Answered2 years ago
What are the requirements for opening a bank account in Thailand for expats with a Non-O visa?
Update 09/04/2025 Bank Account opening
Went to Bangkok Bank in Nong Bua Lamphu.
Waited patiently in line for an hour with my Thai wife
Presented my Passport, English Driving Licence, Non O 90 day retirement visa, signed letter to Bank of Bangkok, from Nong Bua Lamphu Immigration and stamped TM30 and was told that this was not enough. Now being told I need a Yellow Book. Totally frustrating and at a loss what to do. PS. Please do not tell me to use an agent, my background is finance and cannot jeopardise my position by using agents.
Went to Bangkok Bank in Nong Bua Lamphu.
Waited patiently in line for an hour with my Thai wife
Presented my Passport, English Driving Licence, Non O 90 day retirement visa, signed letter to Bank of Bangkok, from Nong Bua Lamphu Immigration and stamped TM30 and was told that this was not enough. Now being told I need a Yellow Book. Totally frustrating and at a loss what to do. PS. Please do not tell me to use an agent, my background is finance and cannot jeopardise my position by using agents.
Answer summary
An expat with a Non-O retirement visa is facing challenges opening a bank account at Bangkok Bank in Nong Bua Lamphu, needing additional documentation like a Yellow Book. Various commenters provided conflicting opinions about the necessity of agents and recommended other banks like Kasikorn or different branches. There were suggestions to seek assistance from local authorities for required documents, such as the Yellow Book, as well as firsthand experiences that indicated different banks have varying requirements.
83 repliesnewest first
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Osian ********
Kasikorn are still opening, i did it 2nd April with just blue book and chanod, letters from immigration are now equal to toilet paper cos of agents and immigration doing backhanders. Yellow books seem to require an already extended visa and 6months at the address b4 they issue them
Ken *******
I started down the same process a couple years ago after having done this in another country but after 3 branches of Bangkok Bank getting all kinds of requirements, I found a reasonable Visa agent and the Bank, Visa was all done very quickly, of course you have to find an agent who is reasonable.
Dan ********
Bangkok Bank is the worst check peoples review in here, i got an account there, and did you try the main branch? SCB and Kasikorn my preference.
Alistair ********
Try the second floor at Bangkok bank in Nana - it’s a main bank and it’s where Siam legal use to set up accounts. They are very used to Farang and are helpful - I set up a fixed deposit account there yesterday to get interest on my money. They will probably ask you to set up 1 year life insurance which they charge in cash I think it’s 2k baht.
Andy ******
Maybe you're wedding certificate would of helped ,god knows every bank and every immigration office is different ,of your face doesn't fit then try somewhere else
Hoffman ******
Use a agent
Chang ******
Under the table money talks
Benjamin *******
Try the other banks thats it.
Kasikorn here easy maybe in Nong Bua its same
Kasikorn here easy maybe in Nong Bua its same
Dwayne ********
Kasikorn is good, opened one on a TV when just staying in a hotel.
Have 3 bangkok Bank accounts but had a yellow book for those.
Have 3 bangkok Bank accounts but had a yellow book for those.
Khun ******
pay agent
Alan ******
Your background for Thailand is Zilch.
Greg ******
Maybe demand a denial letter.
Eddie **********
Be sure you go to the head Office in your regions…
If you go to smal underbranch… much more difficoult to open bank account.
Open one last week in Patong. Not needed any yellow book
They wanted to know my tax nr. Paper from immigration
Have a thai marrigelivence, they did not even wanted a copy of that
Been to al banks small
Office, get refused… But head Office.. no problem
Good luck
If you go to smal underbranch… much more difficoult to open bank account.
Open one last week in Patong. Not needed any yellow book
They wanted to know my tax nr. Paper from immigration
Have a thai marrigelivence, they did not even wanted a copy of that
Been to al banks small
Office, get refused… But head Office.. no problem
Good luck
Werner ************
Well seems like you posted too soon that everything was wonderful, great and efficient, as far as your position in ‘finance’ I suggest you become accustomed to how things are done in Thailand a country where corruption is rampant and backdoors are routine - or your not going to make it here, this isn’t farangland
Davis ******
Lili ********
What is a yellow book? I arrived a week ago n still quite green!
