Answered10 months ago
What are the best banks in Thailand for opening an account on an O-A visa?
Hi all. Today when I wanted to unblock my account at Bangkok bank I was surprised to be asked to go to the embassy of my country for I don't know what certificate. I tried to open another account at Kungskri bank but I was told that for a multiple-entry OA visa they cannot open an account for me. They suggested that I change my visa type. Have these banks become idiots? Have you had this kind of problem? Where is the easiest place to open an account based on an O-A visa?
Epilogue.
I opened my account at Kungskri Bank (a different branch than the one I went to the first time) this morning quickly and without any problems. After opening it, I told them that I wanted to transfer the money from my Bangkok Bank account but it was not possible directly, so I got a driver with the bank's car to take me to close the Bangkok Bank account and return safely with the money I had withdrawn to deposit at Kungskri. Everything went quickly except for the time spent at Bangkok Bank where it took a little longer. Thank you to everyone who recommended me to look for another bank or recommended Kungskri to me. Thank you also to the staff who restored my trust in the professional services that a bank must offer to its customers.
Epilogue.
I opened my account at Kungskri Bank (a different branch than the one I went to the first time) this morning quickly and without any problems. After opening it, I told them that I wanted to transfer the money from my Bangkok Bank account but it was not possible directly, so I got a driver with the bank's car to take me to close the Bangkok Bank account and return safely with the money I had withdrawn to deposit at Kungskri. Everything went quickly except for the time spent at Bangkok Bank where it took a little longer. Thank you to everyone who recommended me to look for another bank or recommended Kungskri to me. Thank you also to the staff who restored my trust in the professional services that a bank must offer to its customers.
Answer summary
The user initially faced challenges in unblocking their Bangkok Bank account and opening a new account with a multiple-entry OA visa at Kungskri Bank. They were instructed to obtain a certificate from their embassy, which caused frustration. However, after visiting a different Kungskri Bank branch, they successfully opened an account without issues. The conversation highlights various experiences of expats attempting to open bank accounts in Thailand, with recommendations pointing to banks like Kasikorn as accommodating options for those holding O-A visas. Comments also address the bureaucratic hurdles faced and suggest exploring different branches or banks for better service.
66 repliesnewest first
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Tony *************
It’s Thailand 🇹🇭 you don’t expect anything to run properly Surely try K Bank I’ve never had any problem
Ronald ************
Calling the bank IDIOTS. Will not help at all. Follow the rules, act with respect and you just might be surprised how the bank staff react.
Cyrill *******
Open 2 Accounts with NoN- O based on marriage. One Bangkok Bank because my old account the branch to far away from our home the secound K-Bank. Both cost me 30 minutes to open.
Passport, Visa, registered Thai Nummer ( Copie from AIS) as Owner.
Passport, Visa, registered Thai Nummer ( Copie from AIS) as Owner.
Ossie *********
Try Kasikorn a really good bank
Dennis *********
Just go to a few other banks/branches and if still can't figure it out, just see a visa agent and be done with it
Oo *****
Yes and frustrating. Good luck.
David *********
Go to a Visa agent and pay the fee
Roger ********
Thought this had gone quiet. Been waiting all year to find my account closed. Nothing. So far. No idea what l am doing right?
Niel *************
I had the exact same problem, tried for months to unfreeze my account even after providing every document they asked for and more still no joy
20 minutes to close didn’t ask for anything only passport and passbook 🤷♂️
Just over an our to open Kasikorn bank account with card
No problems so far
20 minutes to close didn’t ask for anything only passport and passbook 🤷♂️
Just over an our to open Kasikorn bank account with card
No problems so far
Roman **********
Next they will ask you for the names and address's of your 5 last gf's.
Steve *********
I had my Bangkok bank frozen, the staff in my local bank ( roi-et ) were clueless , trying to read off some sheets , Said I needed blue book from owning house in my name , ( when I tell them farang cannot own ! They just looked at each other ). Yellow book, marriage certificate , ++++++. Open in Krungthai bank. Tm30 uk and Thai driving licence passport showing non immigrant O Visa. 30 minutes and done , when I closed the Bkk bank they said I should not do it as I will need for visa , I closed. Once I had my cash out. I pulled out my Krungthai card and book , said I go pay this into decent bank. ( ps the lady dealing with it in bkk bank was a personal friend of my wife ! ). Bkk bank. Hopeless
Simon *********
Back in 2018 most banks were insisting on a work permit, hence couldn't open accounts with retirement visas. I ended up getting a yellow book to open an account with Krungthai...
