What are the experiences of opening a bank account in Thailand for expats on a retirement visa?

No need to buy any unneccessary insurance. Just ask to see the bank manager...

I had that issue at Bangkok Bank in Pattaya. Its a scam of theirs. I refussed and went to Imigration for a residency certificate. Went back to the bank and the lady looked pissed but opened my account. But I am here on a retirement visa.

Depends on your age. I had that once. I said go ahead and they went through all the opening paperwork etc and at the last screen it told them I was too old for their insurance!!! Still got the account though 555

Kasikorn Bank never had an issue when opened mine

Message me, I have friend work at k bank- you can get it without buying any extra products IMHO! But the branch is in Bangkok

When they asked me to buy insurance, I laughed and asked them, “why would I buy insurance when I already had insurance as a condition of my visa”?

When they were unable to answer, they gave up on the so called “requirement”.

Ed visa in bkk bank in Bangkok. Opened my savings account with no issues. They tried to charge me for their insurance debit card but I corrected them

Try SCB

Bangkok bank, head office branch. Opened an account in Oct 21 on a tourist visa. You will need to obtain an Embassy certified copy of your passport and your TM30 receipt. To get the passport copy, you'll most probably need to make an appointment at your Embassy. No insurance required, I only deposited 500thb to open the account. Plenty of English speaking staff.

%E3%83%90%E3%83%B3%E3%82%B3%E3%82%AF%E9%8A%80%E8%A1%8C%E6%9C%AC%E5%BA%97%E6%97%A5%E6%9C%AC%E8%AA%9E%E3%83%87%E3%82%B9%E3%82%AF&ludocid=12742115732544930819&gsas=1&client=ms-android-samsung-rvo1&v=13.12.11.23.arm64&ibp=gwp;0,7&lsig=AB86z5UOxQZd7wsMnBy_KVJReXcw&kgs=33d72ab59f787b2b&shndl=-1&source=sh/x/kp/local/4&entrypoint=sh/x/kp/local&gsas=1&client=ms-android-samsung-rvo1&v=13.12.11.23.arm64&ibp=gwp;0,7&lsig=AB86z5UOxQZd7wsMnBy_KVJReXcw&kgs=33d72ab59f787b2b&shndl=-1&source=sh/x/kp/local/4&entrypoint=sh/x/kp/local

Yes just opened account after a long time trying In Chiang Rai . Bangkok Bank no charge apart from the 400 for ATM card

I actually went the insurance route and it paid off when I had an ER visit after a fall.

I didn’t need to do anything just deposit 100 baht to open it.. your being thobbed off

@Siam ******

I plan on using these guys

the insurance is not mandatory with the bank, that is just a branch that requires it to extract extra money from you. Try another branch and you will be fine

I did not have to have insurance to open my Bangkok bank account a few years back. But last year I took the insurance & for £150 it’s a good product & paid out after needing hospital treatment for a cut hand no quibbling

Didn't ask for insurance at BB in Bluport last year

Seems youve had enough good advice,,,ive been with bank of ayudhya for 19yrs,,,just opened another account 6mths ago,,,no problem,,,simple,,,provided what i asked for…good luck,,,,oh btw,,,i did try,,,siam commercial bank,,,as i had set my daughter(thai) up with them,,,but for me,,,it was problematic immediately.

I opened an account with SCB in Hua Hin about 12 yrs ago. Opened a 2nd account at same branch 2 yrs ago. They asked if I wanted insurance and I said (politely) no thanks and opened an account no problem. Just had to deposit 1000 THB and show passport and rental agreement.

My husband was able to open an account with Kasikorn at Bluport. Had to insist a little bit and begged them to help so they called the manager. A quick call with THE big boss and it should work. If the staff is hesitant just ask them if there is anyone you can talk to. A Thai contact will definitely help you get there without struggling too much. Good luck !

I opened at Kasikorn without too much trouble and no insurance required.

I walked out of bkk for this. I was going to try another day but went to yellow bank and got no hassles.

You should video them saying that BS and send to head office

Can you take a Thai person with you to assist you?

Sounds like some turd is trying to get a commission out of you

There will be Bangkok Bank branches that don't insist on this useless insurance, I found one in Chaing Mai, also easy to open Kasikorn bank account as I now have both, but Bangkok Bank better for doing retirement visas for some reason 😳🙄🤠

I opened a bank account in Pattaya two months ago. Kasikorn in central festival. Minimum deposit of 1000. Debit card 400. Insurance wasn’t offered or mentioned. I’m on retirement.

We've been banking with Kasikorn (green bank) for 6 years now. No problems.

We have friends with Krungsri (yellow bank), and they like it. I don't remember if we had to get compulsory insurance or not, we were just excited to have found a bank that didn't give us the runaround, like Bangkok bank did. It was awful.

** Always remember, with any of these banks, you must ASK for internet banking!

I've been with Bangkok Bank 10 year's now, no insurance and annual fee of 100 thb .

Definitely try different banks and even different branches of the same bank. I opened one with Bangkok bank in Chiang Mai with certificate of residence, passport. Costed a little bit for the card. That's it.

UOB bank need deposit baht into account then they give you a debit card then can withdraw

I opened account with Bangkok Bank 3 days ago, but I did use an agent so I didn’t get messed around, cost was 4500 baht and done in 20 minutes

If you need to do anything afterwards you can only do it at the branch you open account at.