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What are the current challenges faced by expats in Thailand when opening bank accounts?
Thailand bankingexpat banking issuesNON-O visaopening bank accountsretiree bankingexpat challengesThai Visa Centerbank account requirements
Jul 17, 2025
9 months ago
Mark *********
ORIGINAL POSTERReceived this from THAI VISA CENTRE - visa agent this morning:
We've received many concerns from first-time retirees about opening bank accounts.
We can assist with this, but space is limited.
Please note we may not be able to offer this service after July.
If you would like our help, please reply to this message so we can reserve a spot for you.
We've received many concerns from first-time retirees about opening bank accounts.
We can assist with this, but space is limited.
Please note we may not be able to offer this service after July.
If you would like our help, please reply to this message so we can reserve a spot for you.
TLDR : Answer Summary
Expats, particularly retirees, are facing significant challenges in opening bank accounts in Thailand. A message from a Thai Visa Centre highlighted that many first-time retirees have had difficulties, prompting the agency to offer assistance with limited spots available until July. There are reports of various banks, such as SCB and Kasikorn, denying account openings to non-Thai residents unless they possess specific documentation, like a yellow book or marriage certificates. Some users have successfully opened accounts with Krungthai after facing multiple rejections from other banks, emphasizing the urgency of securing a bank account. Recent changes in regulations also hold banks liable for scams, leading them to be cautious about opening accounts for foreigners. Overall, the situation is fluid, with fluctuating requirements, and expats are advised to act quickly.
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.
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Mark *****************
Must be thousands of us waiting to open bank accounts the Thai government wants us there so surely they will have to step in somewhere down the line.
THAI ******************************
@Mark ****************
Another option is to apply for your Non-O visa before arriving in Thailand. Once you arrive with the correct visa, opening a bank account is generally straightforward.This service is intended for those who are already in Thailand.
Unfortunately, the situation for opening accounts on tourist visas or visa-exempt entries does not seem to be improving.
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THAI ******************************
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Trav **********
What a sales pitch, business must be slow 🥴
THAI ******************************
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THAI ******************************
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Mark *********
Hurry hurry hurry, limited space and time
They sound like door to door sales men
They sound like door to door sales men
THAI ******************************
@Mark ********
Yes, we can only accommodate a limited number of clients per day for this service.This message serves as advance notice so that if a client contacts us next month asking why we couldn’t assist them, we can refer back to this communication.
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THAI ******************************
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Michael ********
The Law was changed in April holding bank liable, guess they been having issues and this is the result.
******************************************************************************************************************************
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66/new-law-holds-banks-telecoms-social-media-companies-responsible-for-scamsBrandon ************
@Michael *******
This is the base reason all of this is happening now. The banks simply don't want to accept any liability. If there's even a .01% chance you might cost them money, they won't do business with you.Michael ********
@Brandon ***********
Yes you get loads of posts everyday but no one mentions this, course they dont want to be held liableReply to
Michael ********
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Max *************
Just ask for the price and which bank it is.
Tony **********
@Max ************
and where it is. Could be 100km away...THAI ******************************
@Tony *********
We are bangkok based, the branch would be in bangkok.This service is for those who have tried every other possible option and have not been able to open an account (which is common right now).
Max *************
@Tony *********
No it can't because these agents knows why you need a bank account. But now when requirements are changing,they might not be able to do accounts. But as always,it differs between branches and provinces.Tony **********
@Max ************
your assumption is that agents have your best interest in mind...Max *************
@Tony *********
Have you ever heard about any agent opening a bank account 100k away? No,you haven't. You should stop whining. Just saying.Tony **********
@Max ************
Actuallyi have heard of it. I don't know how common it is because I wouldn't use an agent. But as accounts get scarcer, the odds increase. Just saying it's something to ask about.Reply to
Tony **********
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Ron ******
@Tony ****
I'm married to a Thai and still needed the yellow book. My embassy issues the income verification letter so it wasn't an issue.Chris *****
The situation is ever changing. Get your bank account asap if you need it. Don’t wait. Your choice.
Tony *****
@Chris ****
thanks Chris. It felt like that as well 🤣🤣🤣Tony *****
@Chris ****
finally succeeded today with Krungthai. Done in less than 30 minutes. Thanks everyone for the excellent advice. (Well most people🤣🤣)Sue **********
@Tony ****
So you just had a non-immi-O visa, not married and with a rental accomodation?Tony *****
@Sue *********
yes. Not married. I had certificate of residency from immigration and a utility bill in the form of a Mobile bill. Me and my fiancé are living with relatives until our home is built so there is not rental agreement. I eventually managed to open an account with Krungthai. Not ideal but at least it allows me to transfer the 800k for extension of stayReply to
Tony *****
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Chris *****
@Tony ****
which Krungthai branch?Tony *****
@Chris ****
it was in Lom Sak. Absolutely no problem whatsoever. They didn’t even blink. The only query they had was why where we in Lom Sak when home is Phetchabun. We were visiting sick relative. They were happy with that. So easyChris *****
@Tony ****
I guess the smaller unknown bank branches should be ok 👍🏻Reply to
Chris *****
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Chris *****
@Tony ****
🥳🥳🥳Reply to
Chris *****
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Tony *****
I tried to open accounts with several SCB branches. Denied in all. The lady told us that there was a meeting last week with SCB staff where they were told not to open accounts for foreigners unless they were either married or in possession of yellow house book. Your visa was pretty irrelevant!! She said that the incident in Pattaya with laundering Chinese accounts has everyone panicking. I was also denied at several Kasikorn branches. Luckily Krungthai opened one for me today after three days of trying.
Doug ********
@Tony ****
got my account in early June told.much the sameTony *****
@Doug *******
crazy times. I hope it’s just a blip. Time for the banks to realign with Government rules.Doug ********
@Tony ****
yeah that's the most frustrating thing that bank and immigration want different things that don't seem to align any more. I think there is a really easy solution...The bank let you open an account with a sum of money, however the account isn't fully working you show immigration you have it, then immigration give you the one year extension,show the bank and they make the account fully working... easy answer, lol
Tony *****
@Doug *******
I like that suggestion lolReply to
Tony *****
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Bob **********
Wait until you hear the price
THAI ******************************
Many of the comments here seem to overlook the current reality.
If you’d attempted to open a bank account in the past month without a long-term visa, you’d understand the situation firsthand.
If you’d attempted to open a bank account in the past month without a long-term visa, you’d understand the situation firsthand.
Reply to
THAI ******************************
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Ant ***********
Hmm
More changes in August 🤔
More changes in August 🤔
Pete *******
@Ant **********
sounds like the Bank Manager of their friendly branch is either moving or retiring.Keith *******
@Pete ******
I'd say he's grabbed his money and ran!Reply to
Keith *******
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Stuart ***********
@Ant **********
seems more like a classic sales technique...here's something I am going to tell you that you need and if you don't buy it now, it will be gone!Ant ***********
Reply to
Ant ***********
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