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What documents are needed to open a bank account in Thailand as a foreigner?

Banking in ThailandForeigners opening bank accountsThai visa requirementsDocuments for bank accountBank account procedure in Thailand
Aug 7, 2025
21 days ago
Jeremy *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I have just visited SCB bank and I am in the process of opening a bank account. They have sent my paperwork to head office and I will have my bank account next week. Long holiday now until Wednesday. Copy of certificate of residency , copy of my E-visa , passport non o stamp and passport details , copy of blue book and they wanted to see the blue book and copy of ownership of my house .In addition they took my Thai phone number and wanted the registration receipt from AIS , 50 baht. For me personally it was a pretty good experience with them.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
A user shared their positive experience of opening a bank account at SCB Bank as a foreigner in Thailand. They submitted various documents including a certificate of residency, E-visa, passport with NON-O stamp, and proof of property ownership. Despite some frustrations expressed in comments regarding tightening banking regulations, other users also shared their successful experiences with different banks, highlighting the varying requirements and processes. Overall, the discussion underscores the necessity of proper documentation and the challenges faced by expatriates in Thailand's banking system.
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Jesper *******
I'm not sure why u need to wait for one week....I have mine in 20mins (not counting waiting for queue) I've got just my nonO stamp and thai driving licence
20 days ago
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Jeremy *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Well done by the way for licence and stamp. Got 3 years left on my international driving Licence. Thai licence when forced to. 2 accs would be handy. SCB may refuse me
19 days ago
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Jesper *******
@Jeremy ********
 just to share international licence is only good for 90days per entry....u need to go out and come back to have it valid .....thai licence is easy to get and it's better for protection interms of insurance
19 days ago
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Jeremy *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jesper ******
 ok thanks. I will look into it soon then. For peace of mind if nothing else
19 days ago
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Tony *****
@Jeremy ********
 I just want to confirm Jesper’s comment. I had to do an online training session which took about n hour. Then at the licence centre some reaction tests. Then hey presto I got my 2 year driving Licence. Honestly. It’s well worth the time spent.
19 days ago
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Jeremy *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tony ****
 thanks
19 days ago
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Jeremy *********
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Jeremy *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jesper ******
 like a lot of things in Thailand. SCB bank policy maybe. It's not a problem with me personally. I am retired , all I've got left is time. A note to people maybe not as fortunate as me. Thinking of you. I opened a bank account with Kasikorn yesterday. I may end up with 2. 😂
20 days ago
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Jesper *******
@Jeremy ********
 it's wise to have 2accts one for the immigration requirements and one for daily use you don't want to present a long statements to the immigration for your next extensions cheers
19 days ago
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Jesper *******
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Norbert **********
Receipt from phonecompany is free!!!
20 days ago
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Joe **********
They actually hate us except for tourism I really don't see how people can't see that!
20 days ago
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Mark ********
But I'll hang around ...just to piss them off 😂🥳🙋🏼‍♂️
20 days ago
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Joe **********
@Mark *******
 I gave up and moved!
20 days ago
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Mark ********
@Joe *********
 I like to play with 'em ...especially the "moderators"...LOL ! 😂
20 days ago
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Mark ********
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Mark ********
@Joe *********
 Agree.
20 days ago
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Mark ********
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Duncan *******
No biometrics for foreigners with SCB so the limit you to max 50k for transfers on the app, 100k in branch.
21 days ago
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Ian **********
So, you own a house and have a blue book?
21 days ago
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Jeremy *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I have been advised by my lawyer that the best way to deal with my situation is to start a company to hold the land and lease to me. I would own 49% of the company and the Thai lawyer would own 51% of the company but she would be a silent partner only and I would be the only person able to sign any paperwork relating to the land. This is what I have been told. I have no reason to doubt her but this is Thailand.
19 days ago
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Jeremy *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I will have to get back to you for that. It will be good info for all.
19 days ago
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Jeremy *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
No my name is not in my blue book.
21 days ago
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Max *************
@Jeremy ********
 It came with your property.
19 days ago
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Jeremy *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Max ************
 yes it came with my property. From the lawyer I received the blue book and a sale certificate. I will also receive the land purchase agreement soon. They have just completed the combination of chenotes for the extra land I purchased from the previous owner. She will contact me when completed so I can pick up all relevent original paperwork
19 days ago
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Max *************
@Jeremy ********
 In what name is the land purchase if I may ask?
19 days ago
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Max *************
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Jeremy *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ian *********
 yes , I own my house and 30 year lease on the land
21 days ago
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Jeremy *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
And have a blue book
21 days ago
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Nongnuch ********
@Jeremy ********
 is your name listed in the blue housebook? As normally a foreigner cannot be named in a blue housebook. He can only get named in a yellow housebook. However, I must admit, I have already come across foreigners in my visa advice group who insisted that they are named in their blue housebook. Yet I still haven't seen any by myself
21 days ago
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Max *************
@Jeremy ********
 Your name is not in your blue book.
21 days ago
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Max *************
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Mark ********
Here's what I did. I went into Krungsri Bank on a tourist visa some years ago. I told them I wanted to open a bank account because I had sold my home in my home country, and I wanted to buy a Condo here in Thailand. I would also require some insurance. (all b/shit of course). Tell them just enough. End result..they couldn't move fast enough to open an account for me. ( I also did this at Bangkok Bank, worked a treat. ) You're welcome. 😉
21 days ago
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Max *************
@Mark *******
 Yes, it worked "some years ago". Now, not so much. 😎
21 days ago
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Mark ********
@Max ************
 depends on the applicants dress and attitude as well.
21 days ago
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Mark ********
Nobody cares what you think, Thurkettle. 😉😂
21 days ago
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Mark ********
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Stuart *********
@Mark *******
 Two years ago is irrelevant. Banking rules have tightened up over the last few weeks.

