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Unanswereda year ago

What are the best travel or visa agents in Bangkok for opening a bank account on a tourist visa?

Ayoub **********
asked Jun 20, 2025
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May I know recommended best travel agent in Bangkok the goal to open a thai bank acc

I went to 10+ branches they all refused me cause on a tourist visa
Summary so far
The discussion revolves around the challenges faced by tourists in opening a Thai bank account, particularly when holding a tourist visa. Many participants claim it's nearly impossible to get a bank account without transitioning to a long-term visa. Recommendations for travel agents like 'Thai Visa Centre' and 'SS Thai Co Ltd' are mentioned, but they emphasize that these agents typically can only assist with obtaining a long-term visa. Current regulations have tightened, making it difficult for those on tourist visas to secure a bank account.
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Michael *******
Michael *******
Try an ATM good for most cards - res
Nongnuch ********
Nongnuch ********
@Ayoub *********
on a touristic entry, you cannot get a Thai bank account opened any more, since February 2025. It was briefly possible with the help of an agent, if you bought their service to apply for the "change of visa type" from the tourist entry to a 90-days Non-Imm-O Retirement Visa, but about 2 weeks ago an agent informed me that this possibilty got discontinued. So it is not possible any more even if you try an agent. Maybe a window will open, again ? Corruption is rampant.
John *********
John *********
You will most probably not be able to open one now. The authorities are tightening the screws
James *******
James *******
Go to Pattaya open acc
Nongnuch ********
Nongnuch ********
@James ******
not possible any more, not even through an agent
John *********
John *********
@James ******
it will easily be frozen though and what ever side money paid will be money down the drain.
Art *******
Art *******
And why would you think that people can open bank accounts on tourist visas?

Of course, you have to show intent to immigrate there…
Christopher ******
Christopher ******
@Art ******
to bring money in economically for a 90 day stay. That would be a lot of cash to carry otherwise.
THAI ******************************
THAI ******************************
We only offer these services for clients wishing to obtain a long term visa as well.

Otherwise it is against current banking policy, as most branches have been put on notice to not open accounts for expats on tourist or exempt entry.

The best option if possible is to obtain a non-immigrant visa before coming to Thailand, and then you can easily open an account.
Brian ********
Brian ********
Henrik *****
Henrik *****
Reconsider if a Thai bankaccount is need-to-have or nice-to-have.

Banks in Thailand are like everywhere in the world, interested in having good stable customers, that have a permanent address, a steady easy traceable income, and use the account all year round.

That is why the banks are reluctant to give accounts to people on short time ( read: tourist ) visas, and who only spend part of the year in Thailand.

Don’t expect to get a residence certificat, until you have stayed at a permanent adress in at least 3 month, since that is what the residence certificat should confirm.

Furthermore the added attention on whitewashing of money, is an added burden on the banks, so reluctant depositing large amounts isn’t a guaranteed way to open an account.

The value of a resident certificat, had gone down, since Immigration Officers are giving them to people that are not on a longterm visa, or have stayed severel months at 1 adress in Thailand, so even if it is a formal requirement, the bank make up their own assesment of the stability of the want-to-be customer.

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77-foreigners-face-new-hurdles-in-opening-thai-bank-accounts/

Be aware there is a error in the start of the article ( and several other copy - paste media with the same article )

A Thai Bankaccount has never been a requirement to get DTV, on the contrary it has been one of the big advantage over other visa, that you could get DTV as long as you could show 500.000 Baht equivalent in any bank anywhere in the world.

It has never been the intention that DTV visaholders should be in need of a Thai bankaccount.

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929?
Tore *********
Tore *********
@Henrik ****
you can get residency certificate in Bangkok even on visa exemption now. Other than that your right and the certificate won’t really help anyway
Betty *********
Betty *********
Probably impossible with a tourist visa these days.
Nigel **************
Nigel **************
And you need a Visa Agent not a Travel Agent
James ******
James ******
I saw a sign at agent wanted 15,000
Mike ******
Mike ******
Open a bank account on a tourist visa....???
Alain *******
Alain *******
Just don't
Richard ******
Richard ******
Why you need Thai bank account as a tourist?
Jarmo *********
Jarmo *********
@Richard *****
bc its handy
Alessandro ***********
Alessandro ***********
@Ric****
wasn’t really part of the question was it… or any of your business 🤣
Braulio *********
Braulio *********
@Alessandro **********
No need to be rude
Alessandro ***********
Alessandro ***********
@Bra****
not used to people disagreeing with you & being direct eh. ❄️

The guy trying to ask personal questions was rude. Tbh.
Braulio *********
Braulio *********
Alessandro ***********
Alessandro ***********
@Bra****
nothing rude there pal. It’s literally got nothing to do with you why he wants an account, nor was it part of the question. Factual statement that.
Sammy *****
Sammy *****
@Alessandro **********
Your BFF, Ayoub, could not figure out the cause of "10+ denials", is there anything wrong with him?
Gustavo *********
Gustavo *********
@Richard *****
He probably have plans to stay obviously
Graham ******
Graham ******
Did you get a residence certificate from Immigration or just turn up with your passport?
Ayoub **********
Ayoub **********
OP
@Graham *****
just passport and they didn't ask for anything
Graham ******
Graham ******
@Ayoub *********
maybe that's why
Nongnuch ********
Nongnuch ********
@Graham *****
It doesn't matter if he didn't have a certificate of residence. Overall, the possibility of being able to get a bank account opened on a touristic entry, got stalled by February 2025, and it was briefly possible afterwards if you applied for the "change of visa type" to the 90-days Non-Imm-O visa. But a couple of weeks ago, this window of opportunity also closed. . . . at the moment there is no agent who can get around it
Jeremy ********
Jeremy ********
4-6 weeks ago the Thai govt cracked down on anyone without a long term visa obtaining a bank acct

This was due to the scam Centers
Tom ********
Tom ********
@Jeremy *******
Exactly. Intentions are good. Trying to stop the money laundering.

