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What are the current requirements for opening a bank account in Thailand on a Non-OA visa?

Non-OA Visa Thai Bank Account Requirements Banking in Thailand Certificate of Residence Visa Regulation Changes Immigration Documentation Expats in Thailand

Apr 4, 2025

7 days ago

Stephen *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Relative to the many posts about opening a bank account, the rules have indeed changed and tightened up. I have been a resident of Thailand on a Non-OA visa for ten years, and have two Bangkok Bank accounts- my original one in Bangkok, and the second of which I opened 3 years ago in Jomtien Pattaya. I was only asked for my passport and visa for that one, but today I tried to open a new one in Sa Kaeo to use for my visa renewal in the Immigration Office in Aranyaprathep in August. They informed me that they now require a letter from Immigration, which if I understood correctly is a Certificate of Residence. I plan to do that next week. Any tips on what will be required?

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The rules for opening a bank account in Thailand have changed, requiring a Certificate of Residence from Immigration for new accounts. A long-term resident on a Non-OA visa shares their experience attempting to open a new account, after previously only needing their passport and visa. Community members discuss the necessity of this certificate, varying requirements across branches, and documents typically needed, such as the TM30 form and a recent tax certificate from the home country.

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Steve *********

Thanks all. Will first get a Certificate of Residence, and thanks for the possible hitch about having more than 2 bank accounts at the same bank.

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Frangipani *******

Hello there, requirements vary from branch to branch, I would recommend you have the following documents:

Passport

Visa stamp

Certificate of Residence

TM30

Most recent Tax Certificate from your home country (That was a new requirement last year when I opened my Bangkok Bank account in Bophut, Samui).

And one for Thailand, if you have one

You MUST provide them with a Thai phone 📱 number and obviously a Thai 🇹🇭 address

Email address also

Good luck 😀

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Glenn *****

That has been true for many years

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George *******

Don't understand why people need multiple bank accounts in any country. I must be missing something. As a well seasoned traveller for over forty years I have ever only had two bank accounts, one in my own country and one in any country I was living in at any one time.

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Donald ******

yup. Why? I would be suspicious. Hahaha

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Frangipani *******

yes, you are missing something.

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George *******

@Frangipani ******

Keeping it secret then are you?

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George *******

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David *********

Because here it is all on region , I suppose he could close one but I'd assume he has moved and when you withdraw outside the region it charges you , and he wanted local one for current retirement Visa , this would be why I'd assume .. practical.

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Steve *********

@David ********

correct. and wanted to show deposits in the same Immigration region that I am now living in.

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Steve *********

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Jordee ******

International transfers: certain accounts (like those in Bangkok Bank or Kasikorn) are more friendly for sending and receiving money from abroad.

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Jordee ******

Many expats in Thailand have multiple bank accounts for practical reasons:

To separate personal and business finances

To benefit from specific bank features (better exchange rates, lower fees, better apps)

To meet visa requirements (showing funds in a Thai account)

As a backup in case one account has issues

Because some banks have poor online services

For easier international transfers

It’s mainly about convenience, flexibility, and fulfilling legal/financial needs.

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George *******

I worked internationally for over fifty years and although I never needed any business accounts and I earned quite good salaries, not picking for a few £ or $ of interest a year I would of found it too much trouble to be bothered with. If your referring to tens of thousands of $ ,€, or £ I understand.

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Jordee ******

It doesn't matter to me tens of thousands, I have two debit accounts... one for leisure expenses and another for monthly expenses.In the second one I also receive international money transfers.It's a matter of systematic organization. Like having several drawers for different uses.

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Jordee ******

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Gregory ******

I went to open a 3rd bank account with Bangkok Bank and was advised as a foreigner you can only have 2 bank accounts with the same Bank. So off i went K Bank to open account with no problems. I am in Lopburi district so may be different to your location.

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Carsten ************

Certificate of Residence is a requirement at any bank nowadays.

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Willem ****

@Carsten ***********

There are no universal requirement for Thai bankaccounts. As always in Thailand its never the same everywhere.

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Ken ********

@Carsten ***********

not always, I didn't need on 2 weeks ago

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Carsten ************

having a house book or work permit or anything else what certifies your address might work as well, but in general a certification of your residency is required.

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Stephen *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Bangkok Bank in Sa Kaeo requires one. The bank officer thumbed through a hefty manual of reference pages and found the list they have to use. It didn't help that I already had a Bangkok Bank account in Pattaya, and she also noticed that i don't have a TM30 for my last arrival April 1 (uh oh- fine to be paid)

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Stephen *********

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John **********

You need to have registered with your immigration office then ask for a certificate of residence

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John **********

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