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What do I need to successfully open a bank account in Thailand on a Non-O visa as a foreigner married to a Thai citizen?

Non-O visaBank accountThailandMarriage visaUS EmbassyThai spouseImmigrationForeigners in ThailandVisa requirementsBanking in Thailand
Aug 29, 2019
5 years ago
Robert ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I am trying to open a Bank Account in Thailand and am on a Non-O visa now. I have a Thai Spouse and this is part of the process of obtaining a marriage visa to deposit my 400,000K baht for 3 months.

After spending an hour in the bank, they are saying I need a specific paper from the US embassy which allows me to open the account but couldn't give me a form number.

I have a good friend in the Khon Kaen immigration office that says my bank is "bullshit" and try another bank. Does anyone have experience with this? Thank you.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user is experiencing difficulty opening a bank account in Thailand while on a Non-O visa, despite being married to a Thai citizen. They were informed by the bank that they need a specific document from the US embassy but weren't given clear details. Community members advise them to try different banks, particularly Kasikorn, where they can open accounts with just a passport and basic documentation. It appears that experiences vary widely depending on the bank branch, and some users suggest that the embassy requirement is misinformation from inexperienced bank staff.
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Jesse *********
@Robert *******
 how did your marriage visa go? where did you apply?
5 years ago
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Jesse *********
Robert Pruitt All you need from the US Embassy is an affidavit right? and they stamp with their notary stamp? P.S. do you mind sharing the agency you used?
5 years ago
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Jesse *********
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Vivek ********
Try kasikaron branch in a some mall with this amount I hope u will be able to get through this red tape.I did it with only my Non B Visa and company docs.
5 years ago
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Akthar ************
Robert Pruitt I opened my account 3 months ago in krungsri it was really quick with my non immigrant visa
5 years ago
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Akthar ************
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Marty ********
I have been told that a RESIDENCY CERTIFICATE will eliminate that problem. Thai Immigration offices will give you one that is only valid for 30 day. A copy of your lease and passport will be required.

The U.S. Consulate will give you a RESIDENCY CERTIFICATE valid for 6 months. I have been told you must schedule an appointment for them and have no idea what documents they require.

All of this information came from my Thai Attorney who is getting my initial RESIDENCY CERTIFICATE as I am disabled and do not mind paying them to do that. Plus I cannot do stairs.
5 years ago
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Vipin *******
Go to your wife's bank... They let me opened bank account even on tourist visa... Lol
5 years ago
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Kenny ********
Bangkok bank , tm30 and passport
5 years ago
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Joe ********
That's not true. I opened an account without any paperwork from the embassy. Just needed to fill out the irs tax form
5 years ago
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John ********
Six months ago, I went to a tiny Bangkok Bank branch in a shopping mall just north of you (Nong Bua Lamphu).

Opened two single accounts and one joint account. Passport only. They already had the IRS form.

Yes, your Khon Kaen friend was correct. Even different branches of the same bank have vastly different levels of competence.
5 years ago
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Ադամ ********
My bank in Chiang Mai has required this for years. They are foreigner friendly, clearly displaying requirements to open an account
5 years ago
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Ադամ ********
Garrett Greenwald The embassy/consul letter to validate the passport.
5 years ago
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Ադամ ********
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Paramjit *******
awesome 📌
5 years ago
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Dawn **********
I went to 3 Bangkok bank before they allowed me to open an account with my passport and lease agreement...People say the one in Kad Suan Kaew was the easiest. It didn’t work for me. I opened mine at Pantip plaza. Good luck.
5 years ago
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Nathan ***************
Opened a joint account no problem just after we got married

All finished in about 15 minutes

Kasikorm
5 years ago
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Thomas *************************
Just go to Krungsri. All you need is a lease agreement and passport. I got one on a tourist visa.
5 years ago
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Benjamin *************
@Thomas ************************
 yes!
5 years ago
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Benjamin *************
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Steven ***************
I got one easily at Kasikorn

I'm on a spouse visa too. Take your wife to the branch in your local area. She will need to cosign for it.
5 years ago
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Steven ***************
If you still have grief, open a joint account with wife first then return a few days later to open a sole account.
5 years ago
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Steven ***************
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Ken ******
I just did this two months ago. Had to fill out a US tax form (the bank had the form) but that was it, aside from providing a passport and a Thai address.

Go to a different bank if they won’t play ball with you. Should not be an issue once you sit in front of someone at the bank that knows the procedure.
5 years ago
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Rob **********
Try different banks and different branches- keep pounding the footpath and eventually you'll get a bank sorted. After all, I know people that have opened bank accounts on visa exempt and tourist visas with just a copy of passport.
5 years ago
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Vipin *******
@Rob *********
 true....
5 years ago
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Vipin *******
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Jamie *******
As others have said -- just try different branches. Some are more cooperative than others.
5 years ago
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Benjamin *************
That’s indeed bullshit. Go to kasikorn, and try out different branches, talk to the manager.... eventually it will be possible
5 years ago
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Andrew *******
Not an IRS form? I had to fill out a US tax form at K-Bank when I took over as MD for a company in Thailand.
5 years ago
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Steven ***************
@Khun *****
. Exactly. If tourists can open a bank account here then spouses of thai citizens definitely can. As you said just lazy or incompetent staff at the bank.
5 years ago
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Ken ******
Robert Pruitt Nope. You need your passport and nothing from any embassy. You also do not need a work permit.

If they start in with that, then go somewhere else. That means they don’t know what they are doing.

They drop that Embassy nonsense when they don’t know the procedure.
5 years ago
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Andrew *******
Not sure what else you would need. Non-US banks don’t like the reporting requirements for US account-holders. Made us pains in their behinds.
5 years ago
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Andrew *******
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David ********
Where did you try to open the account area i mean
5 years ago
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David ********
@Robert *******
 yeah sounds about bang on mate
5 years ago
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David ********
@Robert *******
 i know its difficult in touristy areas ive had no problems in nong khai to be honest i think some places the staff cant be bothered
5 years ago
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David ********
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Yin ********
ICBC Chiangmai
5 years ago
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Henrik **************
Try another bank.
5 years ago
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Henrik **************
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