Answered2 years ago
What do I need to open a bank account in Udon Thani as a foreigner married to a Thai citizen?
I want to open a bank account in Udon Thani, where my Thai wife has a property. On my last visit to the bank I was told I need our marriage certificate, propety book and visa stay of more than one month in my passport. I think I need also a thai mobile Sim. / mobile number??
Anyone give me some guidence.
I also plan to eventually stay in Thailand when I retire from work in UK. I still want to pop back to UK atheist twice a year. I need a visa and can I put large sum of money in bank to qualify to rules required to stay in Thailand..
Anyone give me some guidence.
I also plan to eventually stay in Thailand when I retire from work in UK. I still want to pop back to UK atheist twice a year. I need a visa and can I put large sum of money in bank to qualify to rules required to stay in Thailand..
Answer summary
To open a bank account in Udon Thani as a foreigner, generally, you will need a marriage certificate, proof of residence (property ownership documentation), a visa with a stay of more than one month, and possibly a Thai mobile number. However, requirements can vary by bank and branch. Some users reported needing different documentation and suggested trying multiple banks or branches due to inconsistent requirements. For long-term stay in Thailand, there are options like the retirement visa or extensions based on marriage, each requiring specific financial conditions (such as holding a certain amount in the bank). Many users also recommended patience and trial-and-error when approaching different banks.
31 repliesnewest first
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Keith *******
If your wife owns a property maybe she can get the village head man to vouch for you to open an account. That's what I did. I also have a Thai phone number.
Peter ********
See an agent. Stop wasting time.
Tom ***********
Be very very careful exactly what you are opening. If they want your marriage cert and wife's details then ensure that it is YOUR bank account and not some sort of joint account.
Ivan ************
These requirements don't sound to onerous, if you have them I'd just give them to the bank. Not clear what the question is, is there one or other you don't have?
Scotty *******
Went thru this yesterday in Korat even with all the required paperwork in place approached 9 branches of different banks and some of the same spent 7 hours trying I was 5 minutes away from getting a account at one branch I had the card and book on the desk with all the paperwork completed only to be told the manager wouldn't let it be opened you just have to keep trying as others have said I managed to get one at the end of the day I don't know how many people are suppose to meet the immigration requirements if the banks play games ...I refused to line a agents pocket for something I could do my self
David *******
@Scotty ******
your story sounds like you couldn’t actually do it yourselfPeter ********
@David ******
Exactly. And he thinks that’s smart spending 7+ hours and not spending a trivial amount of money on an agent. There are a lot of Falang who clearly didn’t have professional jobs at home where they hired professionals to do jobs. So amateurish.
Adam ******
Tell him you need a bank account to transfer 8 million into to build a house. He'll soon change his mind.
Paul *******
If you found a branch who is willing to talk to you, you're good.
From my experience I needed a certificate of residence, my visa document and my passport to open an account. Not sure if a Thai phone number was required but they took mine.
Note; every bank and every branch seem to do their own thing. A couple of banks turned me away cold and others were happy to help.
From my experience I needed a certificate of residence, my visa document and my passport to open an account. Not sure if a Thai phone number was required but they took mine.
Note; every bank and every branch seem to do their own thing. A couple of banks turned me away cold and others were happy to help.
William ******
@Paul ******
I had exactly the same experience. Each & every Thai bank has its own set of rules & operations re Farangs requirements. Some banks don’t want to know & will turn you away, others gladly welcome your business . Just trial & error.
Paul *******
@William *****
Yep. I found patience goes a long way in Thailand.
Peter *********
What's the problem just give them what they want easy enough?
Craig *********
Probably should have figured out all this before you got married.
Kim *********
about a year ago I got an account in Krungsri Udon Thani. Proof of residence from immi - passport and my non-o based on marriage. Very easy. Another bank said no.
Henrik *****
Banks has significant tightend their requirements for new customers during the last year.
Graham *******
For the sim card just get a tourist sim and after a while try to change it to postpaid. AIS seems good enough. If u want he 12 month extension of stay its 800kb, easy to get if over 50. I will get criticized for saying this but: 1) Your state pension will get frozen when u move to TH. 2) The tax laws in Thailand have changed now you are taxable if u are here 180 days, all uk pensions except civil service pensions are taxable. 3) Review all your assets before you become resident. watch carls vids to help ypu get upto speed with taxes. Or maybe you are going for the LRT?
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Bob **********
@Graham ******
he’s married it’s only 400k and don’t buy a tourist sim it’ll cost you more for the same sim from AISGraham *******
@Bob *********
I said AIS. Never heard that its 400k for a 12-month extension of stay.Graham *******
Ivan ************
@Gra***
it's 400k for 1 year extension based on marriage. 800k is retirement, without Thai wife. Some people who are married just do the 800k though as you have to do other stuff for marriage like photos of you together in the house, and they want to come round and check on you and stuff like this. It's not a huge problem but some prefer just to do retirement where they don't need to check that your relationship is legitimate.
Vinny **************
I think you need a letter from immigration
Bankok bank only round the corner
Bankok bank only round the corner
Tim *********
If you want an account in your sole name, I don't understand why they need your marriage certificate. Try another bank, or even another branch of the same bank
Henrik *****
They simply want to only have customers who live in Thailand, and are commited to stay in Thailand.
Propably much like banks in your homecountry.
Propably much like banks in your homecountry.
Mikkel *******
@Tim ********
might be in lieu of a work permit, to show affiliation to Thailand. Work permit is required in many banks unless you already hold a long stay visa.Tim *********
@Mikkel ******
Or house/condo rental contract
Brandon ************
There are no specific guidelines. Each bank branch manager sets the requirements for their branch. Even another branch of the same bank a kilometer away could have very different requirements.
Peter **********
@Brandon ***********
good advice as always
Dee ***********
@Brandon ***********
every bank I did visit they all say the same and number one Question you married to Thai lady the bank question was the same you need to be marriedBrandon ************
@Dee **********
there's absolutely no requirement to be married to a Thai to get a bank account.Dee ***********
@Brandon ***********
I' ment to say if you want a joint accountActivity
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