Answered2 years ago
What are the best options for opening a Thai bank account in Bangkok as an expat?
Hello all... I've had a quote from the Bangkok agent UnionSpace to open a Thai bank account, they've said about 28,000 baht lol. I can get this for a fraction of the cost in Pattaya, can anyone recommend a Bangkok based agent to setup an account?
I need my main account setup in Bangkok so Pattaya isn't an option for me...
Many thanks
I need my main account setup in Bangkok so Pattaya isn't an option for me...
Many thanks
Answer summary
An expat in Bangkok is seeking recommendations for an agent to help open a Thai bank account, as they have received a high quote from UnionSpace. Several comments highlight the challenges of opening a bank account in Bangkok, particularly with a visa exemption status. Participants in the discussion share various experiences and alternatives, including the possibility of opening accounts through agents in other locations like Pattaya and the costs involved. Some recommend specific agents and point out that while the price for assistance in Bangkok can be exorbitant, there may be more affordable options outside the city.
88 repliesnewest first
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Khun ******
currently it's nearly impossible to open a bank account. you are lucky if agent can do it for only 28k
Andy ********
OP@Khun *****
there are agents in Pattaya that can do it for 5000 baht
Don *****
I’m willing to drive to Pattaya to open an account. Any recommendations on how to do it?
Andy ********
OP@Brian *******
thanks, but that appears to be a Pattaya addressBrian ********
@Andy *******
my friend used them and it was him who gave me this postAndy ********
OP@Brian *******
ah OK thanks, I'll give them a try...
Christopher *************
The Thai visa centre
Andy ********
OP@Christopher ************
thanks, but still in the 18k baht bracket
Andi ***********
@Andy *******
You can try going into a Bangkok bank and offering to pay for their insurance to open an account which will be around 5-8KTHB. Agents in Bangkok charge 10K plus. Perfect visa Bangkok may be able to help, i don't know their cost though,Andy ********
OP@Andi **********
thanks for this info....Christopher *************
@Andy *******
really wow sorryTore *********
I just opened one myself in Bangkok based on DTV and medical certificate stating 3-6 months medical treatment.
Actually first branch I tried. I knew in advance the medical route was a possibility though. And its based real treatment
No insurance, 500 to open account, 700 for atm card
Actually first branch I tried. I knew in advance the medical route was a possibility though. And its based real treatment
No insurance, 500 to open account, 700 for atm card
Don *****
@Tore ********
where
Vinay ********
Can do it Hua hin for 2,000 on any visa using an agent
Don *****
@Vinay *******
do you have any recommendations?Vinay ********
@Don ****
yes. This lady has a hotel in Hua hin. Only pay after your account is opened @https://www.faceboo*******************
Michael *********
I have 2 accounts, 1 in Bangkok, 1 in Samut Prakan, and now I live in Krabi. Never have a problem with cash withdrawals (free), renewing cards, updating personal information, etc
Kenneth *******
I have 3 accounts with Bangkok Bank, which is paying me to use my money. No fees ever.
Mick ********
I have read many similar posts to this and was wondering if my experience was a one off I recently moved here from UK and needed a bank account Before I traveled I transfered money from UK to my wife's bank account
We went to openan account for me atKBank (that phanom) They looked at my passport, my non o immigration (90day) visa Transfered the money from her account over and that was it 45mins approx I had a bank account with ATM card I would say my wife did all the talking but it was very much a pain free process
We went to openan account for me atKBank (that phanom) They looked at my passport, my non o immigration (90day) visa Transfered the money from her account over and that was it 45mins approx I had a bank account with ATM card I would say my wife did all the talking but it was very much a pain free process
Tony ********
@Mick *******
non immigration visa's dont have the problem. Tourist and visa exemptions dont fulfil the banking requirements.
Ian ********
Hi I was quoted 4990 baht to open a bank account in Bangkok, DM me and I will give you the contact details of the agent.
Eric ******
@Ian *******
hi Ian. I am wanting to open up a bank account too. I’m on a non O that expires in two weeks and hoping to get it done before I leave so I can have the money transferred in when I come back for the retirement extension. Can I get the agents contact info? Thank you.Ian ********
@Eric *****
Georg HaeusslerManaging Director
Ubisco Co., Ltd. - My Thai 24
122 Song Prapha Road 1 Yaek 2
Don Muang, Don Muang
Bangkok
*****
Thailand
***********
*****
60, +66-*****
7164whatsapp: +66-86-
*****
60line: @ubisco, georg_ha
***********************
Eric ******
@Ian *******
Thank you.Ian ********
Tai **********
I’m sure you’re able to change branch once you have a bank, just tell them you moved to Bangkok once you made an account in Pattaya.
