What are the requirements for a foreigner with a tourist visa to open a bank account in Thailand?

Bangkok Bank did it for me. Not easy, but it can be done.

i did this recently at SCB it was easy some paperwork but less than whatI thought. I did not even need a resident certificate

Easy to open a bank account at Bangkok Bank with Tik Tok agency in Jomtien I did it on Friday last week

Requirement:

Minimum 60 day tourist visa

Thai Telephone ( Thai SIM card) usually purchased at the Airport on arrival

Your Home Country driver license

2 photos

5,000 baht

Done and dusted in less than 15 minutes and Tik Tok agency will do all the photo coping for you

Don’t believe the armchair scaremongers 👍

Depends mainly on how much you are prepared to deposit.

Where in Thailand?

Depends on location. Bangkok bank allows you to open an account on a tourist visa with a residence letter from immigration. (but you can't get that in Bangkok without a 90 day report) Otherwise, I've found Kasikorn to be the other "easy" bank to open an account with.

You will have to visit several offices in person.

Treat it like a job interview and present yourself well.

Getting a bank account

Don’t expect to get something for nothing. Each office is an independent business. Each office makes their own criteria.

You certainly will pay a fee for transferring USD from USA to Thailand. The amount depends on the bank and the transfer service.

Banking is an essential service if you plan to spend time here. It’s not FREE.

I prepared ahead of time by getting a bank account set up 6 months ago.

I treated this as an important business transaction, not just a casual activity.

My Thai friend made an appointment for me at the Bangkok Bank branch across from Astra in CM. He also translated for me.

I am a middle aged physician and dressed as such. Yes I did do the whole business card ceremony.

I told the banker that I plan to retire soon and buy a condominium at Astra.

I was asked to purchase a life insurance policy for about $100. Presumably the banker gets a commission. Whatever, it’s the price of doing business at the bank.

They wanted to copy my passport and see my credit card from Wells Fargo. I think I showed them how much was in my account also to make the point that I’m a serious customer.

I also showed them $500 in perfect $100 bills that was to be the initial deposit.

Nothing else was required.

Act like a serious customer and you will be treated as such.

Present yourself properly and you should be fine.

If not, thank them for their time and visit another office.

Best wishes on your adventure to Thailand!

The school letter should be enough to allow you to open an account, but each branch of each bank will have their own rules. They may require you to have a residence certificate from immigration or ask you to buy their insurance package. You will just have to try a few different branches to see what they say.

I had no problem opening an account with the Bangkok Bank ...however rules have changed since then ...there are quite a few firms that can help you with this