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What are the challenges of opening a bank account in Thailand for expats with a spouse who has dementia?
Dec 8, 2025
5 months ago
Steven ********
ORIGINAL POSTERI 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.
TLDR : Answer Summary
The user faces challenges in opening a bank account at Kasikorn Bank due to their wife's inability to sign documents consistently because of dementia. Despite receiving advice to pursue the account alone and avoid mentioning marital status, they plan to try SCB bank instead. After further comments, the user successfully opened an account at Government Savings Bank with little hassle. Discussions also touched on healthcare access for the user's wife, who is a Thai citizen.
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Tom *******
Well done
I bet you feel really relieved cos it can be stressful
Grab a beer to celebrate
I bet you feel really relieved cos it can be stressful
Grab a beer to celebrate
Olav *********
My girl did not sign anything in k bank little over a month back.
Steven ********
ORIGINAL POSTERThanks for comments but we were successful obtaining an account at GSB (Government Savings Bank) with very little hassle.
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, 😁Reply to
Paul ********
Reply
Steven ********
ORIGINAL POSTERShe’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.
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.
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.
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.
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 🤣🤷🏼Steven ********
ORIGINAL POSTERActually they did go over to her and get her thumbprint on marriage certificate, why wasn’t that even a consideration at the others?
Steven ********
ORIGINAL POSTERI 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.
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 daysReply to
Kim *********
Reply
Mel ******
@Frank *********
yep same for me here in thailand and for my bank in sg.Reply to
Mel ******
Reply
James **********
I’m with Bangkok bank and cannot fault them
They always treat me well
They always treat me well
Julie ********
Well, they can be awkward too.
Reply to
Julie ********
Reply
Tom *******
Don’t need wife with you as long as have residence certificate from immigration
Jay *******
Why would she be signing anything if she isn't going to be on the account? Like others have mentioned, go alone
Brandon ************
Go without your wife and don't even mention that you're married.
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.
Steven ********
ORIGINAL POSTERThanks 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.
Wayne *********
@Brandon ***********
Agree. I opened account with Bangkok bank without the wife and BB supposed to be the hardestJames ********
@Brandon ***********
absolutelyReply to
James ********
Reply
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