Jerald ********
Yes Mr Sing but u get what you pay for think more like 35,000 bhat dont be cheap and regret it ????
Josh ****
@Jerald *******
lol.
Stuart ***********
Why must your account be in Bangkok?
I realise it would be ideal, but 28,000 is ridiculous.
If you open an account in Pattaya, the bank in Bkk can still provide the banking letters for immigration. Also, if you use the cardless withdrawal option on your phone to get cash from the ATM anywhere in Thailand without being charged a fee.
I realise it would be ideal, but 28,000 is ridiculous.
If you open an account in Pattaya, the bank in Bkk can still provide the banking letters for immigration. Also, if you use the cardless withdrawal option on your phone to get cash from the ATM anywhere in Thailand without being charged a fee.
Fasih *******
@Andy *******
can you suggest a reliable pattaya agent you had experience with?
Hans-Georg ******
28.000 Baht is a joke!
Anthony ******************
Just got a letter from Immigration walked I to the Krungsri bank and ope Ed account 200thb
Michael **********
Cost me 16thousand bht with agent fee and insurance but it was in khon kaen
Mark ********
I walked into a Krungsri bank and opened one on a T/V. Told them I was buying a condo here and I needed a bank a/c. All done in around 40 minutes. You may have to buy some insurance. I didnt but I have heard of bank staff "suggesting" you buy some...if you know what I mean.
Mark ********
the insurance was only 4 or 5 thousand baht.
Neale *********
I spoke to a visa agent when I was in Pattaya last time and was quoted 4500 to open a bank account
Vijay *****
Can a person open a Thai Bank acct on DTV visa?
Brandon ************
@Vijay ****
DTV is a tourist visa. It doesn't give you any special ability to open a bank accountVijay *****
@Brandon ***********
..thanks
Evan *******
@Nova *************************
they can do it for a fraction of the cost but you need a few docs
John ********
Go out of the country and get a Non 0 visa
Eric ******
@John *******
I'm on a non O now and will leave before it expires in 3 weeks. If im I'm Singapore or the Philippines I can get another Non O visa for my return, or it has to be done in my home country?Chris *******
If you are not in exemption i can recomment a trust agent in BKK
Eric ******
@Chris ******
hi Chris. I’m in the same boat as Andy can you recommend an agent? I have a couple weeks left on my Non O. I’d like to go ahead and get it now so I can have the money transferred when I come back and look at getting the retirement extension. and any idea of how much the fee is? Thanks.Andy ********
OP@Eric *****
is it possible to come back and get the extension?Eric ******
@Chris ******
I got it. Thanks.Eric ******
@Chris ******
I just the Non O, only single entry, so I have to bounce in 2 weeks. I’m hoping to find a way to get a Non O before I return.Chris *******
@Andy *******
i have sent dm on messenger, check your message requestChris *******
@Andy *******
please talk to him ..If you come back before your visa exipre.. yes.. of course
Don't forget to buy a re-entry before to leave..
Without re-entry you lose your visa when come back
Andy ********
OP@Chris ******
thanks, unfortunately I will be on exemption, at least until I start getting my non O ready Q1 next yearChris *******
@Andy *******
almost impossible to open a bank account in exemption 😞😞Chris *******
@Andy *******
unfortunaltly.. very hard..I have a friend agent, he tried few weeks ago for a customer but has been rejected by the bank
Andy ********
OP@Chris ******
thanks Chris, is it possible with exemption through an agent though?
Henrik *****
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9-thailand-to-implement-stringent-compliance-regulations-for-new-bank-accounts?
Us *****
Why do you need it in Bkk?
