Hi all, just thought I'd put something up here about my experience opening a bank account today. I am currently in Thailand on a Non O based around my son, this is my first Non O and I needed the bank account to apply for my visa extension. TLDR Bangkok bank wont give you a bank account on an initial Non O since the rule changes so use KBank for new accounts!
The first branch I visited was the Exchange Tower Bangkok bank. The lady I spoke to wasnt very polite and it was clear she didn't want anything to do with me. She asked for a copy of my passport, my driving license, my sons birth certificate, my girlfriends ID and a copy of my sons passport. When I showed her printed copies of all of this she told me I needed a letter from a UK embassy that confirmed my passport was truly my passport. At this point I thanked her for her time and left.
The second branch I visited was the Bangkok bank opposite Sukhumvit Soi 11. This was a very different experience, the lady was very polite and started to process my application until she noticed the stamp in my passport was only for 3 months. At this point she explained that with the recent changes to Thai banking, Bangkok bank will no longer give bank accounts to anyone who hasn't already extended their visa. Basically anything less than 4 months and the banks policy is to refuse you.
The third and final branch I went to was the Kasikorn Bank in the Two Pacific Place building in Sukhumvit, just a short walk from the Nana BTS station. The lady was very helpful, only required to see an electronic version of my visa, an original passport, sons birth certificate and my girlfriends national ID card. I was only in the branch for about 30 minutes and I left with a new account, a functioning app on my phone and she even gave me a little tour of the KPlus banking app before I left.
TLDR : Answer Summary
This discussion highlights various experiences of expats attempting to open bank accounts in Thailand while on a Non-O visa. The author emphasizes that Bangkok Bank has become less accommodating due to recent regulations, specifically denying accounts to those with a short visa stamping period (less than 4 months). Conversely, Kasikorn Bank appears to provide a more streamlined and helpful service for individuals on Non-O visas, requiring fewer documents and offering efficient account setup. Several comments echo similar sentiments about the customer service differences between the two banks, with many recommending Kasikorn for banking needs.
NON-O RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
- Go to the Retirement Visa Section for information on requirements, including age restrictions, financial requirements, and necessary documentation.
- For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
- Explore recent discussions by using the Non-O Retirement Visa tag in the search box at the top of the page.
- Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.
