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What are the requirements for opening a bank account in Thailand for a Marriage Visa?

Thai Marriage VisaBank Account RequirementsNon O VisaVisa ExtensionFinancial Rules for ExpatsOpening a Bank Account in ThailandExpats in ThailandCOVID-19 Visa Extensions
Apr 21, 2021
4 years ago
Veet ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hi guys! I am learning about the 400k-2 month bank method to obtain Thai Marriage 1 year Visa. I have a couple questions please..

Does that bank account needs to be under my name or under the Thai wife’s name? Well I’m not married yet to my Thai gf but learning the process.

Since I’m currently on 60 day covid stamp, will I be able to open a bank account with my US Passport only as a tourist? OR Does waiting until marriage makes it any easier to open a Thai bank account? Any feedback/advice is highly appreciated.

Thank you! 🙏🏻
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The conversation revolves around the process of opening a bank account in Thailand to meet the financial requirements for obtaining a Thai Marriage Visa. Key points include that the bank account must be in the applicant's name, not the Thai girlfriend's, and while it is possible to open a bank account as a tourist, having additional documents such as a residency certificate can help. Participants suggest specific banks like Bangkok Bank and Krungsri Bank, and emphasize the importance of having a Thai mobile number for online banking and using proper documentation for immigration purposes.
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Soeren **********
it has to bee you name only
4 years ago
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James ************
Best talk to an agent if in Chonburi. lots in Pattaya can work miracles. Marriage visa terrible; they the police show up often see if "your really married" as Retirement no issues-they do not come full force to "check on you"
4 years ago
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George *************
If you go with Bangkok Bank, pay extra to get a MasterCard ATM/Debit Card, don't take the default Union Pay branded card.
4 years ago
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Steve **********
@George ************
 union pay is not widely accepted... lost a flight and hotel booking by using it. VISA was discontinued and MC wasnt avail. Was simple, told bank cancel my 3 accounts ! MC materialized.
4 years ago
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Steve **********
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George *************
You need a Thai mobile to open an account, or at least to get online banking which you should pursue.
4 years ago
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Veet ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
 I read one of your comment a while back about the “soft touch” bank branch somewhere in Central if I remember correctly. Do you know what documents were required along with passport? I’m on covid 60 day stamp and been looking for braches, so far everyone has asked for work permit. 😞
4 years ago
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Tod *********
@Vit ********
 KrungSri Bank in Emquartier and Kasikorn Thai Bank in Central World Trade usually are okay to open an account at
4 years ago
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Tod *********
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Veet ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@George ************
 i have a thai phone number. I found this information on the Bangkok Bank website for foreigners without work permit. However it is not clear what document is exactly required along with passport. What does a reference letter from an embassy mean, do i pay for it? I have notification of residence receipt which i have been using for 60 day Covid extension stamp. Not sure if that is enough.
4 years ago
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George *************
@Vit ********
 I don't believe the 90-Day Report/Notification of Residence receipt will work because it doesn't show your address in Thailand. The TM-30 receipt might work because that does show your address. I would suggest that you get a Certificate of Residence from immigration. It will show your Thai address and it's issued by a branch of the Thai government.

Have a Thai write you a letter of reference, better if they are a customer of that bank branch. Have them accompany you to the branch.

Obtain a letter from your embassy/consulate attesting to your address in Thailand.

These are suggestions of things to try to improve your odds of getting an account opened. I would try the Certificate of Residence first as it's probably easier and cheaper to obtain than the embassy letter.

Understand that you are trying to make the bank feel comfortable, have a warm fuzzy feeling about you.
4 years ago
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Tod *********
@George ************
 You can't get a certificate of residency from the immigration office in Bangkok unless you do 90 day reporting. <- meaning people on a tourist visa/visa exempt don't qualify to get one.
4 years ago
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Tod *********
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George *************
Any account opened for purpose of immigration must be in your name only, no joint accounts. Open a regular savings account, not a checking account.
4 years ago
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George *************
The required documents for opening a Bangkok Bank Savings Account are listed here:

****************************************************************************


I would suggest you target Bangkok Bank or Krungsri Bank. Other suggestions that might help: get a residency certificate from your Thai immigration office, get an address verification from your embassy/consulate, go to your girlfriend's bank with your girlfriend, go to branches where you have reason to believe they have lots of foreign customers already. Bring a Thai friend who banks at the same branch to serve as a reference.

The more documents you have the better: Thai driver's license, long-term rental agreement, etc. Anything that proves that you are someone who is serious about living long-term in Thailand, not someone who will be here today and gone tomorrow.
4 years ago
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George *************
@Vit ********
 If you have been able to do a 90-Day Report then that immigration office should be willing to issue you a Certificate of Residence. There is sometimes an associated cost, I pay 300 baht each for mine.

You could try to use the Notification of Residence receipt (TM-30). It may work.

The embassy letter is basically just an affidavit, a sworn statement, stamped by the embassy. Something like:

John Doe, a citizen of country x with passport #
*****
689, resides at this address in Thailand:

your Thai address here
4 years ago
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George *************
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Paul *****************
Never on Bank Gf Name. Next Day she away.
4 years ago
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Canice ******
Keep on trying. Do not put into your gf bank. Next day your gf will be missing
4 years ago
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Steve *******
The bank account needs to be in your name only. You can open a bank account in your current situation. You'll need to apply for the Non Imm O visa before you can apply for the yearly extention of stay based on marriage.
4 years ago
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Steve *******
@Vit ********
 It's quite possible that being married will make opening a bank account easier.
4 years ago
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Steve *******
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Brahim ******
Do Not put any bank account on a thai girl name period. Last thing you wanna do
4 years ago
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Steve **********
@Brahim *****
 Do Not !
4 years ago
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Veet ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brahim *****
 I preferably wouldn’t do that either. But I do not know if marrying first makes opening a bank account with my name any easier..
4 years ago
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Veet ********
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Phill ******
DO NOT , under any curcumstance ,put it in your GF name . just your passport is enuff . bkk bank is pretty farang friendly ,but you might have to shop around a bit ,every branch is differnt .
4 years ago
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Chris ********
Try Krungsri bank with a Debit Jad Hai account. Only bank that would let me open without a wp.
4 years ago
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Chris ********
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Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else
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