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What are the requirements and experiences for opening a bank account in Thailand on a Non-O visa?
Nov 21, 2025
5 months ago
Robert ******
ORIGINAL POSTERFigure some may be interested in bank account opening information. Entered on Non O Monday. Went to immigration got the resident form. Had to show my passport stamped non o and my lease agreement for place I’m renting. I asked for two copies of the residency forms from immigration.
Now the bank hopping began but wasn’t horrible. Went to 3 and they each gave me their reason why I couldn’t open the account there. 4th bank was asked for passport showing non o and forms received from immigration and a form from my cell phone provider stating the phone account is mine. Lady spent a lot of time helping I opened two separate savings account one with an ATM card I will use for monthly deposits and spending the other used for holding the funds required for retirement visa I will leave in that account.
So just posting to give my experience and to help hopefully it doesn’t discourage others because a bank or two or three say no, just keep trying.
Now the bank hopping began but wasn’t horrible. Went to 3 and they each gave me their reason why I couldn’t open the account there. 4th bank was asked for passport showing non o and forms received from immigration and a form from my cell phone provider stating the phone account is mine. Lady spent a lot of time helping I opened two separate savings account one with an ATM card I will use for monthly deposits and spending the other used for holding the funds required for retirement visa I will leave in that account.
So just posting to give my experience and to help hopefully it doesn’t discourage others because a bank or two or three say no, just keep trying.
TLDR : Answer Summary
The post details the experience of an expat opening bank accounts in Thailand while on a Non-O visa. The individual shares that they needed specific documents such as a passport stamped with a Non-O visa, a lease agreement, immigration residency forms, and a document from their mobile provider. Despite facing challenges at several banks, they successfully opened two savings accounts after finding a supportive bank employee. The comments provide additional insights on required documents and personal experiences with different banks.
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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Matthew *********
I went yesterday to switch from bangkok bank to kbank. Omg so easy. 4 pages of passport was the only paper work. Everything done on tablet and she even used my tm47 that inside my passport. In and out 15 minutes. Kbank rules. Closed my acct at the communist ak called bangkok bank
Kenneth *******
@Matthew ********
just a question I'm not sure to get a retirement visa don't u need Bangkok Bank .? Will they do it with a K Bank account ?Matthew *********
@Kenneth ******
bangkok bank is no longer friends of farangs. They make policy against immigration requirements and freezing accts for aparent reason. Mine was frozen and went in and had no valid reason. Biometric was up to date, proper long term visa , same phone number for years. And they are ruining people ability to get the certificate of bank balance . I went into to kbank and I started to explain why I needed a new acct. Once I said bangkok bank was my bank she said say no more. She already knew. Kbank is happy to work with farangsKenneth *******
@Matthew ********
OK yes I herd that But can you get a retirement visa using K Bank? Not renew get first retirement visaMatthew *********
@Kenneth ******
yes. Very easy bank to work with. So impressed by them. It was fun y yesterday when they ask you check which box best fits your pension about. I checked box *****
0 to *****
0 and girl looked at wife and said why you not go to america and live. I laughed at her. So opposite of bangkok bank. No personality and they are like robots. Go there and open an acct and let me know how easy it wasKenneth *******
@Matthew ********
OK thankyou 🙏Robert ******
ORIGINAL POSTERYea I wanted to get the Kbank but they said I needed the retirement visa stamp. It really comes down to the knowledge of the person and branch your talking to. I was going to try a different here in Buriram but Krungthai worked out well.
Reply to
Robert ******
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Michael ********
My guess it was SCB that you were successful with.
Von ***********
I successfully opened a second account at my local Kasikorn branch recently after arriving on Non-O visa.
Lease agreement, Non-0 stamp in my passport, thai phone number, verification receipt from my Telco, recently obtained Thai driver’s licence. Ticked all the boxes. Lot of paperwork on their end the poor buggers, bit of patience and time my end.
Initial bank 🏦 account opened in BKK via assistance with my Visa Agent.
Be humble, be patient and have all your documentation ready.
Lease agreement, Non-0 stamp in my passport, thai phone number, verification receipt from my Telco, recently obtained Thai driver’s licence. Ticked all the boxes. Lot of paperwork on their end the poor buggers, bit of patience and time my end.
Initial bank 🏦 account opened in BKK via assistance with my Visa Agent.
Be humble, be patient and have all your documentation ready.
Alan *******
Hi Von i will try Kasikorn when i arrive on my non o as my Thai gf is with them, did they specificly ask for a Thai driver licence as that would definately slow things down for the mandatory 60 day bank account for ext.
