This is NOT an official government website. We are an independent resource providing information and assistance to travelers.

What are the challenges of opening a bank account in Thailand for expats with a spouse who has dementia?

Dec 8, 2025

2 days ago

I had many comments on my last post that Kasikorn bank was the easiest to set up account. I just left there because my wife (who has dementia and who won’t even be on the account couldn’t sign her name exactly the same on 3 documents. Again, she won’t even be on the account. Going to try SCB bank. I guess Kasikorn doesn’t want my money.

2,734

views

likes

all likes

replies

images

users

TLDR : Answer Summary

The post discusses the difficulties encountered by an expat trying to open a bank account at Kasikorn Bank due to complications arising from needing a spouse, who has dementia, to sign documents. Despite previous recommendations for Kasikorn, the author faces issues with the signing requirements and plans to try SCB and has eventually succeeded with Government Savings Bank. The comments provide various suggestions, highlighting that the spouse's presence is unnecessary if not on the account, and share experiences from different banks.

Pelle Eriksson★★★★★

Absolutely Bangkok's best service I highly...

recently on Facebook

Luca G.★★★★★

I used this agency for my DTV Visa...

recently on Google

Trusted Thai Visa Agent

OVER 100,000 EXPATS SERVED

#1 VISA AGENT IN THAILAND

Tom *******

Well done

I bet you feel really relieved cos it can be stressful

Grab a beer to celebrate

a day ago

Olav *********

My girl did not sign anything in k bank little over a month back.

a day ago

Steven ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Thanks for comments but we were successful obtaining an account at GSB (Government Savings Bank) with very little hassle.

2 days ago

Paul ********

@Steven *******

pleased it's all sorted, when I got my accounts in kbank they didn't ask the wife for anything, it was me who had the issues signing the same twice, lol, pleased your sorted, 😁

a day ago

Reply to

Paul ********

Steven ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

She’s a Thai citizen and has access to healthcare. There are some very good treatment centers here from my research. Her dementia hasn’t progressed to the point of needing professional care. For the time being her niece provides her day to day care.

2 days ago

Art *******

Not sure if people with dementia need periodic medical check-ups, but curious how you handle that in a foreign country.

As for the bank, is your wife needing to sign because you are applying for a residential visa?

Could her condition hinder the residential visa itself.

Appears they go hand-in-hand. Anyways, best of luck.

2 days ago

Frank **********

My signature is probably never the exact same. When I was dealing with Bangkok Bank and had to sign some paperwork they kept making me sign my name until it matched the signature in the bank book. Didn't even know there was a signature in it until the used a special light to see it.

2 days ago

Colin *********

@Frank *********

"probably"... while my handwriting is always legible though I don't have 'style' like a lot of others, as much as I try, my signature is NEVER the same. Put two, three, four, or more documents in front of me to sign and all signatures will be slightly different 🤣🤷🏼

a day ago

Steven ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Actually they did go over to her and get her thumbprint on marriage certificate, why wasn’t that even a consideration at the others?

2 days ago

Steven ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

I probably signed 10 different documents at GSB and I’m sure none were exactly the same but that’s what they wanted from my wife at both Kasikorn & SCB.

2 days ago

Kim *********

@Steven *******

you were lucky - only 10! I am not exaggerating - when I opened an account in bangkok bank 6 years ago it was about THIRTY times a had to write my name! A couple years ago an additional account with Krungsri - not bad - about 10. Worse at immi for the extension of stay though - OMG 😩sore hand for days

a day ago

Reply to

Kim *********

Mel ******

@Frank *********

yep same for me here in thailand and for my bank in sg.

2 days ago

Reply to

Mel ******

James **********

I’m with Bangkok bank and cannot fault them

They always treat me well

2 days ago

Julie ********

Well, they can be awkward too.

a day ago

Reply to

Julie ********

Tom *******

Don’t need wife with you as long as have residence certificate from immigration

2 days ago

Jay *******

Why would she be signing anything if she isn't going to be on the account? Like others have mentioned, go alone

2 days ago

Brandon ************

Go without your wife and don't even mention that you're married.

2 days ago

Jim *******

@Brandon ***********

I made that mistake and Kasikorn wanted to see my wife, marriage certificate, her ID and to sign 3 photocopies of her documents.

I should not have said I am married. Possibly, the bank clerk thought I was on marriage based Non-O visa if they really knew of Non O visa types.

She came to the bank and it was all sorted out within 10 minutes but still.

a day ago

Steven ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Thanks but I went to GSB (Government Savings Bank) and they had me sign the documents (Thai marriage certificate, etc.) and they complied everything and gave me a savings deposit book and debit card and sent me on my way. They talked to my wife but didn’t require her to sign anything.

2 days ago

Wayne *********

@Brandon ***********

Agree. I opened account with Bangkok bank without the wife and BB supposed to be the hardest

2 days ago

James ********

@Brandon ***********

absolutely

2 days ago

Reply to

James ********

Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else