What is the easiest way for expats to open a bank account in Thailand?

Oct 3, 2024
a month ago
Bob ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hi can anyone tell me the easy way to open a bank account in thiland
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TLDR : Answer Summary
Opening a bank account in Thailand can vary in difficulty based on visa type and personal circumstances. Generally, having a long-term visa (especially a retirement or work visa) makes the process easier. Required documents typically include a passport with a valid visa, a Thai phone number, proof of residence (like an immigration letter), and sometimes a second form of ID. Many expats recommend using an agent, especially for those unfamiliar with local regulations or language, while others have successfully opened accounts independently.
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Nigel *************
Go to a bank
Pablo ********
YouTube has several examples of how to open a Thai bank acct
John *********
Have the correct visa and go to the bank
Chris ************
HaHaHaHa
Doug ********
There isn't one. You may have to payment agent.
Geo ******
Go to a major bank with your passport etc and tell them you would like to open an account for the purpose of buying a condominium.....have the names of 2 or 3 you are considering just in case they ask. I did this and walked out with an account and an Atm. I opened another one since then and I had to take two my landlady and her husband with her blue book and a letter from immigration it took hours......it was a BKK Bank in a small town......If I had gone to the next town all I would have needed was a letter from immigration according to the manager.....so all branches are not the same
Bill *********
Go the bank
Terry **********
Spell Thailand first then you can open bank account
Tore *********
Depends on your visa, less than 3 months visa almost impossible. With work permit, long term medical treatment, ED visa, retirement visa, elite visa, condo ownership. LTR and others its easy.

Just as a tourist, no way. (And no point)
John-Paul ******
Bangkok Bank is usually the easiest. Also K Bank is good too. BKK Bank has office in New York so if from the US easy to transfer.
Ann ************
It would help if you at least spelt Thailand properly 🤪😂😂😂
John ****************
Pry bar??? Lol.
Mick ********
As stated earlier it will be dependant on your visa status I opened an account with no agent in 45mins because of my visa (non o 90day marriage)
Simon ********
Agent
Egil **********
Mots service pattaya but you need to have Phone and house adress in your name
Dave ********
Time machine go back 20 years was easy
David **********
My experience is no easy way unless you have a Non-B, then the schook will take care of it for you. I’ve been in Thailand almost 90 days on an O Retirement visa and just opened an account 2 weeks ago. I’ve been trying for 2 months.

Or I guess use an agent
Kenneth *******
@David *********
I had a 6Mo tourist visa.
Kenneth *******
I do not understand why people have a problem with bank accounts. I went to Bangkok bank with my passport and some USA cash. Ten minutes later I had the bank book in my pocket and left the back.
Chris ************
@Kenneth ******
apparently a lot of the rules have changed this year
Richard ********
Maybe start by learning to spell the country properly 😁
Robert *******
Can somebody point me in the direction of an agent in Bangkok that can help me get OA visa and a bank account.

DM me if you can’t advertise here.
Brandon ************
@Robert ******
You can't get an OA in Thailand. But you can get a non-O visa.
Robert *******
@Brandon ***********
thanks for that. Sorry for my ignorance.

Do you know of a reliable agent in Bangkok ?
Rob **********
@Robert ******
you cannot get a OA visa inside of Thailand, the OA visa can only be applied for at a Thai consulate/ embassy in your home country.
Chris *********************
A friend of mine opened a account with kbank not so long back.

He took all the required documents, plus a bank statement from his UK bank account, showing a fair amount of money.

Told the bank he wanted to transfer cash in Sterling every month, to thai account less than a hour done sorted, but I recommend taking a thai speaking person with you.

Good luck
David **********
Get an address and letter from immagration
Gilles ******
@David *********
rent long term then Ask a papier, go immigration Ask for retirement visa,next go bank ?
John *******
Where is thiland?
Gregory ********
See an agent
Mark ********
Go into Bangkok Bank of Krungsri. Take your passport, be well dressed, no shorts, no tee shirts, clean shaven. Tell them you are looking at condos / going to buy a condo sometime and you want to set up a bank account so that you can send over 3 or 4 million baht. Thats how I did it back in the day. Good luck.
Bob ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Mark *******
cheers will give that a go
Mark ********
...you dont need an agent.
Marky *******
Thiland? Lol
Ken ******
It would be easier if you could spell
Roy ********
There is agent in Soi 6 near Beach rd Pattaya Mark and Pon.
Greg *********
Give all your money to your thai girl friend and ask her to do it for you
Peter **********
Walk round every Bank branch in your local Mall till one says yes

Worked for me
CruPaul ********
1. GO to bank 2. Ask 3. If bank unhelpful repeat.
Grandpappa **********
put a million pounds in the bag, go to the bank and ask where you can leave it.

or go see an agent
Samuel ********
Drive to the bank and open a account, literally takes less than an hour.
Tai **********
@Samuel *******
this is false, I have a non immigrant visa and was turned away so not all Non-immigrant visas work.
Samuel ********
@Tai *********
This conversation is clearly about banking.

Unless you’re joking about not having an account, you’ve had every chance with all the available free information online to improve your situation. But instead, it seems you’ve chosen to be immature and waste time chatting with another random person online.

If you really want to prove something, start by getting a bank account. I bet I can get my fourth before you even manage to open your first.
Samuel ********
@Tai *********
During my time here, I’ve successfully opened three bank accounts in three different provinces, by myself, simply by following the online guidelines and the procedures at local branches.

