brett **********

@Оливер ********

I'd try Kasikorn again. It might have been the person you dealt with didn't know the requirements. They initially asked me for a work permit but the. When she consulted her senior she was told that was unnecessary and I had the account open within 20 minutes. That was at kasikorn Lotus as well (but Phuket)

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Brett **********

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Lyndon ************

I think what they probably want from your embassy is an 'Embassy certified copy of your passport' at least that's what Bangkok Bank wanted from me. (Although that was in Bangkok, last October). No insurance was needed, it was offered but I didn't want it.

Covid extended tourist visa planning for non-o retirement

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Оливер *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Lyndon ***********

embassy isn't issuing letters like this. They plainly refuse!!

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Lyndon ************

@Оливер ********

initially, I was asking for the wrong document from the UK Embassy. I was asking for a letter confirming residence, which they cannot give to me while on a tourist visa. Then the bank said they would accept a certified copy of my passport. Obviously every countries embassy is different, but I started off asking for the wrong thing and not realising

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Lyndon ************

@Оливер ********

it's a photocopy of your passport, not a letter, which they state is a copy of a real passport.

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Lyndon ************

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London *****

I ran around many branches. All said no. Finally got one opened through an agent. Cost about 5k and took 1 hr. Ignore the guys who opened theirs "years ago". Seems it was easier than is now! 10 years ago I could lift my son, now I can't..things change!

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Rob *********

"Ignore the guys who opened theirs "years ago". 100% right. I thought of offering a view but then thought that my experience was massively time expired.

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Steve **********

same ease today.

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London *****

@Steve *********

yep. You would think they would jump at the chance of having 800k sit with them for some years! Plus lovely fees to give statements etc...

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Steve **********

small money here.

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Steve **********

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London *****

@Steve *********

I think there are two main types of cases. One, which I was, here on visa exemption or short term visas. Most banks (all in my case, till I went with agent) seem to say "no". The catch is for retirement visa need 800k in Thai Bank account...And to have Thai Bank account need retirement/long term visa. It would be helpful to many people if we identify bank branches that open for this category.

If you r here on long term visa, it seems to be easier. The answers often seem to confuse these different categories.

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Steve **********

my first acct as tourist, needed debit card. Went to bkb, Passport, hotel address dep 500 baht to open, than transfered 10k bt from US acct.

I think 200 bt for card.

Always agents in the ring saying " you need me "

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London *****

@Steve *********

I am the last person to use an agent. I have mine now.

For others - which bank and branch was it and what paperwork you needed? I think this would help many people.

Even when I told them I would transfer 800k into it fir visa, they said no! Need work permit or retirement visa.

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Steve **********

every branch diff. Every bank employee ego diff.

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Steve **********

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Andrew *********

I would try bkk bank at the entrance to walking st they seem friendly in there .

I opened mine a few years ago with no documents.

I just said i have 50,000 b to deposit and they said ok

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Оливер *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Andrew ********

thanks, it's closed

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Andrew *********

@Оливер ********

its moved then opposite McDonald's on 2nd rd around soi 15 walking st

I was in there last week and they said they where moving didnt know they were gonna move so quick

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Andrew *********

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Jean *******

Scb did mine on none b. Theu want working people to open accounts.

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Оливер *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

how long ago was this?

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Jean *******

@Оливер ********

year ago.

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Jean *******

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