This is NOT an official government website. We are an independent resource providing information and assistance to travelers.
What are the requirements for opening a bank account in Pattaya for a retirement visa?
Thailandbank accountretirement visaexpat informationvisa requirementsbanking rulesPattayafinancial services
Jul 9, 2025
10 months ago
Jisel *******
ORIGINAL POSTERHas anyone experienced opening a bank account in Pattaya and the bank asked for 10,000 baht fee? as requirement to get a retirement visa. Thanks for any info.
TLDR : Answer Summary
The discussion revolves around the experience of opening a bank account in Pattaya, particularly in relation to requirements for a retirement visa. Users express concerns over a supposed 10,000 baht fee being requested by a bank, which many consider a scam. They advise checking with different banks and caution against using agents who might inflate costs. Several users mention fees for insurance or minimum deposits, and the confusion over whether such fees are necessary or legitimate for obtaining a retirement visa. The conversation also highlights the challenges faced by expats in securing bank accounts without a long-term visa.
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.
Pelle Eriksson★★★★★
Absolutely Bangkok's best service I highly...recently on Facebook
Luca G.★★★★★
I used this agency for my DTV Visa...recently on Google
Trusted Retirement Visa Agent
OVER 100,000 EXPATS SERVED
#1 VISA AGENT IN THAILAND
Mark ******
Have you been personally to the bank, or have you asked an agent to open it for you? What type of Visa are you on?
Euan ********
I opened an account yesterday with kasikorn, 500 baht deposit.
Dwayne ********
That’s a scam but only been Pattaya twice as it’s my most disliked province. Go to either Bangkok Bank, Kasikorn, Siam or the pink one.
Shauna ******
Depends on where you are. The North every thing you do is going to cost more period. It should be cheaper but it is not.
If you're in the South just go to an agent 4,000 baht. Done.
If you're in the South just go to an agent 4,000 baht. Done.
Jisel *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Shauna *****
You got an agent in the south to recommend? thanksShauna ******
@Jisel ******
J&E Concierge, South Pattaya.Reply to
Shauna ******
Reply
Mitchell *******
This was an actual fee? Or did they want it for an initial deposit?
Jisel *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Mitchell ******
actual feeReply to
Jisel *******
Reply
Ant ***********
From a Visa agent
Yes that may be the price
I’ve heard of
This is going through an agent
Not a bank direct
Yes that may be the price
I’ve heard of
*****
BThis is going through an agent
Not a bank direct
Rok ********
Is bank asking directly, not an agent? Sounds unusual.
Lloyd *********
Just opened a Kasikorn account, The only fee was 300 baht for the ATM card
Lucas **********
You're getting ripped off .. abort ...
Bob **********
So the bank didn’t ask for 10,000 the agent did,all together different this is the bank the agents are using as Bangkok bank won’t accept money in an out by agents anymore
Jisel *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Bob *********
thanksJisel *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Bob *********
PattayaBob **********
@Jisel ******
try Cambodia travel Soi Buakhoa across from holiday innReply to
Bob **********
Reply
Jisel *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Bob *********
Do you have an agency to recommend? ThanksBob **********
@Jisel ******
where are youReply to
Bob **********
Reply
Bob **********
No they usually ask you to by insurance,you need a long stay visa to open an account
Karapuz ****
Scamland
Jesper *******
1000baht just to open a bkk bank acct and bought a accident insurance(yearly premium 599baht) which binds the debit card with siriraj hospital.....fews years back
Gerg **********
Sounds like the bribe you need to pay in order to get a bank account without a long term visa in your hand first. Why else would the visa agent recommend it? They probably had it set up for you like that. Surprised they didn’t give you a heads up on the cost.
John **********
So are you currently on a tourist visa or visa exempt entry? If so it's a question of burning through shoe leather and try every branch of every bank until you find one that will open an account for you. Make sure any bank that will, will also provide the guarantee letter for immigration, it's not currently clear if Bangkok Bank will do that or not in your situation.
Paul ********
What visa do you have?
Xu *****
Which branch can process retirement visas?
Is this branch trying to steal business from the Immigration Bureau?🤣
Is this branch trying to steal business from the Immigration Bureau?🤣
Jisel *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Xu ****
you got my post wrong. I stated as requirement for visaReply to
Jisel *******
Reply
Linda ******
Which bank ?
Jisel *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Linda *****
Krung Thai. The visa agency referred that bank.Reply to
Jisel *******
Reply
Peter ***************
Yes
Michael *******
They are mugging you off - if you are not resident /have a retirement visa bank account no longer possible - maybe this is rhe bribe you need to pay doesn’t get you a retirement visa that’s at discretion of immig
Jisel *******
ORIGINAL POSTERThank you all! Very helpful!
David **********
Scam. Use Bank of Bangkok!
Dirk **************
Banks do not issue „retirement „ visas.
Matthew *********
So I question people that have bangkok bank and use agency every year is screwed now. Anybody run into this problem yet for renewal
Matthew *********
@Dirk *************
who said that they doPaul ********
@Dirk *************
no one said they didReply to
Paul ********
Reply
Jan ******************
No, previously you sometimes needed to purchase an insurance at 5900 baht as well, but if you’re on a visa exemption or tourist visa, 10K baht for opening an account is not the worst option to day as things has become.
David *********
@Jan *****************
all the banks in Thailand really want one of you 😂😂😂😂 every day of the week 😂😂😂Jan ******************
@David ********
I have three bank accounts in Thailand opened myself for several years, but you obviously don’t know the situation and catch 22 people are struggling with now regarding bank accounts and visas/long term stay in Thailand.Reply to
Jan ******************
Reply
Giraffe *********
Report them to their head office
Malcolm *************
Scam !
Go to another bank
Go to another bank
Andy ************
Never heard of it. Try another bank
Reply to
Andy ************
Reply
74 comments
a year ago
83 comments
a year ago
72 comments
a year ago
188 comments
a year ago
36 comments
a year ago
5 comments
a year ago
83 comments
a year ago
52 comments
a year ago
53 comments
a year ago
55 comments
a year ago
37 comments
a year ago
16 comments
a year ago
109 comments
2 years ago
21 comments
2 years ago
95 comments
2 years ago
36 comments
2 years ago
51 comments
2 years ago
35 comments
2 years ago
10 comments
3 years ago
148 comments
3 years ago
74 comments
4 years ago
69 comments
4 years ago
38 comments
4 years ago
16 comments
4 years ago
46 comments
8 years ago
7 comments
a month ago
9 comments
a month ago
21 comments
a month ago
16 comments
a month ago
8 comments
a month ago
The ask:thailand community, consisting of multiple Q/A groups with over 100,000 members, powers this platform. It is not an official government resource. Our members actively contribute to this resource, and while we strive for accuracy, we cannot guarantee its complete reliability. Assistance to travelers is provided as a community service.