Unfortunately, the visa laws will have to sort out the issue in the future. It will take time.
Stuart *********
Stuart *********
Almost impossible these days without using a visa agent. I’ve not heard of a travel agent offering bank account services.
Matts *************
Matts *************
@Stuart ********
Cambodia Tours on Soi Buakhao helped me get a retirement extension and a bank account
Nongnuch ********
Nongnuch ********
@Matts ************
how long ago was that? That possibility got stalled by February 2025, and it was briefly possible afterwards if you applied for the "change of visa type" to the 90-days Non-Imm-O visa. But a couple of weeks ago, this window of opportunity also closed
Jim ********
Jim ********
@Stuart ********
it’s impossible with an agent these days too unless you have a long term visa
Stuart *********
Stuart *********
@Jim *******
No it’s not. If your agent says it is get a new agent.
Stuart *********
Stuart *********
@Nongnuch *******
I’ve asked them directly. They can do it still but as part of a package.
Nongnuch ********
Nongnuch ********
@Stuart ********
the agent I know was doing it under the preamples of said joint service, of doing the change to a Non-O and the extension. But two weeks ago this window eventually closed on him. I doubt if Thai Visa Centre can still do it, maybe your info is obsolete, maybe I am wrong and TVC still has their fingers on a corrupt official both inside the bank and inside Immigration
Stuart *********
Stuart *********
@Nongnuch *******
Mate it is possible. You just need the right agent. Almost certainly they won’t do it as a seperate service but only as a joint thing as opening the account and getting a Non O (and extension).
Nongnuch ********
Nongnuch ********
@Stuart ********
mate, it is not possible any more, not even with the help of an agent. . . . . maybe some day in the future, another window of corruption will open, but that's just speculation. At the moment we speak, there is no agent in the whole of Thailand who now can open a bank account for somebody who did a touristic entry
Jim ********
Jim ********
@Stuart ********
Pattaya/Jomtien and Phuket. I used to have like 10 agents that could always open accounts but since the Bangkok bank issues with the chinese money laundering none of them can open them anymore without a long term visa. Thai visa centre cannot open them either as they were one of my contacts. I have my account but I’m always asked by people to give recommendations but right now I don’t know any agents that can open them unless you have a long term visa

I am happy to take any recommendations to any agent anywhere in Thailand that can assist still
Stuart *********
Stuart *********
@Jim *******
Where are you trying? Pattaya? If so you’re going to have issues. The issue with this group is that people don’t give enough information about their issues in order to help in many cases. They believe that everywhere in Thailand offers the same experience they’ve had and can’t accept that elsewhere may differ.

Speak to
@THAI *****************************
. They own the group. They may be able to help you.
Jim ********
Jim ********
@Stuart ********
this is the issue with this group. The “group expert” tells me to get a new agent if they cant open a bank account (10 can’t) yet you have given me no recommendations to back up your claim 🤷‍♂️
Jim ********
Jim ********
@Stuart ********
any luck mate?
Jim ********
Jim ********
@Stuart ********
let me know a recommendation please 👌
Jim ********
Jim ********
@Stuart ********
could you recommend one please as all my contacts circa 10 agents in Pattaya/Jomtien and Phuket cannot get them anymore unless you have a long term visa
Ayoub **********
Ayoub **********
OP
@Stuart ********
yesh i mean visa agent
Ant ***********
Ant ***********
Rule changes make it nearly impossible to get a bank acc on a TV

Try
@THAI *****************************
Lukas ********
Lukas ********
You need a long-term visa. Banks no longer open accounts for people on tourist visas.
David *******
David *******
@Lukas *******
The first time I got retirement it was from dealing with the Thai Embassy in Australia, showing my bank statements proving funds ,and 2 police checks Australia and Thailand and health Insurance for an OA( no other choice )
Dianne ********
Dianne ********
@David ******
hi David I’m interested in the RV but wondered about the Health Insurance part as I’ll be 68 or 69 and probably not able to get that. How old are you and some details, if you would please?
David *******
David *******
@Dianne *******
Only med insurance. for OA
Dianne ********
Dianne ********
@David ******
so you don’t have to have formal Med Ins for Retirement Visa? Sorry not informed enough to distinguish O from OA. 🙏
David *******
David *******
@Dianne *******
I recommend an O visa no insurance needed.

I changed my OA VISA to an O visa because I was over 70 and discovered AXA expected me to pay the first 300,000b.

I now self insure by keeping about 1,000,000b in the bank.
Natasha ********
Natasha ********
SS Thai Co Ltd
Natasha ********
Natasha ********
Thai Visa Centre
Andy ************
Andy ************
@Natasha *******
They won't open an account unless you're buying a visa off them

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