Jim *******
@Simon ********
How did you get the Yellow Book? Over the counter, on the spot?Mine took 1 month (Bangkok, Samut Prakan City Council), 5cm thick wad of papers to sign, my fingerprints. Legally married in Thai. All based on the Blue Book that my wife has on the condo that I bought in 2008. She had to be with me, signing, signing.
True, I got my Thai Pink Card (ID for foreigners) right after that, 10 minutes.
Yo***
@Simon ********
Ok with working permit only. But, how retirees can extend without thai bank account?? 😅Simon *********
@Yo***
exactly
Alan *******
The "i don't know what" certificate that bangkok bank asked for was a certificate of authenticity of my passport from my home country embassy. Made appointment online and took a few hours, went back to the bank with it and my account stayed open. Every one happy cuz I listened.
Todd *********
Yellow book and Thai ID (pink)
It’s not required but most of the banks want this
Kasikorn refused me because I had a non O and not an O-A or O-X, because they are the examples listed from the govt of acceptable visas
Even though it states any non O
It’s not required but most of the banks want this
Kasikorn refused me because I had a non O and not an O-A or O-X, because they are the examples listed from the govt of acceptable visas
Even though it states any non O
Ray ********
@Todd ********
strange usually Kasikorn is good . Try another branch . I open with Kasikorn with non o , got it in 35 min no issues
Jungle ******
And this is why I use an agent ...
I don't need to lose my mind dealing with Thai people I would rather just stay on their good side
I don't need to lose my mind dealing with Thai people I would rather just stay on their good side
Mario *********
@Jungle *****
Hi John...could you tell me how much you pay average an agent? Is he working on commission or is there a fix price. Thanks MarioJungle ******
Andy *******
@Mario ********
In my experience renewal about *****
k if want to try existing visa to year visa about *****
kMario *********
@Andy ******
thank you 😊Yo***
@Mario ********
It depends fully on your condition and situation. If you already have visa ( like non o visa retirement), and just opening a bank account in Thai bank, it would be around 10,000 THB, however, I guess, most of agents do not like to take this job. Only bank account opening does not make them good money. So, all in one, bank, visa or extension, together. It maybe over 70,000 THB or more. nowadays, it becomes expensive. But not sure.
Trav **********
If you talked to the bank staff the same way as you did in your comment no wonder they treated you that way. Idiot??? sound a very good way to get things done in Thailand, maybe in your country you would have got a smack in the mouth!!!!! I know in my country you would have 👊👊
Gabriel *********
OPThe proof that they are idiots is the following. They were going to send me hundreds of km for a document that I didn't need. After I insisted on speaking to the manager I received the following list without having to go to Bangkok to the embassy.
Sue **********
@Gabriel ********
You should update your post, so people see what the outcome was and then close it, otherwise you will get more not useful comments
Todd ********
@Trav *********
what you read is frustration. My friend (ex airline captain) had his account blocked. Each time he went in with bs info they wanted they wanted more. He was polite and low key. Bkk bank were not. They treated him like 💩. So he went to KASIKORN . Easy and polite. Were you in the line watching his frustration? Arm chair farang criticizing others are the worst types.Trav **********
@Todd *******
Get your head out of your arse champ!!!!!!!And if my comment frustrates you, harden the fuck up.Todd ********
@Trav *********
idiots like you get blocked. No winder your profile is blocked. FO
Bob **********
Go to immigration and get a resident certificate and I’d use Kasikorn
David *********
F**k Bangkok bank
Wayne *******
@David ********
and Thailand right now with the little big man in charge 😆
Tony *********
The money launderers want to restrict our money by claiming that we are money launderers. The joy of globalisation.
Ning ******
The cert from the embassy, the bank have a blank copy. Just fill and bring it to the embassy to get it stamped.
Yo***
@Ning *****
Your country embassy can do this? just stamped on a blank copy from a thai bank?? Such a strange thing for embassy?Jim *******
@Yo***
"Just" go to the embassy. That could be 1,000km away. Just go?Ning ******
Bangkok bank ask me, but i walk to next door. K bank, and k bank say ok. So i open a k bank account.
Gabriel *********
OP@Ning *****
I would be stupid to travel hundreds of kilometers to unblock my account. I prefer to open another account at another, friendlier bank.