Von ***********
@Alan ******
Hey mate, no, but it serves as I have already proved my residence with the Transport Authority and that is linked to my passport and visa, so I am sure the Bank sees that as another proof of their KYC ( know your customer ) When I opened the first account in BKK with agent, just needed proof of lease for 12mths, Non-O visa, passport with Immigration stamp when I arrived.
Alan *******
@Von **********
Cool thanks mate but good idea to have more to show ,i do intend to book for licence at some point anyway ,Cheers.Von ***********
@Alan ******
just have all your paperwork sorted. Receipt from your Thai Telco that links your passport number to your Thai phone number, photocopy of your passport Id photo page.
Photocopy of your Non-O Visa entry stamp. Copy of your lease agreement and they may also ask for the owners ID and etc.
See Pic for other info.
Not saying they will want all of it, but forewarned is being forearmed.
Hope all works out for you Cobber!
Reply to
Von ***********
Reply
Robert ******
ORIGINAL POSTERIt definitely requires patience but as we just retired and moved to Thailand to get out of the rat race and stress simple things like a long process to meet the Thai requirements aren’t stressing me.
Von ***********
@Robert *****
totally agree the bureaucracy in Thailand is next level, the amount of times you sign your name over and over again and the reams of paper 📝 is incredible.All the best on your retirement. Mine is going well so far.
Deepak *******
@Von **********
To avoid the hassle of Thai bureaucracy, I switched to a DTV visa. I had stopped using Thai bank accounts (I have three of them, but I think they closed one) for the last five years and now exclusively use my US credit cards for all the places that accept CCs, like ****
, Big C, restaurants, nudie bars, etc. I also withdraw 30K cash at a time using my Fidelity ATM card for places where cash is preferred like weed shops, Bolt, mall food courts, etc. When I bought a motorcycle last year, I just paid 500 baht for a residency certificate. It's a real pleasure not to depend on Thai bureaucracy for anything.Reply to
Von ***********
Reply
Alison **********
What were the reasons given by the banks who said no? It is helpful for others to know this - thanks
Robert ******
ORIGINAL POSTERTwo banks asked for retirement visa stamp the other bank asked for our marriage certificate (my wife is Thai) Krungthai was good and we were able to get it done there.
Sue **********
@Robert *****
I don‘t understand. Didn‘t you enter with the non-O retirement visa?Robert ******
ORIGINAL POSTERHi Sur
I entered with a Non O visa yes but the requirements as someone said in a response earlier do not seem to come from a central source and roll out to everyone the same. The request for documents were different 3 times out of 4 banks.
I entered with a Non O visa yes but the requirements as someone said in a response earlier do not seem to come from a central source and roll out to everyone the same. The request for documents were different 3 times out of 4 banks.
Reply to
Robert ******
Reply
Bent *************
I don’t beleive your story!
Where did it happen?
What banks did you visit?
Where did it happen?
What banks did you visit?
Stuart **********
What a stupid thing to say
Robert ******
ORIGINAL POSTERI don’t care
Kenneth *******
@Bent ************
hay expert where do you work ? for thai governmentBent *************
@Kenneth ******
SureKenneth *******
@Bent ************
you are a nutter full of crap 💩Reply to
Kenneth *******
Reply
Jeremy ******
@Bent ************
tool!Reply to
Jeremy ******
Reply
Todd *********
Nicely done!
Nigel ********
@Rob***
absolutely no point posting ***
a story.Which bank and location please, as apparently different branches have different rules.
Jim ******
Is a Thai phone number required?
Von ***********
@Jim *****
mandatory part of KYC ( Know Your Customer ) rolled out by BOT.Reply to
Von ***********
Reply
Shawn ********
What resident form did you get from immigration… the TM30?… I thought you get that from your landlord or condo place
Shawn ********
I understand now, thank you both
Stuart ***********
It's a residence certificate. You will need these for things like getting a driving licence and opening a bank account.
Ken ********
@Stuart **********
and to buy motorbike or car 👍🏻Reply to
Ken ********
Reply
Jeremy ******
@Shawn *******
it's a residency certificate. You take tm 30 receipt to immigration with lease and I'd.Rick ******
@Jeremy *****
what kind of ID? Passport?Jeremy ******
@Rick *****
yes mate apologies I should have been specificReply to
Jeremy ******
Reply
Bernie ********
What bank
Reply to
Bernie ********
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