Jonathan *******
How would I jeopardise you? You have a retirement visa so can't legally work in Thailand. Illegal working without a work permit is going to jeopardise you more
Jim ********
I guess I don't understand how using a visa agent, or law firm, would jeopardize a finance position
Thomas *******
Bangkok bank told me the same thing. The SI Chiang Mai office told me I had to live in the house for 6 months to get on the yellow book. Can't win. Kasikorn did open one with 90 day non-o, Thai driver's license and tm 30 with an additional paper acknowledging long stay visa. Good luck to you, sir.
Alan **********
Agent 5000baht
Alan **********
Bangkok bank
John *********
There's always a way, in Thailand many no's and the odd yes, just need to have patience GL
Paul **********
Try krungsri very easy
Neil **********
Like Christopher above, suggest you can buy their accident insurance. Seemed to do the trick for me and wife. Not very expensive
Sven ********
Kasikorn Bank is the place to go. I just opened a Bank Account with only paspoort, marriage certificate, non O visa 90 days. I had the letter from immigration but they told me they dont needed that.
Opened in ubon ratchatani, phibun mangsahan last week.
Opened in ubon ratchatani, phibun mangsahan last week.
Greg *********
I opened two accounts (Bangkok Bank & KBank) without much difficulty on a tourist visa.
John *********
@Greg ********
probably 5 years ago.
Graham ******
@John ********
that's why then
Tony *********
@Greg ********
in what city, may I ask?Graham ******
@Tony ********
and when is more relevant
Michael ********
Try another branch or bank
Petro ************
Now even agents cannot help
Christopher ***********
Did Bangkok Bank offer the option of purchasing Personal Accident or Life Insurance?
Lester *********
OP@Christopher **********
They did, it’s on my previous post. They wanted to charge 50k baht for the next 7 years until I reach 63. Then no payments until I die and covered up to 500k for life and health insurance. The Lady had baht signs in her eyes 😂Christopher ***********
@Lester ********
They’ve upped from Personal Accident Insurance! Wife took out Thai Life (Life Insurance only) on me at age 66. 3,000 per month payable for 20 years. If I survive, all monthly premiums refunded plus a bonus. Payout upon death is 300,000 baht (nothing in the first two years). I don’t blame her, she has friends with falang husbands that turned alcoholic and left them nothing except their funeral bill.
Nick *******
Genuine question - why would using an agent jeopardise your position? I spent my entire career in Finance but use an agent which is perfectly legal and proper.
Lester *********
OP@Nick ******
. My thought process is that firstly I wanted to try and do the process myself, in order to give an insight into the problems and pitfalls of trying to open an account for yourself. I thought that posting the journey on here would help people’s decision making but unfortunately a lot of the responses are derogatory or sometimes not relevant.
Tom *********
@Lester ********
A bit like your reply, irrelevant to the question asked so what do you expect from others when you do the same yourself
Todd *********
@Tom ********
not sure this guy is playing with a full deck
Beverley **************
@Lester ********
Having lived in Thailand for 26 years and had the same bank account. The company helped us expats to open an account but from what I understood at the time was it all had to do with money laundering.Banks had to know that you had proof of residence and a valid visa and or work permit.
Exactly the same as trying to open a bank account in the UK It’s international FICA rulings.
Richard ********
@Beverley *************
Hardly international, its some south African bit of legislation.No wonder I've never heard of it.
Beverley **************
@Richard *******
Financial Intelligence Centre Act.Richard ********
@Beverley *************
What is international FICA?
Sean ***************
@Lester ********
your explanation here doesn't line up with your statement about jeopardizing your position in finance. Your reason in the comment is saying you wanted to post your journey in hopes that it would help other people, but your post was taking about your position. How is that jeopardizing your position? I just don't understand. I don't see the connection. I, too, want to understand this as well. How will it effect your position in finance? I am a travel agent and i do visa as well. So i am really curious how using an agent could affect someone's position in finance?I am not mocking you. I genuinely want to know.
