Answereda year ago
What are the steps to register a SIM card and open a bank account in Thailand with a NON-O visa?
To open a thai bank account with a non O visa, i need a SIM with a monthly plan. (Same as I have in the UK)
But when buying a new phone with SIM monthly plan, say AIS, how can I register it to an address if that address is a homestay?
Or can I register it to my wifes land which she has her blue book for.
(The land doesn’t have a house on it hence the need for temporary accommodation until we have finished building)
Its all steps and procedures I need to take to first open the bank account to deposit the 400k to obtain the the 12 month extension based on marriage.
We may end up renting in Pattaya for a while but maybe OK if in a quiet area….
But when buying a new phone with SIM monthly plan, say AIS, how can I register it to an address if that address is a homestay?
Or can I register it to my wifes land which she has her blue book for.
(The land doesn’t have a house on it hence the need for temporary accommodation until we have finished building)
Its all steps and procedures I need to take to first open the bank account to deposit the 400k to obtain the the 12 month extension based on marriage.
We may end up renting in Pattaya for a while but maybe OK if in a quiet area….
Answer summary
To open a Thai bank account with a Non O visa, you will need a SIM card. There has been confusion about registering SIM cards; most advice suggests that foreigners can register their SIM cards using their passport rather than needing an address. Comments indicate that prepaid SIMs are common for foreigners, and monthly plans may not be straightforward to obtain. You can also register the SIM card through various providers like AIS or True, often without needing a house address. It is advisable to check with local SIM providers for specific procedures and to ensure you have the correct documentation, such as a passport. Some users shared experiences of successfully obtaining monthly plans even as foreigners by using the right approach.
31 repliesnewest first
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John **********
I had a True Sim for my retirement visa but when I went with my Thai wife to get a monthly payment plan they said that foreigners can't get a monthly plan. So I went to AIS, swapped my number to their service and now I have a 500 bht monthly plan with them. That evening a True representative rang me and asked why I had changed over and I told him the reason. So the moral of the story is-Farang can get a monthly contract!!
Steve *******
If you go to your sim provider, they can provide a letter for approx 10 baht.
Pertti *************
@Steve ******
it's free but True ask 30baht and it's deposited to your account so it's free👍
David **********
Mate I went to the local government office and jumped through hoops for 6 months my name is now on the house book of my wifes house i have a pink id card. There is a way just ask your local government office people ask on here all the time but never do the correct thing to get things done ask government and they will be able to take action if you seem right
Arnold *******
Never a problem, just go get the sim.
Steve *******
No need to register a sim card to an address
Chris ******
for the sim with the passport you would open with AIS , they don’t need blue book but better ask the speed of monthly data plan, I got mind and the speed is different from local people , much slower
Rok ********
I cannot see house address on my True account, only my name. The True certificate for BKK bank also includes only name and registered phone number. No home address. Which means prepaid Sim will be just fine.
Tony *******
@Rok *******
spot on, i opened the bank account 2 weeks ago and dtac gave me the same document you describe showing full name and new number. Just had to asked dtac for it when I got my sim a few days before.
Simon *********
As far as I know foreigners can't get a monthly, like you would have in UK. Pre-paid only, registered to your passport
ยุถิกา **************
@Simon ********
I have two different post paid sims. Farang most certainly can.
Robin *******
@Simon ********
I have a monthly contract with AIS
Robert **********
@Simon ********
I have had one for 20 years
Ray ************
@Simon ********
I have a monthly from DTAC. Also have an address so maybe that's the key.
Garrett ***********
@Simon ********
You don't know far enough unfortunately
Bent *************
@Simon ********
No, I have had a monthly AIS for 15 yearsJohn *********
OP@Bent ************
how do I find the right plans available in Thailand? Looking for unrestricted 5G data and unlimited calls/texts.
Ian *******
@John ********
shop around for the best deal when it comes to a new phone. I liked the idea of local support so I did not look at online deals.John *********
OP@Ian ******
thanks, i was thinking sbout buying s new phone also…. Is this best done at an AIS shop?Ian *******
@John ********
I went to the AIS shop in Terminal 21 in Bangkok. I explained what features I wanted, and that I wanted a monthly plan that I could easily top up. They sold me a 300b / month plan that gives me 5G unlimited data (I think) etc. I go into my Bangkok Bank app and periodically top up my AIS account with a transfer. They send monthly reminders when they are about to bill me, and I can call a number and it will show me my current balance. Given your name, I assume you live in Buriram like me, I go to the AIS shop in Robinsons if I have questions or need assistance with something. I note that 5G is not widespread in Buriram.
Paul ********
@John ********
It's all about the ap. It has all the options; you just have to understand them and make the right combination of choices. I pick a plan that gives me more than enough voice calls, and then separately manage my data speed and amount on an ad hoc basis.
It's actually easy once you dig into the ap and grasp just how flexible it is.
I have set up data in my ap so I buy six months of unlimited data at very high speed. Then I just top up occasionally to keep a positive balance.
It's all about the ap on your phone. Not so much the plan.
I use relatively vast amounts of data on a monthly basis compared to most; never had any issues and choosing unlimited data lets you not worry about it.
Mikkel *******
@John ********
you might be able to set up direct debit from a thai bank account/debit card. Never bothered with that. I just downloaded their app, in which you can see your plan, top up, pay bills directly in the app etc.Mikkel *******
@John ********
you can pay either way through any ****
, banking app etc. For pre-paid there are also machines for that everywhere.Mikkel *******
@John ********
pre-paid means you have to top up. When the credit is used, you have to buy some more.Post-paid means you get a monthly bill, after the fact
John *********
OP@Mikkel ******
great thanks Mikkel. Not sure what is meant by pre and post paid? Do they not take out the bank by direct debit ?Mikkel *******
@John ********
go visit a shop (ais, true, whatever). Not the random phone shop at the local market, but a brand shop. They can all do it.I also have a post paid sim with true, started as a pre-paid, then switched. That was way before I had work permit etc. Only needed my passport as far as I remember.
Unlimited data for 299 per month. 5G full speed the first 25GB then throttled to lower speed. Still enough to stream video from Netflix etc without any cap.
Michael ********
@Simon ********
No i have monthly
Kim **********
@Simon ********
that’s not true. I got postpaid no problem. Just had to show my passport.
Andy *******
@Graham *****
is 100% correct
Graham ******
You register your sim to your passport not your address
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