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What are the requirements for opening a bank account in Thailand with a Non-O visa?
Non O visaBank accountResidency certificateThailand immigrationTM30Thai bank regulationsBueng Kan province
Dec 8, 2025
5 months ago
Stuart *********
ORIGINAL POSTERI arrived in Thailand on the 29th of November with my Non O visa planning to retire. TM30 sorted at local immigration then on to Kasikorn bank to open an account. Even though I had all the correct documents and my Thai girlfriend with me to translate I was refused. They said I needed a yellow house book. We went to the local government office to ask and were told it would take 6 months. Impossible as I only have 90 days to get this sorted. On to another branch, no success again. OK let's try Krungtai , 45 minutes queueing before being told no again.
What do I have to do to open an account here?
I tried the above banks because they have good reputations and I am avoiding Bangkok bank.
Should I keep trying different branches of the big 2 or are there other options? I'm in Bueng kan province on the border with Laos. I would appreciate any input.
What do I have to do to open an account here?
I tried the above banks because they have good reputations and I am avoiding Bangkok bank.
Should I keep trying different branches of the big 2 or are there other options? I'm in Bueng kan province on the border with Laos. I would appreciate any input.
TLDR : Answer Summary
The poster is a recent arrival in Thailand with a Non O visa, seeking advice on opening a bank account. They've faced repeated refusals from various banks due to the requirement of a yellow house book, which they were informed would take six months to obtain. Community members suggest continuing to try different bank branches, obtaining a residency certificate from immigration, or hiring an agent to facilitate the process. Experiences vary, with some having success without the yellow book, indicating that requirements can differ significantly between branches.
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.
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Peter ******
You say you have all the documentation yet they asked for a yellow book, sounds like you don't meet the residence requirements. Did you get the local immigration to stamp your lease, or the tabien baan for the house you live in.
Stuart *********
ORIGINAL POSTERI can speak and understand the Thai language enough to make conversation but it is different when dealing with banks and immigration. I have my Thai girlfriend with me to help but the staff in the banks seem to dismiss us without listening and not even looking at my documents. They seem to want an easy life without the hassle of giving me an account. I have been coming to Thailand for 19 years and fully accept that things are done very differently here. For your information, English is the most commonly used 2nd language in Thailand. It's much worse for someone from Germany or France, nobody here can speak these languages. I had a German friend who hated the fact that he had to speak in English because he couldn't speak Thai. I love Thailand, the people and the weather and have always been fully aware of the problems with the culture and the language.
Stuart *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Peter *****
I have a letter from immigration showing my address. They said I have all the necessary documents to be able to open a bank account. I think their main problem is that no one in these banks can understand English.Yo***
@Stuart ********
it is not the main problem. You are in Thailand. The main problem is you. And me as well. We can not speak thai yet in thailand. 🤣English is not widely using language in Thailand, also in many countries. If you want to speak English widely, better go to USA, UK or Australia, or Cananda, or near here, Malaysia, noone forced you to come to Thailand. actually thailand not welcome to Foreigners. But many foreigners love Thailand, so they walk in to Thailand by themselves. If you do not hink so, Thailand is not fit for you then. But I am very sure, if a foreigner can speak thai very fluently, he or she will have much much less problems in Thailand.Reply to
Yo***
Reply
Rohbear *********
It's different everywhere, I guess. I just opened a KrungThai account in Chiang Mai province 2 weeks ago, with just my Passport with the Non-O visa in it, my driver's license and the TM30. No request for the certificate of residency or yellow book (which I don't have). Go figure.
Tez ******
I found getting the residential cert was difficult at Bueng Gan immi.
David ******
For reference, my story, everything handled with ease at Krungthai but it took getting passed around until they put me with a lady that spoke perfect English and knew her shit. All it took was my US Driver License, Resident Certificate, and Non O Visa, passport. Simple and easy. You need to find someone in the bank knowledgeable and willing to do all the paperwork.
And oh Yeah, I went to one of those branches in a shopping mall with a lot of foreign folk.
And oh Yeah, I went to one of those branches in a shopping mall with a lot of foreign folk.
Stuart *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@David *****
I think the main problem is that no one in any of the banks nearby can speak or understand English. I do also get the impression that it would be too much hard work for them to do for me. Thanks for your help 👍Reply to
Stuart *********
Reply
John *********
Why do you need a Thai bank account? Wait until you have a retirement visa then apply, use wise etc works fine in Thailand 🤷🏾♀️
Stuart *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@John ********
I must have 800,000 baht in a Thai bank account for 2 months before I can apply for a retirement visa. First I need a bank accountOssie *********
@Stuart ********
not if you use an agent they sort it all out for youStuart *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Ossie ********
do you know of an agent who could help with opening a bank account? I don't need any help with the visaOssie *********
@Stuart ********
you need the visa to open a bank account what visa have you got if you come in on a 90 day visa that can be converted as far as I’m aware this is not the case with a tourist visa over the last weeks all the rules have changed so I’m not 100% up to date there is a lot of confusionStuart *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Ossie ********
I have the Non immigrant O visa. This is the visa everyone needs to then apply for a year long retirement visa,which is my goal. No one speaks English in the the banks up here in Bueng kan and I think this is the main problem. I'm even considering asking an officer from immigration to accompany me to a bank. Maybe such a suggestion would be laughed at in immigration. Going to look further afield in Udon Thani where there are more falang and maybe an English speaker in a bank.Ossie *********
@Stuart ********
have you not got translator on your phone I’ve had many good conversations using translatorReply to
Ossie *********
Reply
Ossie *********
You need an O visa pay an agent they will do everything for you yes it costs money but at least you have peace of mind I suggest you contact
************************
shes a straight talker no BS will give you a price !!!Ossie *********
What’s expensive !
Jeffrey **********
@Ossie ********
they are insanely expensiveStuart *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Ossie ********
Thank you, this sounds positive 👍Reply to
Stuart *********
Reply
Greg *********
Find yourself an agent, they will get an account
Stuart *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Greg ********
Thank you. Maybe this is what I should do 👍Reply to
Stuart *********
Reply
Terrence ************
Welcome to Bueng Kan province. I have been trying to do exactly what you are trying to do for the past year. I got exactly the same runaround as you. I hope you have success. If you do please let me know how the immigration office helped if at all.
Stuart *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Terrence ***********
Thanks, I will let you knowReply to
Stuart *********
Reply
Chang ******
K,bank is easy to open
But you need certificate of residency, along with visa to open ,
But you need certificate of residency, along with visa to open ,
Russell ******
@Chang *****
yes k bank👌🏼 open account yesterday with my Thai wife but you can't use the mobile app with out a yellow book. We are going to sort that tomorrow 🤞🏼John ********
@Chang *****
I did the same thing. I did go to my Visa Agent and she had all the documents ready for me. And she gave me a letter to K bank for proof of residence. Easy.Reply to
John ********
Reply
Brandon ************
Each bank branch manager sets the requirements for their own bank branch. So you'll need to keep trying other branches until you find one that will do it. A yellow book should not be a requirement as it's not possible for everyone to get one.
You said you got a TM30 but that doesn't do anything for a bank account. Have you gotten a residence certificate from immigration that specifically says it's for opening a bank account?
You said you got a TM30 but that doesn't do anything for a bank account. Have you gotten a residence certificate from immigration that specifically says it's for opening a bank account?
Stuart *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Brandon ***********
Thank you. I do have a residence certificate that is for opening a bank account. I think I will contact an agent. Time is running out!Reply to
Stuart *********
Reply
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