Answered6 years ago
What do I need to open a bank account in Thailand while on a Tourist Visa?
I went into Bangkok Bank to see if the old bank account I had with them was still open. It's not, so I asked if I could open a new one. I'm currently on a Tourist Visa (expired under Amnesty), in the process of getting married and intend to make a Non-O visa. But I want to get a bank account opened now. They said I need to go to immigration to get 'a letter' to allow me to open a new bank account. Does anyone know anything about this? Don't really want to make a trip to the immigration office to find they don't know what i'm talking about.
Answer summary
To open a bank account in Thailand on a Tourist Visa, you will likely need a 'Letter of Residency' from immigration to confirm your address. However, experiences vary by bank and branch. Some users suggest trying Kasikorn Bank, as others have successfully opened accounts there with just a passport and rental agreement. It’s essential to check whether your hotel has registered you, as you might need documentation proving residency. If the bank requests a letter from immigration, ensure you bring the necessary paperwork, including your Thai driver's license and rental contract. Since policies can vary, visiting multiple branches or banks is recommended for the best chances of opening an account.
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Anthony ********
I'm guessing you're getting married to a thai lady? Did you take her with you to the bank? I've never had a problem getting a account but they've always took a copy of my thai wife's ID card
Stuart ******
OPYes, she was with me. But we didn't really come prepared, so will try again tomorrow with Kasikorn instead, with everything with us that might help, and a wee lump of cash
Joel ********
Bangkok bank is the most difficult bank to open up in
Stuart ******
OPOK, so i've gathered what they were asking for is the Letter/Certificate of Residency. And that it should be possible even on Tourist visa. First i'm going to try Kasikorn tomorrow with my fiancee, Thai drivers license, and rental agreement, see if they'll open me an account. If that fails then i'll go to Immigration for the letter/certificate. Thanks for the responses!
Randy ******
@Stuart *****
l opened an account at Bangkok back on an expired visa two months ago.Just my passport and rental agreement.
Jean-Francois **********
@Stuart *****
, We had many posts on this topic.Each bank , even branch have distinct policy.
Go to Krungsri at MBK, 4 rt floor.
They will grant you a bank account, on a tourism visa, no work permit required, no letter from embassy required.
Andrew *********
All branches are different sometimes just try them all to see which one will do it, Kasikorn let me, maybe it depends on hiw much money they think you will put their way. Dress smart and say you going to buy a property !
Ronald *********
Did you have money in the old account?
Stuart ******
OPNo, was lying empty for years. Opened it 9 years ago. Really should have kept it active as now I actually need it
Jeffrey **********
More difficult with other banks god knows why but I did manage with kassicorn I don’t have any kind of residency yet
Stuart ******
OP@Jeffrey *********
OK, it's sounding like it might be worth trying Kasikorn. I could head down with my fiancee, my thai drivers license, and the rental agreement for this house (we're 14 months into a 24 month contract), and see what happensAlan *******
@Stuart *****
Good Luck mate!Jeffrey **********
@Stuart *****
might be easier using her family address as she will have tambian ban Alan *******
@Jeffrey *********
Same here on 30 day entry visa.Jeffrey **********
If you are married might be easier to open bank account with kassicorn bank that’s what I did
Jeffrey **********
You can apply for all of this in Thailand at the immigration office they will try to talk you into something different as did with me think it’s all about collecting as much money as possible for them
Stuart ******
OP@Jeffrey *********
Not married yet. Should be before end of August. My plan is to have a bank account open before that date so I can begin the pay in 40,000+ into it, which would then mean I have 3 months of income to show by the time I apply for the 12 month extension (assuming I have understood the requirements properly)Randy ******
Jeffrey **********
@Stuart *****
I got married legally in Thailand two years ago. Then last year I applied for non o visa before my 30 days ran out I got the first 90 days but to apply for the next 270 days making up the year you then require the *****
0 baht in bank or the monthly amounts not sure how long they would accept as monthly payments. I will have same problem again this year if I can get there November ish hoping to have the *****
0 by then 
Steven ***************
@Stuart *****
Sounds like you dont.Its 40k a month for 12 months continuous or 400k minimum balance for 2 months in a thai bank account to get a 12 month extension.
Steven ***************
@Stuart *****
. You need a spouse visa first before you can get a yearly extension on it anyway. If it's like Australia, you can only get one outside Thailand.
So.. get legally married, leave thailand and obtain a spouse visa, re enter with it and get a yearly extension on it when needed.
Stuart ******
OP@Steven **************
Oh man! Well i'll prob need to get another visa for now then and wait 12 months for the marriage visa. Thanks for pointing that out
Danny *******
It's called a Letter of Residency and we had to get one the other day to buy a car. All they wanted to see at Immigration was our passport.
Carlo **********
Can you open a bank account on a tourist visa?
Thomas *************************
Krungsri with a condo lease, they will allow it.
Brian ******
You cant get a letter from immigration if your visa is out of date.
Rich ********
@Brian *****
and you can't get a certificate of residence on tourist visa
Eddie *******
@Rich *******
yes you can. I have gotten several. 
Bobby ********
@Eddie ******
. Have you got one on amnesty? At the moment banks are very negative towards farangs. Rich ********
And can it be exempt (30 day) on amnesty?
Rich ********
@Eddie ******
cool. Bangkok or other CityStuart ******
OP@Bim ******
Right, OK. As I say, i'm on a Tourist visa / amnesty, but a TM30 has been submitted months back for the rented house i'm staying in
Bim *******
@Stuart *****
well maybe worth a try asking as each office tends to have its own rules. Mine cost 500 bht for my driving licence. Some offices dont charge 
Jay *******
TransferWise Borderless Account is a better option in your circumstances.
Gareth ********
That doesn't help if he's intending to use the Thai account to show funds for Non Imm O Marriage visa.
Jay *******
@Gareth *******
Neither does having an expired visa and being unable to get a certificate of residency. 
Brian ********
On a 90 day visa whent too Siam bank and open a account
Eddie *******
Make sure your hotel or where you stay has registered you. Ask them to copy that registration page.
Bring that with you to immigration. Get a residence cert.
Done.
Bring that with you to immigration. Get a residence cert.
Done.
Stuart ******
OPOK, good to know
Rich ********
@Eddie ******
they won't do this for tourist visa I am fairly sureEddie *******
Rich ********
@Eddie ******
I am willing to try it. I want a driver's license and it's required for that. I have a current Tm30 and leaseEddie *******
And a drivers license on a tv.
James ******
Walk into Kasakorn bank with a bank roll of notes. Job done!
Stuart ******
OPThanks for the info, she already has an account with them so that may also make it more likely
Alan *******
Stuart, James is correct, go to a K Bank, with your girl friend, her ID and your Passport, and your cash of course. Open a Savings Account (Easiest) and they will give you an ATM card.
I did this at K Bank no probs.
I did this at K Bank no probs.
James ******
@Alan ******
yup, if the bank assistant says you can’t, simply ask to see the manager, slap the cash in front of him and simply say you are interested in opening an account with money being transferred monthly.... you’ll be punching in your atm number within 15mins Stuart ******
OPI was also wondering if there are other banks that don't bother asking for this. Bit of an inconvenience
Bim *******
The letter is to confirm your address. If you haven't been doing your 90 day report it's unlikely they will issue one.
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