Answered2 years ago

What documents do I need to open a Bangkok Bank account as a foreigner living in Bangkok?

Bangkok Bank Visa rules Proof of residency Embassy requirements Foreign bank accounts Expat banking in Thailand

Alain ***************

asked Oct 4, 2024

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Good morning everyone. I’m on dtv and luckily have a bank account with Bangkok Bank since 2018. unfortunately my home branch is in a town in isaan and i live in Bangkok now. So i thought i give it a try and just went into a random branch. Of course, they didn’t find DTV on the list but after some calls she said can open just need letter embassy. Does anyone know what this might be

Update a few hours later: I got a call back from a bank employee. She said just  show something with a stamp from the embassy with my name on it. She was pretty honest and said bring documents they don’t even ask for. Like driving licenses, rental contracts. After a few minutes of looking at paperwork, they might just open the account. She agreed that their rules are somewhat weird and confusing and I shouldn’t just try again 😂

Update 2: the embassy sent me instructions how to order a Staatsangehörigkeits- und Anmeldebestätigung ( english: proof of citizenship and registration as swiss living in Thailand) from the ministry of foreign affairs online which i ordered now and will receive by post. I will ask them for permission to post it here to show you all as an example

Answer summary

The user is trying to open a Bangkok Bank account at a branch in Bangkok, despite having originally opened it in Isaan. They learned that the bank requires a letter from the embassy as proof of residency. After searching, they found out they need a document stamped by the embassy with their name, which could include unnecessary documents like a driving license or rental contract. Further, an update revealed the embassy can provide an online proof of citizenship and registration as a Swiss citizen living in Thailand, which the user has ordered.

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Damian ******

2 years ago could be also passport copy signed by embassy. If they ask for that you can generally ask them to show some examples how this looks like.

2 years ago

Greg ********

I had this issue in Bangkok Bank in Bangkok too. Had an account elsewhere. They asked for Certificate of Residence to be signed off by Embassy. I do not even think Embassies provide this service.

2 years ago

James *****

Why do you need to change branch, you can still use the account in bkk

2 years ago

Alain ***************

@James ****

for every small change my local bangkok bank branch wants me to visit the office where i opened the account. Like when i lost my card i had to travel to pakchong. Would be easier to just use the bank across the street instead of a multiple hour taxi ride

2 years ago

Sefton ********

Usually that means proof of residence. Which can be embassy letter or immigration letter.

Depending on your current TM30 registration that can be easy or need a small fee. Bangkok I read likes you to have done a 90 day report (I think thats not certain) so you may need an agent or to use the mroe expensive embassy route.

2 years ago

Alain ***************

@Sefton *******

thanks. I just called the swiss embassy and they said that they don’t know either. They said it might be a passport copy signed by the embassy but if I can get the bank to explain what it is, they will be happy to help me. If I find out, i will update this post as it might help others, too 🙏

2 years ago

Sefton ********

@Alain **************

ask them for a 'proof of residence' or 'proof of residential address'..

Explain the same one you need to buy a vehicle (when immigration wont give the letter) they should know what that is.

2 years ago