Jan ************
Kasikorn
John **********
I'm guessing what they want to see is a residence certificate. Go to your local immigration office and get on, then go to a mobile provider and get a SIM registered against your passport (with receipt) then go to a bank and try again
Gabriel *********
OPNow I'm trying at SCB . Long waiting time everywhere.
Ray ********
@Gabriel ********
Kasikorn, best bank for foreigners. My wife and I got our bank account in 35 min
OZ ******
@Gabriel ********
go 2 kasikornGabriel *********
OP@John *********
I have immigration certificate and Registred sim already
Tania **********
@Gabriel ********
It seems many things became idiot here ; confusion and mess !
Xu ****
@Gabriel ********
Bangkok Bank doesn't trust residency certificates issued by the Thai Immigration Bureau 🤣 They always require us to obtain certificates from our own country's embassy proving we are genuinely residing in Thailand!
I was asked to do the same...
Xu ****
@Yo***
This is the game Bangkok Bank is playing 😂. The staff told me I could choose to close my account!
I chose not to close it, but I also won't comply with their outrageous demands—my own residency certificate from the Thai Immigration Bureau, and Thai banks don't recognize it?
Is Bangkok Bank no longer a Thai company? 🤭
Yo***
@Xu ***
A consular never shall do it. All documents that he brings to his embassy are issued in Thailand by Thai authorities. How can a different country embassy can stamp on it???you meant nota? or certify for what? for Thai issued documents??? and they are original documents that Thai government issued, so our country ( for example, Germany) certified that this documents are original and stamp it? The original Thai government issued documents are just original. If the bank in Thailand can not trust it or need nota, who can do this in Thailand? or give the job to another country? Since when Thailand is dependant on other countries? 🤣Xu ****
@Yo***
They want you to bring a residence certificate from the Thai Immigration Bureau, your rental agreement, proof of payment—anything that can prove you're residing in Thailand—and then have your country's embassy stamp the copies of the documents! Only after this will the Bangkok Bank branch staff be willing to pass them on to their supervisor to unfreeze your account—but this doesn't guarantee the account will be unfrozen!
I have other bank accounts; I don't need to play their game.
Yo***
@Xu ***
How an embassy of another country knows or certify that someone is residing in Thailand??? I meant his embassy. An Embassy has nothing to do with that things at all.
IndigoJa********
@John *********
Spot on John great advice .
Thrilling*********
Kasikorn.
Pete *******
I am on OA and got bank opened in less than an hour. Kasikorn bank
Dick **********
@Pete ******
Kasikorn opened amaccount as i am on an O/A visa but SCB would not although i had accounts with Bangkok Bank.
Brook ********
Go to another 4 banks and you will get 3 more wild recommendations and one will allow you to open an account.
Brandon ************
Are you an expert on visa matters from your own country? Probably not. Bank staff know nothing about Thai visas, and on top of that most banks don't want to deal with the paperwork involved in doing business with foreigners.
If you only tried one branch, then that's on you. You need to keep trying different bank branches until you find one that will work with you. Each bank branch manager, even of the same bank, sets their own policies for their specific branch.
If you only tried one branch, then that's on you. You need to keep trying different bank branches until you find one that will work with you. Each bank branch manager, even of the same bank, sets their own policies for their specific branch.
Gabriel *********
OP@Brandon ***********
when I go to my bank I expect to be treated fairly. As long as they opened my account and there was no problem and after 6 months immediately after I deposited the necessary 800,000 baht they froze my account. this is a donkey. All bank agents must know the legislation on visas if their bank works with foreigners. there is no point in giving their opinion if they have no idea. It is very simple. You don't know the legislation let someone else who does. You can't make fun of customers and their funds. Now I am at the main bank and waiting to talk to a supervisor.
Joe **********
@Gabriel ********
Well said!Gabriel *********
OPAfter talking to the manager I received the following list. So it was not necessary to go to any embassy for the certificate.
Gabriel *********
OP@Sue *********
Considering the problems I had and the way they behaved, I didn't even think about using that bank anymore. I closed the account and deposited all the money at the new bank, which treated me very civilly. I preferred Kungskri because it is also on the island where I spend a lot of my time.Sue **********
@Gabriel ********
So you got your account unblocked now?
Steve ****
@Gabriel ********
you may be right but expecting consistency here is a waste of energy. Try another branch
Rob *******
@Brandon ***********
ah...the little mafia fiefdoms model. So Thai.Activity
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