The easiest bank to open a savings account in Thailand often mentioned by community members is Bangkok Bank, especially for tourists and those with specific visas like retirement or education visas. Factors like the required paperwork, the ability to communicate in Thai, and the discretion of bank branch staff play significant roles in the account opening experience. Other banks mentioned include SCB (Siam Commercial Bank) and Kasikorn Bank, but experiences can vary widely depending on the branch and the individual's visa status.
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Depends on where you are and your visa status, however primarily Bangkok bank will be the easiest
แมทธิว **************
For me krungthai and Bangkok bank have always been best.
Ross ***********
BKK Bank
Danny *******
Bangkok Bank is the only bank in Thailand allowed to open up an account for someone on a TR visa… Each branch however, will charge you a different fee (insurance fee) to open in. In Ko Samui one bank wanted 7,000 baht to open, another one 3,000 and then finally found one for 2,000 (800 of it being a deposit into the account). Took about and hour and just needed some documents.
There is no "easy" way to do any kind of business in Thailand. LOL.
My husband and I managed to open an account ourselves when we still spoke no Thai. It was hard. Keep going to different branches until you can find one that will.
Gary **********
The easiest as got to be your girls bank she will let you put your money in
Chris *********************
What ever bank you go to take a thai speaking person with you.
Yellow one with a tourist visa proof of address and passport
Otto *********
Depends on the capabilty of the staff registering your bank account.
Same bank, but differernt branch offices, can mag a huge difference.
Conny ************
Bangkok bank
J ******************
There is no consistency from one bank or even one branch to another, helps to have a Thai speaker with you
Chris **********
Lloyds
Dan *********
what shit are you talking aswell!!
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Dan *********
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Alistair **********
Depends what paperwork you have. Tourist visa - Bangkok Bank. ED visa, retirement visa, medical visa, work permit - Kasikorn is pretty easy, though a lot of banks would be with the right paperwork.
so I can open an account with Bangkok bank by myself with a passport , visa exempt and proof of address ? Or do I need an entity like Siam legal to help me ?
You certainly can open a bank account by yourself, you dont need Siam legal. I changed up some Sterling in an SCB branch in Ubon and they asked me if I wanted to open an account, didnt ask what type of visa I had, just asked for my address. No residence cert or cert from British Embassy.
depends where you are located. You either need residence certificate from immigration (have to have done a 90 day report in Bangkok, other areas don't have this requirement) or letter from your embassy certifying your passport (or something along those lines) otherwise a guarantee letter from Siam legal or another firm. Or possibly buying their insurance.
it 100% does tho. The only bank where what you said is true is as I said above Bangkok Bank. Where you can get an account on a tourist visa (or exemption)
You can open a bank account on a visa exemption you just need proof of your address or someone to guarantee your address. The bank you choose makes no difference
I literally opened an account yesterday. I've been to 30 different banks. You can ask Siam legal if you like, they will open a Bangkok bank account for you. Not kasikorn or another bank with their letter of guarantee. What you could do 2-3 years ago is not what you can do today.
Thai banks dont have different criteria for opening bank accounts. Yes, some managers might be wary of foreigners opening an account but there's no law to stop anyone opening an account at any bank providing they can prove their address or have someone guarantee their address. Siam legal aint the be all and end all of what happens in Thailand!
when I get home I'm more than happy to upload documentation I received outlining what is and isn't required, I speak fluent Thai and have a year long extention of stay. I had detailed discussions with many bank staff recently. Banks 100% have criteria for opening accounts for foreigners. They all do. They have paperwork and you can request it of them. Does that mean you can find a dodgy manager who will open one for you anyways? Yea of course, it's Thailand. U can bribe people easily in this country. But there is 100% policies in place that determine this. If you haven't opened an account recently then your experience may be different.
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Alistair **********
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Steffen *********
SCB Siam Comercial Bank
Ste *******
Lloyds lol
Dan *********
Are you taking the piss or is this a legit answer?