Lester *********
OP@Sean **************
I’m not prepared to discuss my financial position on an open chat. Therefore, my answer purely related to matters relevant.Nick *******
@Lester ********
ah ok - fair enough - you meant to jeopardise your ability to explain the process to people when you have done it yourself. The original post read a little differently (just some friendly feedback!). Good luck - I have a completely lazy mindset about these things and agents than you clearly! Cheers
Joe *****
Dont use an agent. They are all agents with SPECTRE.Better to take thai wife and pretend u r finance genius.
Lester *********
OP@Joe ****
Says the person with a picture of a cat as his profileJoe *****
@Lester ********
exactly...Joe *****
Wow another strange amd suspicious expat joining the ranks...welcome:)
Kool *******
Just go to the local amphur with your wife, and ask them how you get a yellow book, and pink ID card. They are not your enemy. That's what the bank wants so do what you can to get it.
Lester *********
OP@Kool ******
I have been with my wife and they have explained the process.Todd *********
agent for sure, unless you don't value your time at all
Johnny *********
My recommendation would be to use an agent.
Rene ********
Agents are legal
Trayn *****
@Rene *******
Got one you can recommend?Rene ********
@Trayn ****
I can vouch for Thai Visa Centre, they have never failed me over the years and done an outstanding job with immediate response. Easy to Google. Now I've never done a bank account with them because I never needed to, and things seem to have changed lately but if you looking for a professional outfit, these ones are sound as a pound. You will have to ask them about the bank account as everything is new nowRene ********
Edited, sorry, the damn mic!
Scotty *******
You will hardly jeopardise your position using a agent ......
Jonathan *******
@Scotty ******
he has a retirement visa so he can't work. Illegally working without a work permit would do more damagedScotty *******
@Jonathan ******
yep i agree but we are talking about opening a bank account if he works that's up to him and the consequences that follow that I had the same problem opening an account even with a marriage visa and all the documents one could possibly provide you cab get letters from immigration and a host of other things it makes absolutely no difference to the bank especially over the last 6 months banks are playing there own game now hence so many posts trying to open account just pay a agent and be done with it ...
Brook ********
@Scotty ******
exactly. What a crazy statement to make or a crazy thing to believe.
It’s all about the value of your time. Nothing illegal or unethical about it at all.
I use an agent for visa renewal and another for motor vehicle registration renewal.
My time is valuable to me.
Richard ********
@Brook *******
It's the blood pressure and increased risk of a stroke or heart attack for me.Brook ********
@Richard *******
one day you will send an AI bot to deal with the government and Thai logic will cause AI to blue screen.Johnny *********
@Scotty ******
Yeah his thinking is nutty
David *******
If your renting you may struggle to get your name on the yellow house book.
Personally I'd try another branch or bank.
Personally I'd try another branch or bank.
Brook ********
@David ******
I’m renting and I’ve received my yellow book in cm.Christopher ***********
@David ******
Depends on your District Office (Amphur). Mine only had two requirements; 1) Married, 2) Resident over 12 months.David *******
@Christopher **********
married to a Thai?Took me 12 months and half a tree of paperwork to get mine and my English wife on the yellow house book and we own the house.
Christopher ***********
@David ******
Yes, married to a Thai. Took 4 years to get mine. They requested a translated and certified copy of my passport. I had already provided this for registration of marriage but they insisted upon another copy. I didn’t want to go to British Embassy in Bangkok again so gave up. Wife spoke to the Amphur Customer Service Manager by chance at one of our local blood donor sessions. He told his staff to copy the scanned image over and I got my Yellow Book and Pink Card next day.
Frank **********
I used a Agent 10 minutes
3,500 baht
In Pattaya ,BBank.
3 years ago
3,500 baht
In Pattaya ,BBank.
3 years ago
Robert ***********
@Frank *********
Its 2025.
Kevin ***********
@Frank *********
ye but now they're charging upwards of 13,000 I asked for a friend recentlyPetro ************
@Frank *********
agents now cannot help, even if someone applies for retirement very visa
James ************
@Petro ***********
this was brought up on another post. The agents already have a work around. Back to business as usual for themFrank **********
@Kevin **********
what are u going to do .Need 800,000 in bank. USE Nam. ServicesPetro ************
@James ***********
good news, because a month ago my friends in Pattaya couldnt
John ********
@Frank *********
unless information as things have changed recently 🤔Activity
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