This is NOT an official government website. We are an independent resource providing information and assistance to travelers.
What do I need to open a bank account in Thailand while on a Tourist Visa?
Thailand BankingTourist VisaVisa RequirementsNon-O VisaResidency CertificateBank Account OpeningKasikorn BankBangkok BankExpats in ThailandVisa Amnesty
Jul 30, 2020
6 years ago
Stuart ******
ORIGINAL POSTERI 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.
TLDR : 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.
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.
Pelle Eriksson★★★★★
Absolutely Bangkok's best service I highly...recently on Facebook
Luca G.★★★★★
I used this agency for my DTV Visa...recently on Google
Trusted Retirement Visa Agent
OVER 100,000 EXPATS SERVED
#1 VISA AGENT IN THAILAND
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 ******
ORIGINAL POSTERYes, 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
Reply to
Stuart ******
Reply
Joel ********
Bangkok bank is the most difficult bank to open up in
Stuart ******
ORIGINAL POSTEROK, 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.
Reply to
Jean-Francois **********
Reply
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 ******
ORIGINAL POSTERNo, was lying empty for years. Opened it 9 years ago. Really should have kept it active as now I actually need it
Reply to
Stuart ******
Reply
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 ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@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 Reply to
Jeffrey **********
Reply
Alan *******
@Jeffrey *********
Same here on 30 day entry visa.Reply to
Alan *******
Reply
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 ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@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.
Stuart ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@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 outSteven ***************
@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.
Reply to
Steven ***************
Reply
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 visaEddie *******
@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 CityReply to
Rich ********
Reply
Stuart ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@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 inBim *******
@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 Reply to
Bim *******
Reply
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. Reply to
Jay *******
Reply
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 ******
ORIGINAL POSTEROK, 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.
Reply to
Eddie *******
Reply
James ******
Walk into Kasakorn bank with a bank roll of notes. Job done!
Stuart ******
ORIGINAL POSTERThanks 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 Reply to
Alan *******
Reply
Stuart ******
ORIGINAL POSTERI was also wondering if there are other banks that don't bother asking for this. Bit of an inconvenience
Reply to
Stuart ******
Reply
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.
Reply to
Bim *******
Reply
54 comments
2 years ago
40 comments
2 years ago
27 comments
2 years ago
42 comments
2 years ago
112 comments
2 years ago
77 comments
2 years ago
183 comments
3 years ago
16 comments
3 years ago
30 comments
3 years ago
14 comments
3 years ago
27 comments
3 years ago
80 comments
3 years ago
17 comments
3 years ago
93 comments
3 years ago
34 comments
4 years ago
48 comments
4 years ago
31 comments
4 years ago
42 comments
4 years ago
107 comments
4 years ago
32 comments
5 years ago
135 comments
5 years ago
84 comments
6 years ago
57 comments
6 years ago
7 comments
8 years ago
46 comments
8 years ago
7 comments
a month ago
9 comments
a month ago
21 comments
a month ago
16 comments
a month ago
8 comments
a month ago
The ask:thailand community, consisting of multiple Q/A groups with over 100,000 members, powers this platform. It is not an official government resource. Our members actively contribute to this resource, and while we strive for accuracy, we cannot guarantee its complete reliability. Assistance to travelers is provided as a community service.