Your experience tells me, the banks don’t want your business.
Tai **********
@Samuel *******
is it because I’m black? 🤣 or why would you assume they don’t want my business because clearly you have no idea about my financial situation which is the only thing banks care about.
Samuel ********
@Tai *********
You should definitely reach out to your preferred local branch to discuss the options for opening an account.

I’m probably browner than you, and no, when I registered, I was never asked if I was of Māori or native New Zealand descent.
Tai **********
@Samuel *******
you’re as white as they come bruv 🤣
Marc ********
I had to buy an insurance for 5900b and they opened for me.

Not sure how more easy it can get
Mark *********
The insurance is not mandatory, just politely decline the offer
Marc ********
@Mark ********
Then they decline politely opening the account for you
Mark *********
@Marc *******
well that wasn't my experience so all the best for yours
דוד *******
You have a phone number of an agent to open a bank account
@Marc *******
Marc ********
@דוד ******
No I do not.I did noz use an agent
Sangho *****
@Marc *******
bangkok bank in pattaya ask me to buy 6900 accidents insurance waste my day and went to agent 4000 bhat take me 30 minutes got bank account with travel visa

With bank account in Thailand everything is easy
Marc ********
@Sangho ****
Yes that's what I did. I didn't want to go search for an agent. Just went to bank and paid.
Vijay *****
@Marc *******
.what kind of insurance?
Marc ********
@Vijay ****
Bangkok Bank. Accident insurance. And I even had an accident after the insurance was expired.

Would have been covered 100k bhat at Bangkok Hospital.

Tough luck
Christopher ***********
@Marc *******
Can sympathise! Excellent Pattaya Visa Agent obtained a Non-O Retirement Visa plus 12 months extension plus opened a Bangkok Bank savings account for me. It was conditional to buy 12 months Bangkok Bank Personal Accident Insurance. Only 3,000 baht and covered moto accidents providing you were under 65.
Douglas ******
You need a resident visa good for 1 year or more.And of course money and time.
Knocker *******
Scb are the easiest and less hoops..however a proper visa is best
Pertti *************
Pay agent
Todd *********
@Pertti ************
exactly this. It's the only answer to that question
Pertti *************
@Todd ********
yes I had first non o with all documents then non ib and impossible get salary to bank because everyday rules changed and couldn't open account. Just pay pay agent🙏 My wife tried talk many banks but no luck. Even with pink and yellowish plus some greasy between I just gave up🤡
Todd *********
@Pertti ************
Its a headache for many. I was initially denied by Kasikorn, but the second bank i walked into was Krungsri and they opened one up right away with no insurance request either. It was during covid though and i was still on visa exempt entry, but no problems. No problem for my gf either. Those seem rare nowadays though
Pertti *************
@Todd ********
yes today some be lucky too but not for me when I needed to open account..
Jim **********
@Mots *********
pattaya,A1 service with o visa,2 passport size photos they'll sort out your tm30,and very reasonable very quick and do everything for you Bangkok bank.
Pornpatcharanan *************
-Have visa more than 15 days

-Passport not expire in 6 months.

-Tm30.

-Residence certificate immigration for open account (for tr visa 60 days can open Bangkok bank only ),visa 1y not need residence certificate immigration for open account

-2photos

-copy passport frist page and visa page

Fill foam residence certificate put all information tel,

-go Get Q no.immigration or go agency they do for you all

Last step **need driver license,paper if you marriage certificate show bank if you not have driver licenses when you go open account.

🙏
Nigel **************
No sorry!
Bob *******
Bangkok Bank was ok with correct documents. Done myself
Mark **********
Go to a bank. You need passport with visa, phone (Thai)number and letter from immigration to confirm address here.
Peter *******
@Mark *********
and you don’t need an agent
Mark **********
You might need proof of health insurance. I forgot that one
Aake **********
@Mark *********
It is not necessary. But from the turn of the year, banks will have to request a passport and an additional ID document, ID card or driver's license when you want to open a bank account. Of course, address certificate from imigrationIt is not necessary. But from the turn of the year, banks will have to request a passport and an additional ID document, ID card or driver's license when you want to open a bank account. Of course, address certificate from imigration
Aake **********
@Mark *********
and one more id- card
Kim *********
@Aake *********
only passport and proof of residence for me - BKK and Krungsri
Mark **********
@Aake *********
not all countries have id cards. I only used passport
Graham ******
@Aake *********
Some banks/branches ask for two forms of photo ID but not all
Saad *******
Vijayananda **********************
@Saad ******
how much do they charge? Any idea....
James ************
@Vijayananda *********************
4000 baht. 5000 if you need a tm30
Bbc *********
Agent
Lee *********
@Bbc ********
yea exactly
Bbc *********
Dunno why people get angry when I replied agent , honestly I tried so many ways with many paperwork's with unfortunately the law changed and is pretty hard unless u got some vip to introduce u or else agent seems to be the easy part
Phil ******
Pattaya
Jay *****
If you have the correct visa, easy peasy.
John ********
With money
Sylvia ********
Depends where you are and what sort of visa you have, how easy or difficult it is, many have to use an agent
Ed ********
Agents.
Tosh *****************
@Ed *******
go to the bank
Ed ********
@Tosh ****************
Banks, and still get told, not on a visa exempt.
Christopher ********
@Ed *******
solid advice cousin! 🍻🍻
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