Andy ********
OP@Us ****
I understand there are charges when withdrawing. Also if I ever need to visit my main branch it's much easier in Bangkok for meUs *****
@Andy *******
use your mobile phone at an atm to withdraw your money and it is free. If you deposit cash into a different branch then they will charge you a small fee. But I use wise to deposit money so it is okay. Worst case scenario, tell the misses you "have to" go to Pattaya to deposit money. You'll have to stay the night too since it is dangerous to go back.Andy ********
OP@Eric *****
yeah the guy at that agent is called Mark Chevalier. Good luck getting it, I'm sure you'll be fineEric ******
@Andy *******
that is the owners of the site? I thought I read someone on here say $2600 or $2900 baht if you already have a Non O, much harder with a TV or exemption. I am confident I could do it with more time. I drug my feet on the retirement extension when the USD nosedived over the past few months. But even getting an account will save on ATM fees. Thanks. I’ll check them out. Someone else on here said the same about them not responding after being good to start. Hmmm.Andy ********
OP@Eric *****
hi, I plan to fly over in November, and it looks like I'll need to go to Pattaya. The team here at one stop visa, quoted 5k baht. They respond quick the first time, but then they don't answer.. Give them a go... Please let me know how you get on.. 🙂 ******************************
Eric ******
@Andy *******
hey Andy. what did you ever do about a bank account? I’m in the same boat now and I’m looking at traveling to Pattaya to open one up. Were you able to get it done? Thanks.Andy ********
OP@Us ****
lol great advise thanks... I think my only option is to visit Pattaya... 🙂
Andy **********
@Andy *******
cardless out of province ATM withdrawals are free, it's usually around ฿15 if you use the physical card out of province, most people just open an account wherever they can get one, when you get settled somewhere permanently, and your on a long-term visa, you can open another account anywhere yourself.
Frank **********
@Andy *******
my bank charges ,15 baht for an out of province withdrawal. Not a significant fee.Frank **********
@Andy *********
okay thanks for the info.Andy **********
@Frank *********
use the cardless withdrawal function in the banking application, for out of province withdrawals it's free, you only get that ฿15 charge if using the physical card.
Marty *********
@Andy *******
There are no charges if you use cardless withdrawal at an ATM
Gayeeva ******
It’s almost impossible to open a thai bank in Bangkok, that’s why the price is 28k 😃
Samuel ********
@Gayeeva *****
March 2023 I opened one in Bangkok pretty much within an hour walk in. Second day being on the groundTore *********
@Gayeeva *****
not really, did it myself on first branch i tried. DTV and medical certificateGayeeva ******
@Tore ********
send the location thenTore *********
@Gayeeva *****
Unless you speak fluent thai, calling around wouldn’t be very effective though.Thais do like to get rid of the phone call if their English isn’t great.
Gayeeva ******
@Tore ********
🤷♀️Tore *********
@Gayeeva *****
I don’t know what to tell you then. 🤷🏻♂️I just walked out of there 2 hours ago with account and ATM card i hand.
My thai friend had called another branch few days ago which told her the 3 months + visa requirement and medical 3 months + treatment requirement. But you do need an actual medical treatment plan from a hospital.
Unless you speak fluent thai, calling around wouldn’t be very effective though.
Gayeeva ******
@Tore ********
called that branch and they said it’s not possibleTore *********
@Gayeeva *****
the one closest to Vimut hospital. But according to my thai friend that called around for me, most branches will open account if: - visa longer than 3 months AND
- medical treatment plan longer than 3 months
Other than that you need work permit/visa, retirement visa, condo ownership etc.
Normal tourist visa isn’t possible.
Michael ********
Not many people can do it in Bangkok, hence the price tag
Andy ********
OPMichael Dawson thanks, I'm starting to get the impression this is going to be a challenge... But would be good to get a comparison.. Maybe I'll just try some random agents
Phil *******
@Andy *******
may be worth a trip to Pattaya, cost me 5000, back in April, I would guess, that once you have an account, you get it changed to another branch, or area.
Jon *****
@Tony ********
I have a Kasikorn Bank account opened in Pattaya and I wasn't charged anything for using Kasikorn's ATMs in Bangkok 🤔
Rene ********
@Tony ********
right
Tony *********
@Andy *********
I always use cardless ATM withdrawals now. If you're with Kasikorn you can also use Bangkok Bank ATMs. But it's best to also carry the plastic card as well because you never know, your phone could blow up.Andy **********
@Tony ********
Phil Lewis cardless ATM withdrawals are free for out of Provence withdrawals, you only get the small ATM fee, if you use the physical card, which I personally would rather not do, just in case the ATM swallows the card, and for some reason you can't get it returned.Phil *******
@Tony ********
thank youTony *********
@Phil ******
in Thailand if you open a bank account in a particular branch it will always remain in that branch even if you move to a completely different area. You can change your address with the bank but the account will always stay with the home branch.In practical terms that means if you move to a different province you will pay a small commission for ATM transactions because your account is still at the home branch and always will be unless you close it and open another account in the different province.
Michael ********
@Andy *******
siam legal, thai visa centre only two i know that maybe able to assistAndy ********
OP@Michael *******
ok cheers, siam legal have said only available in Pattaya, I will try Thai visa centre.. Appreciate your helpActivity
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