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What do I need to open a bank account in Thailand while staying with my wife's family?

Mar 27, 2026
a month ago
Justin *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Nearly 2 weeks waiting for non O-visa approval in Sydney based on retirement (not marriage).

On arrival to Phuket I’ll try opening a bank account. To open the account, I have a dtac Thai mobile number and I live with my wifes family in their home.

Do I need to get something from dtac proving it’s my mobile number?

…and what would I need to get from my wifes family as evidence I’m living there. Would I ned a certificate of residence from immigration?

Thanks.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user is seeking guidance on what documentation is necessary to open a bank account in Thailand while waiting for Non O-visa approval based on retirement. They inquire about needing a proof of ownership for their DTAC mobile number and what evidence from their wife's family is required to confirm their residence. Comments suggest that a residence certificate from immigration and proof of the mobile number registration may be required. A recommendation is made to have the household owner file a TM30 form for their stay. Some discuss different banks and advise against using a partner’s account due to visa stipulations.
Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC)

WARNING: Only trust Thai government websites with .go.th domains or Thai agent websites with .co.th or .in.th domains, as these require verified Thai registration and cannot be registered anonymously.

The official TDAC form is available at tdac.immigration.go.th, which uses the official .go.th government domain.

The services by AGENTS CO., LTD. does NOT charge any fees for arrivals within 72 hours. If you need to book more than 72 hours in advance, there is a service fee of $8.

Do not trust other sites pretending to be a trustworthy agency. Pay attention to delivery time - the service operated by AGENTS CO., LTD. has 1 minute delivery time for arrivals within 72 hours.

Don't fall for sites pretending to be agents.co.th or the official government tdac.immigration.go.th website. Always double-check the exact domain in your browser.

Scam services may take days to process your application, others may not even do anything. With these TDAC scam services you also need to worry about double charges.

Please watch out for TDAC misinformation spread by fugitive Jesse Nickles and his many fake accounts on Quora, TripAdvisor, Reddit, and other platforms.

TRUSTED TDAC LINKS:

Official Government TDAC Form: tdac.immigration.go.th
Official TDAC form by AGENTS
Official TDAC information page by AGENTS (tdac.in.th)

Steve ********
DTAC now get you to log into the TRUE app (merged companies) for this. As long as your passport is linked to the DTAC number you can download the proof of ownership certificate.

Tap little logo top right and scroll down to 'service certification letter' and download.
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Justin *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Steve Carter Thanks Steve. Have the dtac app but just installed the True app. Sim is 3 years old and I remember handing over my passport at the time I got it. Tried to get the certificate, asks me to take a photo of my passport and it fails. Says I have to go into a True office. When I get to Phuket🙂
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Steve ********
Justin Bligh perhaps the records not up to date. I had recently updated everything with DTAC - TRUE when I bought a new phone and needed to move e-sim over.
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Steve ********
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John **********
You'll need a residence certificate from immigration to open a bank account and a receipt from DTAC to show the SIM is registered against your passport. While at immigration ask them what you will need for the extension of stay
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Justin *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John *********
thanks.

In the past on a METV I just got a letter from the owner of the family home I’m staying. Basically saying “I confirm that xxxxxxx, passport number xxxxxxxxx, will stay at my home during their visits to Thailand on a multi-entry tourist visa".

Would something similar be ok for getting a residence certificate?
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John **********
@Justin ******
nope. The landlord or owner of the place you're staying will need to file a TM30 on your behalf, you should get a copy of the receipt
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Justin *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John *********
ahhh ok cheers. too easy!

On every trip I do the TM30 myself, on their behalf :)
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Preben *******************
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Preben *******************
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Alasdair ******
Doubt your dtac number would be worth a fig. If you are married, you can get an account in her name or get a yellow book (my best suggestion). It makes enormous sense for a farang to preserve as much as possible in their own name. Cars, caveats on properties, personal items and bank accounts. Get a yellow book as fast as possible.
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Alasdair ******
I'm not sure about that Justin. I would check with your local immigration office, my comments were about typical bank procedures, immigration rules are different and even vary office to office
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Graham ******
Alasdair Munn you contradict yourself "you can get an account in her name"
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Justin *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Alasdair Munn thanks.

So for my Non O-visa based on retirement and an easier option to using the TM30, I get an account in my partners name and transfer the 800,000 baht and use her account for the 12 month extension?

BTW had to look up “worth a fig” haha
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Graham ******
Justin Bligh No you cannot use your partner's account (not even short term) because, depending how you do it, the 800k might need to be from an international transfer. Ignore that advice.
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Ju ********
Justin Bligh no he replied you nonsense. Account has to be in your name.
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Justin *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Ju Pinson I suspect he’s thinking of based on marrage but the first line in my post is “based on retirement”. I don’t want the extra trouble of it "based marrage”.
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Justin *******
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Alasdair ******
Graham Seal sure, read and understand my comment without being so fucking stupid. You can get an account in her name, easy peasy. You cannot get an account in a farangs name without a yellow card or letter from immigration. One is short term, the other takes a bit of time.
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Alasdair ******
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Justin *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Alasdair Munn thanks.

No not married but living in a Thai family home. Ie: not paying rent or any rental agreement or hotel.

Just wondering what I would need from the owner for me to prove address and open a bank account.
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John ********
TM30 as where you are living / staying has to be lodged.

Visa from your passport. Take a relative with Thai ID

Try KBank I find them the best but it’s each to their own.

Try yourself if not get an agent.

Can be difficult 😥 to do but that’s the way sometimes here. Amazing Thailand 🇹🇭 lol 😜
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Justin *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Yes, I’ll try a couple of banks for fun and if any troubles will go see an agent. Thanks
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Justin *******
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