What are the requirements for foreigners to open a bank account in Thailand?

Oct 6, 2024
2 months ago
Burak ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
How can I open a Thai Bank account? And which payment method should I use for cheaper costs?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
To open a Thai bank account as a foreigner, particularly with a Digital Nomad Visa (DTV), you'll typically need: a valid passport with your visa, proof of residency in Thailand (like a rental agreement), and possibly a work or residency permit. It's advisable to check directly with the specific bank for their requirements. Major banks like Bangkok Bank and Kasikorn Bank are more flexible with foreigners. Start considering your need for a bank account after you've resided in Thailand for at least three months, as banks prefer stable customers. For cheaper payment methods, consider using local agents who can assist in navigating the process.
DTV VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
Henrik *****
Start by waiting to ask for an account untill at least 3 months after arriving in Thailand.

Reconsider if a Thai bankaccount is need-to-have or nice-to-have.

Banks in Thailand are like everywhere in the world, interested in having good stable custormers, that have a permanent address, a steady easy traceable income, and use the account all year round.

That is why the banks are reluctant to give accounts to people on short time ( read: tourist ) visas, and who only spend part of the year in Thailand.

Don’t expect to get a residence certificat, until you have stayed at a permanent adress in at least 3 month, since that is what the residence certificat should confirm.

Furthermore the added attention on whitewashing of money, is an added burden on the banks, so even depositing large amounts isn’t a guaranteed way to open an account.

The value of a resident certificat, had gone down, since Immigration Officers are giving them to people that are not on a longterm visa, or have stayed severel months at 1 adress in Thailand, so even if it is a formal requirement, the bank make up their own assesment of the stability of the want-to-be customer.

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9-thailand-to-implement-stringent-compliance-regulations-for-new-bank-accounts?
Henrik *****
Go prepared.

Be polite.

Dress appropriate.

Something to think about before trying to opan a Thai bankaccount.

How long time have you stayed in Thailand ?

How long time do you intend to stay in Thailand ?

What visa are you on ?

How long have you stayed at the current adress in Thailand ?

Do you have a lease of your room ?

How long is your previous stays in Thailand ?

Are you married to a Thai ?

How do you finance your stay in Thailand ?

Do you have a workpermit ?

How much money would you deposit at the bank ?

Do you have a health insurance ?

What is the source of the money, that you will put in the bank ?

Why do you need to have a Thai bank account ?

What will make you a good customer for the bank ?

These are a few of the questions the bank needs answers for, to evaluate if you are a good asset to the bank.

If you where a foreigner coming to your homecountry, how hard would it be for the foreigner to open an account there ?

Propably it it be almost the same.
Burak ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Henrik ****
thanks a lot for all the detailed info. I have answers all of them and good to learn all of these from an experienced person ☺️
Michael *******
You can use agent
@M ***********
. They can help you open bank account
Michael ********
Yes, it is possible to open a bank account in Thailand as a foreigner with a DTV (Digital Nomad Visa), but it depends on the specific bank and their policies. Generally, Thai banks require foreigners to present the following:

A valid passport with the relevant visa.

A work or residency permit (the DTV visa may meet this requirement).

Proof of address in Thailand (often a rental agreement or proof of residence).

Some banks may also require a recommendation letter from your employer or the Thai authorities.

It’s a good idea to contact the specific bank where you want to open an account to get detailed requirements. Major banks in Thailand, such as Bangkok Bank, SCB (Siam Commercial Bank), and Kasikorn Bank, often have flexible rules for foreigners.
Abas ******
@Michael *******
that's what I mentioned that it depend upon bank branches... I tried many branches in Bangkok, even one of the employee at chaengwattana immigration told me to check bank branches in building of immigration and I visited but no luck. Then one lady give me address of headquarter and when I reached to headquarter, they opened my bank account within 2 hours. This is about Bangkok but other cities, I don't know.
Stephan ***********
@Michael *******
The DTV (Destination Thailand Visa) is a Tourist visa, it's neither a work permit nor a residency permit. Many people were rejected, the Banks don't accept the DTV. The main game stopper is the visa... Non-Immigrant is good, a workpermit is more than helpful, everything else is more or less difficult. As you said... it all depends on the branch, so it's still a kind of lottery...
Burak ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Stephan **********
this DTV type is brand new. How many people got this visa and rejected for openin a bank account? Could you give us the exact number. It's a workation visa not a tourist visa I think.
Stephan ***********
@Burak *****
How many? Well... at least all who posted it in the visa related groups. I haven't seen even one success story. Exact number? You're kidding, right?

Believe it or not... it's considered mostly as a kind of tourist visa, not as an equivalent to a Non-Immigrant. Anyhow... you are free to search the DTV groups by yourself... please let me know if you can find someone who could open an account with DTV (and without an agent), I'm always open for updated information.

P.S.: If you find any post about DTV and renewal of drivers license... I'm very interested they got two or 5 years. As you mentioned... the DTV is pretty new... so... even the DLT isn't sure yet how to handle it.
Burak ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Stephan **********
since you're talking about it in confidence I asked the exact number. Just chill down old guy 🙂
Stephan ***********
@Burak *****
Well... looks like that you got all the answers you needed... the "old guy" will go to the beach now for chilling. You have a good day... EoT
Karl *********
@Stephan **********
should be able to get a residence certificate at immigration after 90 days on the Visa you’d need a lease, signed copy of the owners ID (or if you own a condo, those documents) along with the TM.30

All the immigration offices vary from what they want from you, but it should be obtainable on this Visa

But yes, as you said, many people are being turned away just based on the Visa type
Stephan ***********
@Karl ********
Yep, sure thing... but... a residency permit is a complete different thing. Some of the requirements are a Non-Imm-Visa and a consecutive stay for at least three years. So... DTV is definitely not good for that. A "certificate of residency" shouldn't be a problem after the first 90 day report. It's everything a bit tricky now since the DTV is the the first "non Non-Imm-Visa", that allows you to stay more than 60 (90) consecutive days. Also still not clear how the DLT will handle the DTV for renewal of driving licenses... since it's a tourist visa they would give you just two more years, but on the other hand... well, we will see...
Kay *********
Buy a condo, then Bring the title deed to the bank
Burak ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Kay ********
yeah I'm doing right now 🙂
Wannikea *********
Please read previous posts on this topic, there are dozens.