What you could do in June is irrelevant to what they’ll allow you today.
21 days ago
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Mark ********
@Stuart ********
 My wife works for Krungsri Bank. I KNOW how all it works. 😉
21 days ago
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Stuart *********
@Mark *******
 Then she would have been able to tell you that what you managed to do two years ago is completely irrelevant to what you can do now.

I guess she KNOWS but hasn’t informed you yet.
21 days ago
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Mark ********
@Stuart ********
 You don't know as much as you think you know, sir. And you are a moderator? 🤔
21 days ago
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Stuart *********
@Mark *******
 Yes. I’m a moderator of this site. That means I see posts from lots of people about current happenings now. I see what they are posting now. I see there is a huge difference to what posts were like 2 years ago to what they are 2 weeks ago.

I may not know as much as I think I know but I can read.

You have experience of opening a bank account two years ago. With a wife that works in a bank. How many others have that advantage?

Can’t really see the relevance that that would have in today’s world. But obviously you think you know best so let’s just leave it at that.
21 days ago
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Stuart *********
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Paul ********
Kasikorn in Central Festival Pattaya opened an account for me on the spot about a month ago. Took less than an hour. Left the bank with the book, debit card, and ap on my phone installed and tested.
21 days ago
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Michael ********
@Paul *******
 guess you still needed all the necessary documents.
21 days ago
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Paul ********
@Michael *******
 Oh absolutely I did need documents. But nothing remotely complicated or difficult - I did it myself, without assistance of an agent.

Basically the same list as the OP, except I have a lease, not a blue book.
21 days ago
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Michael ********
@Paul *******
 I will probably need to open another Bank Account due to the current changes with Bangkok Bank before the end of the year, so will do it myself. We own our Condo so that ticks one box, just got to get the other paperwork together.
21 days ago
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Michael ********
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David *********
Same yesterday at kasikorn in and out 1 hour all done
21 days ago
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Tony *****
@David ********
 was that central festival Pattaya as well?
21 days ago
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Tony *****
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Michael *******
Pretty much standard around the world now, banks are tightening up everywhere painful but necessary I guess.
21 days ago
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Craig *********
Are you sure they didnt say they are sending off to head office for approval ? Ive had this with 3 banks ,SCB being one of them and all 3 can back with a no answer...I hope its not the case for you
21 days ago
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Jeremy *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Craig ********
 I will just have to wait and see then. All of my paperwork is in order so I can't see why they would refuse but who knows
21 days ago
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Jeremy *********
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Patrick ********
Next they want a DNA and blood sample. It's really getting over the top here now. On the one hand they want foreign investment and offer great Tax benefits and incentives whilst on the other hand the Visa restrictions and banking regulations are a real turn off. It's actually a shame what's happening in Thailand.
21 days ago
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Michael *******
Try opening a bank account in many other parts of the world, especially as a foreigner - tedious and painful….its a widespread problem not exclusive to Thailand.
20 days ago
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Peter **********
@Patrick *******
 SCB has those procedures and the “one week” waiting time easily becomes two weeks. Their procedures are tedious, but once you get through it an ok bank.

I opened my account exactly one year ago. Same experience, more documentation because my non-O did not state the reason for the non-O (I am married to a Thai lady).
21 days ago
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Lynnette *******
@Patrick *******
 what are the visa restrictions?
21 days ago
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Andreas *********
@Patrick *******
 normales Prozedere, ist doch keine Aufregung wert.
21 days ago
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Mark ********
@Patrick *******
 unfort. it's their country and they can do as they like. Draconian I know but we have 2 choices. We can stay...or we can go. 🤷‍♂️
21 days ago
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Mark ********
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Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else
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